Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday gave a clarion call for upholding the ideals of peace, harmony, fraternity and friendship to outweigh animosity, hatred, disparity and conflict in society.
"Spread the mantra of love against hatred," she told her audience of writers, litterateurs, poets,
teachers and intellectuals at the inaugural ceremony of a month-long book fair and programme at Bangla Academy in commemoration of the historic Language Movement martyrs.
"Measures can be taken against criminals and the corrupt through enacting laws. At the same time, you can work to prevent the breeding of new criminals and corrupt as well as check the creation of such a propensity among the people," the prime minister said, apprising the function of the steps taken by her government to curb the crimes.
Ministers, MPs, political leaders and leaders of different sectors of arts and culture were also present at the inaugural function of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2005.
The formal opening of the fair, a regular annual event marking the observance of the month of Language Movement, was broadcast live on radio and television.
One-minute silence in standing was observed as a mark of respects to the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in the 1952 Language Movement as well as the 1971 War of Independence, followed by prayers.
Later, the prime minister went round the fair accompanied by the local MP and some ministers and bought a number of books from different stalls of the fair.
Khaleda mentioned her government's stern measures against terrorism and corruption inherited from the past regime. She, however, did not elaborate.
The prime minister called upon all concerned to continue efforts to help the tradition of Amar Ekushey Book Fair, which has turned into a national event, to further flourish.
She urged the writers to write more good books and the publishers to improve the quality and getup of books.
Thanking the Bangla Academy authorities for publishing a science encyclopedia, she urged the academy to take initiative to publish more books this year on science and technology, particularly science books suitable to the juvenile and the youth, so that they could be inspired into being science-minded.
Reminding the observance of various programmes announced by her, like Book Year, Library Year and Good Education Year, Khaleda said she has announced 2005 as "Science Book Year".
The prime minister, however, regretted some undesirable mistakes and wrong explanations in important books published by the Bangla Academy.
She hoped that the authorities would take necessary steps to correct those wrongs and asked them to be more careful in future in bringing out standard publications.
Chaired by State Minister for Cultural Affairs Selina Rahman, the function was also addressed by Director General of the Bangla Academy Prof Monsur Musa, Bangla Academy President Wakil Ahmed and President of the Publishers and Booksellers Association M Abu Taher.