Delhi: Head to Pragati Maidan to know Mahatma Gandhi better

NEW DELHI: Eager to know how Mahatma Gandhi’s life inspired a generation of writers? And are you interested in learning about different, little-known facets of Gandhi’s life? If you have the affirmative answers, you should be heading towards Pragati Maidan by January 12 as this year’s New Delhi World Book Fair, which was inaugurated on Saturday, is a treasure trove of books inspired by Gandhi’s life and teachings.
The nine-day book fair, Asia’s biggest, will give visitors rare insights into the evolution of Gandhi as a printer, publisher and an editor, and into his philosophies. Several memorabilia related to Gandhiji are there.

Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), the fair, with ‘150 years of Mahatma Gandhi’ as its theme, was inaugurated by Union human resource development minister Ramesh Pokhriyal.
“The world today is facing several challenges, including terrorism. The world, the nation, the society and all individuals need Gandhi because of his vision and his philosophy of peace and non-violence,” said Pokhriyal.
Eminent Gandhian scholar Girishwar Prasad Sharma was the chief guest .
The theme pavilion — Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer — at Hall number 7E has been designed by National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. In the foyer, there are exhibits of 24 authors who have either been influenced by the Gandhian philosophy or had engaged with Gandhi.
The pavilion inspired by Sabarmati Ashram, with hand-spun materials as wall cladding, showcases 500 books of 100 publishers on and by Gandhi in different Indian languages, as well as 30 panel discussions, book launches and other performances.
The archival materials to be displayed are from Navjivan Trust, Ahmedabad and National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi. The theme pavilion has been divided into four zones – A, B, C and D – showcasing the theme presentation, Gandhi as a publisher-printer and book display, author’s corner and an introduction to letters written by Gandhiji, respectively. At the entrance, there is a selfie point as well. The fair will be held from 10 am to 7 pm.
While 23 countries are participating in the fair, this year no country has been accorded the “guest country” status due to the redevelopment activities at Pragati Maidan, said Govind Prasad Sharma, chairperson, NBT.
Children’s Pavilion has activities like storytelling sessions, workshops on creative writing and illustrations, seminars, panel discussion, among others. A special career counselling session for persons with special needs has been planned.