Agartala, January 2: Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Friday evening inaugurated the 44th Agartala Book Fair at the Hapania International Fair Ground, ushering in a 13-day literary celebration that began earlier than usual to accommodate students preparing for upcoming board examinations.
As many as 183 publishers from across the country are participating in this year’s fair, including 48 from outside Tripura representing states such as West Bengal, Assam, Maharashtra and New Delhi.
Local publishers, showcasing works in Bengali, Kokborok, Manipuri and other indigenous languages, described the fair as a crucial platform to promote regional literature and reach a wider readership.
However, Bangladeshi publishers are absent from this year’s edition due to the prevailing turbulent situation in the neighbouring country.
Despite the rising popularity of e-books and digital reading platforms, the fair witnessed a steady turnout of book lovers on the opening day, reaffirming the enduring appeal of printed books—often associated with the nostalgic aroma of new pages that digital formats cannot replicate.
The inauguration ceremony was followed by a colourful cultural programme, continuing a long-standing tradition that has seen growing participation over the years.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Saha underscored the importance of cultivating reading habits and encouraged people to gift books as a means of spreading knowledge and curiosity.
He remarked that books serve as a bridge from ignorance to knowledge, from darkness to light, and from falsehood to truth, which ultimately sets individuals free.
Highlighting the positive influence of books, Saha said reading helps reduce mental distance and fosters clarity of thought.
“Books are true friends that never betray, whereas in the age of social media people are often influenced by negativity. Books, on the other hand, always guide us in a positive direction,” he said, urging citizens to make it a daily habit to read at least a few pages.
Describing the Agartala Book Fair as a cultural festival of Tripura, the Chief Minister said it hosts the second-largest gathering of Bengali books in the country after West Bengal.
He likened it to a literary ‘Kumbh Mela’ where writers, publishers, sellers, readers and creative minds come together, contributing significantly to the preservation and development of the state’s art, culture, heritage and identity.
Accompanied by Deputy Speaker Ramprashad Paul, Agartala Mayor Dipak Majumder, former Tripura University Vice-Chancellor Padma Shri Arunoday Saha and other dignitaries, CM Saha also inaugurated a photo exhibition and visited various stalls, appreciating the diverse range of books on display.
Organisers highlighted a positive trend in book sales, noting that revenue rose from ₹1.47 crore in 2024 to ₹1.53 crore last year.
Although chilly weather kept attendance relatively low on the opening day, they expressed confidence that footfall would increase in the coming days, as the fair promises something for readers of all ages.
