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Fair

Books to commemorate martyrdom

Ekushey Book Fair begins

Harun ur Rashid
THE first day of February started with one of the most significant events of our national and cultural life - the Ekushey Book Fair 2003. Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia ceremonially signed the inaugural souvenir to declare the opening amidst several hundreds of guests. The PM emphasised on this year's Book Fair as the year 2003 was earlier declared the 'Library Year' by the Government. The subject 'Good Education' is to achieve immense priority at the month-long seminars.
The number of visitors on the first day was very inspiring, said a few participating publishing houses. Especially, at a time when the establishment work, decoration was still going on at some stalls and when new books were yet to arrive at the fair.
The inaugural ceremony started with the National Anthem and the tune of the great Ekushey Song, 'Amar bhaier raktey rangano Ekushey February,' which set the occasion to a patriotic mood for commemorating the invaluable sacrifice of lives made by those bravest languagemartyrs. One-minute symbolic silence was observed in honour of the martyrs, and doa-monajat was offered forthem.
Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, in her speech, conveyed gratefulness to the Government of the African nation Sierra Leon for
the occasion. Selina Rahman pointed out an important issue: there are many indigenous populations who are also Bangladeshi and who also have their own languages. She emphasised on taking measures to preserve their Languages too, by involving them in national activities like the Book Fair, and by publishing books in their Languages.
Almost all publishing houses introduced new books on the first day of the Book Fair. Viswa Shahitya Kendra has brought two new publications: Sajahan, a drama by Dwjendralal Ray, and a collection of best essays by Abdul Haque. One of the leading publishing houses, Annya Prokash has introduced Shankha Nartoki by Nasrin Jahan, Shei Tumi by
recognising Bangla as one of the official languages of the country. She conveyed honour to those Bangladeshi youths living in Canada, whose enthusiasm and initiatives helped February 21 become established as the International Mother Language Day. She said, now that February 21 has attained international recognition, we will have to work hard to establish Bangla as a major language.
Earlier, Nazmul Ahsan Chowdhury Secretary to the Ministry for Cultural Affairs said that there is no country, or nation, where a Book Fair like ours is held to pay homage to their martyrs. He emphatically said that the Ekushey Book Fair is not merely an occasion to sell books only; the event rather reminds us of our root cultural and linguistic identity, and also gives us opportunity to pay tribute to our language martyrs.
Begum Selima Rahman --State Minister for Cultural Affairs, M Abu Taher - President of Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association, and Professor Waqil Ahmed -- President of Bangla Academy also spoke on
in the Book Fair for the first time. The house has brought Aalokito Protyasha (Illumined Hope) by Justice Latifur Rahman. Dibya Prokash has published Dwitiyo Jibon by Anisul Haque, Moner Manush by Pranab Bhatto, Samar Sen --a book of criticism edited by Khaled Hossain and SajjadArefin. Shahitya Prokash has brought Rashid Karim's novel-collection. Bidya Prokash's new books include Zafar Iqbal's sciencefiction for children Saira Scientist, Aminul Islam's Brishti tumi ki Bandhu Habey? etc.
Nowroj Kitabishtan, one of the country's oldest publishing houses has brought out complete editions of Satyajit Ray's famous Feluda and Shanku series. Besides Slam Azad's Adibashider Bhasha, Manjur Khan's Paramanu Kahiniare its important publications.
Muktodhara, another experienced house, has brought Rabindran-ather Ranga O Hasyarasa edited by Titas Chowdhury.
University Press Limited has published Jibanananda by Abu Taher Majumder, Six Season's Review, a journal edited by Mohiuddin Ahmed, An Abdiding City, a collection of essays written by Neeman A Sobhan during her stay in Italy. APPL has brought Mijanur Rahman Shelley's new book Separate Skies.
Pranab Bhatto, Kusumer Moto Meyera by Imdadul Haque Milon, Shabuj Velvet by Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, and Shey Aashey Dhireyby Humayun Ahmed.
Somoy Prokashani has six new publications: Nefartiti Venus-er Shilpa Katha by Shikowa Naznin, Katha Lekha Katha, by Hasan Azizul Haque, Dohoh by Sumanto Aslam, Ma by Anisul Haque, Phoenix by Zafar Iqbal and Pata OrarDrishya by Dhruba Esh.
Mullik Brothers is participating