In a statement issued by Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI) General Secretary A.S. Sankarapandian, he said:
Since 2022, the Tamil Nadu government has been allocating funds to conduct annual book fairs in all districts. While districts are divided into three categories and grants are provided, the fairs are being conducted jointly by the South Indian Booksellers and Publishers Association (BAPASI) and the district administration. This scheme, undertaken for the benefit of readers, is conducted once a year for 8 to 12 days. It can be said that this does not in any way help encourage writers or expand the circle of readers.
Many creators are struggling because they cannot print and publish books on their own. Likewise, literary and writers’ organisations face great difficulty because they do not have suitable places to conduct their events. At a time when reading habits are already declining, writers are unable to bring out their works because of the obstacles created by such difficulties. The government provides farmers with farmers’ markets to sell the produce they grow, but it is regrettable that appropriate action has not yet been taken to address the difficulties faced by creators.
To overcome this situation, book markets should be established in all district headquarters and cities. They should operate every day and include reading spaces, a snack area, Wi-Fi, halls for book launches and literary events, bookshops and exhibition halls. Adequate space should be allotted for self-published and new writers to sell their books directly. Local writers should be given importance so that large publishers do not completely occupy the space.
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi had wanted to implement a scheme through which all books would be available in one place. As it was not implemented, as a small part of this idea, former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated a book market at Chennai Central Metro Station on 10.6.25 at a cost of Rs. 1.85 crore. The Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation is managing it. Establishing book parks at the district level would help local writers sell their books and meet readers directly without having to travel to Chennai.
If book reading is to be turned into a movement, merely holding exhibitions is not enough. By providing writers with a permanent place in their own towns to sell their books and meet readers, those engaged in literary work will gain further encouragement to bring out new works. Such an effort would lay the foundation for bringing more works and writers to the Tamil language. Writers alone can help shape minds and create a healthy society. To encourage them, create a society filled with thinkers, improve reading habits and implement the book park scheme, the Tamil Nadu government should take action.
Headquarters,
Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam.