Visitors throng fair ahead of 21st Feb

The Amar Ekushey Boi Mela yesterday witnessed the milling crowd in long queues to pass through police security points to enter the fair compound.
As it was weekend people from all walks of life thronged the Academy premises that spilled into its adjoining areas.
Booksellers of various publishing houses said the fair experienced the highest sale yesterday. The Bangla Academy exceeded a sale of TK 39 lakh on its 19th day this year.
Besides, the presence of noted writers added an extra attraction to the fair as, at least, 15 writers and media personalities visited the fair yesterday.
“It was quite impossible for me to visit different stalls to spot books of my desire as the entire fair was so crowded particularly the stalls selling books of popular writers, said Munni Rahaman, a service holder.
Visitors particularly youngsters were seen waiting in long queues at Nazrul Mancha for autograph of eminent writer Zafar Iqbal and media personality Ramendu Majumder while they were unveiling the books' titled Juge Juge Alokito Nari' by Irfan Chowdhury and Raktatto Bangal.
Booklovers also had to jostle through the crowd to reach alternative bookstalls set up alongside the road leading to the fair.
Sharmin Sultana, a DU student who was buying a book titled 'Kapal Kundala' by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, alleged: "The book cost me only Tk50 but the same book is selling at Tk 100-120 inside the fair."
Director General of the Bangla Academy at the regular briefing cautioned the bookstalls against selling books of other publications.
“As the country observes 21st February, the International Mother Language Day, tomorrow (today) security measures will be strengthened at the fair venue to avert any untoward incident”, he added.
Former adviser to caretaker government Akbar Ali Khan unveiled a book titled 'Sthanio Sarker: Atit, Bartaman, and Bhabishyat by Dr Badiul Alam Majumder amid a ceremony on the fair premises.
Meanwhile, a total of 208 new titles arrived at the fair on its 20th day that include Birshreshtha Motiurer Galpo by Mili Rahaman, Anjali Loho Mor by Nasreen Jahan, Silam Kothai Jeno Nilimar Niche by Sultana Kamal, Chara Shamagra by Faiz Ahmed, Kono Khed Nei by Rafik Azad, Sonar Tarir Chotomonira by Selina Hossain and Sharer Sesh Bhuta by Rudraksha Rahaman.
Boi Mela will remain opened from 8.00 am to 9.00 pm today on the occasion of the 21st February, the International Mother Language Day.