New Delhi, Sep 15 (IANS) Book lovers will get a chance to browse through millions of books from seven countries at the 12th Delhi Book Fair beginning Saturday. For the first time foreign buyers have been invited to attend.
The nine-day fair will have 600 stalls spread over six halls at the Pragati Maidan. It will see participation of nearly 300 publishers, including from Pakistan, Iran, Germany and Mauritius.
Organised jointly by the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP) and India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) the fair will feature buyers from four countries - Britain, Mauritius, Malaysia and Uganda.
"This is the first time that foreign buyers are participating in the Delhi Book fair. We sent invitations to seven countries and we have received confirmation from four," said S. Raghavan, general manager of ITPO.
"Indian book publishing industry is doing good business and this initiative will help the cause of the industry further," Raghavan told IANS.
Shakti Mallik, president, FIP, said while Mauritius, Malaysia and Uganda will look out for textbooks and children's books, Britain will hunt for non-text books including art, culture and literature.
Mallik said a number of conferences, seminars, buyer-seller meets, book releases, book launches and cultural evenings will be organised at the fair.
"A children's painting workshop is also in the schedule to hone the creativity of kids," Mallik said.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will inaugurate the exhibition and noted poet Javed Akhtar will be the guest of honour.