15 Jan : The annual book Indian 2010 or Bharat 2010 was released by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni in New Delhi on Friday.
Talking to media after the release she said that the latest data in the book will help research institutions, Universities and scholars across the country and world over.
Concerned over poor demand of the India year book 2009, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni on Friday directed the Publication Division to ensure that the sales of “India 2010” touches the one lakh copies mark.
While releasing “India 2010” (this year’s edition), Soni was told by her officials that the previous edition of the annual book (India 2009) sold only 45,000 copies.
To this, she said, “I would like to see that this book is treated differently from other government publications as it not only contains important policies of the government but also carries information of all parts of the country”.
The minister said considering the importance of the book, which is presently available in English and Hindi, it should sell more and also be translated in all regional languages.
“The India year book is released annually. However, I want to see that it just does not remain a ceremonial affair and the book reaches as many people as it can,” she said.
“If I had been at the helm of affairs last year, I would have ensured that its sales should have touched the one lakh margin. It is a good book and I have gone through all its chapters. I hope that its sales this year would be doubled. It should touch at least one lakh copies,” Soni said.
She advised officials of the Publication Division and Directorate of Audio Visual Publicity and other related departments to visit universities and other institutions to
promote and popularise the book.
“Just don’t depend on state governments for selling the book. Officials should visit educational institutions to popularise it. The book carries information about government’s policies and therefore it should reach the masses in large numbers,” Soni said.
“Also, it should be translated in other regional languages and there should be no translation errors in it,” the minister added