Interview

MA Sikander: zeal to excel

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- Striving towards New Delhi World Book Fair 2012 at par with international fairsThe New Delhi World Book Fair 2012 is just round the corner and efforts are being made by National Book Trust (NBT), under the able guidance of MA Sikander, to make it a better and a bigger fair than its earlier editions. Here, Sikander shares his plans for this much-awaited show with SK Khurana and Varsha Verma.The 20th edition of biennial New Delhi World book Fair is scheduled from February 25-March 4, 2012 at the strategically located Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The show is organized by the National Book Trust (NBT), an autonomous organisation founded in 1957 by the first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru under the Ministry of HRD, Govt of India as the national body for book publishing and book promotion. NBT is not leaving any stone unturned to make it one of the best fairs in the country, at par with other international book fairs.

The director of National Book Trust - MA Sikander, who has been appointed just 150 days back, is very optimistic about the expanse and arrangements of the upcoming fair. “We wish to raise the bar of what we have been doing for so many years. We are planning everything in advance. We have even made arrangements for the travel desk wherein visitors from other cities and countries can avail discounts at hotels as well as get local transport conveniently at better rates,” he said. Sikander is taking note of even trivial things like issuing I-cards and branded blazers for the event.

Last edition, the signage system at the fair was not adequate, which we had reported in our special report on the show. To this, Sikander replied, “We are planning a better signage system. To make it easier for the visitors, we are naming the halls according to the books displayed in that particular hall. And all these would be properly marked for easy navigation. Also, there would be an exact record of visitors at the show as there would be a barcode entry for all.”

There would be a host of activities like author meets, book releases, seminars, discussion forums, rights pavilion, etc. “As a bonus, we are trying to have atleast one international event where foreign delegates or embassies would be participating. For example, we are planning to have one activity with Iran, with four translated books from NBT. Besides, we are also planning an event on regional languages,” he added. Visitors can even find 10 percent more participation of foreign exhibitors as compared to New Delhi World Book Fair 2010.

Taking forward their trend of offering theme-based international rights exhibition, the fair, this time will have a right exhibition on Indian cinema, celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema. For this, they have already received around 250 titles for display. “There would be huge publicity, visuals, screening of films, children related activities, etc to supplement it,” told Sikander enthusiastically.

Not only this, NBT is now poised to start a local or regional book fair or book festival in Delhi University campus from 2013 onwards. Sikander also plans to have a host of upgradations at NBT, few of which include foray into ebooks, ERP system by next year and modernization of stores and delivery modes. He was not happy with the moderate stand of NBT at this years’ Frankfurt Book Fair and plans for a much-better international standard stall next year.

“Infact, the book fair activity is being treated as the daughter’s wedding at NBT. We all are together working to make it the best New Delhi Book Fair so far,” concluded Sikander.