The 2nd edition of the Shillong Book Fair organised by National Book Trust (NBT) was inaugurated today by Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar.
The nine-day book fair will run till October 13 on the premises of the State Central Library.
Speaking at the inauguration, Frederick Roy Kharkongor, Principal Secretary, Arts and Culture Department, lauded the audience for braving the inclement weather and said that the participation proved that “you are all for books”. Congratulating the NBT for choosing Shillong as the venue for the 2024 chapter of the book fair, he said, “We hope that this (book fair event) will grow from strength to strength.”
Quoting Khalil Gibran, he told students that books would help them rise above fears. “Be a reader, be a leader,” he encouraged.
NBT Director Yuvraj Malik said that books are an integral part of any civilization. He addressed the school students present and told them that they are the ambassadors of the book fair and as the future generation, they will become the 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 come to Shillong. Books are something that defines a person,” Vijay Kumar Mantri, Education Commissioner & Secretary said.
Though the book fair opened amid heavy rain, 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’.
Two cultural programmes — performances from Geetanjali Dance School by students of Monica Chanda and Snam Rangsa Band— are set to enthrall visitors in the evening. The book fair will host several cultural and children’s events in the coming days.
