Shillong Book Fair draws crowds on Sunday

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 6, 2024

The second day of the Shillong Book Fair on 6 October 2024, organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) under the Ministry of Education, saw a strong turnout despite being a Sunday. The pleasant weather attracted book lovers of all ages to the State Central Library, where the fair is being held.

Visitors, including Swapnil Tembe, IAS, Director of Education, Meghalaya, browsed the diverse collection of books, with Tembe personally purchasing several and emphasising the importance of cultivating a reading habit for active learning.

Notable among the attendees were young readers like Shrishti Biswas, a Class XI student from APS, Shillong, who expressed her interest in spirituality books and shared her purchases, including a collection of Kafka’s short stories. Nine-year-old Laaijanai Kshiar, accompanied by her uncle, was particularly enthusiastic about children’s literature, with plans to return to the fair for more books. Another visitor, Rebecca Thabah, a Harry Potter fan, highlighted her love for reading, showing off her haul that included the “Shatter Me” series and children’s books.

In addition to book browsing, the fair featured activities like a poster-making competition for NCC cadets and live performances by a band and dance groups. Upcoming events on 7 October include children’s workshops on cursive writing and self-defence by the Meghalaya Taekwondo Association, as well as a session on Vedic Mathematics.