Rayhanul Islam :
Over 378 new novels landed this year in the first sixteen days of the Amar Ekushey Boi-Mela, while the number of basic reference books is very thin, the publishers said.
The novels have the highest sale every day, but sale of educational books like article and thesis are not good, they said.
“Now, the readers do not search for basic educational books, as the writers do not write quality books. We also notice that most of the readers do not prefer thoughtful books. They want novel, drama and humorous books most,” said Rabiul Islam, a prominent publisher in Dhaka.
Many publishers said, mainly youths search for novels at first. They choose the books of noted writers like Humayun Ahmed, Anisul Haque and Imdadul Haque Milon. Shihab Bahadur, Publisher of Muktochinta publication, said “The selling of novels is increasing day by day. The youths are fond of novels of famous writers.” Mazharul Islam, publisher of Anna Prokash, told The New Nation, ‘Humayun Ahmed’s books are selling high from our stall. ‘We published new edition of Humayun Ahmed’s books sensing good demand’, he said.
“I used to come to the Boi Mela when I was a first year student of Dhaka University. I bought many books of different subjects. I preferred novels at first to pass time and learn more. I am not used to read the books like articles and of deep thoughts as it seems to me boring,” said Abu Rakib, a final year student of DU Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall.
“Most of the young readers buy novel from the fair as our young generation have apathy to educational books. It is our failure that we could not encourage them to the educational books and most of our young writers failed to produce quality books,” said the writers.
On the 18th day of Boi Mela, One hundred and thirty three new books arrived at the fair. Of them, 23 are story books, 15 Novel, eight Article, 50 Poetry, 1 Thesis, 4 Rhyme, 4 Biography, 1 Liberation War, 3 Travel, 2 History and 16 Miscellaneous.
At 4:00 pm a discussion titled ‘ will be held today (Wednesday) in the main stage of Academy.
A discussion titled ‘A F Salauddin Ahmed, Mujaffar Ahmed Chowdhury and A K Nazmul Karim’ was held on Sunday in the main stage of the Academy. Professor Borhan Uddin Khan Jahangir presided over the function, while Muntasir Mamun, Mizanur Rahman Shely and Sonia Nishat Amin presented the keynote paper.
Latter, a cultural function was held.
At 4:00 pm, a discusson titled ‘Bangladesher Orthonity’ will be held in the main stage of the Academy. Hasnat Abdul Hai will preside over the function, while Mohammad Forashuddin will present the keynote paper. Kazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Hedayetullah Al Mamun and Fahmida Khatun will participate in the discussion.
At evening, a fascinating cultural function will be held.
