Permanent vanue, fixed time demanded
Writers, publishers and National Book Centre director on Wednesday at the inaugural ceremony of the Dhaka International Book Fair-2010 demanded a permanent place and fixed time for the fair.
The fair at the Dhaka University central playground marked a low turn out on its opening day and many stalls of the fair were yet to start their activities.
The information and cultural affairs minister, Abul Kalam Azad, inaugurated the fair in the evening through a programme where, state minister for cultural affairs Promod Mankin, Dhaka University vice-chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, poet Asad Chowdhury and acting president of Bangladesh Knowledge and Creative Publishers Association Hamidul Islam, among others, took part in the discussion.
Acting cultural affairs secretary Suraya Begum presided over the ceremony and director of the National Book Centre Rafiq Azad delivered the welcome address.
Rafiq Azad demanded a permanent place and fixed time period for the fair while Hamidul Islam echoed him, adding that a fair should not be arranged at different venues for it confuses people and was one of the main reasons behind the low profile of the fair.
Hamidul Islam also urged the government to promote creative book publishers through providing subsidy as the sale of such books is declining.
The fair started in 1995 as Dhaka Book Fair and was held at the Parade Ground in Agargaon.
The venues where the fair was held included Mohammadpur Physical Education College ground, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy premises, Dhaka University Central playground and Suhrawardy Udyan. In 2008, the fair become Dhaka International Book Fair.
Abul Kalam Azad, said, ‘We will have to encourage the habit of reading books in society to remove militancy and fundamentalism.’
Promod Mankin said people should be inspired to read books for establishing a knowledge-based society and also for the overall development of the country.
Other discussants also called upon all to visit the fair and buy books to inspire others.
A total of 151 publishing houses, including three foreign institutions — National Book Trust of India, Iran Cultural Centre and World Bank’s Dhaka office —will be showcasing their publications in 223 stalls at the fair.
This year, the theme of the fair is ‘books for achieving Vision-2021’, in line with the Awami League-led government’s long-term development strategy, Vision 2021.
On the opening day, a number of stalls were found closed and many others were being decorated.
Robin Ahsan of Srabon Prakashani said the number of visitors on the first day was small which is usual for the fair.
The 16-day book fair till December 16 will remain open for the visitors from 2:00pm to 9:00pm but on public holidays from 11:00am to 9:00pm.
Seminars, discussions and cultural programmes, organised by the National Book Centre, would be held during the fair. Writers, publishers and readers would take part in the discussions.
Entrance fee for the fair is Tk 5 for each but school students will be allowed to enter the fair free.
