Prevent screening in admissions

Tue, Feb 26, 2013 at 9:20 PM
To
The Lieutenant Governor
Government of NCT of Delhi
Raj Niwas Marg, Delhi-110054
25.02.2013

Subject: Representation requesting for amendment in the Recognised Schools (Admission Procedure for Pre-Primary Class) Order, 2007 to prevent screening in admissions to pre-primary/Nursery classes in unaided private recognised schools
Sir
I wish to draw your attention to the various categorical observations made by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court through its Division Bench comprising Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri D. Murugesan and Hon’ble Mr. Justice V.K. Jain in a Public Interest Litigation entitled Social Jurist V. Government of NCT of Delhi and anr. [W.P. (C) 8533/2010]. A copy of the said judgment is attached herewith. In its judgment dated 19.02.2013 in the said PIL, the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has held that in view of non-applicability of the RTE Act for the purpose of pre-primary classes admission, the Recognised Schools (Admission Procedure for Pre-Primary Class) Order, 2007, still holds the ground for admissions to general category seats in pre-primary/nursery classes in unaided recognized private schools and observed as under:

“The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Section 3(1) of Delhi School Education Act and Rule 43 of Delhi School Education Rules, 1973 is competent to give such further directions or to make such modifications to the existing order as the Government may deem appropriate, to prevent any possible misuse or malpractice in making admission to pre-primary and pre-school classes by these private unaided schools.   The petitioner may, if so advised, represent to the Lieutenant Governor, Delhi, to make such amendments to the aforesaid order, which, in their opinion, are required to be made, to rule out any possible misuse of the liberty given to the private unaided school, in the said order, in the matter of laying down the criterion for admission to pre-primary and prenursery classes”

Further, the Hon’ble High Court has observed in Para 43 as under:
“43. Though we have held that Right to Education Act is not applicable to nursery schools, in our opinion there cannot be any difference yardstick to be adopted for education to children up to the age of 14 years irrespective of the fact that it applies to only elementary education.  It is the right time for the Government to consider the applicability of Right to Education Act to the nursery classes as well, as in many of the States admissions are made right from the nursery classes and the children so admitted are automatically allowed to continue from Class-I.  In that sense, the provisions of Section 13 would be rendered meaningless insofar as it prohibits screening procedure at the time of selection.  Importance of education is per se applicable to every child right from admission to nursery classes till it completes the  eighth  standard. It is common knowledge that though the there is obligation on the State to provide free and compulsory education to children and the corresponding responsibility of the institution to afford the same, educational institution cannot be allowed to run as „Teaching Shops‟ as the same would be detrimental to equal opportunity to children.  This reality must not be ignored by the State while considering the observations made in this judgment. Hence, we only observe that to avail the benefit of the Right to Education Act to a child seeking for nursery school as well, necessary amendment should be considered by the State.  We hope and trust that the Government may take the above observation in the right spirit and act accordingly.”

As rightly observed by the Hon’ble High Court, in view of the fact that most of the private unaided schools start from pre-primary level, and admit most of the students at pre-primary level itself, from which they are promoted to elementary level, the norms governing pre-primary admissions need to be in conformity with the Right to Education Act, failing which, the entire purpose of some key provisions of the Act would be defeated. The private schools are at liberty to start the school from pre-primary level, but this liberty should not be allowed to be misused as a device to frustrate the purpose of the provisions of the Right to Education Act, 2009.

The Recognised Schools (Admission Procedure for Pre-Primary Class) Order, 2007, in its present form, so far as it allows the schools to formulate their own criteria for selecting children, including sibling, transfer case, single-parent, minority etc. and further allows them to keep a management quota upto 20%, is arbitrary, non-child centric, unconstitutional and inconsistent with letter and spirit of the Right to Education Act, which, by virtue of Section 13 read with Section 2 (o), not only clearly prohibits adoption of any preferential criteria for discriminating amongst children seeking admission, but also makes it punishable. The said Sections are reproduced as under:

“13.(1) No school or person shall, while admitting a child, collect any capitation fee and subject the child or his or her parents or guardian to any screening procedure.

(2) any school or person, if in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1), ---

(a) receives capitation fee, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to ten times the capitation fee charged;

(b) subjects a child to screening procedure, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to twenty-five thousand rupees for the first contravention and fifty thousand rupees for each subsequent contravention.”

“ 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--

(o) screening procedure means the method of selection for admission of a child, in preference over another, other than a random method.”

