Abul Hossain Azad inaugurated the four-day book fair in Panjia, Keshabpur.

Daily Bijoy News, Keshabpur, Jessore Correspondent:

The 13th book fair, spanning four days, was inaugurated in the historic Panjia area of Keshabpur Upazila, Jessore, in observance of the Great Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day 2025. The chief guest at the event was Abul Hossain Azad, a member of the BNP National Executive Committee and President of Keshabpur Upazila BNP. On Friday evening (February 21-25), the fair was officially opened at the Panjia Union Parishad grounds with the chief guest cutting the ribbon and releasing doves of peace. The event was organized by the Book Fair Celebration Committee.

The program was chaired by Makbul Hossain Mukul, former Chairman of Panjia Union Parishad and Chief Advisor of the Panjia Book Fair Celebration Committee. The welcome speech was delivered by M.A. Halim, President of the Panjia Book Fair Celebration Committee, General Secretary of Panjia Union BNP, and President of Panjia Press Club. The event was hosted by Masuduzzaman Masud.

Special guests who spoke at the event included Abdul Kashem, Organizing Secretary of Panjia Union BNP and Organizing Secretary of the Panjia Book Fair Celebration Committee, and Maulana Shahidul Islam. Mahmudul Hasan, General Secretary of the Panjia Book Fair Celebration Committee, also addressed the gathering.

During the event, the chief guest, Abul Hossain Azad, awarded prizes to the winners of a drawing competition, including Rohita Kundu, Fardin Fahad, Anisa Tabassum, Rupa Pine, Purnima Mondal, and Orin Datta. Later, Uzzal Kumar Ghosh, an assistant teacher at Chuadanga-Krishnanagar Secondary School, presented his self-authored book "Kobita Tomar Jonno" to the chief guest and the chairperson. The chief guest also visited various stalls at the book fair.

Following the discussion program on Friday, a cultural event was held, featuring performances by Hridoy Roy, Sabuj Shahriar, Endo Jahangir, Manirul Islam, Azizur Rahman Nayan, and Khalilur Rahman. Guest artists included Jyoti from Jessore and Keya from Dhaka. The event was hosted by Abdus Sattar and Mahmudul Hasan.

M.A. Abdul Halim, President of the Book Fair Celebration Committee and President of Panjia Press Club, mentioned that the book fair includes various stalls offering a wide range of books. Siddiqur Rahman, Treasurer of the Book Fair Celebration Committee, stated that daily drawing competitions for children are being held, with prizes for the participants. Each evening, a cultural program is also scheduled.

Daily Bijoy News/ Poresh Debnath