Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education inaugurated New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026, today. Minister of Culture of Qatar, H.E. Abdulrahman Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Al Thani, the Minister of Culture of Spain, H.E. Ernest Urtasun Domènech; Director General of Books, Ministry of Culture, Spain, Ms. Maria Jose Gálvez ; Secretary, Higher Education, Dr. Vineet Joshi; Chaiman, NBT, Shri Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Director, NBT Shri Yuvraj Malik, distinguished guests from Qatar and Spain and senior officials of the Ministry attended the event.

During the event, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan released the books title “The Saga of Kudopali: The Unsung Story of 1857” including Bangla, Asamiya, Punjabi, Malayalam, Urdu and Marathi. A video on the Saga of Kudopali also screened.

Speaking on the occasion the Union Minister said that NDWBF 2026, the world’s largest B2C book fair, is not only a confluence of ideas but also a grand celebration of India’s robust and vibrant reading culture.He further said that the theme of the Book Fair, “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @ 75,” and the participation of countries such as Qatar and Spain, have further enhanced the significance of the cultural and literary event.

Shri Pradhan said that the book “The Saga of Kudopali: The Untold Story of 1857,” which brings to light lesser-known chapters of the freedom struggle on the land of Sambalpur, have been released in 9 Indian languages, including Bengali, Assamese, Punjabi, Marathi, Malayalam and Urdu, as well as one international language, Spanish. He noted that the book was earlier released in Hindi, English and Odia and is now available in 13 languages. He described the book as a commendable effort to honour the legacy of Veer Surendra Sai ji and the sacrifices of the martyrs of Kudopali. The initiative, he added, also strengthens India’s tradition of multilingualism and global dialogue.

The Minister said that the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has transformed the culture of reading into a people’s movement, and added that the Prime Minister’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ is not limited to infrastructure or technology, but is deeply rooted in building an aware, thoughtful and knowledge-driven generation that recognises knowledge as the foundation of nation-building.

He also congratulated NBT India and extended his best wishes for the successful organisation of the Book Fair. He said  that the event is infusing new energy into the country’s reading culture through books and dialogue.

Mr Ernest Urtasun Domènech, Hon’ble Minister for Culture of Spain, highlighted Spain’s participation during the Spain–India Dual Year 2026, noting that the Fair offers a valuable opportunity to promote Spanish writers in India, where interest in Spanish language and literature continues to grow. He recalled the historic literary connection between Juan Ramón Jiménez and Rabindranath Tagore.

H.E. Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Hon’ble Minister of Culture, State of Qatar, said Qatar’s participation reflects the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries and reaffirmed the role of culture and knowledge as foundations for people-to-people ties and nation-building.

The world’s biggest B2C book fair, the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF), is being organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education, will be held from 10–18 January 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi and entry to the book fair has been made free for the first time. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is the co-organiser of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026. The nine-day book fair will bring together 1,000+ publishers from over 35 countries, host 600+ events with 1,000+ speakers and is expected to attract over 2 million visitors.

This years the theme of NDWBF is “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75”. Along with this, the fair will also feature special exhibitions celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram and the life of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel @150.

The central highlight of NDWBF 2026 is the Theme Pavilion titled “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75”, a 1,000 sq. metre immersive space honouring the courage, sacrifice and nation-building role of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force since Independence. Designed as a 360 degree experience, the Pavilion will feature 500+ books, curated exhibits, posters, documentaries and installations. Key attractions include replicas of the Arjun Tank, INS Vikrant and LCA Tejas, tributes to 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees and sessions on major wars and military operations from Budgaon 1947 to Operation Sindoor.

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AK