A gathering of literary minds

A two-day literary world conference, titled Chinho Mela, was held at Rajshahi University (RU) campus on March 7 and 8. RU-based literary magazine Chinho organised the conference at the Shahidullah Arts Building premises of the university.

The conference saw a lively gathering of literature enthusiasts and avid readers, along with a good number of Bengali writers and editors of literary magazines from Bangladesh and India.

Eminent writer and educationist Professor Anisuzzaman, and celebrated writer Selina Hossain inaugurated Chinho Mela on March 7.

A discussion was held as part of the conference where the speakers discussed Rabindranath Tagore and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the greatest Bangalee in the eyes of Bangalees.

Writer Hasan Azizul Haque conducted the discussion while economist Sanat Kumar Saha, RU Vice Chancellor Professor Mizan Uddin, Pro-VC Professor Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan, and Chinho chief Shaheed Iqbal were among the distinguished guests.

Talking to this correspondent, poet Makid Haider appreciated the initiative of the organisers of the conference.

He said the conference would help progressive minds counter the tentacles of fundamentalism that are spreading all over the country.

The conference featured over 100 stalls of literary magazines from Bangladesh and India, discussions, and cultural functions with participation of artistes from different parts of the country.