KHULNA, Feb 01, 2024 (BSS)-A month-long book fair began here on the Divisional Public Library premises today.

The theme of this year's book fair is "Poro Boi, Goro Desh: Bangabandhur Bangladesh (Read Book, build country: Bangabandhu's Bangladesh).

Mayor of Khulna City Corporation Talukder Abdul Khaleque inaugurated the fair as chief guest while Divisional Commissioner Md. Helal Mahmud Sharif presided over the event.

Khulna district administration with the cooperation of Khulna Public Library arranged the book fair. 

At the inaugural ceremony, the Mayor said without literacy, a nation cannot uphold its culture and history. Such a book fair will help this generation be familiar with the spirit of Language Movement and Liberation War.

He said, in keeping pace with the modern world, the government has made a change in our curriculum. Side by side with study, students have to go ahead along with technical knowledge. 

Due to the lack of fancy and imagination power, we do not find poets and writers like Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Special security measures have been taken at the venue where seminar, discussion, publication ceremony and cultural programmes will be held every day.

A total of 100 stalls were installed at the fair. Besides, six stalls for food items, one for writers and one for journalists were set up.

The fair remains open for all from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm every day except holiday. It will also open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm on holiday.

Painting competition, recitation of poem for children and cultural programmes will be held on separate themes during the fair every evening, Rahman said, adding that smoking in the book fair has been totally prohibited. 

Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner (KMP) Md Mozammel Haque, deputy commissioner Khondokar Yasir Arefin, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Saidur Rahman, Freedom Fighter Professor Md Alamgir Kabir and Head of Corporate Affairs at Robi Axiata Limited Sharif Shah Jamal Raj, addressed as special guests, at the function.

Principal of Azam Khan Government Commerce College Khulna Professor Kartick Chandra Mondal addressed as discussant.