Ekushey Boi Mela: Month-long extravaganza begins

The month of February is here and the Ekushey Boi Mela was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the first day of February.

Over the past few decades, the Ekushey Book fair has secured a very special place in our hearts. Almost every single book-lover in Dhaka, regardless of age and gender, wait enthusiastically for the book fair.

I hope more visitors will go to the Boi Mela this year as it is expected to be the biggest since the beginning of the fair in 1972. For the first time ever, the fair will see the participation of 550 publications and organisations. The Bangla Academy has taken steps to make the fair more vibrant this year. Foolproof security measures have been taken by the police.

The Boi Mela has played an important role in creating many new readers over the years. Every year, parents take their children to the fair and buy colourful books for them. This is very encouraging. The passion of reading in these children is thus ignited from an early age. Through reading, a person can not only learn but also analyse and come to conclusions about certain situations in life. Books can help readers to improve their vocabulary and give them glimpses of other cultures and places.

Mohammad Sohel Hara

Banasree, Dhaka

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