Thus, it is clear that under RTE Act, only random method is permissible to be adopted. Only draw-of-lots should be used as a means for children for admission. This method would not only ensure an equal opportunity to all the children, since they all have an equal right to education irrespective of their backgrounds, but also ensure transparency in the process if open draws-of-lots are conducted.

The 2007 Order was passed prior to the enactment of the Right to Education Act, 2009, which became functional from 01.04.2010. Thus, after the commencement of the RTE Act, there is a pressing need for amending the 2007 Order to bring it in line with the RTE Act, in order to give meaning provisions contained in Section 13 of the Act, read with Section 2 (o) thereof. Moreover, the unguided powers given to the schools under the said Order are open to all sorts of misuse by private schools who are engaging in rampant commercialisation and adoption of non-transparent and irrational criteria in the name of Nursery admissions.

You are therefore requested to forthwith make the necessary amends in the 2007 Order, so as to extend the protections contained in Section 13 read with Section 2 (o) to the children in the process of admissions to pre-primary/nursery classes in general category.

Yours Sincerely

Ashok Agarwal, Advocate
Advisor, Social Jurist

Vice President Addresses

15-February-2013 13:04 IST
63RD Annual Convocation of Karnatak University, Dharwad 
Emergence of India as a Service-Based, Knowledge Driven Economy has Added Fresh Impetus to Necessity of Enhancing & Upgrading our Human Capital - Vice President 
 The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that in the 21st century, the orientation of the world economy is changing from a manufacturing dominated to a knowledge-based one. Contributions by cutting edge technology in industry and high value-added services to the national GDP is increasing. As both are knowledge and skill intensive, their accretion requires a high quality infrastructure of higher education.Addressing at the “63rd Annual Convocation of Karnatak University, Dharwad” in Dharwad, Karnataka today, he said that the emergence of India as a service-based, knowledge driven economy has added fresh impetus to the necessity of enhancing and upgrading our human capital. This would be essential to meet the needs of a modern, globally competitive economy, to sustain rapid economic growth, promote international competitiveness, and at the same time meet the rising expectations of our youth in terms of employment and skills.
He opined that we need to consider the challenges confronting us in the field of higher education. These relate to (1) access (2) equity and (3) quality. With 610 universities and 33,023 colleges, India has the third largest higher education system in the world in terms of enrolments, after China and the US with about 16 million students enrolled in the universities and colleges (formal system) in academic year 2010-11. According to the Planning Commission, and despite considerable progress during the Eleventh Plan, less than one-fifth of the estimated 120 million potential students are enrolled in higher educational institutions in India, well below the world average of 26 percent. A study on ‘Indian Higher education Sector’ by the consultancy firm, Deloitte, in 2012 has indicated that the demand for higher education will continue to grow due to a booming economy, with an increasing share of the knowledge intensive services sector and growing middle class. The target of increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio from current low levels to 30% by 2020 would itself translate into 24 million new enrolments.
The Vice President expressed his concern that the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017) acknowledges that wide disparities exist in enrolment percentages among the states and between urban and rural areas while disadvantaged sections of society, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, Minorities and women have significantly lower enrolments than the national average. The pressure to increase access to affordable education is steadily increasing with the number of eligible students set to double by 2020.This projection of anticipated demand has to be viewed alongside the quality of education that many of our institution of higher learning have to offer. Every serious assessment concludes that our standards have declined, our academic and research output has declined, our commitment to academic and scientific excellence has declined. There is a shortage of well-trained faculty; also of faculty sufficiently committed to its calling. In many institutions, infrastructure is poor and curricula outdated and irrelevant. The use of technology in higher education remains limited and standards of research and teaching at Indian universities are far below international standards.
He said that Convocations are occasions to honour intellectual achievement. The pursuit of knowledge, however, is not subject to formal barriers and inquiry in any of its branches does not end with the acquisition of a university decree. The mind trained to think logically and critically does not cease to function. This often brings it face to face with reality at variance with tradition and to which it feels compelled to respond. It is here that the two worlds, within the academia and beyond it, come together. There is a perception that in a bygone era a university was an idyllic and isolated enclosure where knowledge was pursued for its own sake unrelated to mundane utilitarian requirements of the lesser world beyond its portals. Today it is candidly accepted that teaching and research in a university, and the advances in knowledge it produces, should in considerable measure be related to the changing needs and demands of society. The centrality of social purpose thus stands underlined.Following is the text of Vice President’s address :
“I am delighted to be here today, and on being invited to a well known university in Karnataka. This University, established in 1949, has emerged as a major centre of learning with 52 post graduate departments, 300 affiliated colleges spread over 4 districts and 5 constituent colleges in its jurisdiction.  The University Grants Commission has designated it as ‘University with Potential for Excellence’. This is a commendable achievement. I take this opportunity to convey my heartiest felicitations to the students who are graduating today. As they step out of this temple of learning into the wide world full of opportunities and challenges, I wish them the very best in their future endeavours.
Convocations are occasions to honour intellectual achievement. The pursuit of knowledge, however, is not subject to formal barriers and inquiry in any of its branches does not end with the acquisition of a university decree. The mind trained to think logically and critically does not cease to function. This often brings it face to face with reality at variance with tradition and to which it feels compelled to respond. It is here that the two worlds, within the academia and beyond it, come together.
There is a perception that in a bygone era a university was an idyllic and isolated enclosure where knowledge was pursued for its own sake unrelated to mundane utilitarian requirements of the lesser world beyond its portals.
Today it is candidly accepted that teaching and research in a university, and the advances in knowledge it produces, should in considerable measure be related to the changing needs and demands of society. The centrality of social purpose thus stands underlined.
I urge the graduating students, as they move ahead on their chosen paths in life, to remember their solemn duty as citizens towards the country and society to which they must contribute in our collective task of nation-building.
I recommend to this audience Gandhiji dictum: “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’. If you follow this advice, you will find yourself and at the same time you will also make this world a much better place for all of us to live in.

