Cops' day out at Chennai book fair

CHENNAI: Police personnel are flocking to the ongoing

book fair

at YMCA in Nandanam during break hours.

There is a visible increase in the number of khaki-clad personnel visiting the fair this year, according to book sellers and publishers. Books on competitive examinations, history and short stories appear to be their favourite.

"This is the first time I am visiting the book fair...," said K Vaitheeswari, a constable with Armed Reserve (AR) wing of

Tamil Nadu police

. She said she purchased books ranging from competitive examinations to short stories. Several police personnel from different police stations in the city make a quick visit to the book fair during break hours, flipping through books that interest them. That apart, police sources said there are approximately 100 cops posted on duty at the YMCA ground this year.

A Taj, a representative of a publishing house, said that a policeman was inquiring about books on renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray on Saturday. "We publish books on film-making and the cop was searching for a particular title on Ray," he said.

Publishers at the book fair said there are more police personnel at the book fair than last year. "We had a book stall last year as well. As far as the number of cops visiting book stalls are concerned, it has increased this year," said S Dinesh, an employee of a publishing house.

A representative from Booksellers and Publishers' Association of South India (BAPASI) said police personnel also come in plain clothes along with their family after work hours. Association president R S Shanmugam said women cops have outnumbered men this year. "They used to buy novels in the past. Of late, many are looking at books for their children," he said.

The ongoing 43rd

Chennai Book Fair

, inaugurated on January 9, has recorded more than 10 lakh footfalls till Sunday.


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