11-day long Ekushey Boi Mela begins in port city -The Asian Age

The Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) has arranged Book Fair (Boi Mela) in observance of the month of language movement from February 18 to 28 at Central Shahid Minar premises and Muslim Hall premises in the port city.

Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation, A Z M Nasir Uddin inaugurated the 11-day long Book Fair as chief guest on Saturday. He inaugurated the fair by hoisting the national flag and releasing balloons.

Addressing the inaugural function, Nasir Uddin said, "We are planning to arrange a bigger Boi Mela next year like Dhaka Boi Mela. It is true that there is no big Boi Mela in Chittagong since the liberation.  CCC will arrange a bigger Boi Mela as Chittagong is second largest city of the country."

 "I observed that Boi Mela will help the writers and cultural activists as well as all people of Chittagong to enrich themselves. So, I will arrange the largest Boi Mela in Chittagong under the management of CCC in next year for the first time," he added.

 He said, "A number of book fairs are taking place in Chittagong separately. But, I request all to be united for arranging a large Boi Mela  next year. If we can arrange a  large Boi Mela under the management of CCC, the prestige of Chittagong as well as CCC will be upheld."

 He said a total of 20 publishers of Chittagong will participate  in the Boi Mela this year. The road in front of Shaheed Minar will remain closed during the Boi Mela from February 17 to 29 next.

 The inaugural function was chaired by Najmul Haque Duke. Ward Councilor and Panel Mayor Chowdhury Hasan Mahmud Hasni, Jobira Nargis Khan, Chief Executive of CCC Dr Mostafijur Rahman were present at the function as special guests. The Chief Education Officer of CCC Najia Shirin delivered welcome speech. Among others, Mohiuddin Shah Alam Nipu also addressed the function.

 It may be mentioned that like every year, the Boi Mela of CCC started in the port city and it will continue till the last day of February. Secretary of the Book Fair committee Manjurl Islam said, "We will arrange the program of poetry recitation, rendering songs and cultural events during the Boi Mela.