Friends, while we rejoice in the accomplishments of your University in terms of academic excellence, infrastructure, and contributions to higher education, we remain cognizant that as India marches ahead towards its tryst with modernity, progress and prosperity, adequate supply of educated, skilled and trained manpower will be a sine qua non for this goal to be realized.
In this context, we need to consider the challenges confronting us in the field of higher education. These relate to (1) access (2) equity and (3) quality.
With 610 universities and 33,023 colleges, India has the third largest higher education system in the world in terms of enrolments, after China and the US with about 16 million students enrolled in the universities and colleges (formal system) in academic year 2010-11.
According to the Planning Commission, and despite considerable progress during the Eleventh Plan, less than one-fifth of the estimated 120 million potential students are enrolled in higher educational institutions in India, well below the world average of 26 percent. 
A study on ‘Indian Higher education Sector’ by the consultancy firm, Deloitte, in 2012 has indicated that the demand for higher education will continue to grow due to a booming economy, with an increasing share of the knowledge intensive services sector and growing middle class. The target of increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio from current low levels to 30% by 2020 would itself translate into 24 million new enrolments.
The 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017) acknowledges that wide disparities exist in enrolment percentages among the states and between urban and rural areas while disadvantaged sections of society, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, Minorities and women have significantly lower enrolments than the national average. The pressure to increase access to affordable education is steadily increasing with the number of eligible students set to double by 2020.
This projection of anticipated demand has to be viewed alongside the quality of education that many of our institution of higher learning have to offer. Every serious assessment concludes that our standards have declined, our academic and research output has declined, our commitment to academic and scientific excellence has declined.
There is a shortage of well-trained faculty; also of faculty sufficiently committed to its calling. In many institutions, infrastructure is poor and curricula outdated and irrelevant. The use of technology in higher education remains limited and standards of research and teaching at Indian universities are far below international standards.
The Deloitte Report also refers to the data emanating from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). According to it and in June 2010, “not even 25% of the total higher education institutions in the country were accredited. And among those accredited, only 30% of the universities and 45% of the colleges were found to be of quality to be ranked at 'A' level”.
Besides, access, equity and quality of higher education, an insufficient level of meaningful industry participation in aspects like curriculum development, research and faculty exchange programmes affects the employability of our graduates. The education system on the whole is not aligned to the skill and manpower needs of the market. Therefore, skills shortage across sectors is accompanied by high levels of graduate unemployment.
In the 21st century, the orientation of the world economy is changing from a manufacturing dominated to a knowledge-based one. Contributions by cutting edge technology in industry and high value-added services to the national GDP is increasing. As both are knowledge and skill intensive, their accretion requires a high quality infrastructure of higher education.
The emergence of India as a service-based, knowledge driven economy has added fresh impetus to the necessity of enhancing and upgrading our human capital. This would be essential to meet the needs of a modern, globally competitive economy, to sustain rapid economic growth, promote international competitiveness, and at the same time meet the rising expectations of our youth in terms of employment and skills.
This is clearly stated in the 12th Five Year Plan. Allow me to quote the relevant lines:
“Higher education is critical for developing a modern economy, a just society and a vibrant polity. It equips young people with skills          relevant for the labour market and the opportunity for social mobility. It provides people already in employment with skills to negotiate rapidly evolving career requirements. It prepares all to be responsible citizens who value a democratic and pluralistic society. Thus, the nation creates an intellectual repository of human capital to meet the country’s needs and shapes its future. Indeed, higher education is the principal site at which our national      goals, developmental priorities and civic values can be examined and refined.”
The Plan recognizes that the challenge before us is to find a fine balance between access with affordability and ensuring high-quality education. In this regard, besides suggesting the raising of percentage of GDP devoted to higher education from 1.22% to 1.50%, it proposes several initiatives around six focus areas to address the challenges:

