Guwahati: Book publishers, writers, journalists and readers assembled at the prestigious 33rd Guwahati Book Fair to dwell on the challenges faced by the book (publication) industry during the COVID-19 induced national lockdown and also pave the way for renewed growth possibilities in the post-corona era.
The participants were unanimous in the opinion that the lockdown had severely affected the publication industry including newspapers. At the same time, it helped to increase the number of committed readers among the new generation. They were of the opinion that the process of publication and marketing of Assamese books also reemerged with a new technology-driven approach for the benefit of the readers.
Inaugurating the session, Assam based senior publisher Nabin Baruah said the lockdown helped everyone to redefine their life. Many people got back to their habit of reading and new, committed readers emerged.
Among the young publishers who addressed the session were Pritima Kaushik Barua, Manish Hazarika, Dhiraj Lahkar, Amrit Upadhaya, Farhan Javed, Buljit Buragohain and award-winning Assamese author Bipul Deuri. All of them agreed that modern technological tools for publication, promotion and marketing would bring a better deal for quality publishers around the world.
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Literary magazine editor Mihir Deuri, senior journalist Dixit Sarma, prolific writers Geetali Borah, Nabajyoti Pathak with Rupam Dutta, Jintu Thakuria, Nripen Dutta etc expressed concern over the shrinkage of valued readers in various regional languages across India. The said it was high time that Assamese was promoted as an internet-savvy language for a global reach.
It was also stressed that editors may have to change the approach to news for the survival of newspapers.
Guwahati Granthamela attracted thousands of book lovers every day with its over 125 stalls where the entry was free.
The book fair was inaugurated by Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal’s media adviser Hrishikesh Goswami.
