Nasir Ahmed Salim, owner of Kakoli Prokashoni started publication business in 1977. So far he published 800 books and sets plan to publish about 70 new books during the book fair. Over the impact of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair in the country’s national life and the future of the publication industry, he talked to The New Nation on Monday.
Question: Why is the Amar Ekushey Book Fair important?
Salim: There is no nation in the world that has shed blood for his own language, but the people of Bengal did it. The 21st February is now recognised as the International Mother Language Day. The nation is united to fight the invasion of alien culture. The book fair is the spirit of our patriotism.
Question: Can the Bangla Academy authorities organise the fair appropriately?
Salim: The fair is the annual event, which we want the publishers and the National Book Centre to organise in order that the Bangla Academy concentrates on research. Director General of Bangla Academy also admitted of several problems to organise it.
Question: Was the decision of Bangla Academy authorities to expand the book fair to Suhrawardy Udyan pragmatic?
Salim: “We were demanding expansion within the academy premises, removing some barriers. We did not want it at Suhrawardy Udyan. But authorities acted on its own ideas. We welcome the decision yet. It would have been better had it been confined into the Bangla Academy.
Question: What are the negative and positive impacts of the decision?
Salim: Land in Suhrawardy Udyan helps the visitors move easily. We can also display our books more comfortably.
