PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said the Patna Book Fair (PBF) has evolved as one of the three best book fairs in the country after Delhi and Kolkata and the 10th best in the world.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the 24th PBF at Gyan Bhawan on the premises of Samrat Ashoka Convention Kendra here, the CM said the book fair should not be treated as a 'place for selling books'. Instead it should be used for activities related to art, culture and literature.
Informing audience about the historic importance of the Samrat Ashoka Convention Kendra, Nitish said it has three major components - Gyan Bhawan, Bapu Sabhagaar and Sabhyata Dwar. He said the first two components have been completed while construction of Sabhyata Dwar was still on. A symbolic statue of Samrat Ashoka will come up at the Kendra, he added.
The CM also released a book - 'Samay Ka Lekh' - written by Jharkhand's food and civil supplies minister Saryu Roy. The book is a compilation of Roy's old write-ups written in early 1990s on economic issues of undivided Bihar.
Praising Jharkhand minister's affinity for writing on economic issues, Nitish said Roy had been writing on economic issues since those decades when very few political people were considered expert on such topic.
The CM also lauded Roy for speaking his mind despite being a part of the BJP-led government in the neighbouring state and sought his cooperation in expediting an ongoing campaign in the country for ensuring 'aviralta' (unhindered flow of waters) in the Ganga. He said Roy is known for raising his voice on issues of social importance despite being a cabinet minister of Jharkhand.
Bihar education minister Krishna Nandan Prasad Verma, art and culture minister Krishna Kumar Rishi, JD(U) Rajya Sabha member Harivansh, well known litterateur Usha Kiran Khan and ADRI's member secretary Shaibal Gupta also spoke on different aspects of Roy's book and PBF.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the 24th PBF at Gyan Bhawan on the premises of Samrat Ashoka Convention Kendra here, the CM said the book fair should not be treated as a 'place for selling books'. Instead it should be used for activities related to art, culture and literature.
Informing audience about the historic importance of the Samrat Ashoka Convention Kendra, Nitish said it has three major components - Gyan Bhawan, Bapu Sabhagaar and Sabhyata Dwar. He said the first two components have been completed while construction of Sabhyata Dwar was still on. A symbolic statue of Samrat Ashoka will come up at the Kendra, he added.
The CM also released a book - 'Samay Ka Lekh' - written by Jharkhand's food and civil supplies minister Saryu Roy. The book is a compilation of Roy's old write-ups written in early 1990s on economic issues of undivided Bihar.
Praising Jharkhand minister's affinity for writing on economic issues, Nitish said Roy had been writing on economic issues since those decades when very few political people were considered expert on such topic.
The CM also lauded Roy for speaking his mind despite being a part of the BJP-led government in the neighbouring state and sought his cooperation in expediting an ongoing campaign in the country for ensuring 'aviralta' (unhindered flow of waters) in the Ganga. He said Roy is known for raising his voice on issues of social importance despite being a cabinet minister of Jharkhand.
Bihar education minister Krishna Nandan Prasad Verma, art and culture minister Krishna Kumar Rishi, JD(U) Rajya Sabha member Harivansh, well known litterateur Usha Kiran Khan and ADRI's member secretary Shaibal Gupta also spoke on different aspects of Roy's book and PBF.
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