International book fair begins

KOCHI: Book lovers are flocking to the Ernakulathappan ground where the 15th edition of the Kochi international book festival is going on. Speaker G Karthieyan inaugurated the festival. Justice V R Krishna Iyer was the chief guest.
Even before the inaugural ceremony, hundreds of book lovers thronged the festival venue. The festival has publishers from across the country and abroad bringing in books which have been set up in 210 stalls.Overseas publishing houses, including Tata McGraw House and Random House, will be present at the festival for the first time. The festival will conclude on December 10.
Several programmes, including seminars and discussions, will be held at the venue.
At the inaugural ceremony, critics M Leelavathy and Prof M Achuthan were felicitated. Mayor Tony Chammany and Hibi Eden MLA were also present on the occasion. Kerala Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor K R Vishwambaran presided over the function.