Khulna commissioner calls to grow reading habit

KHULNA, July 31: Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Abdullah Harun on Friday stressed the need to cultivate a reading habit to build a knowledge-based society.

He made the remarks at a divisional-level readers’ rally and cultural programme held at the auditorium of the Divisional Government Public Library in Boyra of the city as chief guest.

The event was organised under the Mobile Library (3rd Revised) Project, implemented by the Directorate of Public Libraries under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (BSK).

Addressing the gathering, the divisional commissioner said the government had undertaken various initiatives to encourage the younger generation to become avid readers. Regular reading is essential for developing students into competent and skilled citizens, he said, urging parents and teachers to inspire children to read books and stay away from excessive mobile phone use.

Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Hoore Jannat chaired the programme. Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Project Director Md Billal Hossain Khan and Director (Joint Secretary) of the Directorate of Public Libraries Mariam Begum spoke as special guests. Senior Librarian of the Divisional Government Public Library Md Saiful Islam delivered the welcome address.

The organisers said 76 mobile libraries are currently operating across all 64 districts of the country. The guests later distributed prizes among winners of different competitions arranged to mark the readers’ rally and visited the mobile book fair before a cultural programme was staged.

Earlier, a colourful rally began from the premises of the Divisional Government Public Library, marched through different city roads and concluded at the same venue. A four-day book fair, featuring five stalls offering books at a 30 percent discount, has also been arranged on the library premises. The fair will conclude on August 1.