Zubaan critical conversations series
New Delhi, August 24th, 2013: In the wake of a gang rape of a young women in Delhi last December, large number of citizens came out to protest and demand change. Half a year later, where are we? What, if anything, have we gained? How should Delhi, and India, take forward the energy and initiatives of the last few months?
Oxford Bookstore today hosted the first, Zubaan critical conversations series, ‘Women in the city’. Four of Delhi’s leading feminists, Vrinda Grover (human rights activist), Nivedita Menon (academic and author), Kalpana Vishwanathan (Senior Advisor, Jagori) in conversation with Urvashi Butalia (Publisher, Zubaan) came together to talk about their city. The audience actively took part in the interactive session, followed by book signing by the speakers.
On the occasion, Ms. Priti Paul, Director, Apeejay Surrendra Group said ‘Oxford Bookstore believes firmly in showcasing the most exciting books by, about and for women- books about our lives, our changes, and our challenges and celebrate women’s lives and literature every day- not just when it’s trendy or profitable to do so and therefore this collaboration resonates well.’
Zubaan is an independent non-profit publishing house. It grew out of India’s first Feminist publishing house, Kali for Women. Founded by Urvashi Butalia, who was co-founder of Kali for Women, Zubaan was set up to specifically continue Kali’s work. Zubaan, has inherited half the backlist of Kali so that reprints of many backlist titles are assured. Oxford Bookstore is full heartedly supporting Zubaan by hosting a series of critical conversation series.
Oxford Bookstore Connaught Place offers a carefully curated list of titles for booklovers to browse through and buy and perhaps the world’s largest assortment of teas in the hip Cha Bar, to create a holistic experience for book lovers. The entrance leading to the bookstore houses a big Neon Wall, a cloud of words in English-Hindi-Latin that envelopes book lovers in a universe of emotions linked to reading. Inside, in the tranquil space, hands-on staff, knowledgeable and highly trained book specialists, offer suggestions of handpicked titles from major, independent and indie publishers: a great selection of books, some exclusive to Oxford Bookstore. The selection features both emerging and established authors from India and the world. Shelves stocked with the best in Indian Writing, International Fiction and Translations take one into a spacious, elongated Reading Room which opens onto a dedicated Events Space. Well-researched sections on Languages and New Age books address issues of addiction, relationships, unexplained phenomena, and showcase the best of thinkers and Indian gurus. A wide range of titles in Travel Writing, books that showcase the very essence of New Delhi and a specially curated section of books on tea are other highlights. Children have an exclusive space for browsing, activities and reading and parents can look forward to the Top 10 Gift Books in each age group for a quick and easy pick. Amongst the best in books for different age groups are ones that help the young ones deal with experiences relevant to their age.