The Amar Ekushey Book Fair was buzzing with a huge crowd on Monday as scores of people visited the fair on the occasion of the Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day.
Women of all ages showed up in traditional black and white sarees, while males arrived in Panjabi creating a festive mood on the public holiday.
Lower Covid-19 infection rate was another reason why the book-lovers thronged the fair en masse.
Many people visited the book fair with friends and families after paying respect to the martyrs of the Language Movement at the Central Shaheed Minar.
Despite the risk of Covid, many people were seen not following health safety guidelines on the Suhrawardy Udyan premises with the law enforcers and the book fair authorities struggling to maintain order.
According to the police force, there should be at least one additional entrance to the fair to ensure that everyone maintains hygiene and social distancing.
The fair began on February 15 and is scheduled to end on February 28. However, The authorities are mulling extending the fair considering the pandemic situation.
Regarding the extension of the fair, Mohammad Nurul Huda, director of the Bangla Academy, said: "This is something we're just thinking about right now. We will extend the duration if people follow health guidelines properly. But we are not sure yet."
Muntasir Mahmud, a student of Dhaka Residential Model College, said: "This is my first visit to the book fair in my lifetime. I never imagined this much crowd here. I'm really surprised.
"This fair could be more disciplined. People are not following health guidelines at all. Also, the price of books is comparatively higher for the students like us."
Rabeya Boshri, a working woman, went to the book fair with his family and relatives.
"Usually, I don't get time to come out of my home. As today is a holiday, I got a chance to visit the fair with my family. I think we should encourage the younger generation to read and buy more books.
"But I'm a little disappointed as there is no proper resting place to sit for a while," she added.
Swarna Akter, a Dhaka University student, said: "In the morning, I went to the Shaheed Minar like I did every year with my friends. Now I am visiting the book fair. It feels great to get all the books I was planning to buy."
Meanwhile, many salespersons voiced disappointment due to low sales compared to the number of visitors.
Razia Sultana Ishita, a salesperson of Shwapno71, said: "Sale is comparatively better than the previous days but it's still not satisfactory."
Another salesperson at Arwa Book Corner Roni Hossain said: "Today, there is a huge crowd here. But most of them have come just to visit the fair premises on this special occasion."
Omor Faruk of another book shop said echoed the others.
"Pavilions attract a greater number of visitors. There are no significant changes for small businesses like ours. We will be able to determine how many book-lovers actually come to buy books after February 23," he said.
Jakir Hossen, manager of Prothoma Prokashoni, said: "Considering the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s great that people are visiting the fair and purchasing books. If things continue in this way, we will be satisfied.”
