Report of Book Exhibition organized on 20 to 21 January 2025

The Book Exhibition 2025, held on the 20th and 21st of January, brought together a rich collection of more than 1500 books from renowned publishers and authors. The event was an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty members of St. Francis Institute of Technology to engage with the latest publications across various genres, review new titles, and recommend books to enrich the library’s collection.

The exhibition provided an open platform for the entire institute fraternity, offering a diverse selection of fiction, non-fiction, self-help books, academic texts, and newer editions of popular titles. The event was aimed at enhancing the library’s resources while fostering a culture of reading, learning, and knowledge-sharing within the academic community.

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Inauguration of the Book Exhibition by Rev. Bro. Shantilal Kujur, Director, SFIT

    Bro. Joy Kurien, Deputy Director, SFIT                    Dr. Sincy George, Principal - SFIT

 

  Ms. Rupali Sawant, Asst. Librarian - SFIT       Asst. Prof. Praveen Kurien, Department of Basic 

        welcoming the Book Exhibitors                              Sciences and Humanities

 

 

Department of Mechanical Engineering - Faculty and Students

 
       Bro. C.P. Joseph, Director, SFITI                        Dr. Hariprasad C., Dean Academics, SFIT

 and Sister Bhavya, Asst. Librarian, SFIT                

Students and Faculty of St. Francis Institute of Hotel Management

Exhibitors

• Vakratund Book House, Navi Mumbai
• Lead India Book Solutions
• Sita Books

Books Displayed

Over 1500 books were displayed, spanning several categories, including:

• Fiction and Non-Fiction
• Self-help
• Academic Texts (Engineering, Science, Literature, Management, etc.)
• Latest Editions and Textbooks
• Bestsellers
• Professional and Reference Books

The books were provided by reputed vendors and publishers including:

• Narosa Publishing House
• S. Chand
• Pearson
• PHI
• McGraw Hill

These publishers showcased the latest books and editions across various subjects and genres, offering visitors a wide array of options to explore and choose from.

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Objectives and Achievements

1. Strengthening Library Collection:
   The exhibition allowed the library to enhance its collection with the latest books across diverse genres and subjects. Staff and faculty were able to evaluate and recommend books for future acquisition.
2. Awareness of New Books:
   Visitors were exposed to new releases and the latest editions, increasing awareness of current literature and academic materials. The exhibition served as a comprehensive platform for staying updated with contemporary books.
3. Engagement and Participation:
   More than 200 visitors, including staff and students, participated in the exhibition. The open platform encouraged attendees to explore different genres and titles, engage with the vendors, and interact with each other about their reading preferences and recommendations.
4. Open Platform for the Institute Community:
   The exhibition fostered a collaborative space where faculty, students, and staff could suggest, review, and even recommend books for procurement, thus enabling a participatory approach to library resource development.

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Visitor Experience

The event saw enthusiastic participation from both students and staff. Visitors had the opportunity to browse the collection, interact with the representatives from publishing houses, and gain insights into the latest trends in literature and academics. Many attendees took advantage of the chance to review books and make suggestions for future library acquisitions.

Several visitors also participated in informal discussions, sharing their opinions on the books displayed and recommending popular titles for inclusion in the library collection. The wide range of books available attracted both academic professionals seeking textbooks and students interested in personal development or leisure reading.

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Stall Highlights and Best Stall Award

Among the three vendors, the book stall by Lead India Book Solutions received the Best Stall Award. The stall stood out due to its excellent presentation, informative staff, and a broad selection of high-demand textbooks and self-help books. Their interactive sessions and detailed explanations about the books also contributed to their recognition.

Conclusion

The Book Exhibition 2025 was a significant event for the St. Francis Institute of Technology library, successfully meeting its objectives of enhancing the library collection, promoting awareness of new publications, and providing a platform for collaborative book selection. With a high level of engagement from both students and faculty, the exhibition has further solidified the library's role as a central resource for academic and personal development within the institution.

This event marks the beginning of an ongoing effort to continuously improve the library’s offerings and to encourage a reading culture that extends beyond the classroom.

What is the status of the Smart Cities Mission? | Explained

Why did the implementation of smart cities bypass local government and depend on Special Purpose Vehicles? What has happened to the mission in Shimla?

The story so far: Almost a decade has passed since the Indian government announced the concept of “smart cities” as the new lighthouses of urbanisation. The June 2015 announcement of 100 smart cities aimed to create models of urban development. However, these lighthouses of urbanity have now been relegated to the annals of India’s urbanisation history.

