Bhubaneswar: The fourth edition of the Odisha State Book Festival ‘Akhshara’, which is being held at Unit-3 Exhibition Ground, has plenty to offer to bookworms of the city.
It is a veritable literary storehouse showcasing a wide range of novels, manuscripts, antique books, second-hand books, out-of-print books, maps, globes, periodicals and journals, educational books, literary books and picture books for children.
Around 210 publishers and distributors are participating in the event along with book stores of repute. They are offering the visitors a peek into the rich literary heritage of the state. The festival will be open till December 18.
A play school has also put up a stall at the fair where children can participate in different competitions. A few stalls are selling books and periodicals at amazingly low prices — only Rs 20 – Rs 50.
In an attempt to attract youngsters, a group from ‘Learn Gita Live Gita’ has put up its stall and are conducting quiz competitions online where people can win prizes on the spot by answering questions through their mobile phones.
Likewise, the +2 college of Institute of Higher Secondary Education (ITER), Vajirao Academy, and several other educational institutes are also conducting competitions to attract youngsters.
Meanwhile, many eminent authors visited the book festival and some of them also launched their latest titles here .
Around five to seven food stalls have also been opened for the visitors at the book festival.
The book fair has been organised by Odia Language Literature and Culture Department. Rajdhani Book Fair, Ekamra Pustak Mahotsav, and Odisha Publishers & Booksellers Association are the co-organisers of the event.
