Tamil Nadu CM Mr. Edappadi K. Palaniswami inaugurated 43rd Chennai Book Fair today
• Awards were given to best Publishers and Writers
• Intellectual and Cultural festival of Chennai for 13 days
Chennai: Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Mr. Edappadi K. Palaniswami inaugurated the 43rd Chennai Book Fair which is being organized by The Booksellers’ & Publishers’ Association of South India (BAPASI) at 6 pm today in YMCA Ground, Nandanam, Chennai.
Minister for School Education, Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Mr. K.A. Sengottaiyan, Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries and Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Mr. D. Jayakumar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Mr. K.P. Anbalagan, Hon’ble Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture, Govt. of Tamil Nadu Mr. K. Pandiarajan participated as special guests in this inauguration. Former Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr. Vaigai Selvan delivered a special address. Patron of BAPASI Dr. Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetty presided over this event, Mr. R.S. Shanmugam, President of BAPASI gave the welcome address and Mr. S.K. Murugan, Secretary of BAPASI did the vote of Thanks.
The awards were given to the Best Publishers and Writers in this event for the following categories:
| S.No | Category / Name of the Award | Awardee |
| 1 | For Best Publisher
Pathippu Chemmal Ka.Kanapathy award |
Mr. Aru Lakshmanan
Arivu Nilayam Pathippagam |
| 2 | For Best Book Seller
Pathippaga Chemmal Sa.Meyappan award |
Mr. R. Arunachalam
Meenakshi Book Shop |
| 3 | For Best Tamil Scholar
Pari Chellappanar Award |
Dr. Porko |
| 4 | For Best Children’s Science Book
Nellai Su.Muthu award |
Mr. N.S. Chidambaram |
| 5 | BAPASI’s
Best Publisher award |
Mr. Rama Lakshmanan
Uma Pathippagam |
| 6 | For Best Children’s Author
Children’s Author Ala Valliappa award |
Mr. Se. Sukumaran |
| 7 | For Best Female writer
First Female Publisher Amsaveni Periyannan award |
Mrs. Ramanichandran |
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Mr. Edappadi K. Palaniswami opened the special auditorium titled “Keeladi-Eeradi” and unveiled the sand sculpture of Great Tamil scholar Thiruvalluvar created by well-known sand artist from Orissa Mr. Sudarsan Pattnaik at the Book Fair venue for public view.
One of the largest Book Fair in Asia – Chennai Book Fair is scheduled for 13 days from 9th January to 21st January, 2020. The Book Fair showcases more than 750 stalls with crores of Books under a single wide roof. The Chennai Book Fair attracts Readers and Book lovers from various countries and from states all over India.
A special auditorium of 3,000 sq. feet titled Keeladi – Eeradi showcases the features of the ancientness and its greatness of Tamil language, “Eluthalar Mutram” which will connect Writers – Readers – Publishers, sand sculpture of Thiruvalluvar, Thousands of students gathered and read at the same time, same place and created a new record in the event Chennai Reads are few special features of Chennai Book Fair which is being an intellectual and cultural festival of Chennai.
The thirteen day Book Fair has several special features under its wings. One of the features is to bring in leading writers, poets, scientists and personalities of other walks of life to embellish each day of the Book Fair and make it a memorable one.
World renowned publishers and book sellers have announced a 10% discount on all books sold at the 43rd Chennai Book Fair. The entrance fee is Rs. 10 per head.
Students and young children can participate and win prizes for their skills and talents by competing in Oratorical, Drawing and Quiz competitions arranged especially for them.
Young directors can now take the centre stage through their short films and documentaries filled with social themes and related to books to be screened in the auditorium arranged separately for the purpose. Online Tickets, wheel chairs for differently abled people, mobile ATM’s, purchase through debit and credit cards are some of the additional features which make the Book Fair user friendly for the book lovers.
BAPASI cordially welcomes one and all to this 43rd Chennai book Fair which will open on weekdays between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. and on extended hours of working from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on holidays.