Union Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today inaugurated the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026, marking the beginning of one of the world’s largest B2C literary and cultural gatherings. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several eminent dignitaries, including H.E. Abdulrahman Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Al Thani, Minister of Culture of Qatar; H.E. Ernest Urtasun Domènech, Minister of Culture of Spain; Ms. Maria Jose Gálvez, Director General of Books, Ministry of Culture, Spain; Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary (Higher Education); Shri Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman, National Book Trust (NBT); Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director, NBT; along with senior officials of the Ministry and distinguished guests from India and abroad.
Release of ‘The Saga of Kudopali’ in Multiple Languages
During the event, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan released the book titled “The Saga of Kudopali: The Unsung Story of 1857”, which brings to light lesser-known chapters of India’s freedom struggle from the land of Sambalpur. The book has been released in nine Indian languages — including Bengali, Assamese, Punjabi, Marathi, Malayalam and Urdu — as well as one international language, Spanish. A video presentation on The Saga of Kudopali was also screened on the occasion.
The Minister noted that the book was earlier released in Hindi, English and Odia, and is now available in 13 languages. He described the publication as a commendable effort to honour the legacy of Veer Surendra Sai and the sacrifices of the martyrs of Kudopali, while also strengthening India’s tradition of multilingualism and global cultural dialogue.
Book Fair as a Celebration of Reading Culture
Addressing the gathering, Shri Pradhan said that NDWBF 2026, the world’s largest business-to-consumer (B2C) book fair, is not merely a marketplace of books but a grand celebration of India’s vibrant reading culture and a confluence of ideas. He highlighted that the theme of this year’s fair, “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75”, along with the participation of Qatar and Spain, has added greater depth and international significance to the event.
He further observed that the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has transformed the culture of reading into a people’s movement, and that the vision of Viksit Bharat is rooted not only in infrastructure and technology but in building a knowledge-driven, aware and thoughtful generation.
The Union Minister congratulated NBT India and extended his best wishes for the successful organisation of the fair, noting that the event is infusing renewed energy into the nation’s reading ecosystem through books and dialogue.
International Cultural Engagement
Speaking at the event, H.E. Ernest Urtasun Domènech, Minister for Culture of Spain, highlighted Spain’s participation during the Spain–India Dual Year 2026, noting that the Book Fair offers an important platform to promote Spanish writers in India, where interest in Spanish language and literature continues to grow. He also recalled the historic literary connection between Juan Ramón Jiménez and Rabindranath Tagore.
H.E. Abdulrahman Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Culture of the State of Qatar, said that Qatar’s participation reflects the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries and reaffirmed the role of culture and knowledge as pillars of people-to-people ties and nation-building.
Scale and Significance of NDWBF 2026
The New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 is being organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education, with the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) as co-organiser. The fair is being held from 10 to 18 January 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and for the first time, entry has been made free for all visitors.
The nine-day fair will:
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Host 1,000+ publishers from over 35 countries
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Feature 600+ events with 1,000+ speakers
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Attract an estimated 2 million visitors
Theme and Special Exhibitions
The theme of NDWBF 2026 is “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75”. In addition, the fair will feature special exhibitions celebrating:
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150 years of Vande Mataram
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Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel @150
The central highlight is the Theme Pavilion titled “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75”, a 1,000 sq. metre immersive space honouring the courage, sacrifice, and nation-building role of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force since Independence.
Designed as a 360-degree experience, the pavilion will feature:
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500+ books
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Curated exhibits, posters, documentaries and installations
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Replicas of Arjun Tank, INS Vikrant and LCA Tejas
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Tributes to 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees
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Sessions on major wars and military operations from Budgaon 1947 to Operation Sindoor
Conclusion
The inauguration of NDWBF 2026 marks a significant cultural milestone, reaffirming India’s commitment to knowledge, multilingualism, historical consciousness, and global cultural engagement. With its unprecedented scale, inclusive access, and powerful thematic focus, the Book Fair is poised to further strengthen India’s reading culture and intellectual life.
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Source: PIB