·                     Expansion – augmenting capacity in existing institutions;
·                     Equity - creating targeted schemes for SC,s STs, OBCs, women and minority communities and also covering the backward areas;
·                     Excellence - building excellence through research and innovation, faculty development, and internationalization;
·                     Governance- enhancing institutional autonomy and transparency;
·                     Funding– increasing public and private funding and linking them to outcomes;
·                     Implementation and monitoring – improving co-ordination across ministries and agencies.

The Plan’s emphasis is on “excellence” in higher education system. This can only be achieved by prescribing and enforcing stringent standards for teaching, examination, and research. If we are to compete globally, we must adopt global standards in our universities and research institutions.
The reports about a good percentage of university and technical graduates being “unemployable” are disturbing and must be rectified without delay. Similarly, the skills creation that we have embarked upon has to conform to global standards and the contemporary requirements of our economy.
We have the advantage of a young population. Economists and forecasters of eminence have described this as ‘demographic dividend’ that will give us as a people a competitive edge in global competition. For this to be availed of, quality and performance is an essential pre-requisite. Otherwise, the dividend could become a burden with unpleasant consequences for society.
I conclude by sharing the joy and satisfaction of all the recipients of various degrees and honours. For them, today is a day of celebration of their success and fulfilled promises to their near and dear. I wish them success in their careers and happiness in their lives. I am confident that they will take their ideals and dreams forward and use the knowledge and skills learnt at the University for the good of society and the country. Over two thousand years ago, Gautam Buddha taught, “if you light a lamp for someone else it will also brighten your path”. This wisdom remains valid to this day.
I thank the Vice Chancellor and other members of the University for giving me this opportunity to address this distinguished gathering.”
*****

Sanjay Kumar/VPI(1)/15.02.2013

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test

09-February-2013 17:22 IST
16 Lakh Children to Appear for Admission to Class VI 
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test for admission to Class VI is being conducted as scheduled on 10th February 2013 from 11.30 AM. Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti has made all arrangements for smooth and peacefull conduct of this exam with the State Governments & Districts Administration. 

All the candidates who have applied for admission in Class VI in various Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and have been issued admit cards should appear for the test at the respective examination centres as per schedule. About 16 lakh students are appearing in approximately 4000 centres nationwide for the test. (PIB)
RNM/JS

Written Part Result Announced

08-February-2013 19:33 IST
UPSC Indian Forest Service Examination Exam,2012
The result of the written part of the Indian Forest Service Examination (IFS), 2012 has been announced and the same is available on the Commission’s website  http://www.upsc.gov.in The written test was held by the  UPSC in July 2012. The candidature of all these candidates is PROVISIONAL subject to their being found eligible in all respects.  

The candidates would be required to produce the original certificates in support of their claims relating to age, educational qualification, community etc.  at the time of  the  Personality Test.  Therefore they are, advised to keep the said certificates ready.

In accordance with the Rules of the examination, all these candidates are required to fill up the  Detailed Application Form (DAF),  which is available on the Commission’s website http://www.upsc.gov.in.  All the qualified candidates are required to fill up the DAF and submit the same ON LINE.     The DAF will be available on the website of the Commission till 24-02-2013.  Important Instructions regarding filling up of the DAF and submitting the same ONLINE to the Commission are also available on the website.     The qualified candidates are further advised to refer to the Rules of the Indian Forest Service Examination, 2012 published in the gazette of India, dated 14-20th April , 2012, which is also available on the website of the Commission.
       
