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World Book Fair: UAE-Indian publishers discuss cross-border collabs

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New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) On the World Book Fairs second day, a deliberation by Indian and Emirati publishing bigwigs saw the latter underlining the need for translated works, and for Indian publishing to expand in Africa through Sharjah, the Fairs 2019 guest participant.

Sharjah Books Authority (SBA) Chairman Ahmed Al Ameri was speaking at the 7th edition of CEOSpeak — a forum for dialogue in the publishing sector that coincides with the annual New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF).

CEOSpeak was organised jointly by FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) and NDWBF organiser National Book Trust.

Calling the forum significant and one “facilitating much-needed exchange of ideas and knowledge between the publishing communities of India and the world”, Al Ameri said Sharjah is the gateway to Africa for Indian publishers, while adding that “reading and literacy are the beating hearts of Sharjah”.

The official said it takes 60 days to ship from India to Africa, and only two weeks from Sharjah, the UAE’s third largest emirate and a free zone in the world for publishing.

Inviting everyone to the Sharjah pavilion in the Fair, which is hosting 10 emerging litterateurs from UAE and a set of 57 books translated from Arabic to Hindi, he also highlighted the importance of translations for cultural exchanges and cross-border collaborations.

Interestingly, the forum also comes before a foreign ministers’ meet on February 1, when 22 Arab League ministers will gather in the capital.

Sharjah — also home to the globally-known Sharjah International Book Fair — had around 477 publishers from over 17 countries in 2018, as per the SBA Chairman, and saw agreements signed for 700 English works to be translated into Arabic.

As noted names from the Indian publishing industry deliberated upon the local and global publishing, the talks were dominated by works translated across languages.

FICCI Secretary General Dilip Chenoy, while pointing to India — a $4.6 billion book market and the second largest English language print book publisher in the world — added that the “UAE accounts for a sprawling 37 per cent of India’s total book exports to the Arab World”.

Translations, he too said, are significant for the publishing markets and as an avenue for creative human labour.

“Translations are of two types. One is a verbatim one, and given the future of Google Translate, we might see a lot of translated works. That will bring a lot of cross-cultural understanding and exchanges.

“If there are four manuscripts of the same work across the world, you have to compare. Translation bots cannot do that, it will continue to require specialist human interventions as we go forward,” Chenoy told IANS.

The forum also saw publishing stalwarts discuss literature for children and young adults, and brought forth the need to include them in forums like CEOSpeak.

Both UAE and Indian publishers noted the need to give young readers myriad options, and highlight the common challenges they face across geographic borders, rather than just trying to transmit values through the written word.

The NDWBF will conclude on January 13 at the Pragati Maidan here.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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