Agartala, January 03, 2025: Emphasizing the irreplaceable value of consistent learning, Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Friday inaugurated the 44th Agartala Book Fair at the Hapania International Fair Ground, urging students and citizens alike to cultivate the habit of daily reading.
“There is no shortcut to knowledge. Everyone must read every day—this is the only way to achieve anything in life,” Dr. Saha declared during his inaugural address. He described books as a vital bridge that connects the physical and mental realms, helping individuals discover the unknown and guiding them toward enlightenment.
Organized by the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, this year’s book fair is themed “Vande Mataram.” The Chief Minister highlighted the transformative power of reading beyond textbooks, stating, “The pen is mightier than the sword. Each day, we write a new page of our lives. Our brain is the strongest library, and there are no shortcuts there.”
Dr. Saha encouraged parents and educators to inspire children to read more, noting that reading enhances vocabulary, improves writing skills, and broadens intellectual horizons. “The more we read, the better we become. There is no subject on which one cannot write,” he added.
He also stressed the importance of writing, suggesting that everyone should continue the practice so that their thoughts may one day take the form of a book. Reflecting on the fair’s growing stature, he said, “Agartala Book Fair is recognized across India and globally. Earlier, many visitors came from Bangladesh, but due to current circumstances, their numbers have declined.”
Despite this, the Chief Minister expressed optimism that book sales this year would surpass previous records. To accommodate students’ academic schedules, the fair’s dates and timings were adjusted accordingly.
“Books help bridge the gap between physical and mental development. They lead us from darkness to light and help us seek the truth,” he remarked. Dr. Saha also called for the revival of the tradition of gifting books during events, lamenting its recent decline. “A book never betrays. Everyone should dedicate time daily to reading and make it a habit,” he said.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Deputy Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly Ram Prasad Pal, MLAs Meena Rani Sarkar and Deepak Majumder (also Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation), Secretary of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department P.K. Chakraborty, Director Bimbisar Bhattacharya, and Padma Shri awardee and former Tripura University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Arunoday Saha.
