Mobile app for Kolkata Book Fair visitors

Visitors to the 39th International Kolkata Book Fair, that begins Jan 28, now have assistance at their finger tips, courtesy a mobile app providing all the relevant details about the fest.

The Android app has been developed by private power utility company CESC.

"The app can be accessed from a mobile phone or a tablet and will offer the route maps from one point of the fair to the desired book stall. One can also locate utility areas like the food court, restrooms, administrative buildings etc. using the app," Abhijit Ghosh of the CESC told media persons Saturday.

Pegged to be a 'festival of ideas', the fair will focus on literary works from Britain and highlight the country's contribution to literature.

A special segment will also be there celebrating Shakespeare's 450th birth anniversary and Welsh poet Dylan Thomas's 100th birth anniversary.

To be inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and British radio and TV presenter Anita Anand, the fest will witness participation of publishers from many countries including Bangladesh.

With the last edition being hampered by political rallies, the organisers, Publishers and Booksellers Guild, said they have been assured by the state's ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Communist Party of India-Marxist of not holding any such rally during the fest.

"Last year, business was affected as there were rallies and meetings on three out of the 12 days," guild general secretary Tridib Chatterjee said.