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English-language books set to open new chapter in India

Interest in English-language books is increasing at a rapid rate in India, it has been revealed

A booming economy and the emergence of a middle class are believed to be the driving factors behind the boom, with a rise in ideals of womanhood and independence also declared an influential factor, according to the Guardian.

The potential of India as a world force in literature has been something most publishing houses will have considered, a fact perhaps indicated by the large number of the leading names which have a significant presence in the market already.

India's billing as one of the largest English-speaking countries in the world is a powerful marketing tool for publishing houses wishing to get in on a piece of the action, and the latest figures and forecasts indicate that the subcontinent is living up to everybody's expectations.

Anantha Padmanabhan, Penguin's director of sales in India, gave the newspaper a matter-of-fact projection of the industry's future.

Padmanabhan told the Guardian: "At the moment the market is probably about five million people. That is set to increase dramatically."

While exact figures cannot be placed on the prospective rise in English-language book sales, the indication from such a world-renowned publishing house that the increase in readership will be "dramatic" suffices to say that growth is inevitable.

Time and money are central to the suggested rise in English language readership.

If people are to buy books, whatever the language they are printed in, they will need disposable income.

India's economy is grew by 6.7 per cent in 2009 despite the global recession. Better national finances will filter down to the individual and affect their discretionary spending power, with book sales a potential beneficiary.

Related to this, and perhaps most importantly, is the emergence of a middle class in India, particularly young, independent women with time on their hands and the desire to enjoy a good book.

Manish Singh, Mills & Boon's country manager for India, said: "The low hanging fruit for us is the single working woman who has money in her hands, the liberty to read, no responsibilities yet, no husband, children and so on," reports the newspaper.

Last month, book printer Repro India forecast that more publishers will set up shop in India, particularly in sectors such as education, as the number of English-speaking people in the country spirals.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, he said: "All the education companies are expected to move to India as it is going to be the largest English-speaking country in 2020."