Kolkata Book Fair 2013 extended by three days

Pakistan News & Features Services

The duration of the 37th edition of the International Kolkata Book Fair 2013 has been extended by three days upon the request of the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, taking into account the interests of small and medium publishers in particular. 

The Kolkata Book Fair 2013 will now begin on January 26 instead of January 29 and will end on February 10. Regarded as the largest and most attended book fair in India, it was reported to have generated business of over Rs 20 crores last year. 

“The Chief Minister suggested that keeping in mind small and medium-scale publishers from the state, the duration of the fair be increased," Tridib Chatterjee, General Secretary, Publishers and Booksellers Guild, revealed. 

Mamata Banerjee will be the chief guest in the inauguration ceremony of the Kolkata Book Fair 2013 on January 26 with Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Finance Minister, Bangladesh, and Partha Chatterjee, a West Bengal minister, to be the guests of honour on the occasion. 

Writers, dramatists and musicians from various countries are expected to take part in the Kolkata Literary Meet to mark the centenary of the legendary poet-writer Rabindranath Tagore winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. 

Famous Bengali writer Sunil Gangopadhyay, who passed away in October, will also be remembered at the event. 

The scope of the Kolkata Book Fair has now gone far beyond books and includes a world food market, exhibitions, an employment fair and other displays and entertainment. 

The special attractions in the upcoming Kolkata Book Fair 2013 will be International Complex, Media Corner, Children Pavilion, The Art Village Open Air Auditorium, Newspaper & Media Zone, Special Bus Service, Solar Power Operated Car, Book Fair FM Station and Call Centre facilities.