South Asia International Book Fair-2023
21-25 November, 2023
Exhibition Hall: Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu
Opening ceremony
21st November
Chairman’s speech
Thank you announcer. First of all, I would like to extend my warm greetings to everyone present here.
The chief guest of today’s dignified opening ceremony is the Honorable Prime Minister of the Government of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, fellow organizer of this South Asia International Book Exhibition, Managing Director of Current Media and Research Center Pvt. Ltd. Kiran Gautam, -His Excellency the Ambassador of China, Mr. Chen Song, -Mr. Naveen Srivastava, His Excellency the Ambassador of India-Honorable Raghunath Maharjan, former president of the federation and member of the Provincial Assembly of Bagmati Province- Dhanraj Acharya, former chairman of the Federation and mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City- Liu Ta Wei Jie of China International Communication Group- Educationist Dr. Chairman of the National Examination Board. Mahashram Sharma- Anjan Shrestha, senior vice president of Federation of Nepal Industry and Commerce- Founder President of the Federation Krishna Prasad Pande-Hari Prasad Aryal, former president of the federation and president of Rupandehi Industry and Commerce Association – Former President of the Federation, Navanidhi Pant – Former President of the Federation, Mr. Manhari Basyal – Navraj Dhakal, advisor of the federation and president of Kanchan Rural Municipality, RupandehiHeads, Deputy Heads and Executive Officers of all local bodies under Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts – Vice chancellors of various universities– Jitendra Basnet, chief district officer of Kathmandu district– Chief Devraj Adhikari of CTEVT- Anil Jhajeo, managing director of Janak Shiksha Samantha Kendra Limited- Ramchandra Timothi, advisor of the Federation of Nepal Book and Stationery Business- Advisor Prabhat Subedi of the Federation of Nepal Book and Stationery Business- Adviser of Federation of Nepal Book and Stationery Business, Nabaraj Bajgain,- President of Nepal National Booksellers and Publishers Association, Kush Dhonju- President of the Paper Producers Association, Bharat Totli- Paper Merchant Chairman Manohar Das Muljeo- Chief Executive Officer of Prabhu Insurance- Mr. Manoj Kumar Maraudiya, owner of Bina Sati Impex– Representative of National Book Trust of India- President of the Federation of Nepal Printing Industry Khomkant Regmi/ General Secretary Kamal Pokharel- President of Nepal Masland and Educational Materials Industry Association Nimnath Phuyal- Presidents and representatives from Nepal Teachers Federation, Hissan, Pabson, Npabson, Nepal Parents Federation, Nepal National Teachers Association, Nepal Teachers Association, Integrated All Nepal Teachers Association, School Management Committee Federation- Dashrath Mishra, head of the National Library of Nepal- Presidents and representatives of Nepal Journalists Federation, National News Committee, Education Journalists Association, Education Journalists Group, Education Journalists Network,- Officials and members of the federation, presidents, officials and members of the state and district branches of the federation who came here from all over the country,- Representative of National Book Trust of India– Business friends who came from all over the country to complete this program in a grand manner- Persons who have been honored in all eight major book exhibitions and educational festivals of the Federation for making significant contributions in the fields of education, literature, and art.- Publishers from various publishing houses- All the exhibitors who have accepted our invitation and are present as exhibitors from different countries- All the journalist friends who are adopted for news transmission- Healthcare workers friends and security workers friends.
