my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 2 Apr: In a significant development, Dehradun will witness a major cultural event in form of a national level book fair from 4 April. Titled as Doon Book Festival 2026, the book fair will be held under the aegis of the Ministry of Education and organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), Government of India, from 4 to 12 April at the Parade Ground in Dehradun. In this respect, Director of National Book Trust, Yuvraj Malik today addressed a press conference at a local hotel. He informed media that the book festival would be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He asserted that the festival will be a celebration of books, ideas and culture. Malik also stated that the festival will bring together readers, writers, artists and thinkers from across the country on a common platform. He emphasised that the event will showcase diverse shades of literature, art and culture, with a special Children’s Festival scheduled every day. For children, there will be engaging activities including storytelling sessions, creative workshops, quizzes and interactive learning experiences.
The Literature Festival segment will provide opportunities for audiences to meet eminent authors, while the event will also feature cultural performances and musical concerts. The highlight of the festival will be the Doon Literature Festival, where renowned writers, filmmakers, thinkers and distinguished personalities will connect with readers through panel discussions and interactive sessions. Over the course of nine days, lakhs of books in multiple languages including Garhwali and Kumaoni will be exhibited. Entry for book lovers has been kept free of charge, making the festival accessible to all.
He further stated that distinguished guests at the event will include eminent scholar Acharya Balkrishna, Chairman of the National Book Trust Professor Milind Sudhakar Marathe and he would also be present. Over the course of nine days, lakhs of books in multiple languages including Garhwali and Kumaoni will be exhibited, making this a golden opportunity for the region. Entry to the festival is free of charge. Its aim is to promote reading habits and make literature more accessible to the public.
The National Book Trust has underlined that it has taken significant steps to promote regional languages. Last year, a special workshop was organised in which authors, translators and language experts from Uttarakhand came together. As a result of this initiative, a wide range of children’s stories and literary works were identified and translated into Garhwali and Kumaoni. Thirteen books have been prepared in these languages and will be formally released during the Doon Book Festival. The event will be inaugurated on 4 April by Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami, marking the beginning of a vibrant celebration of literature and culture in the heart of Dehradun.
During the book festival, discussion on themes such as women’s voices, leadership and courage in uniform, patriotism and revolution in India’s past, the changing relationship between humans and machines, and historical subjects like the naval uprising of 1946 and the legacy of Subhash Chandra Bose would also be held.
Malik claimed that continuing its commitment to promote literary engagement, the National Book Trust has also taken an important step towards encouraging regional languages. Last year, it organised a special workshop that brought together writers, translators and language experts from Uttarakhand. As a result of this initiative, a wide range of children’s stories and literary works were identified and translated into Garhwali and Kumaoni, reflecting the region’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage. This effort has led to the preparation of thirteen books in these languages, which will be formally released at the Doon Book Festival 2026.
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