Prime Minister Tareque Rahman has directed the initiative to launch mobile libraries to foster reading habits among the new generation. He also emphasized making children and teenagers interested in books through reading circles, book reading competitions, and various cultural events.
The Prime Minister issued these directives on Wednesday (October 14) during a meeting with officials while inspecting the Ministry of Culture at the Secretariat. The Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Swadhin provided this information.
During the meeting, various programs and plans of the Ministry of Culture for the Lalon Festival and Nazrul Year were presented to the Prime Minister. He was also informed about the adopted and proposed programs surrounding the Winter Cultural Festival, scheduled to take place from December to May.
The Ministry’s plans include organizing circuses, rural cultural events, boat races, kite festivals, horse races, puppet shows, and diverse cultural festivals. There are also plans to organize festivals with the participation of people with special needs.
Representatives from various directorates and agencies under the Ministry of Culture, including the July Museum, Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh National Museum, Bangla Academy, and National Book Centre, presented their ongoing activities and future plans during the meeting. At this time, the Prime Minister directed that necessary initiatives be taken to make the Shilpakala Academies more active.
Tareque Rahman stated that although the country’s culture is thousands of years old, it is not being adequately presented to the new generation. Due to technology, young people are becoming familiar with and attracted to foreign cultures. However, this does not mean that our own culture should be forgotten. He emphasized the need to consider how the country’s culture and heritage can be presented more effectively to the younger generation.
Addressing the officials, the Prime Minister said that everyone possesses unique capabilities. Everyone must work with their utmost effort. He added that through collective endeavor, it is possible to contribute, however little, to building the Bangladesh envisioned by its people.
Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister for Culture Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khoyyam, the Prime Minister’s Advisor for Information and Cultural Affairs Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon, and other relevant officials were present at the meeting.