The candidates who have been declared successful have to first get themselves registered on the relevant page of the website before filling up the ONLINE Detailed Application Form . The candidates are required to bring in person  an ink signed copy of the printout of DAF alongwith their photograph and all relevant documents on the day of Interview.  

Interview of Candidates who have qualified for the Personality Test are tentatively scheduled to commence from  25th February, 2013.  The exact date of interview will, however, be intimated to the candidates through Interview Letter/e-mail.  Roll Number wise Interview Schedule will also be made available on Commission’s Website in due course. The  candidates are advised to check their e-mail also for further information.
       
No request for change in the date and time of Personality Test intimated to the candidates will be entertained under any circumstances.    

“The mark-sheet of candidates who have not qualified, will be put on the Commission’s Website within 15 days from the date of publication of the  final result ( after conducting Personality Test) and will remain available on the website for a period of 60 days.”
       
The candidates can access the marks-sheets after keying in their Roll Numbers and date of birth.  The printed/hard copies of the marks-sheet would, however, be issued by UPSC to candidates based on specific request accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope.  Candidates desirous of obtaining printed/hard copies of the marks-sheet should make the request within thirty days of the display of the marks on the Commission’s Website, beyond which such requests would not be entertained.
       
The result will also be available on the U.P.S.C.’s Website http://www.upsc.gov.in.
       
The Union Public Service Commission have a Facilitation Counter at its campus.   Candidates may obtain any information/clarification regarding their examination/ result on working days between 10.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. in person or over telephone Nos. (011)-23385271/23381125/23098543 from this counter.

Click here to see Result

KSD/DS/BS

Brains of tiny spiders are so large

A Whole New Meaning for Thinking on Your Feet 

Nephila clavipes, a big tropical spider, has plenty of
room in its body for its brain. Credit: Pamela Belding.

Smithsonian researchers report that the brains of tiny spiders are so large that they fill their 
body cavities and overflow into their legs. As part of ongoing research to understand how 
miniaturization affects brain size and behavior, researchers measured the central nervous systems of nine species of spiders, from rainforest giants to spiders smaller than the head of a pin. As the spiders get smaller, their brains get proportionally bigger, filling up more and more of their body cavities. 
“The smaller the animal, the more it has to invest in its brain, which means even very tiny 
spiders are able to weave a web and perform other fairly complex behaviors,” said William Wcislo, 
staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. “We discovered that the 
central nervous systems of the smallest spiders fill up almost 80 percent of their total body cavity, including about 25 percent of their legs.” 
Some of the tiniest, immature spiderlings even have deformed, bulging bodies. The bulge 
contains excess brain. Adults of the same species do not bulge. Brain cells can only be so small 
because most cells have a nucleus that contains all of the spider’s genes, and that takes up space. The diameter of the nerve fibers or axons also cannot be made smaller because if they are too thin, the flow of ions that carry nerve signals is disrupted, and the signals are not transferred properly. One option is to devote more space to the nervous system.  
“We suspected that the spiderlings might be mostly brain because there is a general rule for all 
animals, called Haller’s rule, that says that as body size goes down, the proportion of the body taken up by the brain increases,” said Wcislo. “Human brains only represent about 2-3 percent of our body mass. Some of the tiniest ant brains that we’ve measured represent about 15 percent of their biomass, and some of these spiders are much smaller.” 
Brain cells use a lot of energy, so these small spiders also probably convert much of the food 
they consume into brain power. 
The enormous biodiversity of spiders in Panama and Costa Rica made it possible for 
researchers to measure brain extension in spiders with a huge range of body sizes. Nephila clavipes, a Smithsonian Institution   News Dec. 12, 2011 SI-528-2011 2
rainforest giant weighs 400,000 times more than the smallest spiders in the study, nymphs of spiders in the genus Mysmena.  
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, headquartered in Panama City, Panama, is a unit 
of the Smithsonian Institution. The Institute furthers the understanding of tropical nature and its 
importance to human welfare, trains students to conduct research in the tropics and promotes 
conservation by increasing public awareness of the beauty and importance of tropical ecosystems. Website: www.stri.si.edu 


