Pabna, Oct 31 (V7N) — In a bid to foster a love for reading among the younger generation, Bkash, in collaboration with the Prothom Alo Trust, distributed 4,244 books at an event held in the Pabna Press Club Auditorium on Wednesday afternoon. This distribution is part of a broader initiative by Bkash to deliver 120,000 books to underprivileged educational institutions, libraries, and old-age homes across Bangladesh this year, with the Prothom Alo Trust serving as an essential partner in the effort.

The Prothom Alo Pabna Bandhu Sabha supported the event’s coordination. Sarwar Morshed Ullas, Prothom Alo's representative in Pabna, welcomed attendees, with key speakers including Abdul Mateen Khan, Secretary General of the 135-year-old Annada Gobind Public Library; ABM Fazlur Rahman, President of Pabna Press Club; Akhtar Zaman, an Associate Professor and writer at Pabna Government Women’s College; and Zafar Iqbal, General Manager of Marketing at Bkash. Prothom Alo Trust Program Manager Golam Rabbani and the president of the Pabna Bandhu Sabha, Nahiduzzaman, conducted the event.

Abdul Mateen Khan emphasized the value of books as “experienced friends,” while Akhtar Zaman highlighted how books can be “stronger than loved ones” in providing comfort. Zafar Iqbal noted that Bkash has been committed to distributing books for ten years, contributing 32,000 books annually to the Bishwa Sahitya Kendra and distributing a total of 400,000 books over the past four years.

The institutions receiving books included Annada Gobind Public Library, Retirement Pathchakra, Chitragriha Chatmohar, Baral Vidya Niketan, Palli Library, Sugandha Library, Van Library, and various schools and cultural councils. The representatives of these institutions expressed excitement about the positive impact of these new resources on their communities, noting that the donated books will enrich their libraries and help cultivate a culture of reading among local youth.

END/SR/AJ