In love with stationery

Diaries generally come in set formats. They are either specifically telephone diaries or they can be calendar/day/date organisers. But have you ever imagined that there could be something like a ‘Home Book’ – a diary that helps you to plan everything in an organised manner – taking care of all the significant aspect of running your house like cooking, gardening, travel, emergencies, expenses, bills, shopping, financial transactions, first aid and appointments.

If it contains all of this and more, one may imagine it to be a heavy diary. But it’s pocket-sized! “Small and light, Home Book can be carried with ease and proves to be the perfect home organiser!” says Anand L , regional head of Nightingale Products, which has put up a stall at the ongoing 15th Stationery Fair in Pragati Maidan.  A participant for the last 10 years, Anand says, “We have some unique products like 5-6 cms tall Bhagwad Gita and pocket-sized Durga Chalisa, Vishnu Sahastranam, Hanuman Chalisa and many more in both Hindi and English.” He also had some diaries and notebooks with colourful and unusual jackets.

When it comes to colours, Sanjeev Lochan’s stall was the most sought after one.  Art enthusiast and kids thronged to the stall. “We are happy to see such a good response.

Mostly kids are demanding colourful pens, oil colours and crayons,” says Sanjeev, who has this time come up with new variety of brush pens.  “These brush pens are from Japan which makes art learning fun. Also we have brush markers available in different colours,” he says.

Like art enthusiasts, pen and pencil lovers were seen visiting all the stalls in Hall no 15. One of the stall that attracted many people was the one selling fountain pens only.
“According to our survey, people are getting more inclined towards fountain pens,” says Pradeep Malik of Penz Solution. “We have luxury fountain pens of Conway Stewart, Onoto and Delta to name a few. And, a single piece can range from Rs 2500 to Rs 55 lakhs. But we have also introduced pens in the range of Rs 100 which will be available from Monday onwards.”

Meanwhile, there were other stalls dealing in handcrafted bags,  papers and diaries, as well as office stationeries by some of the known brands.

City-based dealer Mrinalini Vishnoi had artistic and trendy wall clocks in the shapes of palms and feet ranging from Rs 700 to 3000, besides a stock of diaries which had innovative covers. “We have diaries and albums having pan-Indian design on the cover. Also, we stock a wide range of colourful handmade paper in different designs,” says Mrinalini.