The appeal of old books

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Shikder Sohana Ferdous
Asif Mahmud, a student of Dhaka College, buys old books from Nilkhet. He argues that old books are cheaper and sometimes some precious books are found there.
"I've a passion for books," says Mahmud. "Old books are cheaper than the new ones. They are helpful too."
Mohammad Shibly, who reads at Kabi Kazrul Govt. College, offers his reason why he buys old books usually from Bangla Bazar. "I buy old books if they serve my purpose. I can also save the money that I would have spent on new books," says he.
Old books have a special appeal for the students not only in Bangladesh, but also the readers across the worldwide.
In Bangladesh, old books are sold in Bangla Bazar, Nilkhet, Shahbagh, Farmgate and Purana Paltan. The books are usually sold on the pavements. The sellers use raised wooden platforms to lay the books, while some even spread jute or plastic mats on the pavements.
All kinds of books - from textbooks to novels - are found in these shops. Not only old books, new books are also found here.
The market at Nilkhet is one of the largest in Dhaka city with about 300 pavement stores. In Bangla Bazar there are about 100 stores of old books. The old bookshops at Nilkhet began coming up in the late 1960s and since then the business has grown manifold.
Many books left by owners during the 1971 Liberation War found place in bookstores in Nilkhet and the bookshops in other areas selling old books. Some looted books also arrived at the pavement shops.
Nur Alam Chowdhury is one of those who started the business of old books in Nilkhet in 1968. ``I used to buy old books from hawkers. The books were usually from students who had graduated from university or left the country for higher education. I had the feelings that these are valuable books. Students used to come and buy the bold books. The business was good. That's how I established myself in this trade."
Old bookshops at Nilkhet have added another practice to their business: lending books. Nearly 100 bookstores at Nilkhet are involved in lending books. Here is how it goes: the borrower gets a 20 per cent discount; the book is priced after the discount; the amount is then to be deposited to the owners and when the book is returned the owner takes the borrowing charge depending on the duration. Sometimes they earn up to 80 per cent of the book's price.
According to Nurul Islam, a bookseller at Nilkhet, all kinds of readers, including the rich, are their clients. He says students doing their graduations usually borrow textbooks, while many others simply take novels or books of short stories.
Mohammad Ismail, a veteran seller of old books in Nilkhet, says he sells all types of books. ``There are demands for all kinds of books. They buy textbooks as well as novels and short stories.
Similar view is expressed by Mohammad Pervez who sells old books at Bangla Bazar. He says he buys old books mainly from students who have completed their studies. Old books also come through hawkers. He, however, says the business is now dull.
Mohammad Shahin, owner of Gyanprokash Publications at Bangla Bazar, says readers buy both new and old books. Old books are popular mainly because they help save money. New books are sold more when authorities make changes in curricula."
Many refer to India where they say cheap editions of books are published for only students. They say publishers in Bangladesh should learn from the Indian publishers and make cheap editions for students.
Says Sharafatullah Harun, a publisher: ``Only publishers can bring down the prices. It depends on many other factors such as prices of paper, ink and other printing materials."
However, Shamim Sarker, a guardian, says old books are good but new books should be better.
Mohammad Jewel, a student of Jagannath University College, likes to buy new books. However, he cannot always afford new books.
— NewsNetwork