TDS Desk:

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for the Amar Ekushey Book Fair to transcend being a mere marketplace and instead become a “cradle of art and culture.”

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the book fair on Thursday, the Prime Minister suggested that book fairs should not be confined to a single month but should be organised in every district and upazila across the country throughout the year.

Before his address, he presented the Bangla Academy Literary Award.

Addressing the impact of technology on reading habits, the prime minister noted that while books are accessible via the internet, addiction to the internet creates a risk of diminishing interest in reading.

He highlighted that among 102 countries, Bangladesh currently ranks 97th on the list of book readers.

Stressing the importance of the habit of reading, Tarique remarked that the book fair is more than just a festival; it provides an opportunity to reflect on how to make everyone more interested in books.

He also urged authorities to consider the potential for transforming the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela into an international book fair in the future.

The prime minister expressed his hope that the event would serve as a “Milon Mela” (gathering of hearts) and a “Praner Mela” (fair of life), evolving into a true centre for the nation’s industrial and cultural heritage.