Agartala, Nov 12 — The 44th edition of the Agartala Book Fair, titled “Mononer Utsab” (Festival of the Mind), will be held in the first week of January 2026 at the Hapania International Fair Ground. The decision was finalized on Wednesday during a preparatory meeting organized to review plans for the upcoming literary event.
The meeting, held at the Sukanta Academy auditorium, was attended by Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Higher Education Minister Kishore Barman, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder, Deputy Mayor Monika Das Datta, MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, Acting Sabhadhipati of West Tripura Zilla Parishad Biswajit Shil, Vice-Chairman of the State Cultural Advisory Committee Subrata Chakraborty, and Padma Shri awardee Prof. Arunoday Saha, among others.
Welcoming the participants, Information and Cultural Affairs Secretary Dr. P.K. Chakrabarthy highlighted the fair’s cultural and educational importance. Finance Minister Roy said the annual book fair attracts literature lovers and youth from across the state, adding that the government aims to make it a people’s festival involving all sections of society. He noted that growing interest in reading among the younger generation is a positive sign for Tripura’s intellectual progress.
Higher Education Minister Kishore Barman emphasized the role of the book fair in nurturing reading habits, especially among students. “The joy of reading is unmatched, and a daily reading culture can transform society,” he said.
Mayor Dipak Majumder announced that the Hapania International Fair Ground is now fully equipped to host large-scale cultural events. Reviewing the 2025 fair’s success, officials noted that 180 stalls were set up and books worth ₹1.53 crore were sold.
Director of ICA, Bimbisar Bhattacharjee, presented a detailed roadmap for the 2026 fair, with committee members sharing suggestions to ensure a vibrant and successful event.
