Rajshahi: An eight-day long 'Rajshahi Book Fair' began here yesterday aimed at encouraging people to read book, reports BSS. Jatiya Grantha Kendra arranged the fair on Collegiate School and College playground with assistance of district administration and Bangladesh Knowledge and Creative Publishers Samity. More than 60 publishers have set up stalls in the fair. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, MP, addressed the inaugural session as the chief guest while writer Prof Hassan Azizul Haque inaugurated the fair. Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi, chaired the session.
Additional Commissioner (General) of Rajshahi Division Munir Hossain, Joint Secretary of Cultural Affairs Ministry Monjurur Rahman and President of Bangladesh Knowledge and Creative Publishers Samity Mejbah Uddin Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.
Shahriar Alam said reading habit enlightens people, and easy and creative books are very essential for wide spreading reading habit. He underscored the need for reaching books at the doorsteps of the readers to make it happened.
He hoped the fair will contribute a lot to attain the desired goal and sought all-out cooperation from all quarters to make the fair a total success.
The fair will remain open to all from 3pm to 9pm on working days and from 11am to 9pm on holidays.