Ten-day 'Andaman Nicobar Book Fair' culminates with valedictory programme
Sri Vijaya Puram ,

The grand ten-day 'Andaman Nicobar Book Fair', organised by the Art & Culture Department, A&N Administration, in association with the National Book Trust (NBT), at the sprawling ITF Ground at Sri Vijaya Puram concluded today. The Fair was conducted with an aim to foster a love for reading and promote literary culture amongst the people, especially students and youth of these Islands. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, was the chief guest of the valedictory function.
In his address, the Chief Secretary wholeheartedly thanked the National Book Trust for associating with A&N Administration for the successful conduct of the 'Book Fair' for the benefit of the Islanders, especially the children and youth. He also thanked the publishers for visiting these Islands and setting up their book stalls, which he said, reflect their love & affection towards A&N Islands and its people.
The Chief Secretary said, it is our responsibility to develop reading habits among children, students & youth. Pointing out that there are good numbers of Libraries including School Library in all the Islands, the Chief Secretary underlined the need for cultivating reading culture and reading habits among all age groups in A&N Islands.
The Chief Secretary also felicitated the NBT Officials, Resource Persons and artistes for their contribution in making this Book Fair a meaningful one.
Earlier, welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, the Secretary, Art & Culture, Ms. Jyoti Kumari, IAS, said that the Fair was organised under the guidance of the Chief Secretary and was supported by the National Book Trust of India. She further said that educative session by the Resource Persons from Islands, Children's Corner by NBT and VR Show by IP&T Department were enjoyed by the school children & visitors during the 'Book Fair'.
Proposing the vote of thanks, the Director, Art & Culture, Smt. Priyanka Kumari, thanked all for their support especially the NBT for the smooth conduct of the Book Fair. The Book Fair featured 31 stalls displaying around 30,000 books of various genres and authors from different publishers from mainland India and provided an excellent opportunity for people to have a glimpse of wide variety of books and they were able to purchase them directly from the publishers.