A commendable step was taken last year to make the bond
between two countries and create a market of Bangladeshi books by organizing
Bangladesh Book Fair in Kolkata by Bangladesh
Deputy High commission, Kolkata, with cooperation of Bangladesh Jnan O Srijonsil Prokashok Somiti, an
organization of publication houses.
This year they have
miscalculated on many a thing. This year the timing 4th week of
November was not favourable. Hindu dominated West Bengal
went through various phases of religious festivals like Durga Puja , Kali puja.
Diwali, Chhot puja, Bhai Phonta beside Eid in the months of October and
November. Secondly , in the first or second week people have money in there pockets.
No one can ultimately deny that book is also a product after all, which has to
be sold.
This time much effort on campaigning should have been given. Only a few bill boards across Kolkata or a few ten second TV add would suffice to draw bigger crowed. But it was absent for which the turn out not so much as expected.
There is another aspect which lies in the hands of the
publication houses. Books were sold at 25% discount on Bangladeshi Taka i.e. a
book of 1000 Taka was sold at Rs.750. more or less 60 INR = 100 TAKA a 1000
Taka- book should have been sold at Rs.600. it would cast Rs.540 after giving
10% discount. Indian readers as well as customers felt the singe while glanced
at the price tag. Unless Bangladesh
publishers consider this, even writer like Humayun Ahmed cannot enter Bengali
households in West Bengal . If the publishers
suffer from egotism regarding INR-TAKA exchange rate, they must do away with.
By-S. M & A. C
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