Small publishers unhappy over sale at book fair

Publishers of different small publication houses at the ongoing month -long Amar Ekushey Boi Mela expressed their dissatisfaction over the sale of books till yesterday, on the 16th consecutive day of the fair.
Sources said more than 150 small publications have been set up stalls on the Bangla Academy and the Suhrawardy Udyan premises.
Nazmul Hasan, publisher of Kishor Bhubon, told The Independent “Though the sale rate is quite all right on the weekend as well as couple of special days but the rate totally decreased in other days”.
I have sold only two books till 5pm today (Tuesday)” he said. “The month-long fair has already passed its first half (16 days) but it seems very tough to meet our expected sale” he added. Some publishers think that position of the stalls plays a vital role at the fair and small stalls which are set up at the backward position at the fair have to face this problem.
Jahidul Islam, a stall attendant of Ghasfulnodi publications, said that one of the main problems of poor sale is the stall position of the small publications as the academy authorities allowed the small stalls at a deep corner of the fair premises this year. Talking to The Independent Medha, Oishi, Bonolota, Abishkar are some of the small publications and publishers also worried about the sale rate.
“Except the holidays, scenario of the small stalls was same as very few people visited those backward area and most of the salesman of those stalls were seen sitting idols” said Aftab Ahmed, publisher of Bonolata publications.
On the other hand, police have filed a case against detained Badwip Prakashan Publisher Shamsuzzoha Manik and two others on charge of selling a book “Islam Bitarka” with content that could "hurt religious sentiments.”
The other accused are Shamsul Alam, the stall’s manager, and Fakir Taslim Uddin Kajol, owner of the book’s printing press. Earlier, police on Monday shut down their stall no. 191 at the fair on the same charge as well.
Meanwhile, in the afternoon a discussion was held at the main stage of the fair on the Bangla Academy premises marking the hundredth birth anniversary of Mahmud Nurul Huda.
With Dr Anamul Haque in the chair, Sharochis Sarker presented a keynote paper at the discussion while among others, Dr Nehal Karim, Hashem Sufi and Samsuj Jahan Nur addressed on the occasion. Meanwhile, covers of  84 books were unveiled on the 16th day of the fair.

Small publishers unhappy over sale at book fair

Publishers of different small publication houses at the ongoing month -long Amar Ekushey Boi Mela expressed their dissatisfaction over the sale of books till yesterday, on the 16th consecutive day of the fair. Sources said more than 150 small publications have been set up stalls on the Bangla Academy and the Suhrawardy Udyan premises. Nazmul Hasan, publisher of Kishor Bhubon, told The Independent Though the sale rate is quite all right on the weekend as well as couple of special days but the rate totally decreased in other days. I have sold only two books till 5pm today (Tuesday) he said. The month-long fair has already passed its first half (16 days) but it seems very tough to meet our expected sale he added. Some publishers think that position of the stalls plays a vital role at the fair and small stalls which are set up at the backward position at the fair have to face this problem. Jahidul Islam, a stall attendant of Ghasfulnodi publications, said that one of the main problems of poor sale is the stall position of the small publications as the academy authorities allowed the small stalls at a deep corner of the fair premises this year. Talking to The Independent Medha, Oishi, Bonolota, Abishkar are some of the small publications and publishers also worried about the sale rate. Except the holidays, scenario of the small stalls was same as very few people visited those backward area and most of the salesman of those stalls were seen sitting idols said Aftab Ahmed, publisher of Bonolata publications. On the other hand, police have filed a case against detained Badwip Prakashan Publisher Shamsuzzoha Manik and two others on charge of selling a book Islam Bitarka with content that could hurt religious sentiments. The other accused are Shamsul Alam, the stalls manager, and Fakir Taslim Uddin Kajol, owner of the books printing press. Earlier, police on Monday shut down their stall no. 191 at the fair on the same charge as well. Meanwhile, in the afternoon a discussion was held at the main stage of the fair on the Bangla Academy premises marking the hundredth birth anniversary of Mahmud Nurul Huda. With Dr Anamul Haque in the chair, Sharochis Sarker presented a keynote paper at the discussion while among others, Dr Nehal Karim, Hashem Sufi and Samsuj Jahan Nur addressed on the occasion. Meanwhile, covers of 84 books were unveiled on the 16th day of the fair.