Pune: The National Book Trust (NBT), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education, is set to relocate its Mumbai office to Pune permanently.
In a significant move, the Pune Municipal Corporation has provided a rented office space, paving the way for uninterrupted literary activities throughout the year.
The development was announced during the inauguration of the Pune Book Festival office and the foundation-laying ceremony held on Thursday.
Addressing the gathering, former minister Chandrakant Patil emphasized the importance of promoting Marathi, recently granted classical language status.
He proposed innovative initiatives, such as producing a film to spread awareness and showcasing it during the festival. Patil also suggested organizing book-based plays alongside children’s film festivals to instill a reading culture among the younger generation.
The Pune Book Festival, scheduled from December 14 to 22 at Fergusson College Grounds, is anticipated to attract massive participation. Festival organizer Rajesh Pandey highlighted, “This festival is not just for an individual but belongs to the people of Pune. Public participation is crucial.”
He added that the festival aims to set four world records this year, surpassing those previously held by China. The event is expected to draw 750,000 visitors.
This year’s festival will feature 598 stalls, with an additional 80 on a waitlist due to overwhelming demand. Prominent international authors are also expected to participate, showcasing diverse perspectives in various languages.
Organizers plan to distribute 100,000 free books during the event. In addition, on November 11, from 12 PM to 1 PM, a unique initiative titled "Punekar Reading in Silence" will be conducted to promote reading culture.
NBT Director Yuvraj Malik expressed enthusiasm about Pune’s vibrant literary spirit, stating, “In the previous festival, we had 200 stalls; this year, we have tripled the number to 600, and demand is still high. Our goal is to make this the country’s number one literary festival and eventually take it to an international platform.”
The festival will also include a food festival, storytelling sessions, and free library facilities. Plans are underway to translate Marathi literature into other languages on a larger scale.
Malik added that the new NBT office in Pune would offer unique services, such as providing reading spaces and cultural activities for children, particularly catering to working parents.
