The week-long book fair titled “Bangladesh Boi Mela Kolkata 2014” concluded in the West Benagal city on Thursday.
Bangladesh Book Fair was organized by Bangladesh Gyan O Srijonshil Prokashok Shomiti in collaboration with Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, as part of the cultural cooperation programmes between New Delhi and Dhaka.
The book fair was inaugurated by West Bengal’s Education Minister Partho Chatterjee at Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata on October 25.
Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman , Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of Bangla Academy and celebrated Indian poet Joy Goswami were present as special guests. Osman Gani, president of Bangladesh Gyan O Srijonshil Prokashok Shomiti delivered the welcome speech at the programme.
A total of 35 publication house from Bangladesh are taking part in the fair which runs everyday till October 30.
Participating publication houses are Bangla Academy, Ananya, Agami Prokashoni, Anaya Prokash, Panjeree Publications Ltd, Bangla Prokash, Anindha Prokash, Basha Chitro, Moula Brothers, Kakoli Prokashoni, Ahmed Publishing House, Obshor Prokashona Sangtha, Kotha Prokash, Somay Prokashon, Pathok Samabesh, Bengal Publications Ltd, The University Press Ltd, Jatiya Sahitya Prokash and others.
As part of the festival, the organisers also arranged a seminar titled “Pathok Mon, Lekhok Bhabna, Prokashona Ebong Biponon Samasya O Shambabona” on October 27. Professor Enamul Haque read out the keynote paper at the programme. Eminent poet and writer Syed Shamsul Haq was present as chief guest. Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of Bangla Academy presided over the seminar. Media personality Faridur Reza Sagor and Indian novelist Budhodev Guho were present as special guests. Indian authors Kinnor Roy, Shubomoy Mondol and noted publisher Osman Gani were present as discussants. Noted Nazrul artiste Nashid Kamal and a number of singers and dancers also took part in a number of cultural programmes at the festival.
According to the visitors in the book fair , such initiatives help bridge the gap created by international borders. “This type of cultural exchange will always help in bridging the gap that had been put up by the fences,” he said.
Quoting a Kolkata visitor, Sukumar Singh, an Indian news netw0ork reported that Bangladesh and West Bengal have got similar culture and habits. “Both the Bengals have a very good relationship because the languages of two Bengals are the same, the cultures are the same, food habits are the same and even their literature reading is the same. If we have the Bangladeshi and Bengal together, we are all together and we enrich ourselves, equally. They enrich us and we enrich them,”
Source: Weekly Holiday
