Bengal govt forms advisory committee for Kolkata International Book Fair

Kolkata, Aug 26 (IANS) The West Bengal Government on Wednesday announced the formation of a high powered advisory committee for organising the annual and prestigious Kolkata International Book Fair.

By constituting this committee with representation from multiple organisations connected with publishing, the state government has ended the virtual monopoly the Publishers & Booksellers Guild enjoyed during the Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress regime.

The organisations represented on the new advisory committee include the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, National Book Trust, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, and the Publishers & Booksellers Guild.

However, despite the Guild having representatives on the committee, its current secretary, Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay, and president, Sudhangshu Kumar Dey, have not been included. Both are known to have been close confidants of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

A state government official said the advisory committee has been formed to ensure wider participation in the book fair and to resolve operational issues that arose in the past.

The committee has decided that the 2027 Kolkata International Book Fair will no longer be solely under the control of the Publishers & Booksellers Guild. The Guild, the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), and the National Book Trust will jointly organise the 2027 event. The 24 member advisory board will provide guidance and advice on various aspects of the event.

Prominent members in the new committee include Swami Aryeshananda, who heads “Udbodhan,” the publication department of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, and Swami Saraswatananda, who heads the publication department of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha.

The Guild has four representatives: Devajyoti Dutta, Anil Acharya, Milind Dey and Rajkumar Burman.

Prasenjit Bakshi, a journalist by profession, has been made the convener of the committee.

The official added that the committee may meet as often as necessary and may invite members of the Guild or other organising organisations for better coordination. Sub-committees related to managing the book fair may also include advisory board members as needed.

--IANS

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