Technology adding a new flavour

It's not that easy to please Swastika Chakraborty. The six-year-old is an avid reader and keeps on demanding for new books.

So, when her mother took her to the Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela yesterday, the first thing she said was, “I need to buy new books.”

The duo went through the stalls at Suhrawardy Udyan. But soon, Swastika became frustrated.

Finally they stepped inside “Bino Books”.

A salesperson handed her a book. It looked like a simple one, with large pictures of animals and description.

Swastika sighed.

The salesperson smiled at her and placed his cellphone over the book and told her to look through the phone's display.

Suddenly, an elephant sprang to life and started moving around. When the salesperson touched the screen, it started trumpeting. Not just the elephants, all the other mammals started doing the same. 

Swastika was all smiles and started clapping. She looked at her mother and said she had to have the book.

 “It is a nice combination of book and technology. I wasn't expecting such an item at the book fair. Look how happy my daughter is,” said her mother.

The app is called “Bino”, which can be downloaded from any online app store. Once the app is activated, a camera will pop up. If anyone moves the camera over the pages of the book, the content comes to life on the screen.

In this era of connectivity, digital technology has a deep impact on book publishing and the way people read.

To keep pace with the change, a number of publishers are also providing the readers with e-book facilities in this year's book fair.

Bengal Publication is one such publisher. They have an app called “Bengal e-Boi”.

The app requires opening up an account. “With the account, anyone can read at least 200 e-books for free while some of the books require purchasing through bKash or banking system,” said Mohammad Riyad, a volunteer at the stall.

However, many readers are still not accustomed to e-books.

 “I use e-book when I travel… at times reading e-books hurt my eyes. So I still prefer physical books,” said Sazia Afrin, a former student of Dhaka University. 

Suriya Jesmine, a private job holder, was looking for books for a friend. “E-book is nice but you cannot gift an e-book to your friend. Besides, there's something special about holding a new book, the way it smells…”

The e-book publishers are using various payment methods for the books while price range also varies.

For example, the app “Boi Ghar” is free to download with around a thousand books in their collection. The price of the books ranges from Tk 10 to Tk 25. Payments can be made through Banglalink or Robi SIM cards.

Zakir Hasan of “Sheiboi” app said the reason they had set up a stall at the book fair is to interact with the readers, especially the youth.

Meanwhile, many publishers, who do not have e-book services, have introduced online delivery facilities. One such is “Muktadhara”, one of the oldest publication houses. They deliver books through Rokomari.com.

The government is also utilising technology for encouraging the youth to read.

In front of “Burdwan House”, there is a stall of the government's a2i programme, promoting a website called “Kishor Batayan” -- dedicated to children where they can learn, play and share creative ideas. 

Jalal Ahmed, member secretary of the book fair arrangement committee, said, “Technological advancement has added a new dimension to the fair.”

“In near future, the book fair will adapt more technology. But it won't affect the spirit of the fair. We will always uphold our culture through the fair,” said Jalal, also a director of Bangla Academy.