Himachal Pradesh: The Shimla National Book Fair has come to an end, and organisers note positive feedback from readers

This year, millennials were interested in the nine-day national book festival in Shimla, which ended on Saturday.

Over 2.5 lakh books from over 23 publishing in India are on exhibit here in Shimla. The young people think that their increased reading habits are a result of social media and the COVID-19 lockout. The organisers are especially pleased with the positive reaction from the young people that attend the book fair.

The goal, according to the organisers, is to encourage individuals to read more often.
“The book fair received a positive reaction from us. It is being organised by the Ojas Centre for Art and Readership Development (OCARD). This year’s Shimla book expo is our sixth annual one. Beginning on June 24, it ran until July 1, 2023. The reaction from the public was exceptional, according to the organisers.

“The primary draw was the participation of 23 publishers, and the presence of nearly 2.5 lakh volumes under one roof. There are books for kids competing in it. In the modern age of digital and social media platforms, young people are en masse. The young people who come here have shown how crucial books are. Since COVID-19, people have been flocking in big numbers to book fairs in Shimla and around India since they have formed reading habits, according to Sachin Choudhary, the event’s organiser.

Visitors were also entering the nearby book fair held in the old Gaiety Theatre as well as the outside booths on the Ridge, in the centre of the city.
“I came here as a visitor. I’ve come to this book fair to purchase books for my brother and enjoy the pleasant weather. While cellphones and the internet are increasingly popular among young people, reading is always a good idea. We are really close with books. I’m on vacation here, and it’s nice to be at this book fair, said Chahat, a young Punjabi tourist and student.

Local young ladies rushed to the book fair because they preferred reading books over using the internet. At the book fair, these kids can afford to buy books.

“I prefer reading books to browsing the internet because books foster imagination and creativity while the internet just provides fundamental knowledge. Additionally, books provide verified facts while the internet is altered, thus I prefer reading books. Saod Salvia, a local young customer and reader, stated, “If we search online, the expenses are hefty, and here at the book fair, you can get books at inexpensive rates.

While some local teenagers were upset that they couldn’t locate some of the books they intended to purchase, they were also pleased that because to COVID-19, they were able to form a habit of reading.

“I thought it was interesting to browse around at all these books. I saw many duplicate books here, so it may have been better. There are many books I was hoping to locate here, but I was unable to do so. They offer a decent selection of classic books. I believe a new wave of literature is entering social media. On a website called Booktagram, readers may write reviews of their favourite books. Youth are inspired by it to visit book fairs and to respect books and art. Arundheti Thakur, a local girl, stated, “During COVID, people like me were reading books, and I think COVID did a lot of things to bring literature back into my life.”