New York Book Fair begins, Rehman Sobhan gets 'lifetime honor'

The four-day '35th New York International Book Fair' has begun in New York, USA, with the slogan 'As many books as there are lives'. Fiction writer and journalist Imdadul Haque Milon inaugurated the fair in a colorful ceremony at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens on Friday (May 22) evening. 

At the inaugural ceremony, freedom fighter, teacher and economist Professor Rehman Sobhan was awarded the 'Lifetime Achievement Award'.

At the ceremony, Imdadul Haque Milon emphasized on quality English translation to take Bengali language and culture to the international level. He said that the expectation of spreading Bengali books to the world through translation has not yet been fulfilled. Although some books have been translated, they are very weak linguistically. He also expressed hope that those involved in this New York book fair will take up that responsibility.

He noted that without a quality translation, the generation of Americans of Bangladeshi descent will be deprived of properly knowing about the struggle for their mother tongue and the glorious history of independence achieved at the cost of three million martyrs.

Chief guest Professor Rehman Sobhan criticized the distortion of the country's history. He said, "It is unfortunate that there is a debate about those who contributed to the liberation war and independence of Bangladesh. A nation can never move forward by misrepresenting history." 

In the inaugural session, 35 writers, poets and publishers from Bangladesh, Kolkata and abroad were given special honors. The book fair, organized by Muktadhara Foundation, will continue till May 25. Several publishing houses from Bangladesh and abroad have participated in the fair.

Muktadhara Foundation President, freedom fighter Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, and organizing committee convener Dr. Nazrul Islam welcomed everyone, including the guests, to the event.

Also present at the inaugural ceremony were Rawnak Jahan, Faridur Reza Sagar, Bob Holman, Professor Mostafa Sarwar, Rudra Shankar, Faruk Ahmed and other prominent figures from the literary, cultural and expatriate community.