STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The 33rd Guwahati Book Fair has scripted a number of firsts – it's the first book fair that has given succour to book stall owners after the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, it's first low-budget book fair to have set a record response and a book by a driver has been judged as the best seller.
Addressing the media here on Saturday, Publication Board Assam Secretary Pramod Kalita said, "After the COVID-19 pandemic, the 33rd Guwahati Book Fair is the first such fair in entire India that has brought some reliefs to the book stall owners.
"It may be the first low-budget book fair that has evoked massive response despite the COVID-19 pandemic. It has achieved a milestone in the history of Guwahati Book Fair."
On the business front, Kalita said, "Books worth Rs. 8 crore were sold in the book fair till today. The Publication Board alone has sold books worth Rs. 12 lakh. The best seller of this book fair is Life of a Driver, authored by Rupam Dutta, a driver himself. It's followed by Hiren Bhatacharjee Rochonawoli by Bipuljyoti Saikia."
Other books that were sold in large number at the Fair are Antartam by Geetali Borah, Mare Asom Jiye Kon by Rita Choudhury, Asimat Jar Heral Seema by Kanchan Baruah, Sri Sri Aniruddhadev Rochonawoli by Dr. Dambarudhar Nath, and others.
The book fair will conclude on January 10 when Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Axam Xahitya Xabha president Kuladhar Saikia, Boro Sahitya Sabha president Dr. Taren Boro will take part at the closing ceremony.