Apple of eye at book fair,Narendra Modi stands beside Jobs

Modi inaugurated the seven-day fair in the air-conditioned canopy set-up on the Sabarmati riverfront,in which 177 publishers from Gujarat,Maharashtra,Rajasthan and New Delhi have their book stalls selling a large variety of books. There were over a dozen stalls selling books on religion and spirituality right from Hinduism,Islamism,Christianity among others displayed besides books on education,literature and science.

“We have entered in 52nd anniversary of statehood today. However,the world doesn’t know much about Gujarat and Gujaratis. When we say German or Yahudi (Jews),we conjure up specific images of them but when it comes to Gujaratis,the image that comes to mind is people with taraju ya vyapaar (weighing scale or business). But the arrival of this fair will change this image,” Modi said in his speech at the inaugural function.

Modi said the decision to hold the book fair didn’t happen randomly. Instead,it was a strategic move of the state government which has taken more than five years. He also said the benefit of this endeavour would start realising after five to 10 years when the new generation comes up. The fair is propagated as an extension of the state’s “Vanche Gujarat” campaign (Gujarat reads),to promote reading among youth.

The fair is being jointly organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and National Book Trust (NBT),New Delhi.

At the inaugural ceremony,director of NBT M A Sikandar,while appreciating the state government’s move,said publishers were reluctant to come to Gujarat because of the apprehension of poor business.