Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Sept 12, 2026 (BSS)- A total of 2,120 students from 49 schools in 
Rajshahi city were awarded prizes in different categories for their 
outstanding participation in a year-long book reading programme today.
 
Among the award-winning students, 1,381 received prizes in the 'Shuvechchha', 
654 in the 'Ovinondon' and 85 in the 'Sera Pathok' categories.

Of the awarded, 413 were boys and 1,707 girls while 1,766 students from 39 
schools received their prizes directly on stage. Besides, Teachers and 
organisers collected awards on behalf of 354 students from 10 schools.

A colorful award ceremony festival for the school-level Book Reading Program 
was held in Rajshahi, jointly organised by Bishwo Shahitto Kendro and 
Grameenphone Limited at the District Shilpakala Academy.
 
The guests handed over the prizes to the winning students. 
 
Additional Divisional Commissioner of Rajshahi Dr. Chitralekha Nazneen, 
Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam, Actor, Writer and Translator Khairul 
Alam Sabuj, Bird Expert, Photographer and Writer Inam Al Haq were present as 
guests at the event.

Professor of the Bengali Department of Rajshahi University (RU) Mizanur 
Rahman Khan, Head of Technology of Rajshahi Circle of Grameenphone Limited 
Nandan Kumar Saha, along with officials from various education departments 
and literary organisations were present.
 
Dr. Chitralekha Nazneen at the beginning of her speech expressed hope that 
this achievement will serve as an inspiration for even greater 
accomplishments in the future.
 
Addressing the students, Khairul Alam Sabuj said, "To live beautifully, you 
have to expand your world. And to expand this world, you have to read books."
 
Inam Al Haq said books have been preserving knowledge for a long time. 
He advised students to prepare themselves for their future by utilizing the 
knowledge from books.
 
Nandan Kumar Saha, head of Technology of Rajshahi Circle of Grameenphone 
Limited, said, "For the past two decades, Grameenphone has been working as a 
companion and partner of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro's book reading programme to 
enhance the humane and intellectual excellence of the youth as they are the 
future of our tomorrow."
 
He also called upon parents and children-adolescents to be aware of safe, 
responsible and conscious use of the internet, alongside reading books.
 
In his welcome speech, Executive Director of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro and 
former Secretary Khandaker Asaduzzaman thanked the students, parents, 
teachers and organisers for making the book reading programme a success.
 
For the first time this year, an awareness-based online course titled "Online 
Safety Fundamentals" has been launched for students.
 
In addition, through the "Online Safety Corner" at the venue, parents and 
teachers were made aware of safe internet use and responsible digital 
behavior for children and adolescents.