Sreejish pays emotional tribute to SIBF in debut book

The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) concluded with a 12-day programme that drew 1,400,730 visitors from 206 countries, reinforcing Sharjah’s status as a major global hub for culture, books, and industry exchange. Under the theme “Between You and a Book,” the fair delivered one of its most internationally diverse editions, with 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries, and a rights-trading environment unmatched anywhere else in the world.

The SIBF welcomed Inaam Kachachi, Banu Mushtaq, Omar Shahid Hamid, Ashia Ismail-Singer, Stacy Willingham, Daniel G. Miller, Jeffrey Mason, Dr. Julie Smith, E. Santhosh, K. Satchidanandan, Payal Arora and at the same time the Writers’ Forum of SIBF was bursting with joy and energy. The Writers’ Forum gives an opportunity to young and aspiring writers to release their book.

On the day one of SIBF, Sreejish Sarada Sreekantan Nair, a news presenter with Dubai Vartha, released his maiden book. “Aksarakkadalile Veliyettam” (“The High Tide in the Sea of Letters”). Written in Malayalam, the book is a wonderful tribute to the SIBF. Adorned with some wonderful photos of SIBF and amazing facts, the book is a great tribute to the SIBF, SBA and the Sharjah Ruler.

The beauty of this book is that those who can’t even read the language can enjoy it while turning the pages. It can be consider as collector’s item. The book was officially launched by Deepa Ganesh, General Manager of Dubai Vartha, who handed a copy to young singer Ravishankar. Nissar Sayed, Chief Editor of Dubai Vartha, delivered the keynote address. Writer K.P. Sudheer, M.C.A. Nasser (Head of Editorial and Middle East Operations, Media One), Punnakkan Muhammed Ali, Ahmed Shareef, K.V. Shamsudheen, Shaji Narikkolli, M.A. Shahnaaz, Anoop Keecheri, Ameena Nissar, and others extended their felicitations.

Sharing his happiness over the release of his book, Sreejish while talking to the Gulf Today, said, “My book can be considered as the first comprehensive book on Sharjah International Book Fair in Malayalam. It took almost a year to me to complete this book.”

Sreejish has been covering the book fair for around six years. He has covered innumerable number of authors in all these years. Talking about that he said, “I never aspired to write a book but after spending time as a reporter at the SIBF, I felt an urge to share my experiences in a book and that’s how my book was born.”

He said, “That’s why I give full credit to SIBF for inspiring me to become a writer. “

He looked visibly emotional while talking about the birth of his book, he apprised, “I have been attending the book fair since 2019, and in 2021, I was here to cover the 40th edition of SIBF and on the day one, I was blessed with a baby girl. It was a great moment for me as a father. Therefore, the book fair will always be an emotional memory for me.”

He is getting lots of praise for his effort. He looked excited to bring his second book when SIBF returns next year. He shared, “I will continue my work. This is just the beginning for me not the end.”

I am planning to come up with my second book next year and hope to release at the 45th edition of SIBF. I would like to gift the book to my daughter when she turns 5, he added.

A 190-page book has detailed account of book fair from 2019 to 2024. He revealed, “I have mentioned how many writers have attended the event from 2019 to 2024, and how many writers from India has graced the red carpet of the book fair.”

Praising Sharjah Ruler, he said, “He is a great leader. I have mentioned how the Sharjah Ruler has inspired and helped publishers and exhibitors of SIBF while the entire world was going through COVID-19 menace and the event was very successful that year also.” I am in awe of SBA for organizing such a wonderful evident in Sharjah, he concluded.