Dear participating journalists,
Federation of Nepal Books and Stationery Business is an umbrella organization of businessmen involved in the business of educational materials such as books, masland, stationery and sports spread all over Nepal. Being involved in the publication, distribution and sale of quality materials within the prevailing policies of the Government of Nepal, with the aim of contributing to educational improvement, protecting the rights and interests of businessmen, and carrying out social responsibilities. No. Since 2063, it has been proceeding systematically and in an organized manner. We are proud to say that we have provided thousands of jobs through the twenty thousand commercial establishments affiliated to the federation, in addition to participating in various activities to fulfill our social responsibilities with the aim of supporting the development of reading culture under the organization of the Federation of Nepal Books and Stationery Business, 8 national level book exhibitions and educational festivals have been completed outside the Kathmandu Valley, and 3 international book exhibitions have been successfully organized in collaboration with other organizations. Let me inform you,this time, we have attended the grand opening ceremony of the South Asia International Book Fair-2023, which is being organized from November 21st to 25th in collaboration with the Current Media and Research Center Pvt.Ltd. Publishers, producers and distributors from various countries including Nepal, India, Bangladesh and more than 15 countries including China, America, Egypt etc. are participating in the exhibition. I request that China International Book Publishing Corporation be invited as a special guest in this exhibition program. Various products from the country and abroad are on display in more than 180 stalls of this exhibition of the Federation, which is an umbrella organization of more than twenty thousand businessmen across the country.
In addition to becoming a place to provide appropriate advice and suggestions for the relevant bodies of the national education sector, this festival is also a common platform for Nepal’s educational institutions, community and institutional schools, colleges, teachers, students, parents and general readers. We have taken faith with hopes and expectations of becoming a meeting place. An important aspect of the educational sector is the publishing of books and educational materials, from production to retail business. Due to the state’s approach towards this self-reliant organization, policy rules, increasing influence of technology, global economic recession, etc., this industry and business has reached a state of collapse. Due to the economic recession due to the covid epidemic, books and educational materials, paper and other printed materials, taxes and customs regulations on importation, decline in reading culture due to technological reasons, especially the book business is going through a difficult situation. The problem is being made more complicated by the unstable policy and behavior of the state regarding education. Due to sudden change of curriculum without any plan, neglect of stakeholders etc., the discomforts of business have also increased. The book policy, which has been being drafted for years, has not yet been finalized.
Honorable Prime Minister,
In many countries of the world, for the development of reading culture, large national and international book exhibitions and educational festivals are held annually with the government’s investment and the government’s own initiative. In the case of Nepal, no initiative has been taken in this regard till date. The Federation of Nepal Book and Stationery Business has completed eight editions of national level book exhibition and educational festival through its initiative, investment and project, and now it has become possible to organize the South Asia International Book Exhibition in collaboration with Current Media and Research Center Pvt Ltd. We hope and expect that in the coming days, under the direction, initiative and leadership of the federal government, a suitable book policy will be formulated and implemented, and larger national and international book and educational festivals will be started. We are hopeful that the government will pay attention to facilitating the production of useful, timely quality educational materials along with practical curriculum development. We have great hope, trust and faith that this kind of dignified start will be made by the honorable Prime Minister, who can contemplate the fact that economic progress is not possible without education. The development of reading culture is the only way to solve various distortions and anomalies. Exchange of art and culture is necessary for building a civilized society. For this, the need of a comprehensive library building with an international level of language, culture and art has been felt. Which plays a major role in the transmission of knowledge and the preservation of art culture. We are confident that honorable Prime Minister will play a constructive role in this matter. We call on the Honorable Prime Minister, His Excellency Ambassador present here, China International Book Trading Corporation and various organizations for their support.
Finally, we express our sincere gratitude to the Honorable Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachand) for his dignified presence despite his busy schedule to motivate us to complete this South Asia International Book Exhibition in a grand and dignified manner. Also, we express our sincere gratitude to Navraj Bajgain, the respected advisor of the federation, who has given special support in managing this golden opportunity. Current Media and Research Center Pvt. Ltd. is collaborating with us shoulder to shoulder in this exhibition. We are grateful to Kiran Gautam, Managing Director of Current Media and Research Center Pvt. Ltd, Ramchandra Timothy, advisor of the federation, who played an important role in various aspects to make the program successful, Nabaraj Bajgain, advisor of the federation, supporting organizations Ekta Prakashan, Veenasati Impex, Khalti Pvt.Ltd. We would like to express our sincere thanks, gratitude and gratitude to the stationery and masland industry, publishing and business organizations participating in the exhibition from various countries, announcers including event management organizations, dignitaries whose names were addressed by the general secretary of the federation, Shivasagar Sharma, and all the organizations of the association.
Thank you
