This book's author is Monoranjan Nandi, a storywriter and columnist in Rajshahi for 30 years. He has presented 15 stories in the book --his first publication. Sabuj Diper Itikotha was launched at the February book fair in Dhaka.

The ceremony, held recently at the Rajshahi Bholanath Bisheshwar Hindu Academy, drew a huge audience. Organised by Rajshahi Sahitto Parishad, the ceremony was addressed also by poet Professor Anik Mahmud and literatteur Prof Zulfiquar Matin. Local cultural magazine Loko Patra editor Fazlul Haque chaired the ceremony.

Poet Anik Mahmud, a Rajshahi University teacher, discussed the book. In his view, through the stories in his book, Nandi depicted the political scenario of the country and illustrated some basic moral lessons in a language understandable enough to suit children.

In the title story, Sabuj Dip is a democratic country for animals in a forest where tiger and lions are engaged in a political power struggle. Readers are likely to see a picture of Bangladesh politics in the story.

Tia, a story bears a message that was elaborated in Shawkat Osman's Kritodasher Hasi. The theme: happiness has no worth in the absence of a beloved.

Anik rightly said that Nandi avoided writing children stories with traditional elements of ghosts and demons. "He sought to generate awareness among children."

Through the characters of Parir Deshe, Nandi clearly conveyed that children should not grow up on a diet of ghost and demon stories. In his view, such horror stories bred a certain aloofness from reality. As he said in Bhut, only fools believe in ghosts.

In Bandhutto, Nandi depicted a political message: even enmity-driven animals can unite in danger, so why can't men?

Nandi, in his address at the ceremony, said that speaking the truth is a very difficult task. And he opted for writing, pressed between two elements - the anxiety-ridden environment and his eagerness to do something from inside his home.