The smart cities initiative was based on the Internet of Things (IoT), a framework that works well in advanced capitalist countries where basic utilities are already in place. In contrast, in India, where basic services are still out of reach for many, “smart cities” essentially mean providing fundamental amenities to residents. The plan included two key components — pan-city proposals which includes IT-enabled services like mobility and waste management; and Area-Based Development (ABD) which was restricted to specific zones within a city, focusing on retrofitting, redevelopment, and greenfield projects. Additionally, governance of these projects bypassed local governments, relying instead on Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) registered under the Companies Act, and managed like private companies. City councils were excluded, based on the assumption that private company-like structures could deliver better results.

Read the full story at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-is-the-status-of-the-smart-cities-mission-explained/article69124802.ece

DPDPA rules 2025: Advancing data privacy but challenges remain unresolved

New data protection rules boost transparency, yet compliance gaps persist

The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, mark a new phase in data privacy in India. These rules, developed under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023, aim to strengthen the protection of personal data, enhance individual rights, and set clear operational guidelines for data fiduciaries (entities that determine the purpose and means of processing personal data).
The DPDPA Rules, 2025, provide much-needed clarity (‘hits’) in several areas, strengthening data protection and transparency. One significant aspect is the emphasis on clear notices from data fiduciaries, ensuring that individuals are informed about the purposes of data collection, data categories, and their rights, including consent withdrawal and complaint mechanisms. The rules also enhance data principal rights by granting individuals the ability to access, correct, and erase data, as well as withdraw consent, with fiduciaries required to establish clear mechanisms for exercising these rights.

In the event of a data breach, fiduciaries must promptly notify both data principals and the Board, detailing the nature, scope, and impact of the breach. Additional information must be provided within 72 hours to facilitate timely mitigation.
To safeguard children's personal data, the rules mandate verifiable parental consent, relying on reliable identity and age verification methods for parents, such as government-issued virtual tokens. However, this requirement does not extend to specific sectors such as healthcare and education. Educational institutions and healthcare companies are exempt from obligations related to obtaining verifiable parental or guardian consent and restrictions on behavioural targeting of children, ensuring the practical implementation of the Act.

Security remains a core focus, with mandated measures such as encryption, virtual tokens, access management, logging and monitoring, data backups, and log retention for one year to detect breaches. These measures establish a foundational security framework across all data fiduciaries, which must also be extended to data processors.

Despite the strengths of the DPDPA Rules, 2025, several areas lack clarity (‘misses’), posing challenges for compliance and implementation. One major concern is the ambiguity surrounding the classification of Significant Data Fiduciaries. While the Act identifies several factors—such as entities handling large volumes of sensitive data, risks to the rights of data principals, and state security—the rules do not define precise criteria for qualification. This, along with broader regulatory uncertainties, increases compliance burdens, particularly for smaller organisations that struggle with audits, Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), and reporting obligations.

Additionally, the rules adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to data breach management, treating all breaches equally regardless of severity. This could lead to inefficiencies by failing to prioritise incidents based on their impact.
Another gap exists in the notification requirement for data collected before the Act came into effect, as no timeline has been specified for informing data principals, leaving a compliance loophole. Start-ups also face uncertainty due to the absence of clear thresholds or conditions for exemptions from the obligations of a data fiduciary.
Cross-border data transfer policies remain undefined, with no specified list of restricted countries or clear instruments for enabling transfers, leaving businesses dependent on future government decisions. Similarly, the rules do not clarify whether DPIAs must be conducted by an independent party or outline the format and necessary details, nor do they provide guidance on the eligibility and empanelment of data auditors.

The exemption for research, archiving, and statistical purposes applies only when prescribed technical safeguards are maintained. However, it remains unclear whether this exemption is limited to central and state bodies involved in research-related activities for public interest or whether it also extends to private corporations engaging in research-related activities for corporate benefits.
Another area that needs more clarity is the role of consent managers. While the rules specify the registration requirements and obligations of consent managers, further guidance is needed on the use of internal consent management capabilities (either custom-developed for the data fiduciary or via a third-party platform) versus the use of external consent managers registered with the Data Protection Board.

In conclusion, the DPDPA Rules, 2025, represent a significant advancement in India’s data protection landscape, strengthening transparency, consent mechanisms, and breach reporting. However, unresolved ambiguities must be addressed to ensure comprehensive compliance. To strike the right balance between privacy, innovation, and enforceability, continuous engagement among businesses, regulators, and stakeholders is essential. The Ministry has shown keen interest in a collaborative approach, which will be crucial to refining the framework, making it more adaptable, practical, and future-ready for India’s evolving digital ecosystem.
(Mini Gupta is Technology Consulting – Partner at EY India)
Disclaimer: These are personal views of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of www.business-standard.com or the Business Standard newspaper

Source: https://www.business-standard.com/economy/analysis/dpdpa-rules-2025-advancing-data-privacy-but-challenges-remain-unresolved-125012101557_1.html

Kolkata’s ‘boi mela’: India’s oldest book fair inspired by the Frankfurt tradition

Since India’s first-ever book fair was held in 1918 in the city, the Kolkata Book Fair has grown in both scale and significance.

