Parents complain about space crunch at Shishu Chattar

Ekushey book fair drew a jam-packed turnout of children along with their parents during the first children’s hour on the sixth day at the book fair on Friday. A total of 308 books were launched on the day and total number of new arrivals reached 640 so far.

The dedicated hours drew a large number of parents also who could manage time for hanging out with their children at the Children’s Corner on Suhrawardy Udyan. But many of the children failed to make room in the corner due to shortage of space there.

Dhaka University assistant registrar Md Alam Faruq, a parent of two daughters, said, ‘I saw in a newspaper that Sisimpur’s popular character Halum is coming to the Children’s Corner. The space is not enough for children and many of them failed to enter into the corner. This will be more difficult in the upcoming days because the pressure will be increased’.

A parent who is a professor of Business Administration Department at The International University of Scholars said, ‘I have been coming at the children hour every year with my daughter. The fair area was more expanded than the previous years but the space for children is too small to move and play.’

‘My daughter is suffering from Cerebral palsy. She is very much passionate about literature. She likes to read Humayun Ahmed, Mohit Kamal and Zafar Iqbal’, he said.

‘I came with my child, a nursery student at Willes Little Flower School and College. He took books on drawing and a story book. I am happy but the space at the Children’s Corner is so congested this year’, said Sabuj Hossain a parent, an employee at Supreme Court of Bangladesh.

Dewan Aziz, publisher of Pakhiraj, said, ‘The first day for children draw a huge parents and children at the corner. The children demand rhyme and story.  I hope the next days will be better for children’s book stalls’.

‘The children’s first priorities are ghost’s stories and fairy tales but this year their demand for science books is too high than the previous years’, said Giasuddin Khan, publisher of Jhingephul.

The children’s hours continued from 11:00am to 1:00pm. There are stalls of Gashfaring, Jhingey Phul, Light of Hope, Ikrimikri, Sat Bhai Champa Prakashani, Pragati Publishers, Phulki Boi Kendra, Aro Prakashan, Patabahar, Shishu Sahitya Boighar, Dwita Prakash, Shishubela, Tonatuni, Mukta Prakash, Ghuri Prakash, Kalantar, Protoy Prakashan and others at the Children’s Corner.

Acclaimed painter and cartoonist professor Rafiqun Nabi, better known as Ranabi, inaugurated a children’s art competition in the morning.

The competition was held in three age groups like Ka— aged between 0-8 years, Kha— aged between 9-12 years and Ga —aged between 13-15 years. Their subjects were respectively Bangladesh, Bangabandhu and Bangabandhu O Bangladesh. A total of 575 children were participating in the competition. The winners will get prize on February 22.

Besides, a corner named Kaishor Tarunye Boi was inaugurated by writer Ali Imam where Bangla academy director and member secretary of the fair organising committee Jalal Ahmed was present as chief guest.

A large number of visitors gathered at the fairground after the children’s hour was over.

There were parallel events that turned the fair into a site of carnival of culture and knowledge.

A discussion was held on the book titled ‘Bangabandhur Birgatha’ penned by Syed Shamsul Haq. Writer Imadadul Haq Milan presented the key-note paper at the programme, presided over by Comilla University vice-chancellor Imran Kabir Chouwdhury.

Poets along with recitation artistes recited poems and singers rendered songs to the delight of the audience. Artistes of BAFA presented dance recital synchronised with popular songs at the event.

A discussion will be held on the book titled ‘Bangabandhu O Bhasha Andolan’ penned by Abdul Alim. Aparesh Bandopadhay will present the keynote paper at the event. National professor Rafiqul Islam will preside over the programme.

The fair remains open for visitors from 3:00pm to 9:00pm on weekdays.

On holidays and weekends, the fair remains open from 11:00am to 9:00pm.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net