Shifting the Ekushe Boi Mela

That the decision to shift the venue of the Ekushe Boi Mela (book fair) -- a month-long event that attracts book lovers all over the country - from the Burdwan House premises to Suhrawardi Udyan is a sensible one must not be debated. The authorities have finally become pragmatic enough to recognise the practicalities overcoming the sentimental value often believed to be a deterrent to moving the venue from where it originally had its humble beginning way back in 1972, thanks to the country's pioneering publishing house Mukodhara, headed by the much revered Chitta Ranjan Saha.

The month-long book fair that used to be held on the Burdwan House (Bangla Academy) premises had many constraints. The space was not at all sufficient. Tiny stalls were allotted to publishers, barely leaving enough open space for visitors. Narrow passages here and there often became too clogged to even allow enough air for breathing. Despite such constraints, sales continued but the misery of visitors was untold. For years, there were talks to shift the venue to the nearby Suhrawardi Udyan across the road. The obvious intent was to provide space for both publishers and visitors as well as allow the organisers choices to plan and organise the much prestigious annual event in a befitting manner.

The ministry of cultural affairs and the fair organiser, Bangla Academy deserve thanks for the timely move. However, since this is the first time the fair is being held at the new venue, there may be a lack of coordination because of the hasty decision taken just days ahead of the fair. This year's experience will indeed help the organisers to plan things better in future. The most notable feature of the new venue, one must agree, is the space available for easy movement of the visitors, more importantly, their effortless access to stalls to look for books of their choice. It must also be mentioned that the earlier venue has not been totally abandoned, and it is being utilised to house stalls for children's books - no doubt a well thought-out decision. Besides, seminars and discussion meetings are also held at the previous venue.

 Now that a spacious fair ground is available, it is the responsibility of the Bangla Academy to make the book fair a really entertaining event, which it could barely aspire to do earlier because of the aforesaid constraints. Needless to say, the Ekushe book fair is one of the most solemn, yet popular events in the country, not strictly confined to the cultural and literary circuit. This book fair has gained an overpowering appeal and over the years, despite unrest and uncertainties of various types, book lovers across the country view the month of February as the month of books - perhaps a rarity elsewhere in the globe and hence one of the positives this nation should take pride in.