Eminent Marathi writer Vishwas Patil has said that books remain the most powerful source of true knowledge. Emphasising the joy of reading, he said Pune is set to emerge as a vibrant centre of books and reading culture. He said this while inaugurating the Pune Book Festival, organised by the National Book Trust. 

 

 

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol said the large turnout on the opening day shows the growing reading culture. 

 

 

State Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil urged citizens to actively participate in the festival to help strengthen Pune’s identity as a book capital.

 

 

Book purchase coupons for students were announced at the event. The festival will feature a wide range of literary, cultural and educational programmes over the next eight days, and organisers announced plans to take the Pune Book Festival to the international stage