Imphal, December 24: The 15th edition of Imphal Book Fair, 2006 being organised at the Mela Ground of Mapal Kangjeibung here since December 15 concluded today.

Books worth over Rs 10 lakhs have been reportedly sold during the fair this year.

Padmashree RK Jhaljit and working president of the Imphal Book Fair Sub-Committee Dr Giridhari graced the valedictory function of the book fair organised jointly by Manipur State Central Library and Manipur Library Association.

Speaking at the occasion, the organisers of the book fair said the main objective of the fair is to promote reading habit among the people including children and to encourage writers and publishers to bring out more and more good books apart from promoting relationship between the readers and the book publishing firms.

In all 43 book stalls including 23 from host State and 20 others from outside Manipur participated in the book fair organised under the sponsorship of Raja Rammohan Roy Foundation, Kolkata.

The costliest books sold in the fair this time is said to Encyclopedia Americana and Encyclopedia Britainicana.

The cost of the these books in one set is Rs 50 each.

As against Rs 9 lakhs in the last edition of the book fair, this time books worth above Rs 10 lakhs have been sold during the fair, according to the organisers.

Like in previous years, the Best Book Production Award for this year is awarded to Aroiba Khongchat written by Sony and published by Ashangba Communication, Imphal.

The cost of the book Rs 250.The Award consist of Rs 500 in cash and a certificate.

During the course of the book fair, on the spot painting competition for school children in two categories had also been conducted.

Though there was no particular theme for the category of class III and IV, the competition for the category of class VI and VIII was held under the theme of 'War and Peace'.

Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the competition.

The organisers informed that in accordance to public demand, the book stalls would remain open tomorrow even if the book fair as been concluded today.

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