Published: 10:10 AM, 27 February 2026
PM Tarique promises UN recognition of Bangla
Veteran journalist Shafik Rehman on Thursday receives the Ekushey Padak from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. -AA
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said efforts would continue to secure UN recognition for Bangla and proposed turning the Amar Ekushey Book Fair into an international event in the coming years.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 at Bangla Academy, he also stressed the importance of promoting reading habits and increasing the publication of research-based books.
"In the course of time, you may consider whether, in the coming years, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair could be organised as the Amar Ekushey International Book Fair," the prime minister said, UNB reports.
Tarique said an international Amar Ekushey Book Fair will not only introduce our citizens to world literature but also encourage them to learn about and understand multiple languages and cultures.
"I believe that, in today's global village, it is essential to be familiar with not only our mother tongue but also with several other languages," he said.
To achieve prosperity and dignity in this competitive world, the Prime Minister said there is no alternative to building a knowledge- and talent-based society.
"We must enrich ourselves through knowledge, science, technology, and skill. At the same time, our efforts to secure recognition for Bangla as an official language of the United Nations will continue," he said.
The Prime Minister also reflected on the distinctive identity of Bangladesh's book fair.
He noted that while book fairs are held in many countries, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is unique, symbolising the achievement of language rights and the establishment of Bangla as the state language.
"Although the size and scale of the fair increase every year, there is currently scope for thought on whether research-based publications are increasing at the same rate, and whether citizens' reading habits are developing accordingly," the prime minister said.
Recalling the supreme sacrifice of the language martyrs of 1952, Tarique said February 21 is now observed globally as International Mother Language Day.
"We observe Ekushey every year with pride in memory of those who sacrificed their lives to establish the dignity of our mother tongue. The day now belongs not only to Bangladesh but also to the whole world," he said.
The Prime Minister said Bangla Academy carries the spirit of the Language Movement and that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is one of its most important creative initiatives.
He said the fair should not remain just a marketplace for selling books. "Let Amar Ekushey Book Fair become a centre for the growth of education and culture. Let it be a meeting place of hearts."
He appreciated Bangla Academy's month-long discussions, cultural programmes and competitions for children, saying such initiatives help nurture the talents of the younger generation.
The Prime Minister suggested that the book fair should not remain limited to the Bangla Academy premises and Suhrawardy Udyan for a single month.
"It can be organised throughout the year in all divisions, districts and upazilas. Publishers can take the initiative, and the government will extend cooperation wherever necessary," he said.
The Prime Minister said the Cultural Affairs Ministry will remain ready to provide support in this regard.
He referred to research findings which show that regular reading helps develop memory and analytical skills and may even reduce the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer's.
At the same time, he expressed concern over internet addiction among the youth, saying it may gradually reduce their interest in reading printed books.
"Internet use may be unavoidable in modern life, but we must remain aware of its negative aspects and find ways to encourage young people to read more books," he said.
Referring to an international survey, he said Bangladesh ranked 97th among 102 countries in reading habits, with an average person reading around three books a year. "This is a matter of concern. The book fair should inspire us to become a nation of readers."
Later, the prime minister formally inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, the annual gathering for book lovers and publishers in the capital, around 3:12 pm.
He also visited different stalls at the fair along with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, and collected several books.
The Bangla Academy organised the country's largest book fair at its premises and the adjoining Suhrawardy Udyan.
The fair will remain open from 2 pm to 9 pm on regular days, with entry closing at 8:30 pm. On holidays, it will run from 11 am to 9 pm.
At the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister presented the Bangla Academy Sahitya Puroshkar 2025 to eight distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to Bangla literature.
The winners in different categories were presented with medals, certificates and cheques worth Tk 300,000 each.
This year's recipients are: Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Huq for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children's literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammedy for science, and Moidul Hasan for works on the Liberation War.
Unlike previous years, the fair began at the end of February instead of February 1 due to the national election held on February 12.
The ceremony began at 2 pm with the national anthem and a recitation of religious scriptures. A one-minute silence was observed in tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and the July mass uprising.
Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, Chairman of Bangla Academy, chaired the inaugural session. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman, and Bangla Academy Director General Prof Mohammad Azam, among others, addressed the programme.
PM walks to Ekushey Padak event, swaps 'royal' chair for ordinary one
Organisers promised a 'zero-waste' and environmentally conscious edition of the country's largest literary gathering.
This year's fair carries the theme 'Multidimensional Bangladesh' and will continue until 15 March.
