The 49th International Kolkata Book Fair commenced today at the Boi – Mela ground at Salt Lake in Kolkata. The book fair, which is being organised by the Publishers and Book Sellers Guild, attracts tens of thousands of book lovers every year. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today inaugurated the event. This year, the focal theme country is Argentina. More than 1 thousand stalls are there in the Kolkata Book Fair, including little magazine pavillion this year. China participated in the fair after a gap of 15 years. The United States of America and Bangladesh have not participated this year. Great Britain, Germany, France, Australia and many countries of Latin America have participated in the book fair. Today at the inaugural function lifetime achievement award was given to a former official of Akashvani, Swapnomoy Chakraborty.