Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday hoped that the spirit of Amar Ekushey would help consoli date national unity and encourage peaceful coexistence of all

Let book be our permanent companion." the Prime Minister said while Inaugurating a month long Ekushey programme and Amar Ekushey Gram ha Mela 95 book {air in the Bangla Academy premises In the city yesterday.

'I believe the ideals of Ekushey which symbolises fundamental rights, democratic values, tolerance and peaceful coexistence will be reflected In our national life. Begum Zia sakl

About the significance of the book fair, the Prime Minister said This fair is not merely a commercial arrangement one It has deep rooted-

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Die i'Augural session was presided over by State Minister for Cultural Affairs prof Jahanara Begum Director General of Bangla Academy Prof Harun ur Rashid gave an welcome address.

The Prime Minister noted that her government had formulated a national book policy giving emphasis on publication of books of attractive children s books international standard and export of Bangladeshi books and publication of research based and Bangladeshi culture oriented books In foreign language is another feature of the policy she said adding this would project the nation and the country abroad

Begum Zia underlined tMe

need for cooperation of the educated in increasing literacy rate and developing reading habit among the people.

She said that holding of book fairs in different regions of the country was also stressed in the national book policy, being Implemented in phases.

"With the modernisation of communications system, the smaller the world is becoming, the greater the need for safeguarding one's own culture is being felt." Begum Zia said. "Nation's image and dignity could be upheld by preserving and enriching our own culture." । •

"Bengali language is now one of the richest languages in the world." she noted and recalled that the language was enriched by the poets and literatures during the past thousand years. The process would continue, she hoped.

The DG of Bangla Academy underscored the need for making it more research-oriented.

Prof Rashid said that the Academy had made agreements with different institutions in India. Malaysia. Turkey and many other countries to project the literature and culture' of the country in international arena.

The function was also addressed by Secretary General of Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers’ Association Akhlakur Rahman and Convenor of the fair organising committee Golum Moinuddin.

The Prime Minister was presented with a crest of the Bangla Academy and a book on Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani. written by Syed Abul Maqsood and published by the academy.

Later. the PM saw the newly Introduced modern printing system at the academy and went round different book stalls in the academy premises.