The second Andaman Nicobar Book Fair will commence today at the ITF Ground in Sri Vijaya Puram, organized by the Art & Culture Department of the A&N Administration in collaboration with the National Book Trust (NBT), New Delhi. Scheduled to run from February 14 to 22, 2026, the nine-day fair opens with Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, inaugurating the event at 10 am.
Thirty-one publishers from mainland India have set up stalls displaying a wide variety of books across multiple genres, languages, and authors. The fair provides visitors with the opportunity to explore and purchase books directly from the stalls, fostering engagement between authors, publishers, and readers.
The Book Fair features dedicated student programming during morning hours, with evening literary sessions open to the public. Today’s sessions include “The Quiet Romance of Service: A Veteran’s Journey of Bravery and Belonging,” featuring author Gaurav Choudhary in conversation with Colonel S. C. Tyagi, moderated by Choudhary, followed by “From Nature to Narrative: Seeing, Drawing, and Telling Stories,” a discussion between Choudhary and Suddhasattwa Basu, with Choudhary as moderator.
The event aims to promote a culture of reading and literary appreciation, especially among youth and students of the islands, while providing a platform for publishers and authors to connect directly with the public. Organizers highlight the fair’s role in cultivating literary habits and creating opportunities for engagement with a broad range of literature.
Operating daily from 11 am to 8 pm, the Book Fair encourages readers of all ages to attend, explore the book collections, and participate in interactive sessions. The combination of student-focused activities and evening literary discussions balances educational initiatives with public participation, positioning the event as a key cultural highlight for the islands.
Through this initiative, the A&N Administration and NBT emphasize their commitment to fostering literary awareness and engagement, offering both educational and recreational value. The programming highlights reading, creative expression, and public interaction with authors and literary experts.
The Andaman Nicobar Book Fair continues to be a major platform for promoting literary culture, encouraging community participation, and providing access to diverse books and authors from across India. Organizers anticipate strong engagement and active participation throughout the nine-day event, reinforcing its significance as a cultural milestone in the islands in 2026.
Students and the general public are invited to attend, participate in literary sessions, and engage with authors, fostering a love for reading and strengthening the literary ecosystem in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
