Bangladesh News

Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said his government, considering the importance of books in national life, is keen to formulate a new book policy to give a boost to the publication of books and their local and international marketing.

The government, he said, is sincere in ensuring free flow of information in the country and has already taken an initiative to formulate a right to information act, now at the final stage.

The head of the caretaker government made the remarks while inaugurating the month-long “Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2008″ and the month-long programme of Bangla Academy on its premises in the afternoon.

Terming Bangla Academy the symbol of nation’s intellect, Fakhruddin said formulation of a time-befitting law for running the academy is under active consideration of the government.

“I will try to make the law as early as possible,” he said, adding that the activities of Bangla Academy would get further momentum with the implementation of the new law.

The CA urged all to turn the country into a prosperous nation, well developed in knowledge and quality.

Earlier, at the beginning of the programme, a one-minute silence was observed paying homage to the language martyrs.

Cultural Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury, Bangla Academy Director General Prof Syed Mohammad Shahed and President of Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association Md Abu Taher also spoke at the inaugural function presided over by Bangla Academy President Prof M Harun-or-Rashid.

This time special arrangements have been made with increasing number of entry and exit points at the book fair along with special entry points for women and children. Some bookstalls have also been set up inside Surhrawardy Udyan, just opposite to Bangla Academy.

The CA said through the book policy guidelines, writing and publication of books and their marketing both at domestic and foreign markets will be accelerated.

Besides, he observed, the policy guidelines will have positive contributions to making the common people of the country more knowledgeable and involving them in nation-building activities through developing reading habit.

About the right to information, the CA said any citizen has the right to get information from any government and private organisation. Directives have already been given to various government, semi-government and autonomous organisations for the formulation of a citizen’s charter, he added.

Transparency and accountability of the government institutions can be ensured to the people through this charter, the CA said.

He hoped that the right to information act will have an epoch making influence in building a well disciplined, creative and knowledge based society, free from corruption and terrorism.

Fakhruddin stressed the need for building up an intellectual movement for promoting reading habit at the juncture of flourishing democracy and a new awakening in national life.

In the present competitive era, the CA said the country’s people, including intellectuals, poets, litterateurs, scientists, technologists and cultural activists, have important role to play in the building of an enlightened, dignified nation.

Mentioning the importance of the book fair on the occasion of Ekushey, he said the authorities concerned could consider participation by international book publishers in the fair in the future. As a result, Amar Ekushey Book Fair will also turn into an international event in keeping with the emergence of Ekushey as International Mother Language Day.

Referring to the ideals and spirit of the Language Movement, Fakhruddin said it is an undeniable fact that book is the preserver of civilisation. Books are the embodiment of entire life - of human thoughts and ideas, sorrows and happiness, and hopes and aspirations.

Academics, writers, publishers, poets, book readers and eminent personalities as well as fellows and life members of Bangla Academy were present at the inaugural function.

After speech, the CA formally declared the book fair open by cutting ribbon. Later, he went round some bookstalls at the fair.