CHENNAI: The 45th edition of the Chennai book fair, organized by the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI) was inaugurated by chief minister M K Stalin on Wednesday.
During the ceremony, Stalin announced the release of part-one of his memoir, titled “Ungalil Oruvan” by the end of February. The memoir will comprise prominent events and stories on 23 years of Stalin’s life until 1976.
The book fair at YMCA grounds in Nanadanam will remain open until March 6. A calendar event attracting huge crowds, the fair was postponed this year owing to the Covid-19 and there were worries among the publishing community that they would be left in the lurch.
“For the past 45 years, the Chennai book fair has been a source of joy for book lovers across the state. I convey my regards to the organizers, BAPASI for accepting the government’s requests and postponing the book fair which was to be held during Pongal holidays, keeping in mind the rise in Covid cases. They did this despite spending huge amounts of money and erecting infrastructure,” Stalin said. He further promised that the government will extend all support to BAPASI to ensure that book fairs are held in all districts across the state.
Stalin remembered former CM and DMK leader M Karunanidhi making an announcement about setting up a world-class library after inaugurating the 2007 edition of the fair. “Our leader lived up to his words and the Anna Centenary library is for all to see,” the CM said and added the government has begun work to build a similar library at Rs 114 crores in Madurai.
Stalin pointed out that he had donated more than 1.5 lakh books, which he had received over the years as gifts, to libraries across the state and the world.
