LAHORE – Students in large numbers thronged the Government College University (GCU) Book Fair on Thursday to buy books at cheap prices in order to increase their thirst for knowledge.
The book fair provided a good opportunity to students for taking a break from their day-to-day educational activities. Students said that no civilised society could ignore importance of such fairs in promoting the habit of reading books and providing an opportunity to students and people to buy their favorite books at reasonable prices.
The fair was organised by the GCU Library Society with thousands of books on sale on important topics such as sports, business studies and management, information technology, history, literature, criticism, fine arts, fiction, philosophy, psychology, religion, health and fitness, medicine, tourism and law.
Besides private booksellers, as many as 37 renowned book publishers including Oxford University Press, Sang-e-Meel, Bookman, Readings, Mauvra and Paramount have set up their stalls at the book fair, giving up to 50 percent discount to buyers. The varsity used to regularly hold book fairs but could not do so for the last many years due to a wave of terrorist attacks. Other leading educational institutions including the Beaconhouse National University (BNU), King Edward Medical College University (KEMU), Lahore College Women University, Allama Iqbal Medical College and the Punjab University (PU) also organise book fairs to benefit students and the masses. But as terrorists threatened to attack educational institutions, such events became rare and students were deprived of their favourite hobby.
Educational institutions used to run advertising campaigns for book fairs in order to attract students and people. Some book publishers also used to organise book fairs opposite the Liberty Market and others places in which foreign book publishers also participated. Students and citizens have praised the GCU for reviving the tradition of holding book fairs. A large number of people, including students from other colleges and universities attended the book fair’s second day.
A number of GCU students said that the book fair is a wonderful opportunity for book lovers because the event included books on nearly all topics under one roof. Fatima, a ravian, said that it is delightful to see students purchasing books other from their syllabus. She termed the book fair an important part of the varsity’s literary events. A ravian said that when the country is facing multiple problems such events provide a much-needed break to youngsters and others.
He said that credit goes to the GCU Library Society, which took this initiative and coordinated with publishers and luckily, the publishers provided good discounts to students. KEMU student Ammara said that she attended the book fair to purchase medical books. A PU student said that his university fellows are also visiting the GCU Book Fair, as the PU administration has deprived them of such events.
He said that an IJT group organised a book fair at the PU but due to a tussle between the IJT and PU higher officials, no such event was held in the PU and now students visit the GCU and are thankful to the GCU Library Society for organizing the book fair. Muhammad Iqbal, a stall owner, said that the fair had a greater attendance this year as compared to last year. He said number of publishers had increased and more people are attending the fair because of variety of books being offered, he said.
A member of the GCU Library Society said that people from all walks of life are visiting the book fair and parents are also buying books for their kids. She said that actually students organise such events and the varsity administration has no concern with it but they want to take credit for it. She said that the GCU administration should focus on students’ welfare instead of lobbying for getting extensions in their tenures, which is unacceptable to students.
