The Children’s Pavilion of the Sambalpur Book Fair continues to be a major attraction for both parents and children. A wide range of engaging children’s activities are being organised by National Centre for Children’s Literature (NCCL), the children’s wing of the National Book Trust, India. Storytelling sessions, music, quiz, drawing and slogan-writing competitions, book cover and poster design workshops, yoga for children, fun with science, mandala art, poster painting and Ikat art workshops were conducted by experienced trainers. All the children’s activities are being organised by NationalCentre for Children’s Literature (NCCL), a wing of National Book Trust, India.
The fifth day of the Book Fair began with a storytelling session by Prachi Tara, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the children. This was followed by a poster-making activity conducted by Vandana Panda.The final programme of the day was a vibrant folk dance performance by the students. Parentsexpressed their appreciation for the way children are learning through creative activities such asgames, dance and drawing. Also, children from any school are welcome to participate in the programmes being organised at the pavilion.
SETU conducted a literary programme focusing on the theme ‘Biodiversity towards EnvironmentalProtection.’ The session was chaired by Prof Shankar Prasad Pati, Senior Member, SETU with Dr Sanjat Kumar Sahu, retired professor of Sambalpur University, as the speaker. Prof Sanjat Kumar Sahu explained that biodiversity in the world is broadly classified into three categories, namely,Genetic Biodiversity, Species Biodiversity and Ecosystem Biodiversity.
He mentioned that biodiversity protects the environment. If there is no balance in biodiversity, the balance of our environment will bedestroyed. Biodiversity enables pollination, air and water purification, climate change control, soilerosion, drought and flood control, etc. He added that biodiversity is very important in various respects, such as recreation and eco-tourism.Prof Sahu further noted that biodiversity is being degraded to a large extent, the main reasons for this are deforestation, changes in land patterns, pollution, global warming, climate change, decline in endangered species, increase in invasive species, etc.
Therefore, awareness is needed to conserve biodiversity because it not only protects the environment, it also brings stability. This session wasintroduced by Harinarayan Panda, Secretary, SETU, and coordinated by Dr. Swayam Prakash Panda.In the evening, renowned local and national artists presented the cultural programmes. The Yuvrajand Ritwik Collective enchanted the audience with performances featuring pop, retro and Bollywoodsongs. The audience was seen dancing and singing to their tune and enjoying themselves.Through the Sambalpur Book Fair, the National Book Trust, India continues its efforts to strengthen the bond between publishers and readers and to promote a vibrant reading culture