3 min readChandigarhNov 14, 2013 03:42 AM IST
First published on: Nov 14, 2013 at 03:42 AM IST
If the titles ranging from alphabetical primers to V S Naipaul’s paperbacks attracted a good number of buyers,a special stall dedicated to the promotion of Sanskrit language and a ‘knowledge desk’ teaching ancient meditation techniques called ‘Falun Dafa’ became the center of attraction at the Chandigarh Book Fair that got off to a vibrant start on Wednesday.
A stall set up by the Sanskrit Academy,Chandigarh,an organisation aimed at promoting Sanskrit language,attracted many inquisitive youngsters.
A good number of people were seen buying ‘Beginners Sanskrit’ – an elementary guide book for those who want to learn the language.
Udyan Arya,director of the Sanskrit Academy said,“We have got a really good response from the people. We have seen that people have a very wrong assumption that Sanskrit is a very tough language and they cannot learn it. We are trying to dispel this misconception and promote the language. After all it is an integral part of our composite culture and needs to be preserved.”
“I studied Sanskrit till class VIII but then left it. However,today I chanced upon this book which looks quite simple and is an interesting and easy way to learn the language. I have bought this elementary book and will try to learn at least the basics of the language”,said Mayank,a Panjab University student.
Another place people thronged was a stall selling books with the seven lectures by Li Hongzhi,a Chinese master who popularised a meditation technique called ‘Falun Dafa’.
The two books named ‘ Falun Gong’ and ‘Zhuan Falan’ that describe the methods of practicing meditation and lectures by the master became a topic of discussion among the bibliophiles”
“We are selling the set of two books at the minimum possible cost of Rs 300. We are also teaching five exercises taught by the master free of cost”,said Ram Chander,owner of the stall.
He further added,“Truthfulness,Compassion and Tolerance are the most fundamental and essential nature of the universe and ‘Falun Dafa’ teaches how to cultivate these through mind and bo”y.”
When asked where he learnt the art,Ram Chander sai”,“It was in 2002 that a group of people came to Delhi from Taiwan,Singapore and China and taught locals this meditation technique. This was the same group which spread the information about this art throughout the country.”
Other stalls that had more to offer the crowd were the regular neighbourhood bookstore and a stall set up by the World Health Organisation selling WHO publications.
“Two titles which got good buyers are ‘Healthy Aging’ and ‘Social determinations of Health Sectoral Briefings”,said Anil Chitkara, owner of the stall.
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