The 42nd Agartala Book fair will begin from February 21st, 2024 at Hapania International fair ground and the fair will continue up to March 5th next.

The schedule of the 42nd Agartala book fair was finalized during the first preparatory meeting of the fair committee, chaired by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, which was held at the hall number-2 of Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan on Saturday.

Speaking in the preparatory meeting, the Chief Minister stressed on the participation of the maximum number of booksellers and publishers from other parts of the country.

Dr Saha also requested all the concerned persons to ensure good facilities for all book lovers during fair days and importance on maintaining sound pollution, proper traffic management, seamless power supply etc. he also asked the organisers to purchase the good books written by local writers through government expenses.

Dr Saha suggested that the book fair should turn into a total amusement for all sections of the society along with traditional book reading and sales. Dr Saha said Book Fair ignites the creative faculties and all necessary steps must be taken to ensure that maximum number of people can participate in it.

The meeting also discussed all other aspects of the fair and decided to constitute several sub-committees to look after various sides of the fair.

PK Chakraborty, secretary to the ICA Department in his welcome address said that the aim is to make the fair better than last year and the government is ready to extend all help. Bimbishar Bhattacharjee, Director of ICA through a powerpoint presentation described the details of the fair and the steps being taken to make it a success. He said the sub-committees will discuss all the difficulties being faced and steps to be taken to remove them.

During the preparatory meeting AMC Mayor Dipak Majumder, the vice-chancellor of Tripura University, Prof Ganga Prasad Prosain, vice-chancellor of MBB University Dr Satyedeo Podder, assistant high commissioner of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission Arif Mohammad, vice-chairman of  state’s cultural committee, Subrata Chakraborty, president of All Tripura Booksellers and Publishers Association, Uttam Chakraborty, president of Agartala press club Jayanta Bhattacharjee, senior journalists Dibakar Debnath, Sujit Dey  and Bishwendhu Bhattacharjee with others including publishers were also present.