Boi Mela
Part time work offers knowledge, allowance
“Can I interest you in any book, sir?” piped up an inviting voice at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela yesterday.
Walking into the Bangla Academy premises in the city, this correspondent was greeted by a book salesman in his mid-twenties poking his head out of the rows of books on display inside a stall.
Picking up a conversation, the enthusiastic salesman, Shaharul Islam, reveals that he is a student of Dhaka University and has experience working in the fair, of five consecutive years to be precise.
“I actually like working with books. That is why I am here,” said the student of information science and library management department at the stall of Dibya Prokash.
“I can go through whichever book I want, a wonderful way to enrich my general knowledge. It helps me academically as well,” he said, adding that he has a friend working with him.
Shaharul is not the only student working there. Most stalls had college and university-going students working as salespersons, aiming to get their hands on books and earning some money in the process.
A saleswoman, Madhuri Rani Das, a student of Government Kabi Nazrul College, said she usually works part time in such events to help herself financially.
She assures you that her academic activities are not hampered as the fair starts at 3:00pm, past her college hours, during weekdays and at 11:00am on weekends, when her college is closed.
A salesman of Agami Prokashoni, Sharif Ahmed, a DU student, said, “I am here to gain some experience in the profession and come up close with eminent writers. Plus, I can use the money I earn here to buy books.”
The owner of Ittadi Grantho Prokash, Johirul Abedin Jewel, says his publication house chooses students as its salespersons as they are more enthusiastic and efficient in convincing people to buy books.
“Booksellers should be educated to inform buyers about books and student are the right people for this task,” he said.
Such a huge number of students working in different bookstalls is a good sign, says Murshiduddin Anwar, deputy director of Bangla Academy. “They are with books. Besides, they are also earning some money.”
Yesterday saw the arrival of 103 new books at the fair but with fewer visitors than on previous days. A discussion and cultural programme were held in the evening.
Shishu Prohor today
Only children and their guardians would have access to the fair between 11:00am and 3:00pm today and tomorrow, the Bangla Academy authorities announced yesterday. This exclusive four-hour period for children, termed Shishu Prohor (children's hour), will be repeated on February 23 and 24. The aim is to encourage guardians into bringing their children to the fair and acquainting them with books and the habit of reading, said the deputy director.
Only children and their guardians would have access to the fair between 11:00am and 3:00pm today and tomorrow, the Bangla Academy authorities announced yesterday. This exclusive four-hour period for children, termed Shishu Prohor (children's hour), will be repeated on February 23 and 24. The aim is to encourage guardians into bringing their children to the fair and acquainting them with books and the habit of reading, said the deputy director.
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