MM Jasim :A large number of people from all walks of life swarmed on Tuesday, the 4th day of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, as it was the public holiday on account of the Saraswati Puja of the Hindu community.The bookspring drew visitors who were mostly youths, students of schools, colleges and universities. Publishers looked happy with the volume of the business. They expressed their optimism that it would continue. Md Afjal Hossain, Publisher of Anindya Prokash, told The New Nation that the flow of the visitors was satisfactory. The visitors were easy and could move about the fair without any hesitation and nervousness. But there is no toilet for the visitors at the Suhrawardy Uddyan. It is inexplicable. Sharmin Akhter, a student of Eden Mohila College said some female students came to the fair to buy some books. We faced many problems due to mismanagement of the fair authorities. There is no toilet for the visitors. Lion ANM Mizanur Rahman Patwary said that the fair authorities did not mark stalls’ numbers. That is why the buyers cannot find the expected stall easily. Yesterday was the public holiday. The government, semi-government and educational institutions were closed. The students and the youths chose the day to come to the fair. As a result, thousands of people thronged the fair. Kamran Siddique, a student of Jahangirnagar University, said that many students came to the fair to buy different books. They chose the day because they had no classes and examination in the university. Fifty-seven new books arrived on the fourth day of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair. Of them, 10 are storybooks, 12 novels, three essay books, 13 poems, one book on research, three children literature, two on biography, four on Liberation War, two drama, one on history, three religious and three others. The books are: Arabder Etihash Prachin o Maddhyajug by Helal Uddin Ahmed, Joynab by Hasnat Abdul Hai, Swapner Vitor by Emrul Hasan, Labon Pani by Moshahida Sultana, Muktijuddha: Age o Pore by Panna Kaiser, Aj Mon Kharaper Din by Sohel Maruf, Ural Pakhi by Sujon Das, Bandi Vooter Fandi by Golam Nabi Mithu, Prembandi by Md Jamal Sheikh, Valobasa Ferari Noy by Waliul Haque Khan, Ochena Jubok by Faysal Khan, Kadchho Keno Rajkonnya by Emdadul Haque Milon, Quraner Chhayadole by Afiluddin, and Manobotar Mistitontra by Rabbani Chowdhury.A discussion on “Mamtajur Rahman Tarafdarer Etihash Charchay Akal Bhabna” was held in the central podium of the fair. Professor Ajoy Ray presided at the programme while Parvin Hasan presented the keynote paper. Professor Syed Anwar Hossain, Saifuddin Chowdhury, AKM Shah Newaz and Mohammad Salim discussed the programme. A fascinating cultural programme was held in the evening, which was participated among others, by Lily Islam, Tapan Mahmud, Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Nilotpal Sadhya, Rokaiya Hasina and Badurunnesa Dalia. Discussion on “Abu Ahmed Habibullah” will be held on main stage of the fair today (Wednesday). ABM Hossain will preside at the discussion while Professor Akhtaruzzaman will present the keynote paper. Professor Ajoy Ray, Enamul Haque, Shamsul Hossain and Mahbubur Rahman will be present as the discussants.
