Kolkata Book Fair 2009--- A new Look.

One of the Biggest names in the world of exhibition and fair, is the Kolkata Book Fair, which a decade ago was better known as the Great Calcutta Book Fair. After a turmoil in the last year's location, this year the Book Seller's and Publisher's Guild, the official organization that has been organizing the fair for the past 30 odd years, plans cut the red tape for the fair on 28th January 2009 to 8th February 2009. The Milan Mela, near Topsia-EM Bypass connection, opposite to Science City, will be the new host venue, which as per the chalked out plan would be the future consolidated venue for all the big fairs organized in the City of Joy. If you think that, this is what senses to be uniquely new feature of the fair, then you are wrong my dear people.
Due to a financial crunch, the guild has decided to sell a theme song cassette or CDs for the fair. The lyrics and tune has been sewn into trance the listeners, and that has been made by the great percussionist Mr. Bikram Ghosh. The theme song is entitled, Oi dakche Boi... which in the colloqial dialect means, See! The books are Calling...! Buying the theme song, can... as such help to earn the revenue for the guild to function!
Every Bengali can recognise themselves with this annual Saga! Its a common platform where the great minds to big names in the field of sports, politics, etc reach to the common man with not very portals. Sometimes you can smell their perfume when they stand beside you in search of the coveted book! Music, food, intellectual talks to the un-intellectual gameshows, it has been on an average a business of Crores of Rupees each fair. The footfall each day can count upto 3-4 lakhs people.
All the statistical correlates with the efficiency to reach the previous site, which could be availed by the metro or bus. The new location of Milan is not so well connected by transporation from all over Kolkata. It can be predicted on a business point of view that the footfall may experience a setback. Also the business dealing would be bit low. It just remains a test for the Bengali minds to see whether the thirst for good paper back prints still allure the aged to the youths, ot not! It is also a litmus test for the fair, at Milan Mela.
For a book freak like me, I see no difference. Infaact the people fancy being part of the event, and have some good quality time amongst the masses. A heavy discount elsewhere wouldn't dether the enthusiasm of a book lover to go to the fair and buy the book, at a little less discount!
Just waiting for 2009, 28th January! I would like to be part of the fair, and enjoy the theme country of 2009~ Scotland!