PATNA, Nov 12:
Books on Prime Minister Narendra Modi are doing brisk business at Patna Book fair which began on November 7.
Stall owners told reporters that more than 16 books on the Prime Minister available at the 12-day fair have evoked enthusiastic response from buyers.
Many of the titles have even run out of stock and book sellers are busy requisitioning supplies to replenish them, the stall owners said.
“You can call it ‘Modi magic’ or the ‘Modi effect’ sweeping through the book fair. We brought 200 copies of ‘Common Man Narendra Modi’ written by Kishore Makwana, and it has been sold out. Books like ‘Namovani’ and ‘Samajik Samrasta’ on the PM are also doing well,” said Amit Sharma, stall manager of Prabhat Publication.
Among the Namo books, ‘Abode of Love’ in English and its Hindi version ‘Prem Tirtha’ brought out by Rajpal publishing house are topping the charts.
Originally, written in Gujarati by Modi himself during the Emergency of 1975-77, this one contains stories on the theme of love.
“The book of stories by Modiji just flew off the shelves. People of all age groups bought it. Moreover, it is reasonably priced at Rs 165. We are encouraged by the very good sales and trying to bring more,” Mahendra Singh Bisht, the stall manager of Rajpal told PTI.
Jyotsana Kumari, who managed to lay her hands on one of the last copies of ‘Abode of Love’ said she bought it because the idea of stories on love by Modi aroused a sense of mystery.
“Modi has a strict, no nonsense image and he is our PM. So the idea of stories on love by him seemed enchanting and intriguing. I am yet to read this book, but I think it tries to portray that mother’s love is the source of different aspects of love,” Jyotsana added.
The book ‘Waqt ki Maang: Narendra Modi’ authored by veteran journalist M V Kamath and professor Kalindi Randeri being sold at Novelty publication’s stall was also selling like hot cake.
A comic on life of Narendra Modi priced at Rs 20 a piece, is a big draw among children, the publishers said.
In comparison, books on JD(U)) leader and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recorded lesser sales.
Patna Book fair president H L Gulati said, “Books related to Kumar sold much during the fairs organised in the last five or six years. Now books on Modi are selling more than his. I guess everybody has his time.”
Gulati said till last year books on Modi and Kumar recorded brisk sales at the fair and it was hard to decide who sold more.
“But that scenario has changed now,” he added.
However, of all the books on the senior JD (U) leader, a particular one, ‘Akela Aadmi’, the Hindi translation of ‘Single Man’ written by journalist Sankarshan Thakur, is holding its own against those of Modi, he said.
“This Hindi version of ‘Single Man’ was released here at the book fair on November 9. Since then it is selling well. On the first couple of days it even gave a stiff challenge to various books on Modi at our stall,” said Manish Shukla of Prabhat Prakashan.
The book “Nitish Engineering: Reconstructing Bihar” written by scribe Sanjay Sinha which showcased developmental march of a poor state like Bihar from the era of backwardness had previously seen good demand. (PTI)
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