OREANDA-NEWS. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the National Book Trust (NBT) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a view to cultivate reading habits among Metro commuters and employees and to promote each other’s services. The MoU was signed at Metro Bhawan by DMRC’s Director (Operations), Sh. Sharat Sharma and NBT Director Sh. M A Sikandar in the presence of DMRC’s Managing Director, Sh. Mangu Singh and a host of other dignitaries. As per the MoU, DMRC and NBT will share each other’s premises and carry out various promotional activities like joint advertising on its premises, discounted sale of books to Metro commuters and Metro employees, establishment of NBT book shops in selected metro stations, promotional sale of metro smart cards during book fairs/exhibitions etc. As a pilot project, NBT Metro Book Shops will be opened at Kashmere Gate (tentatively on 14th Nov 2013) and Central Secretariat Metro Stations (opening date not yet decided).   As a part of this MoU, DMRC will undertake following initiatives:
1. To publicize the book promotional activities of NBT, DMRC will identify and allot spaces/locations at prominent metro stations, subject to availability, for display of publicity materials on special occasions like National Book Week, World Book Fair and book exhibitions.
2. To promote reading habits among young commuters, a joint initiative will be planned and undertaken by DMRC and NBT in which posters or any other visuals in the form of illustrations will be displayed at prominent metro stations under CSR initiatives.
3. DMRC will arrange to distribute printed materials/hand outs of various events of NBT regarding book promotion or New Delhi World Book Fair etc. through its selected ticket counters.
Similarly, NBT will assist DMRC by working on following initiatives:
1. NBT will display important publications in English, Hindi, Urdu and other prominent Indian Languages at the NBT Metro Book Shop proposed to be opened at the Metro stations for the benefit of commuters.
2. NBT will offer a discount of 15% on sale price of books to all genuine metro commuters on display of DMRC smart cards at the proposed “NBT Metro Book Shops” at Kashmere Gate and Central Secretariat Metro Stations. NBT will also offer Book Club Membership to interested employees of DMRC.
3. In order to help the people to know the latest information regarding both the corporations, NBT will arrange to link its website www.nbtindia.gov.in with that of DMRC.
4. NBT will provide space at its sites to DMRC for the purpose of setting up stalls/kiosks for the promotion of smart cards during book fairs/exhibitions organized by NBT such as Delhi World Book Fair etc.
5. NBT will arrange other promotional activities jointly in consultation with DMRC like holding of reading sessions and sending mobile exchange vans to DMRC staff quarters, CISF campus etc.
Recently, the DMRC and the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the purpose of jointly promoting tourism and facilitating tourists in the capital city. Delhi Metro at present runs its services on seven Lines spanning around 190 kilometers including Airport Express Line and carries around 25 lakh passengers on weekdays. Such initiatives by DMRC are meant to help and facilitate commuters in varying aspects.