AGARTALA, Feb 26 (TIWN): Agartala Book Fair which was by force shifted in Hapania this year amid businessmen and book lovers objections, hitting the decade old sentiment of the public as well as the artists who are carrying memories with Agartala Book Fair on heart of Agartala city turned super flop on Day-1 due to its venue changed. CM while addressing asked public to change “mentality” if they want to bring development. Today’s book fair first day remained totally crowdless, public rejected to attend the function. Few locals were seen although, but nobody purchased book as rural economy is totally devastated due to workless situations, slowdown. People are unable to arrange two times meal when purchasing books are matter of far way.

However, amid controversy over shifting of its venue outside the capital city, the 38th edition of the Agartala Book Fair, the second largest in eastern India after the Kolkata Book Fair, began on Wednesday.Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb inaugurated the 12-day annual book fair at Hafania international ground, 8 kms south of Agartala city. Tripura Education and Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath said that around 130 stalls were set up by the book sellers and publishers from Bangladesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Assam besides Tripura.  

 He said that over 3,000 artists, singers, performers from Bangladesh and Tripura would perform in various cultural events to be held on each day of the fair.

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CM claimed that Tripura is the only state in Northeast which does not have loadshedding problems at all.

He claimed, here in Tripura 24 hours uncut electricity remains without disruptions.

“Tripura is such a wonderful state and people are so good but a negative mentality was created to destroy the temperament. Even the book fair was attempted to be destroyed”, claimed Deb amid major section of people not only oppose BJP, but public now hate the party.

He also claimed Tripura unemployment is only 4.5% now when national data says, it is 32.7%, highest in the country.

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government had introduced several awards -- Atal Bihari Vajpayee Lifetime Achievements in combined feats, and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Integration Award for outstanding contribution in the field of social service.  Over 700 poets coming from more than 12 linguistic backgrounds will recite their poems at the book fair. Several publishers and booksellers were upset and did not take part in the fair as the government shifted the venue from the capital city to the outskirts.