India’s Debut NBT Pavilion Draws Global Attention at 44th Sharjah International Book Fair

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India’s Debut NBT Pavilion Draws Global Attention at 44th Sharjah International Book Fair

Analysis

• The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) has transformed Expo Centre Sharjah into one of the world’s largest literary gatherings, attracting over 2,350 publishers from 118 countries.
• Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, the twelve-day event runs until 16 November, featuring 1,200+ sessions, including author talks, poetry readings, workshops, and cultural discussions.
• This year marks a historic first for India, with the National Book Trust (NBT) — under the Ministry of Education, Government of India — setting up a debut national pavilion.
• The Indian pavilion has become one of the key attractions of the fair, noted for its scale, diversity, and literary richness.
• Over 100 Indian publishers are participating, displaying books in English, Hindi, Urdu, and various regional languages, marking India’s largest-ever publishing showcase abroad.
• Rakesh Kumar, Joint Director of NBT, highlighted that this is the first time NBT books are being sold internationally, including the popular title “Exam Warriors” authored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which continues to inspire students and educators.
• The pavilion serves as a platform for cultural exchange, promoting India’s literary heritage, linguistic diversity, and traditional knowledge systems to global audiences.
• The participation of noted Indian authors has further enhanced India’s presence:
  • S. Hussain Zaidi, celebrated crime writer (Dongri to Dubai, Black Friday).
  • Prajakta Koli, digital creator and author of Too Good to Be True.
  • Poets Surender Sharma, Syed Ijazuddin Shah, Rehman Khan, and K. Satchidanandan, whose performances showcased the poetic and linguistic depth of Indian literature.
• The initiative underscores India’s growing soft power diplomacy and cultural engagement with the Arab world, positioning literature as a bridge of mutual understanding.

Static/Background Information

• The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) was first held in 1982 and is now considered one of the largest book fairs in the world.
• It is organized annually by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the UAE Supreme Council.
• The fair aims to promote reading culture, knowledge exchange, and international publishing collaboration.
• The National Book Trust (NBT), India, established in 1957, functions under the Ministry of Education and is responsible for publishing, promoting Indian literature, and organizing literary events both in India and abroad.
• India’s participation in SIBF 2025 reflects its commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy, expanding global readership, and celebrating multilingual literary expression.

Updated – 12 Nov 2025 ; 04:50 PM | NewsOnAir