West Bengal CM Unveils Vision for Rs 10 Crore 'Boi Tirtha' at Kolkata Book Fair
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a significant announcement on Thursday during the inauguration of the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair at Salt Lake Central Park fairground. She revealed plans for a 'Boi Tirtha' project with an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore, to be funded by the state's information and culture department.
A Permanent Literary Landmark for Kolkata
The Chief Minister expressed her commitment to establishing this literary landmark before the 50th edition of the book fair next year. "I was requested to build 'Boi Tirtha', like Mahakal Dham and Durga Angan, before the 50th edition of book fair. I would like to tell my secretary to fulfil this wish," Banerjee stated during her address.
She emphasized that the existing fairground already serves as a permanent 'Boi Mela Prangan' (book fair ground), and the new 'Boi Tirtha' would complement this space as a dedicated literary destination.
Concept and Design of the Book Sanctuary
Banerjee shared that she has personally begun conceptualizing the project's design. "I have made a rough sketch. It will have to be set up entirely with books. The information and culture department will give Rs 10 crore to the guild for this purpose," she explained, directing the Publishers and Booksellers Guild to submit an official proposal letter.
Tridib Chatterjee, general secretary of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild, elaborated on the vision for 'Boi Tirtha', describing it as a museum-cum-mall dedicated exclusively to books. The facility will showcase rare and valuable literary works while providing visitors the opportunity to purchase books. "It will be a place of books where people will get to see different types of books and buy books," Chatterjee noted, adding that the specific location for the project is yet to be finalized.
International Kolkata Book Fair: A Cultural Phenomenon
The Chief Minister highlighted the significance of the International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF), which she described as the country's largest book fair with free entry. She shared impressive statistics from the previous edition: "Last time, 27 lakh people attended. Books worth Rs 23 crore were sold. We expect the numbers to be higher this time."
This year's fair features 1,100 stalls and will continue until February 3, operating daily from 12 pm to 8 pm. Banerjee emphasized the government's supportive role: "We don't charge any tax. It's entirely free. We try to help the fair in every possible way."
Global Participation and Literary Exchange
The 49th edition boasts participation from 20 countries, including Britain, Germany, China, Australia, Russia, and Ukraine. Banerjee reflected on the fair's international significance: "Books have no geographic boundaries. They are part of education, culture, and literature. Our students, who are now in various parts of the world, were taught here. They read our books and were enlightened with knowledge."
Argentina serves as the theme country this year, with notable presence from Argentine Tagore scholar Gustavo Canzobre and Ambassador Mariano Agustin Caucino.
Addressing Modern Reading Challenges
The Chief Minister acknowledged contemporary challenges to reading habits while expressing confidence in bibliophiles' enduring passion. "Due to smartphones, computers, and AI, it is true that many people have become distanced from books. Is the reading habit slightly declining? For bibliophiles, the answer is definitely no," she observed.
Banerjee shared her personal writing practices as testament to traditional literary engagement: "I don't like typing on a computer. The books that I publish are all handwritten. I did not let that habit die. The words flow out organically." She revealed that 153 of her books have been published, with 9 new releases planned this year, bringing her total publications to 162.
Celebrating Literary Excellence
During the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Minister conferred the Guild Lifetime Literary Award to novelist Swapnamoy Chakraborty, recognizing his contributions to Bengali literature.
Looking ahead, Banerjee expressed excitement for the upcoming 50th edition: "This is the 49th year. The celebration of the 50th edition has begun. The fair is a part of our culture and emotions. It has turned into a global uniting ground for world literature."
The announcement of 'Boi Tirtha' represents a significant investment in Kolkata's cultural infrastructure, positioning the city as a premier destination for literary enthusiasts while preserving and promoting the rich tradition of book culture in an increasingly digital age.
