The Ekushey book fair as usual drew a large crowd on Friday, with the holidaymakers thronging the book stalls.
A total of 164 new titles hit the book fair on the 18th day of the fair while 40 new books were launched, highest number of books launched in a single day so far.
The fair venue turned into a human sea just after the afternoon, with hardly any room left for the visitors to move around the fair ground.
Salesmen of the different stalls were found so busy selling and displaying books from the morning to attract the booklovers.
Stall attendants and publishers said that they made a good business on the day.
While publisher of Sraban Prakashan alleged that information centre on Friday declined to announce the name of the title ‘Dr Younuser Daridra Banijya’ by Badruddin Umar.
The media convener of the book fair, Mujahidul Islam, said they did not announce the book as it violated the clause 14.12 of the book fair guideline which entails that titles which ‘defame any national leaders’ will not be allowed into the book fair. We, however, will allow them to sale the title,’ Mujahidul said.
A chaotic situation was created during the launch of new books from 4:30pm to 6:30pm as the highest 40 new books were launched at a time.
The education policy 2010 is now available in book form at the Ekushey book fair.
The education minister, Nurul Islam Nahid, will formally inaugurate the sale of the book at the book fair on February 29.
People can buy it from the stall of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board in the book fair. The book is priced at Tk 100 but will be available at the fair on a 25 per cent discount.
Juvenile literature and educationalist Muhammad Zafar Iqbal visited the book fair on the day and gave autographs to his fans.
The number of visitors increased with the time and at about 6:30pm long queues were formed at the entrance that reached Shabagh on the one hand and the Supreme Court building on the other.
Afjal Hossain, stall attendant of Oitijjhya Publication, said sales at their stall were good. Stall attendees of Anya Prakash, Anwesha and many others echoed him.
The Bangla Academy also arranged final round of music competition for the children on the day in which 24 children participated into two groups. The fair committee will declare the result today and the prizes will be distributed among participants on February 25.
According to the fair information centre, 164 new titles hit the stalls on Friday. Collection of poems led the tally of new arrivals with 33, followed by story collection with 28, collection of novels 21, collections of essays 10, collection of politics 6 and others.
The academy will hold final round of general knowledge and extempore lecture competition for the children at 10:00am toady.
The academy will also hold a seminar titled ‘Rabindranath O Nazrul’, Rafiqul Islam will read out the keynote paper while Asadul Haq, Mohammad Nurul Huda and Rajib Humayun will take part in the discussion.
The programme will be presided over by Mohammad Abdul Qayyum.
