Indian books on spirituality a big draw

Shimla, May 12 (IANS) Books on Indian spiritualism are in great demand in foreign countries, and even the Chinese are impressed, National Book Trust (NBT) director M.A. Sikander said Saturday.

'Books on spiritualism have become the USP (unique selling proposition) of Indian publishing houses. These books are selling like hot cakes in foreign countries,' he said here.

Sikander, here for a six-day book fair that began Saturday, said visitors evinced keen interest in spirituality at the recent Abu Dhabi book fair.

'Even the Chinese are finding linkages between Indian lifestyle and spiritualism. They are keen to know what makes the Indians happy beings.'

Sikander said France had shown interest in translating Hindi books into French. 'NBT will have special focus on France in the next international book fair in Delhi (in 2013).'

India is the third largest publisher of English books after Britain and the US.

'With sufficient manpower and good command over English, publishing houses across the world are outsourcing work to India,' he said.

He said the habit of reading had grown more in rural and semi-urban areas. 'There has been a 20 percent growth in the sale of NBT publications in the country in the past few years.'

He attributed this to online buying. 'Most publishing houses are marketing through internet. Readers are placing more online orders, rather than visiting a bookstore.'

Over 50 publishers are participating in the book fair that was inaugurated by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal here.