Thursday | 16 January 2025 | Reg No- 06
বাংলা
   
Thursday | 16 January 2025 | Epaper

Book fair; a fruit of language movement

Published : Sunday, 10 February, 2019 at 5:37 PM  Count : 2655
Md Mazadul Hoque
Every year, the month of February appears with thrills as the month is known to the nation as significant for language movement held in early ’50s.

The brave nation passed many sleepless nights to establish state language- mother tongue Bangla. Ultimately, the struggle ended successfully at the cost of some valuable lives.  

Many youngsters did not wait a moment to stand before bullet for only speaking in mother tongue. The language martyrs are remembered in this month with due respect organizing book fair, among others.

Following the Independence War, the book fair was introduced in the name of ‘Amar Ekushey Book Fair’.

Currently, the fair got momentum with presence of all walks of people coming from home and abroad. As a nation, we are lucky to have thousands of book lovers at a time. The fair is helping much to grow reading habit among the people. A knowledgeable nation must go ahead.

I got an opportunity to go to book fair on the day after the fair was inaugurated. The environment made me astonished seeing a large number of book stalls. The books in the stalls are being displayed in such a way; the customers easily can select to buy.

From the very beginning day, the stalls that were set up in both back side and on front side, got huge customers. The publishers’ joy knew no bounds seeing the people’s hunger towards books.

Actually, we, as Bangalee nation, are proud of arranging this kind of fair since long. The fair invites all eminent people in the premises of Bangla Academy that is a good sign for going forward.

The fair increases economic activities. The fair’s functions are going on in full swing followed by cultural program. The discussants in the program are recalling the role of language martyrs’ before the spectators. A well-managed book fair hopes to see month-long gathering.

The people’s cry for reading new books has been a practice. So, the practice must be holding among us if we want to be a developed nation. I know head of the government is passing sleepless night to take Bangladesh forward equipping the nation with required knowledge.

So, there is no alternative to promote book fair. The world’s many countries mostly African countries do not arrange book fair. Those nations cannot understand the importance; never see the ray of hope of becoming a knowledgeable nation. In this regard, Bangladesh is ahead.

What should be noted here that the significance of book fair must be displayed before kids that are the driving force of the country in next sessions? The true history behind introducing the book fair must be taught them.

So, the parents have to play a vital role to educate them from early life. The nation is expected to get a knowledgeable generation in the decades to come.  

Many kinds of fairs are organized here on the land. But, organizing a book fair is a matter of extra happiness because of having no business mentality among the sellers.

What is to be noted here that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, an able daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on inauguration day underscored the need for establishing a digital library.

Digital library is needed to display the newly published books to global readers within short time. Obviously, digital library would help the readers to be linked with global affairs with a click. Now, the affairs that are happening around the world take no time to reach us. The digital library would pave the way to be prosperous in terms of knowledge.   

Naturally, the bookworms are financially insolvent.  They prefer to lead their life in simple way. They never run after money. Excessive books’ price in current time is forcing them to visit the fair compound without purchasing any books.

So, high price of newly published books fails to attract real book lovers. A prudential guideline regarding fixing of prices of books might have been drafted. Both the writers and publishers have to grow consciousness about readers’ interest also. Otherwise, the key objective of organizing the book fair would not be attained.

The economy also sees high turnover centering book fair held every year. In the last year, around Tk 70 crore was injected in the economy by selling books in the fair. So, the economy is bolstering getting huge support from the fair.

The stalls need a lot of people for whole month to assist the publishers. So, employment generation during this month is also positive side of the fair.

It is a grave concern that many young writers have been composing historical books but they are not recognized at all by media people. Why the media outlets are busy with senior prominent writers is unknown to me. The media should promote young writers who are contributing more by writing country’s true history in their books.

The educated group should have the habit of writing books on various issues. Alongside global-famed writers, new writers should be given access to any discussions held at home and abroad.

The state has to come forward to stimulate young writers for country’s great interest. I look forward to seeing new books composed by Bangladeshi youngsters who will guide the country on right track. The book fair is the right place to express their opinions through publishing books.


Md Mazadul Hoque is a banker and he can be reached at: mazadul1985@gmail.com 


LATEST NEWS
MOST READ
Also read
Thanks to two Mayors, city corporations
We condemn
Two deaths sent distinct messages to our conscience  
US ‘security threat alert’ unwarranted: PM’s sharp reaction timely, justified
Let army be given charge to relocate chemical trade
Keep your info safe while doing online banking
Let us save RMG workers
Book fair; a fruit of language movement
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Online: 41053014; Advertisement: 41053012.
E-mail: district@dailyobserverbd.com, news©dailyobserverbd.com, advertisement©dailyobserverbd.com, For Online Edition: mailobserverbd©gmail.com
🔝
close