Kathmandu

As one walks down the Bhrikutimandap-Putalisadak road section, a swarm of people are seen entering the gates of Bhrikutimandap. “What is going on inside?” — one wonders and immediately — without another thought — follows the crowd. One sees piles of books on tables in one of the corners near the gate. People browsing through these books, some asking for specific titles by their favourite writers, a few selecting some from the piles. These are the scenes from the ongoing Saatau Brihat Pustak Pradarshan at Bhrikutimandap that began here on November 18. The exhibition has 11 stalls with over hundred publishers and books ranging from fiction to pictorial books for children, books on health, personality development, thrillers, science and technology, among others.

Ritesh Rai, 25, working at an educational academy at Balaju was selecting a book in Nepali that gives tips on how to put forward a love proposal. Explaining on selecting the book, Rai shyly shared, “I want to learn how people put forward love proposals. I think the rules described here in the book might be interesting. I haven’t tried proposing to anyone yet. I feel this book will be helpful if I want to propose to someone one day.”

People had different motives to visit the book fair. For some it was to pass time while waiting for someone, or for some it was just “on the way”. But for 23-year-old Mahesh Chaudhary of Kailali the book exhibition was a fruitful visit. “I want to apply for a government job and was looking for books on health and I found some interesting books and those relevant for my courses.”

The book exhibition could be an advantage for those who come to the Capital from distant places around the country. They don’t have to go from one store to another searching for their favourites. The availability of books in a single space helps to save time. Ram Prasad Neupane aged 54, who had come from Gorkha to visit the Capital had entered the fair to try looking for books he had on his list. “I enjoy reading books on politics and personality development. However, there are only a few books available in our area. That is why I am here in this exhibition.”

Hari Adhikary, senior writer-journalist, who was at the exhibition analysed the reading culture in the country. “Though the reading and writing culture has developed, quality is yet to come. Today’s writers must work hard, do in-depth research and have more observation about life and events if they are to become good writers.”

For readers, he suggested that they read the classics of Nepali literature such as of Dhanush Chandra Gautam, Daulat Bikram Bista, Mohan Koirala, Laxmi Prasad Devkota, among others. “They are the roots of Nepali literature,” Adhikary pointed.

The exhibition is on till November 27.