Moulvibazar Correspondent
The Sreemangal Upazila Administration has taken a unique step to encourage students to read books outside their prescribed curriculum. Under the slogan “Read Books, Build Character,” the administration has organised the 'Sreemangal Book Reading Festival-2026'. As part of the initiative, officials from the Upazila Administration are visiting various educational institutions directly to motivate students to read.
The festival, which began on 21 July, has seen participation from nearly 25,000 students across 38 secondary and higher secondary institutions in Sreemangal Upazila. The primary objective of the event is to foster an interest in stories, novels, essays, and poetry collections alongside academic textbooks. To mark the first phase of the festival, the 'Mukul Phase', motivational assemblies were held on Monday at five educational institutions in Sreemangal. On that day, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Upazila Administrator, Md. Ziaur Rahman, visited Bhairabganj High School, Sirajganj J.S.S.R. Madrasa, Sreemangal Anwarul Ulum Fazil Madrasa, St. Martha’s High School, and Bhunbir Dasarath School and College. He held interactive sessions with students, emphasising the importance of reading various literary works alongside textbooks.
During the event, UNO Md. Ziaur Rahman said, "On behalf of the Upazila Administration, we are visiting every educational institution to share reading experiences with the students. There is no substitute for books. We hope that our future generations will enrich themselves through reading and develop a curiosity to understand the world."
The motivational programme was attended by Debashish Dash, Coordinator of the Sreemangal Book Reading Festival and Executive Director of the Sreemangal Recitation Festival, and Plaban Pal, Upazila Project Implementation Officer.
According to the organisers, this initiative has been undertaken to cultivate a book-oriented younger generation at a time when the use of mobile phones and social media is on the rise. Students have already shown great enthusiasm and interest in the event.
It has been reported that during the Mukul Phase, students are reading 14 books prescribed according to their respective classes. On 17 August, examinations on these books will be held at each institution. Based on the results, the top ten students from each class will be selected to advance to the second phase, the 'Phool Phase'. Subsequently, the top three from each class will qualify for the 'Fal Phase' at the Upazila level. In the final round, the top ten students from each class at the Upazila level will be selected through examinations based on new books.
This year, an open category has also been introduced, allowing individuals of any age outside educational institutions to register and participate.
The festival is being organised by the Sreemangal Upazila Administration, with the Sreemangal Recitation Festival serving as the coordination partner and Uttaran as the reading partner.
