The 52nd edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair commenced with fervor as Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the event at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The ceremony witnessed esteemed dignitaries including Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to India, Mr. Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini, and Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi, among others.

In his inaugural address, Shri Pradhan underscored the significance of this year’s theme, ‘Multilingual India: A Living Tradition,’ emphasizing India’s rich linguistic diversity and its role in global literary traditions. He articulated that language and books serve as crucial assets in realizing the ambitious goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, echoing the vision set forth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Highlighting the importance of fostering a society that cherishes reading, Shri Pradhan stressed the need for nurturing a book-loving culture, which he believes is fundamental to cultivating progressive ideas and achieving societal advancement in line with the aspirations of Viksit Bharat.

Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini, in his address, emphasized the mutual commitment between India and Saudi Arabia towards building a better future, drawing parallels between India’s Amrit Kaal and Saudi Arabia’s 2030 vision.

Shri Pradhan further unveiled the National Digital Libraries for All app, a pioneering initiative announced in the Budget 2023-34. This digital library, aligned with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision, aims to promote lifelong reading habits among children and adolescents, offering a diverse range of literature in multiple genres and languages.

Additionally, Shri Pradhan launched the innovative e-learning platform, ‘E-Jaadui Pitara,’ aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, and released special modules, teaching-learning resources, and subject-specific materials.

The ceremony also witnessed the release of several publications, including the “Igniting Collective Goodness Mann ki Baat @100” anthology and the Hindi and English Braille editions of the book Exam Warriors authored by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The New Delhi World Book Fair 2024, themed around ‘Multilingual India: A Living Tradition,’ aims to celebrate India’s linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. With the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the esteemed Guest Country, the fair promises to be a platform for cultural exchange and literary dialogues between nations.

The event, scheduled from 10th to 18th February 2024 at Halls 1 to 5, Pragati Maidan, is open to all, with free entry for children in school uniform, senior citizens, and differently-abled individuals. Tickets are also available online and at select Metro Stations, ensuring accessibility for all literature enthusiasts.