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Book reading builds worthy citizens

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Reading books is the best thing for man and the habit of reading good books builds good citizens and a good society.
This was highlighted by scholars and litterateurs at a prize giving ceremony for the book reading programme, 2004, organised by Bishwa Sahitya Kendro (BSK) with the theme 'Alokito Manush Chai' (we want enlightened man).
Students, guardians, teachers and other elite attended the function held at Bakultala of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University.
Founder of the BSK Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed congratulated students for participating in
the book reading programme and their guardians for allowing and encouraging them to read books.
"Through the book reading programme, we want to instil in you (students) the dream to be worthy citizens, (who are) needed to build a beautiful country," he said.
Child litterateur Lutfar Rahman Sarker inaugurated the two-day function.
About 24,000 students from 100 schools of the capital took part in the book reading programme in 2004. Students of class V to class X, who completed reading a given number of books, are to get prizes.
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The BSK launched the programme for school and college students across the country 21 years ago. About 1,25,000 students take part in it every year, sources mentioned.
Lutfar Rahman Sarker said symptoms of frustration and erosion of values are now seen all around but reading books helps overcome that and rekindles the dream for a new and enlightened Bangladesh.
Scientist and novelist Muhammad Zafar Iqbal said since book reading is the best work, it can build good people to lead the country with wisdom, honesty and sincerity.
The Prothom Alo Joint Editor Abdul Qaiuum, chief of marketing wing of GrameenPhone Galib Ahmed Ansari and Delta Life Insurance Managing Director Das Dev Prasad were present at the inaugural session.
Prizes were distributed among some 1,600 students of 27 schools in the afternoon session where artist Mustafa Manwar, economist Dr Atiur Rahman and BSK trustee AKM Rafiq Uddin were present.
Some 1800 students will be given prizes today.
The inaugural programme was sponsored by GrameenPhone and organised in association with the Prothom Alo. Books for prizes to 5,100 students were given by Delta Life Insurance Company.