Metro rail, electricity-powered rail, has added a new dimension to "Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2024". Hundreds of people came by metro rail and visited the book fair on Saturday.
Visitors started pouring into the book fair just after noon. After evening, it was swarming with visitors. At the beginning, salesmen at different bookstalls were passing time idly but after evening, they were seen busy selling books.
Rafiqul Alam, a government employee, came to the book fair from Dhaka’s Mirpur with his wife and two sons.
"It took us 30 minutes to reach Dhaka University Station from Pallabi Station. It’s not possible to come by bus. I get different feeling to come here very easily."
A huge crowd was also seen at Dhaka University Metro Rail Station. Even there were long queues at the ticket counter.
ASI Alamin Islam, duty officer at Dhaka University Station of Metro Police unit, told The Business Post, "The people crowded the station since Saturday morning. This crowd was mainly due to the book fair."
Faria Jannat, a visitor, said that she was very excited to come to the book fair within a short time. "I am very happy because of metro service. It has saved our valuable time."
She further said, "The authority concerned should also operate metro rail on Friday for the book fair."
Md Rakibuzzaman of business development department of Oitijjha Prokasani told The Business Post, "We want metro rail to start from Friday morning so that children can reach the fair on time by metro rail. On the day, there is Shishu Prohor (special hours dedicated to children) in the morning."
Earlier, member-secretary of the fair organising committee Dr. K. M. Muzahidul Islam told journalists, "We are discussing the issue with Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd (DMTCL). Maybe we will be able to start it for the book fair from next Friday."
However, a total of 74 new titles hit the book fair on Saturday.
At the programme of "Lekhok Bolchi", Poet Saifullah Mahmud Dulal, fiction writer and translator Saleha Chowdhury, Lalon researcher Abu Ishaq Hossain and poet and essayist Mustafa Mamun discussed their new books.
A discussion titled "Bicentenary Tribute: Michael Madhusudan Dutt " was held at 4 pm at the main stage of the book fair. Rafiqullah Khan presented the article while Parvez and Hosne Ara spoke at the discussion. Bangla Academy DG Muhammad Nurul Huda presided over the event.
Today at 4pm, a discussion titled “Remembrance: Kangal Harinath Majumdar" will be held at the main stage of the fair on Bangla Academy ground.
