The 69th birthday of poet and reciter Shakib Lohani was celebrated on Friday amidst a unique event.
The poet distributed 69 tree saplings among school children and several dozen books to a community library at Shona Rang Toruchaya in Munshiganj's Gojaria, says a press release on Friday.
Over 50 eminent poets, writers, literary enthusiasts took part in the event organized in recognition of the importance of greenery in lives.
A group of book enthusiasts, literary figures and those who appreciate and value nature got together under the open sky to, in their small ways, pay respect to nature.
Kazi Hasan, an environmentalist and nature enthusiast, who raised a green belt surrounding the Shona Rang Toruchaya also established the library to encourage young school goers to read and learn knowledge beyond their academic education.
Eminent writer Dilara Mesbah, former government secretary and writer Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal and the poet's friends and fans were present at the daylong event.
Born in 1954, Pabnaj, Shakib Lohani took Masters with honors in Plant Science from Dhaka University and got himself involved in the liberal arts such as literature and poetry recitation.
In 1977, he was involved in the founding of Abriti Shangshad, the first organization for recitation in the country.
Shakib Lohani has accomplished two published books named ‘Patraput' (a collection of poems) and ‘Ekti Bazpakhi o Koy'jon Manush' (a collection of short stories).
Shakib Lohani was the Vice President of PEN Bangladesh (2017-19) and also organized a social committee called People Beyond Color to raise awareness about colorism in the country and the subcontinent. He is the Executive Committee member of Institute Of Fine Arts (IFA), Pabna.
