The 24th New Delhi World Book Fair was opened by Union Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Irani at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 9 January with China as the Guest of Honour country. The Fair, organised jointly by National Book Trust (NBT) and India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), is a major calendar event in the publishing world.
The Islamic Information Centre (IIC) Stall in Hall No. 12A had been a centre of attraction for the visitors since the very first day. While for great publishing houses like Penguin Random House, Macmillan and Harper Collins, this Fair was a golden opportunity to earn millions within a short span of time, the IIC Stall was unique in the sense that it was entirely cashless!
The IIC Stall aimed at presenting the pristine message of Islam to the visitors free of cost. During the nine days, from 9 to 17 January, it distributed about 2,500 copies of the Qur’ān in Hindi and English and a few copies in Gurumukhi as well. Besides, it also displayed many other books, folders, stickers, CDs and DVDs for the visitors to pick up as they like. Of course there were volunteers to help them and reply to their queries, if any. The visitors, old and young, men and women, belonging to the various faiths, who appeared to be in search of the Truth, were greatly benefited. One lady visitor told this scribe that she was in search of a copy of the Qur’ān for the last three years and she got it there at the IIC Stall. Mr. Waris Husain, In-charge of IIC, said many other visitors have recorded such feelings about the Divine Book.
This scribe visited the Fair four days and visited many Halls but at no other Stall he witnessed such great rush as at the IIC Stall.