RU VC Prof Saleh Hassan Naquib inaugurated A five-day Ekushey Book Fair 2025 in RU campus this afternoon as chief guest. Photo: BSS

 
RAJSHAHI, Feb 20, 2025 (BSS) - A five-day Ekushey Book Fair 2025 began at Rajshahi University (RU) campus today for the first time in its history.

Hosted by the RU authority the event is being held at the Buddhijibi Chattar (Intellectual Square) aimed at encouraging people, especially children to develop reading books from an early age.

Vice-chancellor (VC) Prof Saleh Hassan Naquib inaugurated the book fair this afternoon as chief guest saying there is no alternative to book reading to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh as only book reading can enlighten people and make them perfect.

Pro-vice-chancellor Prof Mayeen Uddin, Registrar Prof Iftikharul Alam Masood, Treasurer Prof Matiar Rahman and Professor Emeritus Dr AKM Azharul Islam also spoke on the occasion. 
 
VC Prof Salah Hassan also said books help people to acquire knowledge about the outside world, stressing the need for reaching books at the doorsteps of the readers to encourage them to read. 
 
Many publishers have set up 78 stalls in the fair displaying various types of books.
 
Prof Hassan Naquib said books enlighten people -- easy and creative books are essential for the mental development of children.
 
He said books help people to acquire knowledge about the outside world, adding that 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 for all from 9am to 9pm everyday until February 24. 
 
Side by side with the book fair, various types of events, including cultural and literary programmes, will be held every evening on separate themes in the same venue.