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Ekushey book fair

8 March 2005, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By KH Asef Safa Kabir Upal Lalmatia Dhaka-1207
8 March 2005, 18:00 PM
Photo:Afsar Ahmed
The Ekushey book fair has always been a very special event in my life. In my childhood I used to get extremely anxious to visit the fair in the month of February. My workaholic parents had to keep some time apart to take me there or else I used to get deeply depressed. I still remember how eagerly I longed for the enchanting, sunny day when I'd eventually get a chance to visit the fair. That day was like the day of a religious festival to me when everything seemed exotically different. Once I was in the fair I used to go from one stall to another with my father or mother. I used to be quite excited by seeing all those colourful books. I've been an omnivorous reader from my childhood, I got extremely happy when I could buy a good number of books and I felt happier than ever to carry the books while visiting the fair. Now when I visit the fair as a grown man I feel the same enthusiasm in my heart in a rather novel form. Time has cooled my innocence and the explicit feelings of wonders but the overwhelming attraction that I felt for the pungent smell of the new books and the entire colourful ambience of the place is still in tact. I'm proud that we arrange a programme of this category each year to express our solemn respect to the language martyrs and our language movement. It's great to see that this year the organisers have taken extended security measures to ensure public security.

However, a few people are not appreciating it. They should realise that it's a sensitive spot and it's quite likely that the people who are trying to attack our culture and our 'way of life' would be looking forward to endangering it.

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I wanted to send some publications in English (old or new) on Bangladesh and Ekusey February to some foreign acquaintances abroad, but hardly anything worthwhile was available.

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The number of new publications (in Bangla) were very encouraging, and it was heartening to note that many new and young writers got a chance to have their works published.

Translations of selected works into English (the only global language) have to be undertaken by the relevant agencies at the national level, to open a window for the rest of the world.

Another trend noted was that the vast majority of the books and publications were poetry. Why this neglect of Bangla prose? Perhaps we look at politics more through the heart than through the head (rationality).

Our culture has to be publicised abroad, but there is no awareness campaign on the relevant national code, no round-the-year activities for international clients. In these fast moving times, we have to be mentally prepared for changing the facets of political culture, lest we are misunderstood by the foreigners.

We are a young free nation, but our heritage goes deep several millenniums.

A citizen, Dhaka