Spiders carefully move their legs
The web-weaving behavior 


# # #Brains of tiny spiders are so large 

Spiders carefully move their legs

Why Spiders Do Not Stick to Their Own Sticky Web Sites

                                              Photo Courtesy:InfoVisual

Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and University of Costa Rica asked 
why spiders do not stick to their own sticky webs. Repeating old, widely quoted but poorly 
documented studies with modern equipment and techniques, they discovered that spiders’ legs are 
protected by a covering of branching hairs and by a non-stick chemical coating. Their results are 
published online in the journal, Naturwissenschaften. 
They also observed that spiders carefully move their legs in ways that minimize adhesive 
forces as they push against their sticky silk lines hundreds to thousands of times during the 
construction of each orb.   
The web-weaving behavior of two tropical species, Nephila clavipes and Gasteracantha 
cancriformis, was recorded with a video camera equipped with close-up lenses. Another video camera coupled with a dissecting microscope helped to determine that individual droplets of sticky glue slide along the leg’s bristly hair, and to estimate the forces of adhesion to the web. By washing spider legs with hexane and water, they showed that spiders’ legs adhered more tenaciously when the non-stick coating was removed. 
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, headquartered in Panama City, Panama, is a unit 
of the Smithsonian Institution. The Institute furthers the understanding of tropical nature and its 
importance to human welfare, trains students to conduct research in the tropics and promotes 
conservation by increasing public awareness of the beauty and importance of tropical ecosystems. 
Website: www.stri.si.edu.  

Spiders carefully move their legs
The web-weaving behavior 
# # #

Dr Shashi Tharoor to inaugurate

01-February-2013 16:21 I

The New Delhi World Book Fair 2013 

 

National Book Trust, India, an apex body of the Ministry of Human Resource Development engaged in book promotional activities in the country is organizing New Delhi World Book Fair from 4 to 10 February 2013 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.  The Fair is being co-organized with India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), Pragati Maidan.  Dr Shashi Tharoor, Hon’ble Minister of State has kindly consented to inaugurate the Fair on 4^th February 2012, Monday, at 10.30 a.m. at Hall No. 7, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.  Dr Karan Singh, the eminent author, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations would be the Guest of Honour.  Mr François Richier, Ambassador of France for India will be the special guest on the occasion. The Fair will be opened for general public from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on 4^th & 5^th February 2013 and for rest of the days, it would be opened to public from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the first time, special business hours have also been arranged from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 4^th & 5^th February 2013 where the exhibitors can have their business dealings with their trade counterparts. ITPO shall charge an entry fee of Rs. 20/- for adults and Rs. 10/- for school children.

  

General Information - This year, the Fair will be spread over an area of 45,000 sq mtr in Hall Nos.   1 – 7, 12, 12A, 14 & 18 where about 1100 exhibitors from India and abroad will display books at around 2100 stalls.  About 23 countries including China, USA, Poland, South Korea, Turkey and UNO agencies like WHO, UNESCO, among others will be displaying books in the Foreign Pavilion. There would be a fair representation of regional language publishers in Hall No.14 where about 100 participants would be showcasing their publications in all Indian regional languages. For the first time, special enclosure has been made for Government participants where Government publications would be made available.  A special enclosure for e-books has also been made in Hall No.6 where e-book publishers, developers and content providers would be showcasing their e-books and deliberating with the publishers for developing e-books. 

  

The category-wise distribution of publishers in various halls is as follows:

1)   General Publishers                              Hall No. 1 to 5

2)   S&T and Medicine                              Hall No. 6

3)   Government & e-book publishers       Hall No.6

4)   Foreign Publishers                               Hall No. 7A, B & C

5)   Hindi language publications               Hall No. 12 – 12A

6)   Social Sciences & Humanities            Hall No. 14

7)   Regional Language Publications         Hall No. 14

8)   Educational Aids, CDs, Games etc.   Hall No. 18

9)   Children & Educational books           Hall No.18

10) Souvenir shops                                    Hall No. 2-5, 7 & 18

The entry to the Book Fair would be from Gate Nos, 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 &10 and the entry tickets would be available at Gate Nos. 2, 5, 7 &10 for general public.

1.   Theme Presentation – The theme of the Fair is Indigenous Voices: Mapping India’s Folk and Tribal Literature.  The presentation will include special exhibition of books on various aspects of folk and tribal literature and culture, exhibits of art and crafts, workshops, panel discussions etc. at Hall No. 7 E.  As a part of theme presentation, the Trust has tied up with Sangeet Natak Academy for showcasing the cultural heritage of the tribal belts in country and also the folk culture which will be organized every evening from 4.30 p.m. at Lal Chowk open air theatre.

