However, all did not seem to be velvety. Starting from this year, even the stall-owners' vehicles carrying supplies of books are not allowed beyond the TSC point or Doyel Chattar for security reasons.

Representatives of several publishers, stall-owners and attendants complained that this new "security measure" is a huge inconvenience. Abdus Salam at the Bishwa Shahita Kendra stall said, "Perhaps the authorities do not realise how difficult it is to carry books all the way from TSC when a van is not allowed. Considering the current bomb threats, I understand the heightened security measures but the authorities should consider our convenience as well."

Some did not mind this "inconvenience" though. Emdadul Haq at Systec Publications' stall said, "We moved everything necessary to the stall on January 31. The new security measure will ensure everyone's safety at the fair and everyone should accommodate the authorities regarding this process."

The readers seemed enthusiastic. Children, accompanied by parents or relatives, were seen checking out the new publications at different stalls. Some stalls tried to lure the young readers in innovative ways. Ankur Prokashoni's main attraction is the Bangla translations of the Harry Potter series. One of the stall attendants was seen wearing a wizard's pointy hat, which pulled in quite a crowd of keen youngsters.

The book fair that first started at the Bangla Academy premises in 1972 gained momentum in the next few years. In 1984, the book fair was officially named Amor Ekushey Gronthomela. By 1992, the number of stalls at the fair exceeded 350; about 270 different publishers and organisations participated. This year, the number of participating publishers and organisations is 305.

Some of the new books published on the occasion of the fair are: Diversity and Citizenship, edited by Mesbah Kamal, Utturey Shangkeertan by Tania Noor and Humayun Qadir Rochonabali (1st part) edited by Abu Shahriar. The Book launch of Amamder Ekattur -- a memoir of the Liberation War, was held at the Nazrul Stage on February 3 as well.

Another attraction for the readers this year is the increased percentage of discount on books. This year, the publishers of Bangla Academy have decided that the discount of books will be 30 percent; until last year the discount was set at 20 percent.

Part of the book fair is the discussions and cultural programmes at the fair premises. On February 3, a discussion, titled Bingsho Shotoker Chintadhara, was held. The discussion was presided over by Mohammad Abdul Quaiyum. Qazi Rafiqul Haque, Razia Sultana and Abul Ahsan Chowdhury participated in the discussion. A cultural programme was held in the evening.