Bangla Academy inaugurated a month-long book fair, the most significant event of our national and cultural life, followed by a number of cultural events, at the premises of the Academy from 7th of this month. Each day, various cultural events are being organised from 4pm onwards. More over, Shammilito Shangskritik Jote, a leading cultural organisation, has started a 12-day long cultural programme keeping in mind the International Mother Language Day at the Central Shahid Minar premises from February 8.

Renowned cultural activists of the country Gaziul Haq, K.G. Mostafa, Ramendu Majumdar, Mamunur Rashid, Nasiruddin Yousuff, Asaduzzaman Noor, Golam Kuddus, Mannan Hira and others were present at the opening ceremony at the Shahid Minar premises. Gaziul Haq, language activist, inaugurated the programme organised by Shommilito Shanskritik Jote. Nasiruddin Yousuff, the president of the organisation, presided over the opening ceremony while K.G. Mostafa, an eminent journalist, was the special guest.

Ramendu Majumdar, the President of the ITI Bangladesh Branch, in his speech invited the politicians as well as the cultural activists of the country who are inspired by '71 and are against fundamentalism, to unite. He said that they should work together to overcome the crisis of the present time and the glorious 21st February can inspire them to achieve the goal.

In his speech Mamunur Rashid, the President of BGTF, said, 'The elite class of the country are creating a problem by sending their children to the English medium schools where they are not taught to speak Bangla properly. Even an influential minister in the current cabinet can speak English fluently but again having a disgraceful Bangla pronunciation. But if we look at Japan or China, we find that they have no regrets of not knowing English properly and they love and honour their respective languages.

" And he also suggested that all the ministers and the parliamentarians should attend language workshops to improve their mother- tongue.

Asaduzzaman Noor, a cultural activist, pointed out the importance of the 21st February to enrich our national life.

Nasiruddin Yousuff gave the closing speech of the programme. He said that the glory of the 21st February always inspired us during '69 and '71 and it will do the same now to win over the fundamentalism and other evil.

After the speeches, Bulbul Islam and Fakir Alamgir presented patriotic songs, Shimul Mostafa and Golam Mostafa recited relevant poems. Finally, Universal Theatre displayed a patha natak (street drama) at the Shahid Minar premises.