The 4th World Book Fair, organised at New Delhi by National Book Trust, India, in collaboration with the Indian Book Trade, is the most important book event in India, perhaps in the whole Asia. Since its inception in 1957, National Book Trusat, India, is engaged in the primary task of promoting bookmindedness in the country. The trust has also been assisting in the overall growth of the publishing industry. To fulfil this dual objective, the Trust, on the one hand, has been publishing interesting titles in English and in Indian Languages on a wide variety of the subjects and, on the other, organising national and international book fairs in the important centres in India. The Trust has so far organised three World Book fairs, the first in 1972, the second in 1976 and the third in 1978.

The Trust has also organised National Book Fairs; the last antional Book Fair was held in Bangalore in December 1978-January 1979. Apart from being a festival of books, published in almost all countries of the world, the 4th World Book Fair adequately projects the developments made by the Indian publishing industry in recent years. One of the special attractions of the Fair is an impressive display of children's books, Indian paperbacks and books of neoliterates. Generally, the Fair will help in promoting cultural exchange between the participanting countries. The Indian section of the fair has more than 400 participants including the University Grants Commission, commercial publishers, Central and State publishing agencies, etc.

A large number of publishers, big and small, publishing books in regional languages are represented at the Fair. The Bharatiya Bhashaon Ka Mandap, a collective display of books published in Indian languages is expected to be the focal point of attraction to visitors looking for books in Indian languages. Similarly Book Bazaars, which will be organised on selected days at the Fair, will offer a large number of books for sale at a substantial discount. Publishing in India has taken rapid strides during the recent years. With the growth of the industry coupled with the additional demand for good reading material generated by the spread of literacy. editorial performance and the quality of books now produced in the country have steadly improved. Striking evidence of this progress in the book publishing sector in India is the fact that the export of Indian books has registered a significant increase from rs. 1.52 crores in 1972-73 to over Rs. 5.00 crores in 1977-78.

Printing capacity has also greatly increased. Adoption of the latest technology by Indian Press is reflected in the high quality of printing. Indian and overseas publishers participating at the Fair have the opportunity of expanding the trade in books and also be able to exchange notes on the various aspects of books production and promotion. Synchronised with the Fair, a number of seminars, symposia, workshops, etc. will be held. One of the seminars, organised with UNESCO's assistance will discuss 'Publishing for Rural Areas in Developing Countries'.

The Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department feels privileged to commemorate 4th World Book Fair by issuing a special postage stamp.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India