Something for everyone to promote ‘power of reading’ at Pune Book Festival

Siva Kumar, representing Shravya Educational Aids from Hyderabad, is adding a touch of innovation to the event. His stall features scientific games and educational science kits, with several new additions introduced this year.

There is all this and more at the Pune Book Festival organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) that unfolded on December 14, with over 600 book stalls offering a diverse literary palette. Inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday, the festival will be on until December 22 at Ferguson College grounds. The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Celebrating World, Cultures and Connections’, with an aim at inculcating a reading culture, features books from both Indian and global languages.

Prologue

Yuvraj Malik, director of the NBT, said the trust has been working for the last 67 years to promote book-reading culture in the country. “The idea behind the theme is to connect the younger generation with the power of reading and help them become better citizens. It also aims to inspire ways in which we can integrate books into our lives, whether they are for pleasure or empowerment. Through this festival, we are working to seamlessly blend and promote art, literature and culture where all these dimensions can flourish,” he added.

The festival has incorporated several unique features and events into its itinerary this year. It houses a literature festival, which will be held from December 20 to 22, and will consist of sessions by speakers from diverse areas of specialisation. The fest also comprises a literary stage for literary events and book releases where publishers can discuss their books.

Childrens’ film fare

A children’s film festival has also been integrated into the fest so children can enjoy and connect their learning through films. “The purpose of the film festival is to connect our children with the power of visual representation from book to screen and screen to book. The movies showcased are acclaimed films from all over the world. We have previously hosted this film festival in Lucknow and Ahmedabad, and this year we are glad to launch this festival in Pune,” said Malik.

Life lessons for students

Alefiyah Pata, a student of SNDT College, said how “the atmosphere this time feels entirely different”. From manga and novels to self-help books, Alefiyah observed that the festival gives something for every type of book lover. “There’s an incredible spectrum of genres—truly a paradise for readers,” she added. Her enthusiasm reflects the growing appeal of the festival among younger audiences.

“Just the volume and diversity of books at the venue is baffling. I have noticed that almost all the books on my reading list are on diverse topics like philosophy, history, politics, and fiction. This festival is also a great opportunity to hear discussions among speakers and authors,” said Drumil Modi, a college student attending the event.