Hyderabad: The book fair at the World Telugu Conference is attracting language lovers, readers and general public and the most sought-after books are related to Telangana. Visitors are buying books on Telangana’s history, culture, art and the statehood struggle. Biographies and works on eminent personalities like Kaloji Narayana Rao, Komaram Bheem, Dr C. Narayana Reddy and Suravaram Prathap Reddy are finding many takers. Another interesting feature is the books on Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Jayudu and Suparipalana, two books that touch on KCR’s crucial role in the Telangana movement and his governance, are also bought by the visitors.
Sharing details, Kista Reddy of Hyderabad Book Trust, which organised the fair, said that around 50,000 people visited the book fair on December 15, the first day of the literary extravaganza. “Book sales amounting to Rs 2 lakh were seen on the first day. One book stall itself generated Rs 20,000 revenue. A total of 60 stalls, including a few on handloom and textiles, will function for the five-day duration of the event,” he said.
T. Vishal, a MBA graduate and an avid reader, was happy at the large collection of Telangana books at the fair. R.Venkanna,teacher and a delegate from Rajanna-Sircilla district, felt that younger generation was losing reading habit and something should be done to overcome the issue.
“The visitors coming to the book fair are above 30 to 40 years of age. Youngsters are showing interest in gadgets and the Internet,” he felt. N. Koteshwara Rao of Navodaya Book House said that they are taking steps to get in more stocks of books relating to Telangana in view of the demand by book lovers.
