Jashim Palli Mela begins Jan 2 at Faridpur

Brisk preparations are going on for holding of the fair near the famous poet's Ambikapur gravesite on the bank of Bhuboneswar river.

Chowdhury Karnal Ibne Yusuf, Minister for Food and Relief, will inaugurate the fair as chief guest. Salima Rahman, State Minister for Cultural affairs, will be special guest.

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About 150 makeshift stalls are being erected at the site to display various items including handicrafts.

Cultural functions and discussion meetings on the life and works of the poet will be held. A decorated podium styled Jashim Manch has been erected for this.

Drama, circus, puppet dance and such other events will be added attractions for the people. The fair is being organised by the Jashim Foundation. The Faridpur Shahittya Parishad first organised the Jashim Palli Mela in 1991.

The cultural affairs ministry allocates Tk one lakh for the celebrations every year, the organisers said.

They regretted that the fair area is shrinking due to erosion by the river but the authorities did not take any step to protect it.

Besides, condition of the road to the poet's ancestral home is not good, which discourages visitors.

Talking to this correspondent, Mafiz Imam, secretary of Jashim Foundation, demanded setting up of a museum to facilitate research on works of the poet. The cultural affairs ministry should take steps to set up the foundation and hold the fair in a befitting way so that people can know more about the poet. He also demanded renaming of Faridpur Medical College after Jasim Uddin.

Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Nasiruddin Khan, who is also president of Jaslim Foundation said poet Jasimuddin is a pride for the nation and there should be more research on his life and works.