Abrar Hussain of DOT :
The Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela 2019, the country’s largest month-long book fair, commenced yesterday at Bangla Academy premises and the adjacent Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital Dhaka, reported The Daily Star.With a record number of 499 publishers participating, this year’s fair is said to “be bigger than ever before in terms of participation of the publishing houses,” according to Member Secretary of the Fair Organizing Committee Dr. Jalal Ahmed.At least 104 organizations have been authorized on academy premises while 395 at Suhrawardy Udyan. In comparison, last year’s fair had a total of 460 publishers, while 2017 and 2016 had 401 and 353, respectively, as per Bangla Academy sources.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the fair also unveiled a book “Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Volume -2)” at the opening ceremony.
She called upon all to make the new generation aware of the real history of the nation, which includes its tremendous sacrifices and struggles.
“Our new generation should be known the real history of the events. The history of the independence of Bangalee is a unique example of how a nation could reach its destination through sacrifice, subjugation and bloodshed,” she said.
The Premier warned that many people have tried to spread distorted information on the history of the Language Movement and even the Liberation War.
The “Secret Documents of the Intelligence Branch on the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman” is being published in 14 volumes, which covers Bangabandhu’s struggle for independence, reported BSS.
The prime minister also handed over Bangla Academy Sahitya Purashkar 2019 to four recipients in different categories: Kazi Rosy (poetry), Muhith Kamal (literature), Syed Md. Shahed (easy and research) and Afsan Chowdhury (research on Liberation War).
Two foreign guests – Indian poet Shankha Ghosh and Egyptian Writer and Poet Mohsin Al Arishi – attended the event, with Bangla Academy President Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman in the chair. State Minister for Cultural Affairs K M Khalid, among others, was also present.
Meanwhile, 300 CCTV cameras had been installed for security purposes, Jalal said. DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said law enforcers and special traffic control systems would be present.
Lt Col Imranul Hasan, Commanding Officer of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab-3), said that social media platforms will be monitored to ensure flawless security.
To cope up with the rush of visitors, six entrances and two exits have been set up. The fair will remain open from 3:00pm to 9:00pm during Sunday to Thursday while it will remain open from 11:00am to 9:00pm on the weekly holidays. On February 21, the fair will remain open from 8:00am to 8:30pm.
The theme of this year’s fair is “Bijoy: 1952 to 1971, Noboporjay” (Victory: 1952 to 1971, New Phase), commemorating the country’s history from the language movement to the 1971 Liberation War.
The month-long fair will feature unveiling of books, seminars, discussions and cultural events. There will also be little magazine chattar at the academy premises and a children’s corner at the Shurawardy Udayan.
The Ekushey Boi Mela first began informally in 1972 on the Bangla Academy premises. The academy officially took responsibility of organizing in 1978. It was named Amar Ekushey Granthamela in 1984 and the fair venue was extended to Suhrawardy Udyan in 2013 in a bid to accommodate more publishers and book lovers.