The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Books worth Taka 35 crore were sold at Ekushey Book Fair this year, according to the Director General (DG) of the Bangla Academy Prof Syed Mohammad Shahed.

The Bangla Academy sales centre alone sold books worth Taka 70 lakh, which is a record in the history of book fair. The figure was Taka 43.44 lakh during the same period in 2007 and Taka 32.23 lakh in 2006.

Bangla Academy DG said this while he was addressing at a press briefing at the academy auditorium here yesterday. He, however regretted, the Bangla Academy is unable to take up any major research work due to paucity of funds.

"We are unable to carry out any major research activity because of resource constraint," said Prof Shahed.

Prof Shahed said, "The main task of the Bangla Academy is to conduct various researches on Bangla literature and culture, and the Ekushey Book Fair is our month-long annual event."

This year, a total of 2578 new books made their way into the fair. A large number of books of young writers dominated different stalls.

He informed that the construction works for the 21-storey Ekushey Building at the Academy would begin as soon as possible.

He said, the Ekushey book fair was successful with the active participation and wholehearted co-operation of the readers, writers and publishers. The book fair is an exhibition of creativity, he added.

Among others, Member secretary of the Fair Moinul Hasan and Public Relations Officer of the academy Anwar Morshed were also present.