At book fairs, one can see people strolling from one stall to another, searching for author-signed copies, unique covers, classic editions, and perhaps a tempting 10 per cent discount. For book lovers, it is a magical time of the year when book fairs spring up across the country, including Kolkata.

The boi mela, or book fair, holds a uniquely special place in the hearts of Bengalis. More than just a marketplace for books, it is deeply rooted in the city’s legacy of reading, intellectual exchange, and knowledge-sharing. Moreover, Kolkata boasts the honour of hosting the country’s oldest book exhibition, a cornerstone of its vibrant cultural landscape.

Origins of book fair in Colonial India

In their 2021 work Anthology of Significant Events in Indian Art & Socio-Cultural History 1850-2015, Roop Narayan Batham and Nimisha Kesarwani highlight that India’s first-ever book fair was held in 1918 at College Street in Calcutta, as the city was known then. The event at the heart of West Bengal’s educational and publishing industry was overseen by prominent figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, Lala Lajpat Rai, Gurudas Banerjee, Bepinchandra Pal, and Aurobindo Ghosh, among others.
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Organised by the National Council of Education (NCE), which referred to the event as a book exhibition, the fair took place at the site where Goenka College of Commerce stands today in Bow Bazar, a locality in central Kolkata. Founded in 1906, NCE emerged in response to the British decision to divide Bengal. It was among the first institutions to promote the ‘Make in India’ initiative, aiming to provide scientific and technological education to youth as part of the broader Swadeshi movement. NCE sought to demonstrate that India was capable of offering modern education independently, countering colonial authority.

The book fair proved to be a source of inspiration for several notable figures, including economist Benoy Kumar Sarkar, who, in the 1940s, published works like Education for Industrialisation.


New era of Indian publishing

In the early 1970s, a group of literature enthusiasts, mostly publishers, frequently met at the Coffee House on College Street to discuss the Frankfurt Book Fair. Inspired by this commercial event, they envisioned creating a similar fair in Kolkata, hoping to provide a space for book lovers to share ideas and boost the local publishing industry.

“After two or three years of discussion,” says Arabinda Das Gupta, owner of the 137-year-old bookstore Das Gupta and Company on College Street, “the idea took shape in 1975, aiming to bring both domestic and foreign publishers to the city.”
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In 1976, 34 publishers set up 56 stalls near the iconic Victoria Memorial. Inaugurated on March 5, the 10-day event, which concluded on March 14, drew book lovers who paid a 50 paisa entry fee. The fair’s success in its inaugural year highlighted the need for a larger venue.

In 1982, Peter Withers, director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, visited Kolkata, and by 1983, the Kolkata Book Fair received its first international accreditation. As the fair expanded, it moved to the spacious Maidan grounds in central Kolkata to accommodate the growing number of publishers.
More from Express Research | Snehalata Mukhopadhyay: The teen whose dowry death shook 20th-century Bengal into action

In 1997, tragedy struck when a devastating fire destroyed 100,000 books, causing significant losses. “We lost books worth 80,000 that year,” recalls Das Gupta. However, the venue was reconstructed in just three days, and the fair resumed. The following year, heavy rain caused further damage to books, although insurance covered the publishers’ losses.

Despite these setbacks, the fair demonstrated remarkable resilience. 1999 marked a significant milestone, with Bangladesh as the theme and a visit from Sheikh Hasina, the then prime minister of the neighbouring, who returned to Kolkata after 27 years.

Over the years, the Kolkata Book Fair has grown in both scale and significance, evolving into a major cultural hub in South Asia and beyond. It continues to attract large audiences and expand its influence year after year. This year, the fair will highlight Germany as the country of focus.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/research/kolkatas-boi-mela-indias-oldest-book-fair-inspired-by-the-frankfurt-tradition-9791066/

Under Trump, US withdraws from WHO: Impact, what this means for India

Donald Trump withdraws US from WHO: Why did Trump walk out of the WHO? How much of the agency's funding came from the US? What happens to US experts working on the WHO's schemes? We explain.
United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on his very first day in office. The order said the reasons for withdrawing were WHO’s “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic”, “failure to adopt urgently needed reforms”, “inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states”, and for continued demand of “unfairly onerous payments from the United States.”

Read the full article at: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/under-trump-us-withdraws-from-who-impact-india-9791574/