Pune Book Festival Aims for Guinness World Record with Over 25 Lakh Book Cover Photos
The Pune Book Festival is setting the stage for a groundbreaking Guinness World Record attempt to create the “largest online album of book covers.” This ambitious initiative seeks to foster a deeper reading culture and bring literature to the forefront of community engagement.
Record Attempt to Promote Reading Culture
The record attempt is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Sakal Media Group, the National Book Trust, and Savitribai Phule Pune University. Officially inaugurated at Sakal’s office, the event saw participation from eminent personalities, including Dr. Sadanand More, former President of the Marathi Literary Conference, and Dr. Suresh Gosavi, Vice Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University.
Dr. More praised the initiative, stating it would attract new readers and provide diverse literary options, while Dr. Gosavi emphasized the importance of promoting reading among students for cultural growth.
Pune: Aspiring to Be a Global Book Hub
Yuvraj Malik from the National Book Trust expressed his aspirations for Pune to become the “Book Capital” on a global scale. The Pune Book Festival, scheduled from December 14 to 22, aims to engage over one crore people, reinforcing Pune’s reputation as a hub for books and culture.
Milind Marathe, also from the National Book Trust, highlighted the festival’s success in attracting a vast audience of book lovers, which not only boosts book sales but also enhances reading habits.
Public Participation: Upload Your Favorite Book Covers
As part of the record attempt, the Sakal Media Group has invited the public to participate by uploading photos of their favorite book covers. The initiative aims to reach an audience of approximately 25 lakh people, encouraging engagement with literature.
Key points about the initiative include:
- Participants upload their book cover photos to contribute to the record.
- The goal is to build an online album showcasing over 25 lakh book covers.
- Data collected will be analyzed in a “White Paper” compiled by Savitribai Phule Pune University.
Encouraging Reading Through Libraries
In addition to the Guinness attempt, Suraj Mandhre, Education Commissioner, emphasized the need for libraries to become active facilitators of reading rather than just repositories for books. This focus on access aims to instill a love for reading from an early age.
A Literary Movement with Social Impact
The Pune Book Festival isn’t just about setting records; it’s a socially conscious movement to unite people through literature. Sakal Editor Samrat Phadnis called the effort a “socially sensitive initiative” that underscores the transformative power of books.
This year’s festival promises not only to break records but also to cement Pune’s legacy as a city that values and promotes the written word.
