M M Jasim :
The month-long Amar Ekushey Boi Mela, which reminded us of our glorious struggle and sacrifice for Bengali language, instilling a sense of patriotism throughout the month of February comes to an end today (Saturday).
The long queues of the book lovers were seen at every entry points of the Boi Mela on the Bangla Academy premises and the Suhrawardy Udyan. The publishers as well as the visitors were in pensive mood on Friday Visiting the Boi Mela, this correspondent observed that a large number of book lovers crowded at the book stalls and many of them bought a good number of books.
Nur Mohammad Jewel, a student of Jagannath University, who bought 10 books as last moment collection, said, he always buys books from the Boi Mela for a year.
On Thursday, the publishers demanded extension of time for at least 10 days, arguing that the sale of books was hampered due to frequent blockade and hartal enforced by BNP led alliance.
But the authorities of Bangla Academy dismissed their request as saying that there was no scope to increase the time of the Mela.
Director General of Bangla Academy Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan told The New Nation, the purpose of the Boi Mela is to commemorate the Language Heroes and to expand the area of Bengali Literature. So, the Book Mela is related to the month of February, he said.
On the other hand, a protest rally was held in front of the Information Center of Boi Mela demanding the arrest and punishment to the killers of noted intellectual Humayun Azad.
Director General of Bangla Academy Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, Professor Muntasir Mamun, Professor Md Samad, Poet Habibullah Sirazi, Poet Tarique Sujat, Aslam Sani, publishers Mazharul Islam and Osman Gani and Maruf Rasul, among others, spoke at the rally.
They also condemned the killing of Avijit Ray who was killed on Thursday evening on the Dhaka University campus.
Meanwhile, one hundred and ninety new books arrived at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela on Thursday, the 27th day. Twenty-five covers of the new books were unveiled on the Nazrul Manch.
Of the new books; 38 are storybooks, 19 novels, 10 essay book, 54 poems, one on research, seven on children literature, three on biography, four on science, three on Liberation War, eight on travel, one on history, two on politics, one on comic, two on translation, one dictionary, one on science fiction and 33 books on other subjects.
The new books arriving at the Boi Mela on Friday were Megher Kanna by Rashid Ahmed Nishorga, Bachai Voot by Ahsan Habib, Ei Barir Joto Pap by Asmar Osman, Dongshok by A G Mahmud, Voyer Swad by Milon Gangguli, Probesh Nished by Reza Ahmad, Shayatin by Rumana Boishakhi, Soytan Shadhok by Afzal Hossain, Poramanobi by Drubo Esh, Lal Swapna Nil Swapna by Leoaja Akhter, Muktijoddho o Bangladesh by Bashar Chowdhury, Bhalobashi Anibar by Dr Parvej Muhith, Tumi Jante Cheyecho Tai by Afrina Parvin, Nak Chaobi by Kazi Labanno, Pakhi Bagan by Rabishangkar Moitree, The Lost Symbol by Sheikh Abdul Hakim and Ek Je Chilo Maharaja by Ranju Sarker.
The discussion on “Journalist Shontosh Gupta” was held in the main podium of the Bangla Academy in the afternoon.
Professor Shakhawat Ali Khan presided over the discussion while Professor Syed Mohammad Shahed presented the keynote paper. Journalist Abed Khan, Moniruzzaman and Hasan Hafiz took part at the programme.
A fascinating cultural programme was held in the evening. Iffat Ara Nargis, Nashid Kamal, Masuda Nargis Anam, Nadira Begum, Anamika Tripura, Narayon Chandra Shil, Camellia Siddiqua, Naznin Karim Swarlipi, Md Altaf Hossain and Nazia Mishkat Toma sang many songs in the programme.
The month-long Amar Ekushey Boi Mela, which reminded us of our glorious struggle and sacrifice for Bengali language, instilling a sense of patriotism throughout the month of February comes to an end today (Saturday).
The long queues of the book lovers were seen at every entry points of the Boi Mela on the Bangla Academy premises and the Suhrawardy Udyan. The publishers as well as the visitors were in pensive mood on Friday Visiting the Boi Mela, this correspondent observed that a large number of book lovers crowded at the book stalls and many of them bought a good number of books.
Nur Mohammad Jewel, a student of Jagannath University, who bought 10 books as last moment collection, said, he always buys books from the Boi Mela for a year.
On Thursday, the publishers demanded extension of time for at least 10 days, arguing that the sale of books was hampered due to frequent blockade and hartal enforced by BNP led alliance.
But the authorities of Bangla Academy dismissed their request as saying that there was no scope to increase the time of the Mela.
Director General of Bangla Academy Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan told The New Nation, the purpose of the Boi Mela is to commemorate the Language Heroes and to expand the area of Bengali Literature. So, the Book Mela is related to the month of February, he said.
On the other hand, a protest rally was held in front of the Information Center of Boi Mela demanding the arrest and punishment to the killers of noted intellectual Humayun Azad.
Director General of Bangla Academy Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, Professor Muntasir Mamun, Professor Md Samad, Poet Habibullah Sirazi, Poet Tarique Sujat, Aslam Sani, publishers Mazharul Islam and Osman Gani and Maruf Rasul, among others, spoke at the rally.
They also condemned the killing of Avijit Ray who was killed on Thursday evening on the Dhaka University campus.
Meanwhile, one hundred and ninety new books arrived at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela on Thursday, the 27th day. Twenty-five covers of the new books were unveiled on the Nazrul Manch.
Of the new books; 38 are storybooks, 19 novels, 10 essay book, 54 poems, one on research, seven on children literature, three on biography, four on science, three on Liberation War, eight on travel, one on history, two on politics, one on comic, two on translation, one dictionary, one on science fiction and 33 books on other subjects.
The new books arriving at the Boi Mela on Friday were Megher Kanna by Rashid Ahmed Nishorga, Bachai Voot by Ahsan Habib, Ei Barir Joto Pap by Asmar Osman, Dongshok by A G Mahmud, Voyer Swad by Milon Gangguli, Probesh Nished by Reza Ahmad, Shayatin by Rumana Boishakhi, Soytan Shadhok by Afzal Hossain, Poramanobi by Drubo Esh, Lal Swapna Nil Swapna by Leoaja Akhter, Muktijoddho o Bangladesh by Bashar Chowdhury, Bhalobashi Anibar by Dr Parvej Muhith, Tumi Jante Cheyecho Tai by Afrina Parvin, Nak Chaobi by Kazi Labanno, Pakhi Bagan by Rabishangkar Moitree, The Lost Symbol by Sheikh Abdul Hakim and Ek Je Chilo Maharaja by Ranju Sarker.
The discussion on “Journalist Shontosh Gupta” was held in the main podium of the Bangla Academy in the afternoon.
Professor Shakhawat Ali Khan presided over the discussion while Professor Syed Mohammad Shahed presented the keynote paper. Journalist Abed Khan, Moniruzzaman and Hasan Hafiz took part at the programme.
A fascinating cultural programme was held in the evening. Iffat Ara Nargis, Nashid Kamal, Masuda Nargis Anam, Nadira Begum, Anamika Tripura, Narayon Chandra Shil, Camellia Siddiqua, Naznin Karim Swarlipi, Md Altaf Hossain and Nazia Mishkat Toma sang many songs in the programme.
