Chennai Annual Book fair 2013 to be postponed
Posted on: 13/Dec/2012 12:41:21 PM
Booksellers` and Publishers` Association of India (Bapasi) is searching for an alternative place which would be spacious enough to accommodate hundreds of book stands, thousands of people and a fitting parking area. Bapasi held several rounds of discussions with the city traffic police, which felt that holding the mega event would add to traffic problems on the stretch.
But Last year book showcased nearly 10 lakh titles on art literature, science and politics, attracted about eight lakh visitors to its 640 stalls. "Police have asked us to look out for another ground," said Bapasi secretary Vairavan. It seems the school is also reluctant in let the organisers to hold the event on the campus, given the poor traffic scene on Poonamallee High Road. Bapasi president R S Shanmugam said a team was looking for a new location, but it is running out of time.
"If it uncertainty persists over finding a location, we may have to postpone the event," he added that a playground in Vanagaram was considered, but it has already been taken for mass prayers ahead of Christmas and New Year. Bapasi is weighing such options as the St Bede`s Cricket Academy near All India Radio, Quaid-e-milleth College of Women after an attempt to book Nandambakkam Trade Centre near Ramavaram proved futile.
Change in the venue will throw up eleventh-hour challenges for booksellers, who come up from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Delhi," said Bapasi former president Gandhi Kannadasan. Book lovers are also on tenterhooks. "Every year I look forward to the book fair," said Arulmozhi, an avid reader who is eager to know this year`s venue. The book fair also organizes oratorical, essay and quix contests for children.
