Agartala, Jan 10, 2023, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala, Jan 10: The 41st Agartala Book Fair is likely to start at Hapania International Fair Ground from March 24 next.

The decision was taken in the first meeting of the preparatory committee held at Muktadhara Auditorium, Agartala on Tuesday. The Book Fair would continue till April 05.

Minister for Information and Cultural Affairs Sushanta Chowdhury said the Book Fair would be organized in a grand manner with opinions of all. 

He called upon everyone to extend their cooperation towards making the Book Fair a success. He also called upon the department and different committees of the Book Fair so that publishing companies from neighbouring country Bangladesh and other states of the country take part in the Book Fair in more numbers.

Director of Information and Cultural Affairs department Ratan Biswas presented the primary draft regarding organizing the 41st Agartala Book Fair.

In the meeting, an organizing committee and a managing committee were formed for conducting the 41st Agartala Book Fair.

Committees for seminars, Kabi Sammelans, quiz, Smaranika, cultural, construction, decoration and stall distribution, finance, awards, volunteers and media sub-committees were also formed in the meeting.

The organizing committee, managing committee and other sub-committees would be amended later when required. The Director of ICA department hoped that maximum 160 stalls of different sizes would be opened in the Book Fair this year.

Besides, the Book Fair theme and concerned subject would be decided in the next meeting.
Agartala-based Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh High Commission Arif Mohammed in the meeting said that he will be taking initiatives so that more number of publishing companies and book sellers from Bangladesh take part in the 41st Agartala Book Fair.

He emphasized upon opening an international desk for publishing companies and book selling companies coming from outside the country to the Book Fair. Vice-Chancellor of Tripura University Ganga Prasad Prasain, Chairmain of Tripura Higher Education Board Arunodoy Saha, Chairman of Tripura Tea Development Corporation Santosh Saha, Secretary of Agartala Press Club Pranab Sarkar and Secretary of ICA department Dr. Pradip Kumar Chakraborty were present in the first meeting of the Preparatory Committee.

Representatives of various departments, publishing companies and cultural personalities were also present in the meeting.