More than just gathering for bibliophiles, Book Fairs offers several benefits to literary enthusiasts that extend beyond the pages of books and offer new and established authors a ground to present their books to potential readers and the literary fraternity. TEDx Speaker, Storyteller, The Times of India Write India winner, & Columnist, Jyoti Jha had her Book Stall at the prestigious 22nd Pune Book Fair in an amazingly enriching and enlightening experience.

Held in collaboration with Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Directorate of Libraries, Shikshan Mandal Pune Mahanagarpalika, Maharashtra University and College Libraries Association, All India Radio and Maharashtra State Education Department, Western India’s largest book, culture, and education fair, Pune Book Fair, in its grand 22nd edition (4-8 December 2024), dazzled with enthusiastic participants from the literary landscape. The Book Fair commenced with a grand inauguration by Sadanand More, Senior Sahityakar and Chairman of Maharashtra State Board of Literature & Culture, in the esteemed presence of Dilip Pawar, Chairman of Jyestha Nagrik Sangh, Subhash Desai, Teachers Association, PNR Rajan, Convener of Pune Book Fair, Krishna Kumar Patil, Director of Balbharti, Shirish Chitnis, Karyavah of Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, and some more eminent names. Held at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, Swargate, Pune, the event saw a huge turnout of book lovers on all five days. The event had an esteemed presence and active participation by Rohit Jerajani, Owner of Express Book Service, Heritage Book Store in Pune.

Whereas the event witnessed an array of Stalls from prominent names like Jaico Publishing House, Film Archives of India, Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha (MKSSS), etc, there were also engaging activities like Authors Meet (English, Hindi, Marathi), Sahitya Charcha, Children’s Corner, Art & Culture based competitions. From curiously surfing the books at Book Fairs from a reader’s viewpoint to owning one’s Book Stall from an Author’s perspective, is one aspirational dream for every author. HR-turned-Author Jyoti Jha was delighted to have her Book Stall on the great platform. “I feel extremely honored and elated to be participating as an exhibitor at the prestigious Pune Book Fair this year, and I consider this an important milestone and a fantastic achievement in my writer’s journey”, she said. Jyoti Jha has authored, edited, and translated several books in both English and Hindi. Awarded 'Vidya Vachaspati', ‘Dr Shanti Jain Smriti Samman’, ‘Asian Literary Award’, ‘International Progressive Women Award’, Judge at IITBHU (Kashiyatra), Featured in Femina and India Today, Interviewed at Radiocity Pune 91.1 FM, Conducted Writing Workshops at IITs and NIT, she is the Chief Coordinator, Literary Chapter, Let’s Inspire Bihar. She is the Co-Founder of Today Magazine. Known for her bestselling Hindi Novella, ‘Aanandi’, she has also contributed several poems, articles, reviews, opinion articles, columns, and stories in both English and Hindi languages that have been published in International Anthologies, International Poetry Meets (Karnataka Sahitya Akademi), prominent Media Houses, Literary Journals, Literary Magazines, etc. Her books include- Aanandi, Around The World Through My Lens, Heart’s Sanctuary & Other Stories, Chaubatiya (Translated from Angika to Hindi), awarded book, ‘Padmashree Sindhutai Aur Anya Aalekh’ (Edited), and Colour Transfer & Other Stories by Nitish Raj (Edited by Jyoti Jha). Her book Aanandi has been adapted for Theatrical Representation and has been made into an Audiobook for Storytel by Zankar Studios, Pune. Shortlisted for the PVLF Author Excellence Award by FrontList, the book has been making rounds in the literary circuit and has been widely appreciated by readers and prominent media houses.  

Her bookstall had all her books displayed (Authored, Edited, Translated), and to enhance the effect of the place, there was also an esteemed company of books written by Dr Awinash Biniwale. Recipient of the Hindi Sahitya Akademi Award for his Hindi novel ‘Jai Kailash’, honored with Dr. Ashok Kelkar Award for his contribution to the field of literature and language by the Maharashtra government, and bestowed with ‘Jeewan Gaurav Samman’, Dr. Biniwale has done pioneering work in the field of German studies. Having written over 80 books, he is a linguist, researcher, and retired professor at Mumbai's Elphinstone College. His book ‘Iran-Paarsiyon Ka Teerthkshetra’ has been translated by Jyoti Jha from Marathi to Hindi, and the book was also displayed at the stall amongst other books.

She was joined by a well-known Hindi writer from Pune, Indrani Sinha, a retired Educationist, Author, and Coordinator of the literary Chapter, Let’s Inspire Bihar, whose books were also on display at the stall. ‘Aparajita’, a short story collection (Hindi) is one of them. Through the mesmeric experience, engaging with curious readers, networking with people from the writing and publishing world, and interacting with other exhibitors, there were significant book sales during the event. Jyoti Jha’s book ‘Aanandi’, ‘An Illustrative Symbol of Women Empowerment’, found a place in the library of MKSSS’s School of Fashion Technology (SOFT) during the event and Jyoti felt immensely blessed to see her literary journey circle back to 125+-year-old parent body that has been committed to “Empowerment of Women Through Education”, Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha. She was pleased to meet Deepali, Librarian- SOFT, and Mr. Mahesh at the event who excitedly offered to keep her book at the institute’s library.

With buzzing energy, enthusiasm, and excitement, the Pune Book Fair had the momentum going for all five days and provided an immersive experience to literary enthusiasts all over.