The primary level book festival held at the National Government Primary School grounds in Mirpur, the capital, on January 1 was a heartwarming celebration of education and literacy. The main highlight of the event was the distribution of new books to students, which filled their young minds with joy and excitement.

The ceremony commenced with the ceremonial handover of the new books to eager students, who joyfully raised their newly acquired treasures in unison. The students of Mirpur Government National School were particularly thrilled to receive their books directly from the minister, creating a memorable experience for them.

Local attendees expressed their sentiments, highlighting the unparalleled happiness brought by the festival. They emphasized the importance of such events in ensuring that boys and girls do not miss out on the joy of receiving new books. The visible joy observed in the students clearly demonstrated the undeniable impact of this annual tradition.

After the launch in Mirpur, book festivals were introduced in educational institutions nationwide. Despite the ongoing elections, the Ministry of Education made sure that books were distributed smoothly to students.

Md. Zakir Hossain, the State Minister of Primary and Mass Education, emphasized the importance of the new books, considering them as a New Year gift from the Prime Minister to children. He highlighted that new books have the ability to excite and inspire children, with their fresh scent and captivating content sparking curiosity and amazement.

Farid Ahmed, the Public Education Secretary, spoke as a special guest and emphasized the government's commitment to transforming education in the face of the fourth industrial revolution. The new education approach aims to eliminate memorization and encourage curiosity, inquiry, research, and critical thinking among students. The ultimate goal is to direct their energy towards leadership development.

The program, led by Shah Rezwan Hayat, the Director General of Primary Education Directorate, demonstrated the government's dedication to nurturing a generation that is curious and focused on learning.

Since 2010, the government's initiative to provide free books to students has been a tremendous success. A remarkable 4.5 billion books have been distributed among 140 million students in 13 years, setting an admirable example globally.

As the distribution of books continues, the Ministry of Education assures that all students will receive their new books. In the 2024 academic year, a total of 9,38,03,606 books will benefit 2,12,52,006 students.

Despite the delay in preparing manuscripts for the seventh and eighth-grade books, the government's commitment to delivering quality education remains steadfast. The success of the book festival serves as a testament to the nation's unwavering dedication to fostering a generation that is literate and inquisitive, ready to tackle the future's challenges head-on.