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The three-day long 7th Non-Fiction Book Fair concluded on Thursday on the premises of Business Studies Faculty of Dhaka University (DU) with enthusiastic participation of book lovers from all walks of life.

Bonik Barta, leading Bangla financial daily of the country, and DU Business Studies Faculty jointly organized the yearly event aiming to encourage readers to read more non-fiction and research-oriented books.

The book fair came to a close with honoring writers of two books that were chosen by a jury board, led by former DU Bangla Professor and eminent writer Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq. The books are ‘Plato Probeshika’ by Aminul Islam Bhuiyan and 'Sharing Ganges Water' by DU Law Professor Asif Nazrul.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid attended the closing ceremony as chief guest while DU Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Samad was present as special guest.

Professor Haq, two other jury board members Faizul Latif Chowdhury and Faruk Mohiuddin, Bonik Barta Editor and Publisher Dewan Hanif Mahmud, DU Business Studies Dean Professor Dr Dr Muhammad Abdul Moyeen, Aminul Islam Bhuiyan and Professor Dr Asif Nazrul also spoke on the occasion.

State Minister Khalid profusely praised the organizers to arrange the fair, saying, “It is not an easy task to organize a fair for the seventh time.”     

“If I speak from the perspective of quality this fair has attracted me, enriched me,” he said.

DU Pro-VC Samad stressed the need for more non-fiction books, noting that this kind of fairs will encourage the students to read informative books.

Appreciating Bonik Barta’s endeavor, he expressed his hope that the book fair will be richer in the days to come.

“The popularity of non-fiction books in our country is less as compared with novels and fiction books. When we took the initiative we thought as Dhaka University is center of many historical developments it should also be the center of such a good move,” said Hanif Mahmud, thanking the jury board members and the guests.

If this fair can be made popular at Dhaka University it will be gradually be introduced on other campuses, he said.

Mentioning the assurance given by DU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal while inaugurating the fair on Tuesday, the Bonik Barta editor said that efforts will be there to reach out to a wider audience next year.  

He expressed his satisfaction at the response from not only teachers and students but also people from different parts of the capital.

Professor Fazlul Haq placed great emphasis on such book fairs, saying that in order to achieve development, a nation will have to be creative in practicing science and pursuing knowledge.

“Economic development is indispensable, but it is not enough. Political, social, cultural and religious development is also required,” he said.

Jury board member Faizul Latif Chowdhury that while choosing the books for awards importance was given if they are able to disseminate information by which readers’ horizon will be expanded.

Another member Faruk Mohiuddin was full of praise for Bonik Barta for the initiative to honor the writers of non-fiction books.   

Aminul Islam Bhuiyan said, “I will be grateful if readers are benefited by by book.”

Professor Asif Nazrul said that he did not expect this award and choosing him is the reflection of the objectivity of Bonik Barta.

Professor Moyeen said that an association of writers and readers has been created through the organization of this fair for seven years.

“I think such initiative will take Bonik Barta very far,” he said, striking a note of optimism.

A total of 41 leading publishers and research organizations have taken part in the fair to display their non-fiction publications.

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