M U A Selim
The publication ceremony of two Bengali books, written by journalist-litterateur Akbar Haider Kiron– ‘Seven Train O Kichu Purono Premer Kobita’ and ‘Jackson Heights Journal’– was held in New York recently. South Asian Writers & Journalists Forum (SAWJF) organized the event at Jewish Center of Jackson Heights. A mentionable number of brilliant people from the community attended the function.
Renowned publishers from Bangladesh– Monirul Hoque of Anannya Prokashoni & Humayun Kabir Dhali of Annoy Prokash– attended the program. Anannya published the book of poems & Annoy brought out the prosaic one.
Lively presentation of Monija Rahman & Irin Rahman made the progam more attractive.
The “Rekhayon legend” Raghib Ahsan designed the cover of both the books & he spoke at the publication ceremony.
Those who spoke about Akbar Haider Kiron & his works are: Senior journalist Syed Mohammad Ullah, TV program producer Belal Beg, drama personality Rekha Ahmed, poet Shams Al Momin, politician Nizam Chowdhury, lyricist Mahfujur Rahman Mehfuz, artist Raghib Ahsan, writer-journalist Shibbir Ahmed, poet Hassanal Abdullah, actor-presenter Khairul Islam Pakhi, cultural personality Shahid Uddin, photojournalist Neher Siddiquee & Main Uddin Ahmed.
Ahmed, Abir Alamgir, Rowshan Haq, Shelly Zaman Khan, Sharmin Reza Eva, Vaila Salina, H B Rita, Rokeya Deepa, Sultana Ferdousi Sufi, Maksuda Ahmed, among others, recited poems from Kiron’s book.
Elizabeth Ortiz & Zarina Mayisha recited from the English version of Kiron’s poems translated by Main Uddin Ahmed.
It may be mentioned here that the English version of Kiron’s poetry book will reach the readers very soon.
An elaborate discussion on Akbar Haider Kiron’s both the books was done by litterateur-journalist Main Uddin Ahmed. Terming good lterature as the constitution of humanity, he appreciated Kiron’s sincere expression in his poems. He also lauded the mix of story and travelogue in the writings of ‘Jackson Heights Journal’ and asked the writer to continue his literary creations in both the forms.
At the
concluding part of the program, South Asian Writers & Jounalists Forum awarded six persons for their contribution in their respective fields. They are: Publisher Monirul Haque, for Child Literature Humayun Kabir Dhali, writer-journalist Shibbir Ahmed, writer-journalist Monija Rahman, writer-journalist Akbar Haider Kiron and photojournalist Neher Siddique.
Shams Chowdhury Rusho, Mosharof Hossain, Mir Shibly of Bangla TV New York , Bishwajit Saha, Shah Mahbub, Mohammad Chowdhury Rana, Rokeya Akter, Azizul Haq Munna, Md Shahid Ullah, