Bookish Santa's Unique Book Fair Revolutionizes Reading Experience in Northeast India

It's the first northeastern city from which our organization, Bookish Santa, hopes to continue the never-ending quest to encourage reading nationwide.

on May 15, 2023

Bookish Santa's Unique Book Fair Revolutionizes Reading Experience in Northeast India

In a first-of-its-kind micro book fair in the city, many book enthusiasts are delighted that books are being weighed and sold. The best-selling books formerly available at Daryaganj Sunday Book Market, one of the largest book markets in Delhi, are now up for grabs.

To make reading enjoyable and accessible simultaneously, a group of Delhi youngsters led by tutor-turned-entrepreneur Tarun Yadav left the city with the same books available at the Daryaganj market.

The eight tonnes of imported books that were transported in trains and set up in the Silpukhuri Rajahuwa Namghar (prayer hall) at discounts of 50% to 70% astounded book lovers. All books are purchased through Indian wholesalers, who import them from the UK in shipping containers. Most publications, including children's books and classic novels, are not intellectual.

"Our trip started from Guwahati is unique. It's the first northeastern city from which our organization, Bookish Santa, hopes to continue the never-ending quest to encourage reading nationwide. From the crowded stand near the Namghar entrance, Tarun informed TOI that our previous book fair in Kolkata had been an experiment but a resounding success.

The namghar has been a roadside icon in the upscale suburb of Silpukhuri here, so the book fair, which began on Friday without a formal opening, has drawn much interest. The event will go on till May 21.

"In only four days, our book fair in Kolkata's Shyambazar generated Rs 10 lakh in sales. In December, we intend to visit Kolkata once more, Tarun remarked. He claimed that Shillong, known as the Scotland of the East and one of the most well-liked tourist spots in the northeast, will be the group's next location.

A customer named Dhanashree Kalita was shocked to pick up 11 kg of books for only Rs 3,750. She and her spouse split the reading material equally.