Commissioner of Rajshahi Division Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir has said there is no alternative to book reading to build Smart Bangladesh as only book reading can enlighten people and make them perfect.
He also said books help people acquire knowledge about the outside world, stressing the need for reaching books at the doorsteps of the readers to encourage them to read.
Commissioner Humayun Kabir made the observation while inaugurating the weeklong Rajshahi Divisional Book Fair- 2023 on Saturday as chief guest.
The commissioner's office of Rajshahi Division is hosting the fair at Rajshahi College playground supported by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs aimed at encouraging people, especially children to develop reading books from an early age.
Many publishers have set up 60 stalls at the fair displaying various types of books.
With Additional Commissioner Imtiaz Hossain in the chair, the opening ceremony was addressed, among others, by Joint Secretary to the ministry Mukhlesur Rahman Akanda, Director of Jatiya Grantha Kendra Minar Monsur, Principal of Rajshahi College Prof Abdul Khaleque and Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Saifuddin Shahin.
Divisional Commissioner Humayun Kabir said books enlighten people -- easy and creative books are essential for the mental development of children.
He said books help people to acquire knowledge about the outside world.
Kabir hoped the fair would contribute a lot to attain the desired goal and sought all-out cooperation from all quarters to make the fair a total success.
The fair will remain open for all from 10am to 8pm everyday until September 15.
Side by side with the book fair, various types of events, including cultural and literary programmes, will be held every evening on separate themes in the same venue.
