While a large number of newly-published books arrive everyday in ranges of hardcover and paperback, it is the e-books that attract young readers most at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela.
The e-book, which allows readers to read virtually through smartphones, android handsets, laptops, tablets and/or computer devices, are being sold and promoted through mobile applications at the fair.
While walking around the fair, this correspondent noted a group of friends searching for the stall of Sheiboi.com.
When they found the stall, the attendant Jannatul Naima already appeared busy attending a host of customers. She eventually showed them how their app works on Android mobile sets and shared it for free with her customers.
Naima says their app has about 300 books, spanning the spectrum of different types of literary works, and their readers can download 100 books without payment.
“If they want more, they have to pay an amount, which is almost half the rate of the hardcover version of the book,” Naima told this correspondent.
“Customers can pay through Bkash or credit card,” she added.
Naima said, young readers in particular come to their stall the most, as they appear more drawn to and comfortable with the internet. Readers can also download Sheiboi from Google Play Store and enjoy reading the e-books.
Shamim Khan, a Dhaka University student who frequently reads e-books, said: “It’s more useful when I’m on the bus or in transit. Since I have a number of books on my phone now, I can read them whenever I have some free time – regardless of where I am.”
Shei boi is not the only store offering e-books, said Ashikuzzaman, an attendant at the stall of e-book app Boipoka.
“We have an agreement with writers and publishers to offer e-books,” he said. “Readers who download them can read at least 200 books – 40 of them for free.”
Another e-book outlet, Chorui.com has a collection of 400 e-books. Meraj Chowdhury, an attendant at the stall, said they have sold a lot through the Android app, since the beginning of the fair.
Their range includes the works of Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhay, Sharatchandra Chattopadhay, Jibanananda Das, Sukumar Ray, and Sukanta Bhattacharya, which are sold at a range of Tk300-Tk500 at the fair.
The e-book stalls are located in the west corner of Bangla Academy. This year, there are three e-book stalls out of 526 stalls at the fair. However, although it is a low number this year, the culture being new, it is growing and has potential for higher demand in the future.
“These applications are gradually becoming famous among readers both home and abroad,” Ashikuzzaman of Boipoka said.
Yesterday, the fair experienced a different kind of energy due to Bangladesh’s game in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which took place during the daytime here. Many said there was a low turnout due to the cricket match going on.
Following the end of the match, more visitors were seen at the fair after sunset.
Overall, there were 91 new books at the fair yesterday, the total reaching 2,309.
