‘We must celebrate books’

There is an absence of the type of education in the country that encourages people to involve in knowledge-based discussions, said eminent educationist Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam.

"Such education was never in place in our country. It is absent till now," he said while addressing an event at the capital's Bengal Shilpalaya.

Gyantapash Abdur Razzaq Foundation organised the event "Grantha Alapan" on Saturday featuring discussions on the book "Sangskritik Rajniti O Bangladesh" by Prof Mohammed Azam of Dhaka University's Bangla department. The book was published this year.

Chairing the event, Prof Manzoorul said the key criteria for the flourishment of education and culture is to ask questions and look for answers.

He said at the societal level, there is an absence of democratic practices in Bangladesh. "What is going on in the name of democracy in our country is rhetoric," he said, adding, democratic practices must start from the family level.

Addressing the event, Prof Ahrar Ahmad, director general of the foundation, said a lack of zeal for research and theory-based books among people could be visible at present in the country.

Referring to Bangla Academy statistics, he said during the latest Amar Ekushey book fair, as many as 3,461 new books were published.

However, he also mentioned that the academy has identified only about 900 of those books as "quality publications", and stressed the need for building reading habits among people.

"We must celebrate books," Prof Ahrar said.

Discussing Prof Azam's book, Prof Sumon Rahman of media studies and journalism at University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh, said the author has strongly incorporated fragments of thoughts into a larger canvas in the book.

Speaking about his book, author Prof Azam said the best way to understand political culture is by going through cultural politics.

"These thoughts have encouraged me to write the book," said Prof Azam.

"Grantha Alapan" is a new venture of the foundation, which will be held regularly. It aims to encourage critical thinking and create spaces for freedom of thought and speech, organisers said.