Abir Rayhan :The publishers are now waiting for bumper sale on Sunday, the 21st February, at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela. This day is also known as International Mother Language Day. They said that they usually wait for special occasion for huge sale. Ekushey February is the most important special day for the Boi Mela. Thousands of book lovers and common people throng the Mela on the day every year. The publishers have also completed all the preparations to decorate their stalls to receive the book lovers smoothly. They have engaged extra manpower to give the better service to the book lovers and buyers. Mazharul Islam, owner of Anna Prokash, told The New Nation that they are waiting for the day of Ekushey February. There are two reasons to wait for the day. One is that the sale of books is better than on any other day of the Boi Mela. Another is that the Bangla Academy has organized the Boi Mela in honour of the Language Martyrs.”Thousands of people come to place floral wraths at the altar of Central Shaheed Minar and visit the Boi Mela to buy some books for their personal collection and children. Some of them buy books for their relatives. Besides this, a large number of people come to the Boi Mela as the Ekushey February is the public holiday. They buy large number of books also. That is why we wait every year for the day,” Kabir Chowdhury said. Shihab Bahadur, Publisher of Muktochinta, said, “We feel proud of the day of Ekushey February because the day is observed all over the globe in recognition to our Language Movement. Millions of people pay homage to the language martyrs to remember their contribution. As a publisher, I always wait for the day because the publishers sell the highest number of books on this day. The book lovers also keep the time in their hands to spend more time at the Boi Mela. This year we are hopeful to sell like the past years, he added.”Jalal Uddin Ahmed, a member of Fair Committee, told The New Nation that the authorities of Bangla Academy remain busy on the day of Ekushey February as tens of thousands of people are seen on the day. The academy also requested the law enforcing agencies to deploy extra member of the agencies to avert any untoward incident in and around the fair, he said.Meanwhile, two hundred and thirty-six new books hit the Mela yesterday. Of them, 34 books on Story, 40 Novels, 10 Article, 54 Poetry, 3 Dissertation, 5 Rhyme, 9 Child Literature, 6 Biography, 1 Volume, 9 Liberation War, 7 Science, 4 Excursion, 6 History, 1 Politics, 1 Health, 5 Puzzle, 4 Religious, 3 Translation, 3 Science Fiction and 31 Miscellaneous.A discussion titled `Radha Romon Dutta: Mrittu Shotobarshiki’ was held at 4:00 pm in the main stage of the Academy. Mohammad Sadik presided over the function while, Shuvendu Imam presented the keynote. Mahfuzur Rahman, Bishwajit Roy and Nripendra Lal Dash were present as the discussant.Later, a cultural programme was held in the main stage of Academy.At 4:00 pm a discussion titled `Bangladeshey Samajik O Sanskritik Jagoron: Samoshya O Sombhabona will be held in main stage of Academy. Kamal Lohani will preside over the function while Mofidul Hoque will present the keynote. Bodiur Rahman, Golam Kuddus and Shuvashish Sinha will participate in the discussion. At evening, a fascinating cultural function will be held.
