Media Release
Sharjah, Nov 6: The annual Sharjah International Book Fair 2018 is being held in Sharjah from October 31 to November 10. At Sharjah international book fair, Karnataka`s renowned publication house Shanthi Prakashana from Mangaluru are also taking part for the third time. It is a cherishing news for UAE Kannadigas who love Kannada literature.
Shanthi Prakashana publishes books on different features like religious, social, political, economic and cultural. Till date it has more than 280 titles. It also has three mobile literature vans roaming all over Karnataka to spread out the peace, human values and establish atmosphere of unity and brotherhood. In the inaugural ceremony of Shanthi book stall, the president and the COO of global operation of UAE Exchange Sudheer Kumar Shetty said, “Shanthi Prakashana is the only one Kannada publisher out of more than 1,000 publishers from worldwide participating in the Sharjah International Book Fair and it is really a proud moment for every NRI Kannadiga living in UAE. Moreover, digital media is popular these days, so readers are going towards social and digital media, but the real taste of reading is through books and print media.
President of Beary’s Welfare Forum Abu Dhabi Mohammed Ali Uchil gave his good wishes and said, “Shanthi Prakashana is a value based publication house. It is proud moment for all Kannadigas who love literature. In the meantime, Mohammed Ali Uchil released the new title of the book ‘Qurán Ondu Chintane’ written by Khadeeja Nusrath, Abu Dhabi.
Muhammad Kunhi, manager of Shanthi Prakashana in his speech said, “There is no fable in Shanthi’s publications. Mutual understanding between religion will eradicate disbelieves and promotes space for human values and this is the ultimate goal of Shanthi Prakashana through literatures. The modern society has turned their face from reading books towards social media. When people focus so much time on social media networks that real life relationships begin to suffer. In doing this our more important relationships with our loved ones and close family members suffer because more of our time and effort is put into the illusion of social media. So turning the face of society towards the habits of reading is need of hour.”
Every year, the Sharjah government organises international book fair at expo centre in Sharjah during the first ten days of November. Ruler of Sharjah, his highness Dr Shaik Sulthan Bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi is the motivation force behind this book fair. The 37th book is seeing book lovers from all over the world converge in Sharjah. For the first time this book fair began in the year 1982 and today it stands 3rd in the world.
The 10-day event which started in 1982 under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, is a leading literary event that profiles the written work of the literature world. The book fair is considered to be the 3rd largest fair in the world. Sharjah saw 2.4 million visitors attend in 2017. Those that attend it can expect to discover lesser known titles and books that are hard to find. Books in Arabic languages, those translated from Arabic to other versions and foreign titles translated into Arabic and over 60 countries titles on display. The event also features a line-up of book signings, workshops and panel discussions. It has been reported that UK and European publishers who attended the 2017 Sharjah International Book Fair, said the fair had brought in new business opportunities for them.
Renowned social worker in Sharjah Abdul Qadeer, Kannada writer Irshad Moodubedre, Noor Ashfak Karkala, Ismail Bengre, Advocate Shamsuddeen from Kerala, and Moideen Tumkoor were present. Nooh recites verses from holy Quran and convener of Shanthi book stall at the book fair Abdul Salam Deralakatte recited the translation in Kannada. Abdul khader kukkaje compered the programme.