Dhruva Saikia Guwahati | November 3 The 18th Northeast Book fair, organized by All Assam Publishers and Book Seller Association, was inaugurated today at Assam Engineering Institute Ground here by eminent author Nirupama Borgohain at a glittering function graced, among others, by Ramen Deka, MP, and Rita Chowdhury, author and chairperson of National Book Trust. Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was scheduled to inaugurate the 12-day grand book fair, the biggest in the Northeast. However, Sonowal skipped the function due to other engagement, and Bargohain who was persuaded by organizers to light the inaugural lamp in place of the CM, complained about being a "substitute for the absent chief minister". Terming the absence "an insult”, Bargohain cautioned against inviting politicians to future functions related to literature. NBT Chairperson Chowdhury in her speech divulged schemes adopted by NBT to uplift young writers. She appealed to the below-40, female, unpublished writers to approach the NBT for publication of their work. The Book Fair will be open till November 13.