2.   Children & Youth Pavilion – This exclusive pavilion for children and youth will host a range of activities for promotion of books and reading like panel     discussions, skits, school librarian meet and interaction with sports icons etc.     There would also be an Author-Illustrators Corner in the pavilion in which eminent artists and writers from various parts of the country will interact with book lovers at Hall No.18. The Children and Youth Pavilion will be inaugurated by Shri Jitin Prasada, Hon’ble MOS (HRD) in the presence of Chairman, CBSE and Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.

3.   Swami Vivekananda Pavilion – To commemorate the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the Trust has tied up with AdvaitaAshram, Kolkata to have a special exhibit of original photos and books on Swami Vivekananda at Hall No.18.

4.   Literary Events – NBT is also facilitating other publishers and associations to hold their literary events in three seminar halls which are planned at Hall No. 18.  About 50 literary activities such as seminars, discussions and book release functions will be held in these halls.

New Initiatives

1.   Guest of Honour Country – This year, France is the Guest of Honour country at the New Delhi World Book Fair and as apresentation, they would be focusing on present glimpses of the industry and its writings through a large contingent of French publishers, authors and scholars. They would also engage in discussions and conversations with the Indian counterparts at the many literary programmes  andprofessional round table conferences which they have finalized to hold during the Fair.  The vibrant cultural heritage of France with its music, food as well as cinema will form a major component of French presentation.

      As a part of Bonjour India, the bureau of for the International Promotion of French           Books (BIEF), the Embassy of France in Indiaand the Institut of Francais  en inde are displaying close to 2000 French titles in the French Pavilion in Hall No.7C and             a host of literary events are scheduled on all seven days at Pragati Maidan.  Book launches, workshops and encounters with acclaimed authors such as TaharBen Jelloun, Kènizè Mourad   Dominique Siguad will be a part of their presentation.            The French presentation will also showcase various aspects of French culture through an exhibition entitled “France Remains”, a collection of 15 panels           on the presence of French heritage inIndia and a serious of film screening..          

2.   Author Corners – For the first time, the Trust has initiated to have four Author    Corners in various halls where more than 75 English, Hindi and other Indian      languages eminent authors and other literary personalities will have reading      sessions of their works and also interact with their readers. The        Author Corners have been planned in Hall No. 1A, 1R, 2 – 5, 12A  - 12 and 18.

3.   Book Art – NBT in association with the College of Art, Delhi will put a first-ever show of Book Art in India at the Fair.  A collective exhibition of Book art installations is being exhibited at the Foyer of Hall no. 7. These installations can      be interpreted as an expression of common desire to find reading material and the idea of reading permeating all nook and corners of human life.

4.   Cosplay – NBT in association with Khublei (an organization engaged in     literary activities) and the Tadpole Repertory Group is organizingCosplay competition on 8^th & 9^th February 2013 in Hall No.18 where participants would don costumes and accessories to represent literary characters and enact the role for a few minutes.  The event will provide a wonderful opportunity for children to get into the spirit of their favouritebooks by stepping inside the skin of fictional characters.

New Initiative B2B Activities

 1.   Rights Table – As an initiative to offer B2B match-making sessions between the publishers, an attempt has been made for the first time to have the New Delhi Rights Table on 2^nd & 3^rd February 2013 at Lounge ‘A’ near Gate No. 1 at Pragati Maidan. This Rights Table attempts to bring together publishers, writers, agents,       translators and editors from India and abroad at a forum to network and explore business opportunities together. The unique format will enable participants to book their own rights table, meet each-other,  present their products and ideas and also to tentatively finalize their interests and agreements for transfer of translations and other subsidiary rights of books available in English, Hindi and other regional languages.

2.   CEO Speak – CEO speak over Chairman’s Breakfast is a first-of-its-kind forum of CEOs and Senior Executives of the Indian publishing industry, being organized   by NBT jointly with FICCI on the occasion of New Delhi World Book Fair 2013.  The forum aims to discuss and share common issues and concerns to evolve a composite agenda of Indian publishing.  The inaugural function is scheduled on 5^thFebruary 2013 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Hotel, the Royal Plaza, Ashoka Road,             New Delhi.  Dr Shashi Tharoor, the eminent author and Minister of State would be delivering the key-note address and also interact with the participants.

  RNM/RS