India Independent: Projects

The Independents @ CR Park was held at Purbosree Mahila Samity, Chittaranjan Park, on 15–16 November 2025. Over two days, readers explored a handpicked selection of 1,000+ titles from independent publishers and joined conversations, readings, and a children’s workshop. Speakers included Vandana Shiva, Ruchika Sharma, Paranjoy Guha-Thakurta, Ira Bhaskar, and Samina Mishra. The fair brought publishers, booksellers, writers, and readers together to celebrate the depth and range of books produced outside the corporate mainstream, creating a meeting ground for discovery, debate, and new solidarities.

  A series of talks, panel discussions, and conversations designed to highlight the ideas and authors at the heart of independent publishing. Each event will foreground questions and debates that shape our times – whether through feminist critique, radical histories, or the worlds of children’s literature – with writers and thinkers leading the discussion. By situating these events in public spaces, such as bookstores, universities, and other cultural institutions, we aim to create opportunities for readers to engage directly with authors and publishers.

Leaf & Ledger will be a curated digital platform designed to give independent booksellers the visibility they deserve. At present, readers often struggle to discover titles beyond the limited range promoted by large retailers. Our website will change that by bringing catalogues and lists of independent presses and booksellers into a single, searchable space. With smooth navigation, thematic grouping, and thoughtful recommendations, it will offer a richer browsing experience than algorithm-driven marketplaces – reflecting the cutting-edge publishing that defines IIB&I.