Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development and DMK Youth Wing leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday inaugurated the 47th Chennai book fair at the YMCA college grounds in Nandanam here.
At the event, he said that he was not just the chief guest inaugurating the book fair, but was also participating as a publisher (Muthamizharignar Pathippagam). “The Chief Minister has strictly told me that I would have to pay for the paper and ink and that it cannot expect any leniency,” he added.
Mr. Udhayanidhi further said that he was leaving for New Delhi to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Khelo India games, to be helid in Tamil Nadu. “I will also seek financial assistance,” he added.
Reading out Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s address, Mr. Udhayanidhi said: “I am unable to attend the inauguration due to unforeseen circumstances. I wish the 47th Chennai Book fair a huge success. Publishing and selling a book is not just a business. It is a service aimed at spreading knowledge. Such celebrations to spread knowledge should happen more in Tamil Nadu. Reading habit does not just reflect the intelligence of an individual, rather it reflects the growth of society, State and the country.”
Quoting the Chief Minister, Mr. Udhayanidhi said book fairs, similar to the Chennai Book Fair, were being conducted in all districts. “The Tamil Nadu government will conduct an International Book Fair, at a cost of ₹6 crore, in January 16, 17, 18 in which 38 countries will participate at the Chennai International Trade Centre in Nandambakkam. Great Tamil works will be taken across the world,” he said.
