By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: Do you want books on Islam, Muslim historians and intellectuals, Urdu language and literature, and Urdu poets in Urdu,English and Hindi languages? Then do visit ongoing ‘Patna Book Fair’ where you will find books on all these topics and many others.
The 11-day (10-21 Dec.) book fair, which was inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on 10thDecember at Gandhi Maidan in the state capital Patna, has witnessed huge number of visitors during three initial days. A along queue of book lovers especially students is seen outside the venue. All seem eager to find the books of their choice.
People searching book of their choices at the stall of National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language
As you enter the venue you find dozens of book stalls installed by book publishers and companies from several cities of the country.These book stalls have books on variety of topics including language,literature, science, history, religion and biographies of great
personalities.
There is a stall of Sahitya Akademy, New Delhi, where you will find Urdu books on Muslim dignitaries including former presidents of India Dr. Zakir Hussain and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, first Education Minister of India Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, noted Urdu poets like Ali Sardar Jafri, Majrooh Sultanpuri and Jigar Moradabadi, famous short story writer Saadat Hassan Manto, great reformer of Urdu Ismail Meruthi, and Indian shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan.
Urdu books at the stall of Sahitya Akademy
In next circle of the book stalls there are four book stalls of Urdu and Islamic books–National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (New Delhi), Adam Publisher (New Delhi), Idara Kitabusshifa (NewDelhi) and Khuda Bakhsh Library (Patna).
At the stall of National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language books are available on literature, dictionary, biography, history, science, poetry and several other topics. Needless to say all books are in Urdu language.
Urdu books at the stall of Khuda Bakhsh Library
While the stall of Adam Publisher has Quran, tafsir-e-Quran, Hadith, books focusing Islamic teachings, principles of Islam, Islamic laws, the way of life in the view of Islam and importance of communal harmony and brotherhood. The stall has books in Urdu, English and also in Hindi.
“We have books written by great Islamic scholars and preachers covering almost all the topics that are essential to get sufficient knowledge about Islam. If one wants to understand Islam, he will not go empty-handed from our stall. Therefore, a good number of people visited our stall and we did good business till today” said Sharf-ul-Hoda, the in-charge of Adam Publisher.
Books on Islam at the stall of Adam Publisher
But he complained about attitude of the management of the book fair and said that the stall may not be installed next time.
“The management is not cooperating with us. They did not provide us with things required for the stall such as racks and tables. We have been putting stall here for several years but it may be that we will not come next year” he added.
A child hoding a book at the stall of Adam Publisher
Idara Kitabusshifa, as its name suggests, has books on Unani medicine in Urdu as well as religious books while the stall of Khuda Bakhsh Library has books on history, Urdu poetry, Urdu literature etc.
“A large number of people visited the book fair but as far as sale of our books is concerned it is not as much as we expected. The reason maybe is that more Urdu speaking people did not visit the book fair till today but we hope good business in remaining days” said Mohammad Jawwad, the in-charge of Khuda Bakhsh Library’s book stall.
Books on Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam at the stall of Prabhat Prakashan
In addition to that, at the stall of Prabhat Prakashan, New Delhi you would see a dozen books on Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in Hindi language. Some of them are: ‘Kiya hai Kalam’, Agni ki Uran’ and Mere Sapno ka Bharat.’ Besides, the stall also has books on Dr. Zakir Hussain and Ustad Bismillah Khan.
(Photos By Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net)