Patna: Patna’s much-anticipated Book Fair, organized at Gandhi Maidan under the aegis of the Center for Readership Development, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday. The event, running from December 6 to 17, carries the theme ‘Tree, Water, Life: Environment Change Now’ and aims to raise awareness about environmental sustainability alongside its literary offerings.
Following the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Minister toured the fair, inspecting stalls set up by various publications and exhibitions by state departments. He also inaugurated a painting exhibition and the ‘Vikasit Bharat 742047’ photo exhibition-cum-awareness campaign. During the tour, the organizing committee presented CM Nitish with a sapling and a book as a token of appreciation.
Key departments, including Revenue and Land Reforms, Labor Resources, Social Welfare, Science and Technology, and the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, showcased their initiatives at the fair. Deepak Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department, welcomed the Chief Minister during his visit to the department’s stall and provided a detailed overview of services like the special land survey.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Nitish emphasized the importance of protecting water and greenery for the survival of life. “Life is possible only between water and greenery. To ensure this, we launched the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan in 2019,” he said.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, Udaykant Mishra, Vice President of the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, Principal Secretaries Deepak Kumar and Dr. S. Siddharth, and Padma Shri awardee RK Sinha, former Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda Open University. District Magistrate Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh, SSP Rajiv Mishra, and members of the Patna Book Fair organizing committee were also present, along with a large gathering of book enthusiasts.
The Patna Book Fair promises not only a celebration of literature but also a platform for promoting sustainable development and environmental consciousness through its wide array of exhibitions and interactive events.
