Heritage meets hi-tech: Armed forces legacy showcased at book fair theme pavillion
New Delhi (PTI): An ornate gateway honouring the iconic IMA, Dehradun edifice, a gallery of Param Vir Chakra recipients and a virtual walk onboard an indigenous aircraft carrier using VR technology -- the thematic pavilion at the world book fair here is a veritable showpiece of the legacy of the armed forces.
The pavilion carries the overriding theme of the fair -- "Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75," and a huge panel mounted on one of its walls depicts India's key military events since independence, spanning the period from the 1947 war to Operation Sindoor in 2025.
The New Delhi World Book Fair 2026, being hosted at the Bharat Mandapam from January 10-18, also celebrates 150 years of 'Vande Mataram' and the sesquicentenary of freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
However, it's the thematic pavilion erected in one of the capacious halls at the sprawling venue which is attracting a large number of people to it.
Visitors enter it through a heritage-style red-and-white gateway which reminds many of them of the celebrated 'Chetwode Building' -- the main building of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, while a grand bookshelf mounted at its other end pays homage to the Sudan Block of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla.
Books related to India's military history, its contribution during the two World Wars, the legacy of the Navy, aircraft carriers, the 1971 India-Pakistan War that led to the creation of Bangladesh and other publications on strategic affairs have been displayed for reading purposes.
"People have appreciated this pavilion a lot. Many come, pick a book off the shelf, and sit in front of the Sudan Block replica, to immerse themselves in the moment. A stage area in the middle of the pavilion hosts talks by authors and military researchers," a book fair staff member at the pavilion told PTI.
He points to a collage of prints of archival newspaper clips, bearing stories related to the 1948 Hyderabad police action, the 1971 war, the 1999 Kargil war, and the destruction of terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir during the military action carried out on early May 7 under Operation Sindoor, displayed in the bookshelf area.
People of all age groups have visited the pavilion in the past nine days, whose striking design is attracting visitors, military history enthusiasts or common readers alike
A separate wall panel highlights the role of women in the Indian armed forces.
The spirit of military wisdom and valour which the pavilion celebrates gets heightened as profound verses related to war and warfare, duty, bravery, sacrifice embedded in several ancient texts such as Yajurveda, Dhanurveda, Arthashastra, Bhagawad Gita and Nitisara, have been digitally displayed on a series of screens, bookended by two round panels explaining the essence of the philosophy.
Near the main gateway, a model of the main battle tank, Arjun, has been mounted against the backdrop of a column-fronted structure bearing a slogan 'Serve With Honour'. The caption describes that it is a representation of the building of the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.
Adjacent to it, a major naval platform and the building of the Indian Naval Academy -- INS Ezhimala -- have been depicted, while a fighter aircraft model sits next to it, as many visitors stop by to get clicked with 'I Love Indian Army' glow signboard mounted near the gateway.
A special gallery has been created in the pavilion in homage to all the 21 recipients of the Param Vir Chakra -- India's highest military decoration, awarded for exemplary acts of valour during wartime.
Enhancing the patriotic fervour, a sculptural art installation sits in front of it, depicting India's victory in the Kargil war.
A giant panel erected on one side of the pavilion titled 'Saga of Valour' depicts major conflicts and the Indian military's journey since Independence, such as the 1947-48 war with Pakistan, the 1965 war, the 1971 war, and the decisive military action taken under Operation Sindoor last year.
A digital screen also displays a montage of images, including one from the tri-Services press conference on Operation Sindoor held in May.
"Visitors can also get a virtual feel of walking onboard India's indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, at our VR (virtual reality) kiosk, or a feel of an IAF aircraft at another kiosk next to it," a staff member operating the kiosk said, as many little children also queued up to get the VR experience.
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It's uninformed and unhelpful: ICC hits back at criticism of travel arrangements
Dubai (PTI): The ICC on Wednesday expressed sympathy for the international players stranded in India after the T20 World Cup but lambasted "uninformed and unhelpful" suggestions that "anything other than safety" is driving the travel plans that have been thrown haywire by the West Asia conflict.
The war, which began with the American and Israeli bombing of Iran last month, has led to closure of the air space over Gulf, leaving flight schedules in chaos.
The ICC said it empathises with the stranded players, specifically from South Africa and the West Indies, but "safety, feasibility and welfare" of the teams is being carefully considered while drawing up alternate routes.
Giving details of the travel schedule, the ICC said the South African contingent will begin departing for home on Wednesday night and all the members are expected to leave within the next 36 hours.
Nine West Indies players have already left, while the remaining 16 have been booked on commercial flights departing India within the next 24 hours, said the ICC.
This was after their charter flight scheduled to take off from Kolkata was cancelled due to logistical issues.
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The ICC drew criticism from former England captain Michael Vaughan and South African star David Miller insinuated that England players were given better travel arrangements as they were able to leave within a day of their semifinal ouster. Before this, West Indies coach Darren Sammy had expressed frustration at the lack of updates from the world body.
The ICC hit back without naming anyone specifically.
"The ICC rejects any suggestion that these decisions have been driven by anything other than safety, feasibility and welfare. Suggestions otherwise across a variety of media platforms from people uninformed of the situation are as unhelpful as they are incorrect," said cricket's world governing body.
"There is no link between arrangements made in the cases of South Africa and the West Indies and those made previously for England or any other nation, which arose from separate circumstances, routing options and different travel conditions," it added.
West Indies and South Africa played their final games in Kolkata on March 1 and March 4 respectively. The ICC's airline partner is Emirates and they are unable to operate due to shutdown of the Dubai airspace.
"We understand that players, coaches, support staff and their families who have completed their ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaigns are anxious to return home.
"That they have not yet been able to do so is a source of genuine frustration, and the International Cricket Council shares that frustration," the world body said.
"The delay is the direct result of the ongoing crisis across the Gulf region, which has caused widespread and continuing disruption to international air travel, including airspace closures, missile warnings, re-routing constraints, as well as the cancellation and rescheduling of both commercial and charter flights at short notice," it added.
The ICC said due to the current situation, which is outside its control, each travel solution has become significantly more "complex and time-consuming than under normal circumstances."
The ICC said it is continuing to liaise with tour operators and airlines to ensure that all players reach home safely.
"Throughout this period, the ICC's overriding priority has been the safety and welfare of everyone affected, including players travelling with spouses and young children. We will not move people until we are satisfied that the travel solution in place is safe, and that commitment will not change," it said.
The ICC also urged the respective cricket boards and players to remain patient as it works to find the best possible solutions amid the evolving situation in in West Asia.
"Our teams are working around the clock and remain in constant contact with team managers as circumstances continue to develop. We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves."
