Mysuru: The number of people who read books are dwindling by the day. The reason for this dismal conclusion is the scene at the Dasara Book Exhibition organised as part of the Dasara celebrations.

Since the last four days hardly any books have been sold at the exhibition.

The many programmes like Aaahara Mela, Yuva Dasara, Yuva Sambrama, Flower Show and the Dasara Exhibition, organised by the District Administration, always draws big crowds. However, the Book Exhibition organised near the CADA premises and open from 10 am to 8 pm daily, has hardly seen any response. The booksellers are a disappointed lot.

There are nearly 50 stalls and a few of them are vacant. The books published by Karnataka Sahitya Academy, Kuvempu Bhasha Bharati Pradhikara (Kuvempu Translation Academy), Karnataka Janapada Academy, Vivekananda Kendra Prakashana, Samvahana Prakashana, Chetana Book House, Sapna Book House, Mudhol’s Kushi Book House, Nerala Katte’s Nisarga Hospital, Arya Samaja, Srinidhi Pusthaka, Nava Karnataka Prakashana, Haveri’s Karnataka Janapada University, Cinema Sahitya Prakashana, Amma Prakashana and several other publications are exhibiting and selling their books.

Cartoons, alphabets and drawing books meant for children and competitive examination books are displayed here. Books written by renowned littérateurs and poets are also there and added to this is the recently brought out Prof. G.S. Siddalingaiah’s edited  book on complete information of 138 littérateurs. In spite of all the efforts, there are hardly anyone coming to buy books as even on Saturday and Sunday, which were holidays, there were no takers.

Also, compared to last year, the sales are really poor, said one of the stall owners.

Harish Kumar of Book Sellers Division speaking in this regard said that when compared to last year the customers are hardly trickling in. There are many new books that have come into the market. Hopefully, in the next five days, it is going to pick up, he ended on a positive note.