South Asia International Book Fair kicks off in Kathmandu

The South Asia International Book Fair 2023 has kicked off today in Kathmandu. The event was co-organised by the Federation of Nepal Books and Stationery Business and the Current Media and Research Centre Pvt. Ltd.

Inaugurating the five-day event, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has stressed the need for quality changes in the country’s education system, structure, curriculums and work style. For the increase in the quality of education, the government has tabled the school education bill, he said.

Similarly, Ambassador of China to Nepal Chen Song expressed the hope that the book fair would prove to be important to spread the message of civilisation, peace, development and the exchange of cross-Himalayan culture. He also said China was always committed to the development and progress of human civilisation.

Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City Dhanraj Acharya urged the state to issue the book policy instead of limiting it to a draft as reading books refreshes all.

Likewise, Chairperson of the National Examinations Board (NEB) Dr Mahashram Sharma said Nepal, a neighbour of India and China with a large population and the culture of reading, could support development and prosperity by promoting right culture.

On the occasion, Dr Sanduk Ruit, who has gained popularity in the treatment of blind people, was honoured. The book exhibition has had 180 stalls of book publishers, producers and distributors from over 15 countries including Nepal, India, China, Bangladesh, the United States of America, and Egypt, said the Federation President Sanjaya Chaudhary.