Kitab Kauthik Book Fair Rescheduled in Garsain Amid Controversy

The 13th Kitab Kauthik Book Fair, rescheduled in Garsain after past cancellations, will feature 40,000+ books, cultural events, and literary workshops on April 5-6.

on Apr 03, 2025

Kitab Kauthik Book Fair Rescheduled in Garsain Amid Controversy

The 13th 'Kitab Kauthik' book fair, which is being organized by Creative Uttarakhand, will be held on April 5 and 6 at Garsain, the summer capital of Uttarakhand. The event has been seriously challenged in the past, as it was canceled twice earlier due to purported pressures from right-wing groups. These groups allegedly protested against the sale of books on leading figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, claiming that such books were "not fit to be sold."

The fair was first planned for February at the HNB Garhwal University, the state's sole central university. The organisers had already taken permission, but this was subsequently withdrawn. The spokesperson of the university, Ashutosh Bahuguna, said the move was made after inputs from the students' body, indicating that the fair could disrupt examinations being conducted in the university and deviate students' minds.

Despite these drawbacks, the organisers were adamant that they would conduct the fair. They have now rescheduled it in Garsain, with the intention to provide a platform for book lovers and foster literary culture in the region. The next fair will host a diverse collection of more than 40,000 books from 50 publishers. Apart from selling books, the fair has been conceptualized to provide a whole cultural experience in terms of literary sessions, workshops, poetry readings, painting on the walls, nature walks, bird-watching workshops, self-help group stalls, and author interactions. Access to the fair is free, and visitors can also await different cultural activities.

In the run-up to the fair, a writing workshop was launched on March 31, where more than 150 students from 10 schools participated. The students have been engaged in writing their own books, which will be displayed during the fair. Career counseling sessions are also set to be held in different schools in the city on April 4, with the aim of guiding and helping students in their studies and career goals.

This decision to hold the fair in Garsain comes from the organizers' resolve to surmount past challenges and maintain their work of spreading love for literature and knowledge in Uttarakhand. By shifting the event location and increasing its scope, they aim to reach more people and leave a lasting influence on the cultural terrain of the community.

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