Governor inaugurates the 2nd Edition of Shillong Book Fair
SHILLONG, OCT 6: FR Kharkongor, Principal Secretary, Department of Arts and Culture on Saturday encouraged students to pick up reading as books, he said, can help them rise above fears.
Kharkongor was addressing the students at the U Soso Tham Auditorium during the 2nd edition of the Shillong Book Fair inauguration by Governor CH Vijayshankar, who expressed happiness at this festival of knowledge for the benefit of the youth of Shillong.
The book fair, organised by the National Book Trust, India, will be a nine-day event and will be held till October 13 on the premises of the State Central Library.
Speaking at the inauguration, Kharkongor lauded the audience for braving the inclement weather and said that the participation proved that “you are all for books”. Congratulating the National Book Trust India for choosing Shillong as the venue for the 2024 chapter of the book fair, he said, “We hope that this will grow from strength to strength.”
Thanking the state government and the Education department for supporting the book fair, Yuvraj Malik, Director National Book Trust India said that books are an integral part of any civilisation.
Malik addressed the school students and told them that they are the ambassadors of the book fair and as the future generation, they will become dignitaries in the years to come with their power of knowledge if they include reading books in their daily lives.
“It is very encouraging to see such an event came to Shillong. Books are something that defines a person,” said Vijay Kumar Mantri, Commissioner & Secretary, Education, who prefers “reading to listening because that creates images in my mind”.
Other dignitaries at the dais included Swapnil Tembe, Director, Education department and DD Shira, Director, Department of Arts & Culture.
Though the book fair opened amid heavy rain, the overwhelming participation of school students on Day 1 was heartening. Over 300 students from more than 10 schools in the city thronged the venue.
The inaugural day has two children’s events — a drawing competition and an orientation session on Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya. The topics for the drawing competition are ‘My City, My Shillong’ and ‘When I Grow Up’.
Performances from Geetanjali Dance School by students of Monica Chanda and Snam Rangsa Band is set to enthrall visitors. The book fair will host several cultural and children’s events in the coming days.
