Human Resource Minister Smriti Irani inaugurated the 24th edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair which commenced in the Capital with China as the guest of honour country and a theme presentation of the cultural heritage of India.  The nine-day fair, touted as the largest in Asia, is hosting about 30 countries in which a series of programmes including panel discussions, dramas, classical and folk dances, workshops, discussions, authors’ meets, conferences, seminars and cultural programmes will be held.

China was invited to be the guest country after the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping last year where he signed a memorandum of understanding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This year the fair has introduced a special ‘Navlekhan’ programme which seeks to promote and publish young authors under the age of 40 writing in Indian languages.

Tickets to the fair, which is being held at the sprawling Pragati Maidan, will be priced at Rs 20 and sold from 9 AM till 5 PM at 47 stations of the Delhi Metro network from January 9-17. Schoolchildren and disabled are permitted free entry.