6 th National conference of ‘Liberation War Memorial Library’

6th National conference of ‘Liberation War Memorial Library’ (Muktijuddher Shahid Smriti Pathagar) was held in Dhaka at BIM auditorium on Friday 16 April. Out of 50 Libraries representatives of 39, attended the conference and representatives of 35 Libraries addressed the conference.

The most celebrated poet of contemporary Bengali Liberature Shamsur Rahman inaugurated the conference while National professor Kabir Chowdhury addressed the conference as chief guest. The day long conference was presided over by Shahriar Kabir, Acting President of Nirmul Committee and trustee Secretary of MSSK Trust. Among others Justice KM Sobhan, Professor Muntassir Mamoon, President of Proshika & Chairperson of ADAB Dr. Kazi Farukh Ahmed, Sculptor Ferdousi Priovashini, central Leader of Nirmul Committee educationist, Shamoly Nasreen Choudhury, Doulatara Mannan, Salma Haque, Human rights activist Aroma Dutta, President of Projonmo ’71 (organization of the children of martyers of Bangladesh Liberation War) Shahin Reza Noor addressed the conference.
In the inaugural speech poet Shamsur Rahman said, ‘We are living under the darkness of fundamentalism, Communalism, fanaticism and superstition. We have to enlighten our young generation through knowledge in order to remove the darkness prevailing in our mind and society. Through the library movement knowledge and enlightenment could be conferred upon society.

Prof. Kabir Chowdhury urged all pro-democracy secular forces to unite against fundamentalism and communalism in order to rekindle the spirit of our liberation war.
In his presidential speech Shahriar Kabir narrated nine years long history of the liberary movement and said, ‘We must continue our ceaseless struggle to build a society free from communal hatred, fanaticism and violence.’ He further said, taking the advantage of poverty, illiteracy and ignorance of religion the fundamentalist political parties like Jamate Islami and Islami Oikyo Jote has become so powerful that now they are ruling Bangladesh. They are receiving huge fund and arms from Pakistan and some middle eastern countries. Through the library movement we are fighting to eradicate the root of evil forces like Jamate Islami from our society. Shahriar Kabir also described how the members of the libraries that placed in remote areas, are engaged to rekindle the spirit of the liberation war i.e., secular democracy and humanity.
The representatives of libraries described different repressive measures taken by local Jamati leaders and activists since their party assumed power in October 2001. Local gangsters of Jamate Islami and in some places BNP too destroyed 15 libraries and looted the books. One Library in Kaliganj (district Jhinaidaha) destroyed by the govt. officials with bulldozer. The representatives of these libraries expressed their gratitude to central leaders for providing financial support to recontinue library activities.

Out of 39 libraries it was found that only five libraries are sell sufficient and the rest needed subsidy from the central otherwise it would be difficult to continue day to day activities of these libraries.
The representatives of the libraries expressed joy and satisfaction for restarting publication of ‘Jagaran’ and suggested that it should be a monthly publication instead of bi-monthly. Though Shahriar Kabir said that central committee is ready to give even 100 copies of Jagaran to each library and revenue derived from selling of ‘Jagaran’, would be spent for the libraries, but the representatives didn’t show much enthusiasm, because of the prevailing hostile situation in their areas. They consider ‘Jagaran’ as an important tool to transmit information, knowledge and spirit of our liberation war, rather than money earning machine. But Shahriar Kabir insisted that free distribution of ‘Jagaran’ wont he appreciated.
President of Proshika Dr. Kazi Farukh Ahmed asked delegates to arrange film / video shows anywhere it needed and Proshika would provide projector & screen without any charge. All delegates instantly appreciated his kind gesture. Kazi Farukh also mentioned that their network is ready to help the libraries in organizing essay and book-reading competition in different schools and colleges.

The 6th national conference of the libraries ended with great enthusiasm and hope for better future of the library movement. Number of resolutions were adopted. Amongst the guests and observers most of the NC leaders attended the conference from 10 am to 8 pm. More than 200 delegates, observers and guests enjoyed the conference lunch and tea breaks where a good number of activists of the library movement came from different part of Bangladesh met each other for the first time.
The Chief Coordinator of the Library project Kazi Mukul anchored the conference.