Beyond Books

People browsing through maps of Bangladesh at the Book Fair. PHOTO: STAR

After the unexpected incident, a decrease in the number of the visitors was apparent. However, as the fair draws closer to an end, sales have been satisfactory. "The authentic readers are now coming to the fair to buy books which they had browsed before," says Najib, a salesperson of a bookstall.

"I am not anxious at all. In the absence of a crowd, I can easily buy books of my choice," said Shilpi, who bought three books of three popular writers Humayun Ahmed, Zafar Iqbal and Anisul Haq.

Apart from books, the fair ground has a little stall of Graphosman which attracted inquisitive visitors. Graphosman sells guide maps of various places of Bangladesh and wall hangings or posters on different topics like fish of Bangladesh, birds of Bangladesh and many others that can be a good addition for children's book shelves. "We have been participating in the fair for a long time. However, we have maintained a stall for 15 years. Previously we used to sell the maps in the fair premises only. On this occasion we have brought a few new guide maps such as Dhaka City Guide Map, Dhaka Tourist Map, Bangladesh Tourist Guide Map, Rajshahi Division Map, Bangladesh Administrative Map and several educational publications for children," said Jalaluddin Ahmed, chief draftsman of Graphosman.

And clearly the public shared Ahmed's opinion. "People now have a complete tourist guide of Dhaka. I also bought books and posters on the flowers and fish of Bangladesh for my son," said Runa, who came to the fair with her son.