Education Adviser Professor Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar visited the Non-Fiction Book Fair 2025 stalls, held at the FBS of the DU. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS)- Education Adviser Professor Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul 
Abrar today said that non-fiction books help and encourage readers to think 
critically.

"Non-fiction books do not merely provide information instead they shape 
critical thinking, raise questions, and help people understand society," the 
adviser said.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the closing and book 
award-giving ceremony of the Non-Fiction Book Fair 2025, held at the Faculty 
of Business Studies (FBS) of the Dhaka University (DU).

The three-day fair was jointly organized by daily Bonik Barta and the Faculty 
of Business Studies of the DU.

Two writers were awarded for their writings. They are: editor of the daily 
New Age, Nurul Kabir for his book 'Dwiralap:Chobbisher Gono-ovyuthhan O 
Purbapor Rajniti Somporke Bishleshonmulok Alapcharita' and writer Muhammad 
Yusuf Siddiki for his nook 'Shilalipi: Banglar Arbi-Farsi Protnolekhmala'.

The publications of the two book Kotha-Prakash and Prothoma Prokashon were 
also rewarded at the event.

Editor and Publisher of the daily Bonik Barta Dewan Hanif Mahmud delivered 
the welcome speech and thanked the jury board for their valuable time while 
Bangla Academy president Prof Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq spoke at the event as 
special guest.

Prof Abrar noted that although people today are surrounded by information, 
there is a serious shortage of knowledge. "In an age dominated by social 
media, fast-paced news cycles, and fragmented opinions, the need for deep, 
verified, and analytical knowledge is greater than ever and non-fiction books 
play a vital role in meeting this need."

Highlighting the significance of the non-fiction book fair, he said it helped 
bring academic knowledge beyond university walls to the general public.
 
When subjects such as research, history, economics, politics, and social 
sciences are presented in accessible language through responsible publishing, 
knowledge becomes truly democratic, he added.

Dr. Abrar also praised Bonik Barta for its initiative, saying that when a 
newspaper goes beyond daily news reporting to promote knowledge-based 
publishing, book fairs, and literary awards, it transforms from a media 
outlet into an intellectual institution.

Speaking about the Non-Fiction Book Awards presented at the event, he said 
the awards do more than honour authors as awards signal clear message that 
rigorous research, thoughtful writing, and responsible thinking are valued.
 
He expressed hope that such recognition would encourage writers to prioritise 
truth over popularity.

"A society becomes strong only when it can question itself," he said, adding 
that the courage to ask such questions is nurtured through the habit of 
reading non-fiction and the fair encourage people to read such books.

The three-day book fair ends today with a raffle draw for the book buyers.