Jaipur, India, is currently witnessing significant developments highlighted by the Jaipur BookMark (JBM), the aftermath of an LPG tanker explosion, and concerns around infrastructure following a school bus accident.
The Jaipur BookMark, set to commence on January 30, 2025, and continuing until February 3, has established itself as South Asia's leading platform for publishing with a specific emphasis on translations and rights. Occurring alongside the renowned Jaipur Literature Festival, JBM promises panel discussions focusing on the varied potential of translations, along with the release of its annual Rights Catalogue showcasing 58 titles across 10 Indian languages presented by 31 prominent publishers.
According to the Royal Norwegian Embassy, which was announced as this year's Country Partner, the core aim of the event is to spotlight the substantial role translations play on the global publishing stage. HE May-Elin Stener, the Ambassador of Norway to India, praised the evolution of JBM since its inception over ten years ago, stating, 'Norway has been the Country Partner at Jaipur BookMark since its inception more than a decade ago. We are proud of the way the publishers’ forum has developed.'
Program highlights include the opening session titled 'Green Shoots of Big Ideas' featuring Nobel laureate Esther Duflo, who will explore writing economics for children. JBM will also focus on Tamil publishing, celebrating the rich literary heritage. Notable Tamil scholar A R Venkatachalapathy is scheduled to deliver the keynote speech, followed by sessions highlighting the impact of independent publishing houses like Kalachuvadu Publications.
Anticipated discussions at JBM include 'How Diverse is My World? Inclusivity in Children's Publishing', which aims to analyze the composition of children's literature. Another noteworthy session, 'AI and Creativity: The Emerging Picture', will provide insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity and storytelling.
The JBM conclave goes beyond traditional discussions, exploring new narratives made possible through media such as games. Filmmaker Anand Gandhi will lead a session examining the impact of games on literary storytelling.
Meanwhile, Jaipur was also the site of distressing news earlier this week when an LPG tanker exploded on December 20, following a collision with another vehicle. According to Sushil Bhati, superintendent at Sawai Man Singh Hospital, at least 17 people have died, with many others critically injured. 'This number may increase; many patients are still in serious condition,' he stated. Local reports detailed how the flames consumed approximately 34 vehicles, leading to widespread panic and emergency responses.
Regrettably, misinformation surrounding the incident proliferated on social media, with old videos of explosions being circulated falsely as footage of the recent incident. Fact-checks revealed these were from previous incidents, not related to the Jaipur explosion.
On another tragic note, Jaipur's Chomu area experienced horrific repercussions from a school bus accident earlier this week. A bus carrying approximately 30-35 students collided with an under-construction culvert due to reported brake failure. Local reports stated more than 15 students suffered injuries, and tragically, a teacher lost their life after falling from the bus upon impact.
Witness accounts indicate long-standing concerns over the condition of school buses operating around Chomu, with residents questioning the decision for schools to remain open during winter break. Local authorities have faced scrutiny for failing to address potential safety hazards, with many calls for improved oversight of transport within the community.
Overall, Jaipur stands at the convergence of vibrant cultural celebrations through the Jaipur BookMark, tragic community challenges following the LPG tanker explosion, and serious discussions surrounding youth safety following the bus accident. Each of these events highlights significant narratives impacting the city and its residents.
