8th National Book Fair in Shimla

A Literary Feast from June 21 to June 30, 2024

Shimla, June 20, 2024: OCARD India, in collaboration with the Himalayan Literature, Culture, and Environment Forum, is delighted to announce the 8th National Book Fair in Shimla. The fair will be held from June 21 to June 30, 2024, at the Padamdev Complex on Shimla Ridge. The event will be inaugurated by His Excellency, Governor Mr. Shiv Pratap Shukla, on June 21 at 5:30 PM.

This year, the fair has moved to the Padamdev Complex from its previous venue at the Gaiety Theatre Complex to accommodate more visitors and improve book sales. The fair will feature 30 publishers of Hindi and English literature, with 45 book stalls showcasing a wide variety of books, including a special focus on children’s literature.

Participating publishers include Rajkamal Publications, Vani Prakashan, Rajpal & Sons, Publication Division, Adhar Prakashan, Nikhil Publications, Samkaleen Prakashan, Bhartiya Kala Prakashan, Anurekha Prakashan, Rajasthan Patrika Publications, Padam Book Company, Nayyar Book Depot, Jai Book Depot, Rishi Publications, and Genius Hive Publications.

The book fair will also host several literary events:
June 22: “Kavi Darbar,” featuring over forty poets from various parts of the country. The chief guest will be renowned litterateur Prof. Abdul Bismillah.
June 23, 10 AM: “Bal Sahitya Manch” (Children’s Literature Forum), with chief guest Aditi Maheshwari Goyal, Executive Director of Rajkamal Publications, and special guest Dr. Devendra Gupta, Editor of Setu Sahitya Patrika. The evening will feature the OCARD Literary Award ceremony.
June 24: The launch of senior poet Mohan Sahil’s poetry collection by the Honorable Education Minister Rohit Thakur, who will also inspect the book fair.
June 25, 1 PM: A session on “Hindi Literature and Translation,” with chief guest Prof. Usha Bande and chaired by Prof. Meenakshi F. Paul. Author and translator Pankaj Darshi will coordinate the session.
June 29: A discussion on “Contemporary Hindi Literature and Criticism,” with chief guest Dr. Hemraj Kaushik and coordinator Dr. Satyanarayan Snehi. Additionally, there will be a “Sahitya Samvad” on June 24 and a book launch of “Gaon Ka Itihas” on June 28.

Each year, OCARD honors a distinguished literary figure with the OCARD Literary Award. This year, the sixth OCARD Literary Award will be presented to the renowned poet and critic Ganesh Gani from Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The award ceremony will take place on June 23 at 3 PM at the Gaiety Theatre. Ganesh Gani has published several notable works and is known for encouraging young writers.

The fair promises to be a literary feast for book lovers and a significant cultural event for the city of Shimla. All are welcome to join and celebrate the love of reading and literature.