The chief guest and other visitors browsing the stalls.Photo: STAR

Events like book fairs play an important role in generating interest in books, developing reading habits and encourage new readers. Unfortunately however, most major book fairs are held in the capital while readers in other parts of the country remain sidelined. Reputed publication houses should expand on the divisional and district levels to encourage the national reading habit -- speakers at the opening of a book fair, organised by the publication house 'Oitijhyo', said. The programme was held at the premises of Sylhet Press Club on Thursday.
Veteran educationist and writer Professor Md. Abdul Aziz formally inaugurated the weeklong fair that marks Oitijhyo's 10th anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, the publication house is holding similar book fairs at 13 district towns, the organisers informed. The book fairs are being held at Sunamganj, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Chittagong, Khulna, Mymensingh, Tangail, Faridpur, Narayanganj, Bogra, Bagerhat, Feni and Cox's Bazar.
Animensh Rudro of Oitijhyo said that they had published 700 selected books. He assured that Oitijhyo would hold book fairs outside the capital on a regular basis.