The Annual Book Fair 2012 at the Government College University Lahore has got a very warm response from students with its grand opening on Wednesday by Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Prof Dr Khalid Pervaiz, noted author Mustansar Hussain Tarar, Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed and Political Science Department Chairperson Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt. The three-day book fair organised by GCU Library Society, has brought more than 0.25 million books of science, religion, literature, art and culture under one roof with an aim to rejuvenate Pakistani youth’s love for books in the cyber age.
According to a survey being conducted by the GCU Library Society, as many as 5,812 books were sold in the first six hours of the opening of the Book Fair, since not merely book sellers, but 57 publishers had also set up their stalls at the Book Fair and were offering up to 50 percent discount on their books. GCU Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed said that around 7,000 students, researchers and teachers had visited the Book Fair on the first day, adding, that students of 16 universities who were participating in Women’s Day celebrations at GCU were also benefited from this Book Fair. Talking to the media about the Book Fair, GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khaleeq-ur-Rahman said books had their own significance even in the age of information and communication technologies. He said books left ever lasting impressions on the minds of the readers. “The vision and knowledge you get by reading books; you can never have it by just reading reviews and summaries on the internet,” he added.
The Vice Chancellor called upon the publishers to give maximum discounts keeping in view that those who were buying the books were “students.” He hoped that GCU Book Fair would propagate the reading culture among the youth. Talking to media, the publishers said that response from was much better and much more encouraging as compared to the previous year. However, they added that most of students purchased books at the last date of such fairs. GCU Library Society President Syed Atif Hsusain said that visiting Book Fair was a marvelous experience even if you don’t have a temptation to buy books. “It makes us aware about the latest books available on various topics,” he said. The Book Fair will remain open till the closing ceremony on March 9 at 3pm at GCU Bukhari Auditorium.
