Jaswant books Day 1 at fair

Asked if the overwhelming response to the book reiterated his belief that reading and writing were important for the nation,he said,“I’m deeply encouraged by the response. It’s heartwarming that so many Indians are eager to engage with a different point of view.” Singh also said he looked forward to his upcoming visit to Pakistan.

Publishers,on the other hand,are delighted with the response the controversy has generated.

Ajay Mago of Om Books International said,“We’ve sold 1400 copies of the book in the last week at our bookstores and its selling well today as well.”

Publishers Rupa said they could not confirm numbers,but the response has been huge.

But the attention on Singh’s book apart,the opening day of the book fair got a lukewarm response.

The venue,spread over 12,000 sq metres,was devoid of the rush that usually marks the opening day of the Capital’s calendar book event. Even big stalls such as Oxford University Press and Penguin attracted moderate crowds.

Organisers believe that the fair has not been advertised well enough. “Publicity and promotion is the responsibility of the ITPO,and they have not performed adequately,” said Delhi Book Fair director Shakti Kumar Malik. They,however,expect more people from Sunday,as the news spreads through media reports and word-of-mouth.

The book fair’s focus on authors from India’s Northeastern states is hardly perceptible.

Located in front of Hall No 8,the area has few titles and only a handful of stalls. Obscure books across genres are lumped together without any organisation or thought.

“I’m pretty clueless of what to make of this,” said a visitor. Things may get better though on August 31,when authors from the Northeast take part in a seminar.