Give books as presents to promote reading habit, urge writers & publishers

A bigger disappointment, especially for students, researchers and historians, comes when one goes hunting for Hindi books on architecture, constructions and sculpture. There are none. One has to buy English books and try to understand the subject to their required levels

Less than two weeks after the World Hindi Conference in Fiji, the World Book Fair began in New Delhi to a great response. A look around stalls set up for the fair revealed that the maximum presence was that publishers of Hindi books across all genres.

Of course, Delhi’s World Book fair is a carnival time for the book worms. They wait to tap the treasure trove that comes with every edition. A bigger joy for the readers is to buy the autographed copies of their favourite authors.

Of course, there is no dearth of readers for Hindi books, ranging from science to sports and from management to motivational.

A similar patronisation can be witnessed in the book fairs at Patna and Lucknow, where readers also enjoy being there during book launch functions. When it comes to reading, Biharis are second to none. Their quest for knowledge is so phenomenal that Patna is a happy hunting ground for writers and publishers. Alas, things are not that heart-warming in New Delhi and NCR. Even though it is deemed the bedrock of Hindi heartland, readers here come across as a different breed, altogether. They expect writers (Hindi and English) to give them a free copy of their latest offering. It is to such brazen levels that these ‘readers’ call the writers and request them to present the book so that they can review it. On being asked which publication pat comes the reply ‘on FaceBook.’

Dr. Manish Kumar Chaudhary, a young Hindi professor at Delhi University, is noticeably perturbed at this development.

“It is time that readers develop the habit of investing on books as a reward for their favourite writers. It is absolutely shocking that a freebie-loving tribe of readers is increasing thick and fast in the Hindi heartland. Neither publishers nor writers should encourage them,” says Choudhary. Acclaimed Mumbai-based author and editor Harish Pathak says that he avoids gifting his books. Harish Pathak’s much awaited book ‘Raj Babbar- Dil Mein Utrata Fasana’ on the life and times of Bollywood star, Raj Babbar, published by Prelak Publication, is to be released during the fair.

Moving away from the freebie-loving readers, a bigger disappointment, especially for students, researchers and historians, comes when one goes hunting for Hindi books on architecture, constructions and sculpture. There are none. One has to buy English books and try to understand the subject to their required levels. I wonder how many Hindi readers are aware of the fact that eminent painter Satish Gujral was also an acclaimed architect. I am sure that even a handful will not know of this creative side of Gujral. The fault lies with the apathy of publishers of Hindi books. A student of architecture may not find any book(s) in Hindi on great architects like Edward Lutyens, Harbert Baker, Charles Correa, Robert Tor Russel, Achyut Kanvinde and others. What a tragic irony!

I would like to share my own bitter experience in this connection. While working on my book- ‘Dilli Ka Pehla Pyar- Connaught Place’, I had to write on the design part of this iconic landmark.

To my utter shock and disbelief, I could hardly find anything in Hindi on what I was seeking. The Connaught Place was designed by Robert Tor Russell and I had to refer English books on him and his magnum opus for getting inputs.

Dr. Prabhansu Ojha, who teaches at Hansraj College and is an advisor of National Book Trust (NBT), says “It is a matter of grave concern that we do not find quality books on subjects like architecture and sculpture. All stakeholders in the publishing world, including publishers and writers, must rise to the occasion and address this anomaly sooner than later.”

It is a remarkable facet that the golden jubilee edition of the nine-day New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) is coinciding with the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava celebrations and India’s G20 Presidency.

One hopes that the World Book Fair will draw readers of all age-groups and they will buy loads of books.

“Indians will come of age when they start giving books as presents during birthdays, festivals and other such occasions. They will actually be developing the reading habit among their friends and kin. Nothing can be more joyous than that,” says Dr. Chaudhary.

(The author is Delhi-based senior journalist and writer. He is author of Gandhi's Delhi which has brought to the forth many hidden facts about Mahatma Gandhi)