Mansur Alam, Pabna Correspondent : “Read books, know yourself; let society be illuminated by the light of knowledge; there is no alternative to books for building an enlightened society” this message echoed in the voices of the invited guests. For the first time in Pabna, the Memorial Club Library has come forward with a unique initiative combining book buying and selling, reading, and literary gatherings.
The inaugural ceremony was filled with various activities and formal events. Renowned Bengali poet and essayist Majid Mahmud formally inaugurated it on Monday (17 November) at 7 pm on the second floor of the Abdul Hamid Complex on Shyam Thakur Road in Pabna town. He and Mrs. Majid Mahmud cut the ribbon to mark the opening.
In his inaugural speech, poet Majid Mahmud said, “I want to see this library as a house of knowledge. There will be excellent facilities here for teachers, students, writers, poets, researchers, essayists, and journalists to study and conduct research with full concentration. Readers will not only be able to read books here but also purchase their preferred titles. In short, Memorial Club Library will be a fine bookstore as well as an excellent gathering place for poets, writers, and researchers.”
The program was presided over by Osaka’s director and noted voice artist Mazharul Islam. Among the invited guests who spoke were prominent journalist and President of Pabna Press Club Akhtaruzzaman Akhtar, Associate Professor of Pabna Government Women’s College and poet-lyricist Akhtar Zaman, Head of the Bengali Department of Government Edward College Poet Md. Ruhul Amin, poet Dr. Sarowar Jahan Faez, essayist Dr. Mohammad Abdur Rauf, writer and river researcher Dr. Md. Mansur Alam, instructor of Bengali at Pabna Government Technical School and College Ali Akbar Mia Razu, former forest officer Rotarian Md. Altaf Hossain, Professor Abdud Dayen Sarkar, Professor Md. Abdul Hai, poet Adyanath Ghosh, poet-lyricist Alamgir Kabir Hridoy, rhymester and filmmaker Dewan Badol, poet Syeda Kamrunnaha Shilpi, poet and elocutionist Mamun Abdullah, and prominent businessman Zakir Hossain, among others.
Also present at the event were poet-organizer and President of Bangladesh Poetry Council Manik Majumder, poet Safiullah Safi, poet Aziza Parvin, poet Bijuri Islam, poet Saida Akhter Kolpona, poet-singer Shamima Rahman, poet Rehana Sultana Shilpi, poet Nilima Neel, poet-entrepreneur Sonia Akhter, poet Sohag, and nearly a hundred poets, writers, teachers, students, and journalists from print, electronic, and online media.
The entire event was conducted and hosted by poet and singer Jajabar Jia.Toward the end of the ceremony, prayers were offered and arrangements for tawbaarek (blessed food) were made. The prayer was led by poet Md. Safiullah Safi.
