Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, the minister of school education, opened the city’s second edition of the Chennai International Book Fair (CIBF) on Tuesday. Publishers from 40 nations come together for the three-day event to share their books that can be translated into Tamil and vice versa using the “rights hub.” More than fifty publishers offer their catalog at the rights pavilion in order to obtain permission to translate their works.

Speaking during the function, Mr. Mahesh mentioned the rich literary heritage of Tamil Nadu. “The goal of CIBF is to improve cultural awareness and our love of reading,” he continued. With the help of the translation grant provided by the State government, 52 novels were translated from Tamil into different languages after approximately 350 memorandums of understanding were signed with different publishers.

Gvantsa Jobava, vice-president of the International Publishers Association, emphasized the need for strict legislation, saying that it was the government’s responsibility to prevent the dissemination of unauthorized versions of books rather than the responsibility of readers.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced on social media that more than 200 books on topics relating to vocational occupations will be translated and released in Tamil. Additionally, up to 20 literary agents have received training to help authors and publishers communicate. In order for the inventors to impart their wealth of knowledge in other languages to Tamil, he pleaded with the people to attend the event.

Books have been published in multiple languages by publishers from all around the nation. Five books that will be translated into other languages have already been signed by publisher and literary agent Ival Bharathi.

On the occasion, Mr. Mahesh also released the coffee table book Taking Tamil to the World. Attendees included Malaysian consul general Saravana Kumar Kumaravasagam, education secretary J. Kumaragurubaran, health minister Ma. Subramanian, MSME minister T.M. Anbarasan, and others.