About Us

Prof. Panch. Ramalingam served as the Chief Promoter in establishing the Puducherry Co-operative Book Society. Under his leadership, the Society was registered with the Registrar of Co-operative Societies in 1996 and formally commenced its operations on March 3, 1997. Shri Vel. Sokkanathan was appointed as the first President, but due to health reasons, he resigned, leading to the appointment of Justice S. Ramalingam as the President. Prof. Panch. Ramalingam assumed the role of Founder Secretary, while Smt. M.K. Sayeekumari served as the Vice-President.

The Society organized its inaugural National Book Fair in 1997 at Vel Sokkanathan Thirumana Nilayam, Vallalar Salai, Puducherry. The event saw the participation of 45 book publishers, distributors, and booksellers from across the country. Over the 10-day fair, more than one lakh books were displayed. In addition to offering a 10% discount on all books, special considerations were extended to institutions and libraries making bulk purchases.

A variety of literary events were conducted, engaging school and college students through competitions such as quizzes, essay writing, music performances (both vocal and instrumental), elocution, poetry recitation, and drawing and painting contests.

The Book Fair presented an extensive collection of books, including textbooks for schools, colleges, and professional courses, as well as dictionaries, encyclopedias, computer-related publications, software CDs, and learning tools. Other categories featured literature, competitive exam guides, cookery books, self-improvement titles, and general reading materials, catering to the diverse interests of the people of Puducherry. The Fair significantly contributed to promoting a culture of reading and fostering intellectual development within the Union Territory and beyond.

Between 1999 and 2004, the Society successfully organized six Book Fairs in collaboration with the Directorate of Art and Culture. In 2011, it partnered with the Puducherry Writers Book Society, registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, to host another successful fair. The 20th National Book Fair took place in 2016 at Vel. Sokkanathan Marriage Hall. The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Puducherry, Shri V. Narayanasamy, inaugurated the event and released seven books by various authors on December 16, 2016. Hon'ble Speaker Shri V. Vaithilingam presided over the function, while Hon'ble Minister for Cooperative Societies Shri M. Kandasamy officially launched the literary events. The President of the Book Society, Shri Seenu Ramachandran, welcomed the dignitaries and attendees. Dr. Panch. Ramalingam, then Vice-President of the Society, outlined the significance of the National Book Fair, and Shri G. Murugan concluded the event with a vote of thanks.

Currently, for the period from 2025 to 2028, Prof. Panch. Ramalingam has been elected as the President of the Society. Prof. S. Pannirselvame serves as the Vice-President, and Dr. T. Ranganathan holds the position of Secretary. The Society remains dedicated to nurturing a vibrant reading culture and expanding literary engagement in the Union Territory of Puducherry.