Virus Turned Nepalis into bookworms, say
traders
According to the central bank, book imports crossed the billion-rupee mark in the previous financial year
The book reading individual in Nepal has gained significant traction in recent years, as more individuals are recognizing the value of reading and seeking convenient access to books. With a rich literary heritage and a growing appreciation for literature, the book reading industry in Nepal has witnessed significant growth and evolution in recent years. With changing consumer behaviors and a diverse range of reading interests among the population, the business of facilitating bookings and reservations has gained increasing importance across various industries. From travel and tourism to hospitality and event management, books selling services play a crucial role in streamlining processes and enhancing customer experiences .
“ The book business is growing sharply in Nepal. The boost came after the Covid-19 pandemic. As people stayed home for a long time during the lock-downs, they turned to reading books,”seller said.
"Dependable and faster internet service helped sellers to advertise their books digitally. People bought books online during the COVID period. Other supporting infrastructure such as digital payment, cash on delivery and improved delivery systems also propelled the growth of online book stores."
Literature festivals were frequently held in different cities, and this also led to a growth in the number of readers.
Sellers estimates that book sales swelled by 20 to 25 percent during the COVID period compared to per-pandemic times.
“If we look at recent trends, sales of English books have skyrocketed in the past two to three years.”
The English-speaking generation is on the rise. The reading culture is increasing among millennials as English is the most common language on the internet, according to booksellers.
According to bookseller of Nepal “Before COVID, they used to sell 50-60 books a day .Now,daily sales have quadrupled to 250 copies.
Official data also shows that book imports have been rising. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, Nepal imported books worth Rs792 million in the fiscal year 2019-20 before the pandemic started.
The government implemented the initial nationwide lock-downs from March 24, suspending all international flights from March 22, as the virus outbreak showed no signs of diminishing. Consequently, imports came to a standstill during the lock-down period, with international borders and flights shut down. As a result, the import of books and magazines witnessed a significant decline of 31 percent year-on-year, amounting to Rs545.4 million in fiscal year 2020-21.
However, the book market gradually began to recover, evidenced by the import of books valued at Rs984.8 million from India alone in fiscal year 2021-22, representing an impressive 81 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to government statistics.
The growth in book imports continued, surpassing the billion-rupee milestone in the last fiscal year. As per the central bank, Nepal imported books and magazines worth Rs1.03 billion during the first 11 months of the fiscal year 2022-23, which concluded on July 16.
Naughty Bookworm
"Naughty Bookworms" is a platform where readers and sellers engage in the exchange of pirated books, contributing to the proliferation of piracy in the industry. The availability of pirated content on this platform has resulted in a significant increase in copyright infringement and poses a challenge for authors and legitimate book sellers.
As the book business expands, concerns over book piracy have grown too.
“The increase in book sales has attracted pirated copies in the market,” said Likhat Prasad Pandey, president of the National Booksellers and Publishers Association of Nepal. Some readers resort to not-so-ethical practices like downloading PDF versions from the internet or buy hard copies on the grey market.
“The purchasing power of the people has decreased lately due to slowed economic growth. Therefore, the market is flooded with pirated copies as they are available at a cheaper rate,”
Traders say that pirated copies are usually sold by unregistered online stores mostly operating through social media platforms.
“Pirated copies can be bought for half the price of the genuine product. Book sellers who deal in the genuine product on a tight profit margin are having a hard time,”
there are thousands of pirated copies of more than 600 titles in circulation in the Nepali market.
“Customers often buy these books lured by the heavy discount, only to regret later when they find that the quality of the book is not what they had expected,” said seller.
They thinks that publishers must lower their profit margin to make the books affordable to students so they will be discouraged from buying counterfeit products.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the book reading industry in Nepal has experienced significant growth and evolution, with a rise in recognition of the value of reading and convenient access to books. The business of facilitating bookings and reservations has become increasingly important across various industries, enhancing customer experiences. However, as the book market expands, concerns over book piracy have also surfaced, with the availability of pirated copies at cheaper rates impacting legitimate book sellers and raising issues of copyright infringement. It is crucial for publishers to consider strategies to make books more affordable to discourage the purchase of counterfeit products and ensure a thriving and ethical book market.
FAQs
What is the meaning of the term "Bookworm"?
A person who loves reading books and spends a significant amount of time engaged in reading. It is often used to describe individuals who have a strong passion for literature and derive great pleasure from exploring various genres, authors, and topics through books.
Where can one find books at cheaper rates, particularly second-hand options?
Here are some locations in Kathmandu where you can find second-hand books at more affordable rates.
1. Khadadevi Second-Hand Book Shop
Location: Sundhara Marg, Kathmandu
Contact No: 9841597089
2.Second-Hand Book Stall
Location: Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu
Contact No: 01-4223102
3.Book Paradise
Location: Jamal, Kathmandu
Contact No: 9819266260
4.Int'l Second-Hand Book Shop
Location: Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu
Contact No: 01-4248170
5.Nepal Book Depot
Location: Thamel, Kathmandu
Contact No: 01-4700975
6.Affordable Books Thrift Store
Location: Maitighar, Kathmandu
Contact No: 9823025253
For more detail :Best second-hand bookstore in Nepal
