be functional from today.

The first day of the month-long Amar Ekushey Granthamela-2015 saw a considerable gathering yesterday as people, undeterred by hartal enforced by the BNP-led alliance, thronged the

Visitors were happy about the spacious arrangement as the fair is spread over both Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan, although they voiced discontent over their inability to find desired stalls since

Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan premises.

However, many stalls at the book fair were yet to be complete. Security, too, was relaxed on the first day as no metal detectors were set up at the entrances.

A security officer, wishing anonymity, said the detectors were removed for the prime minister's visit and that they would

there was no layout of the fair.

"I appreciate the spaciousness of the fair but I cannot find any garbage bins," said gender specialist

Farzana Majid, holding some leftover food.

She also urged the authorities to declare the fairground a smoking free zone.

LITERARY CONFERENCE TODAY

Meanwhile, the International Literary Conference will be held in the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium at Bangla Academy today.

Three sessions - presentation of a paper by poet Syed Shamsul Haq and discussions by Hasan Azizul Haque, Rahat Khan, Jyotiprokash Dutta and Nabanita Sen; presentation of a paper in English by Syed Manzoorul Islam; and a conversation of Shirshendu Mukhapadhya and Syed Shamsul Haq with Selina Hossain - will be held from 10:00am till 1:15pm.

From 3:00pm till 5:30pm, two sessions -literary readings and discussion chaired by Italian writer Father Paul Datiyen; and a conversation of Manzu Islam and Kazi Anis with Niaz Zaman in English - will be held.