City’s ultimate bookworm buys books worth `4.5 lakh at IKBF

In February last year, we had reported that bibliophile Debarata Chattopadhyay spent `3 lakh at the International Kolkata Book Fair. A teacher from Chakdah
with a passion for buying books, Debarata had told us back then that he owned around 14,000 books worth `3 crore. “This year, I spent around `4.5 lakh, and now own around 17,000 titles,” he told us with a smile.
Debarata has two libraries – one in Chakdah and another in Ranaghat. “I nurture a deep, and lasting relationship with the books I possess. My father and uncle’s profound love for literature is what I carry forward. The support and financial contributions of my wife have further fueled this journey,” he said.
Debarata, who visits the book fair every day, said, “Every day, I am there from 1pm to 8pm,” adding, “It’s a paradise for me. I feel proud that I’ve acquired some literary masterpieces from this fair, which I treasure in my library.”
What’s in Debarata’s shopping bag?
Debarata told us that he doesn’t restrict his love for books to any specific genre. “I love to read all kinds of books – from science and fiction to literature. People joke that I even read what’s written on the material used to make paper bags,” he said with a laugh.

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