DHAKA, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) - The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, the country's largest annual literary event, will begin on February 26. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the fair at 2:00pm on the opening day, according to a press release issued by Bangla Academy today. The decision was made at a meeting between the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and leaders of the Bangladesh Publishers and Booksellers Association (BAPUS), held this evening at the Shahid Munir Chowdhury Conference Room of Bangla Academy. The meeting decided that there will be no pavilions at this year's fair. Publishers who had previously been allotted pavilion spaces have agreed to remove them from the fairgrounds. Publishers who applied for stalls on February 19 took part in a lottery for stall allotment, which was held at 10:00pm today. Construction of stalls will begin from February 23. State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, Cultural Secretary M Mafidur Rahman, Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam, and Bangla Academy Secretary Dr Mohammad Selim Reza were present at the meeting. Meanwhile, the cultural affairs minister and the state minister have already announced that stall fees for Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will be waived.    

RANGPUR, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS) - Rangpur Metropolitan unit of Bangladesh Workers' Welfare Federation launched a month-long cleanliness programme on Sunday to make Rangpur a clean and liveable city.  As part of the month-long cleanliness programme, newly elected MP from Rangpur-3 constituency Md Mahbubur Rahman Belal inaugurated the campaign at the Shishu Hospital premises in the city’s Rangpur Sadar Hospital area at noon as the chief guest.  President of the Rangpur Metropolitan unit of Workers' Welfare Federation Advocate Kawsar Ali, Secretary Shahanat Mia, Secretary of the Rangpur Metropolitan Youth Division Farhad Hossain Mandal, and leaders of the organization’s metropolitan and various wards were present at the event.  On the occasion, Mahbubur Rahman Belal said that the initiative taken by the Bangladesh Workers' Welfare Federation to ensure the overall cleanliness of Rangpur city is very commendable.  “Not just any organization, but people from all walks of life have to come forward to build a modern and healthy city,” he said.  He said, "A clean environment has a positive impact on the mentality and health of people. Therefore, we have to keep this programme going smoothly to transform Rangpur into a beautiful, healthy and planned city." Talking to BSS, Advocate Kawsar Ali said that under this month-long programme, cleanliness drives will be conducted in phases on various important roads, hospital areas, educational institutions and public gathering places in the city.  “In addition, leaflet distribution and promotional activities will be carried out to increase awareness among the general public,” he said.  The people of Rangpur metropolis welcomed this initiative and urged everyone to play a responsible role from their respective positions to improve the environment and ecosystems and keep the city clean and livable.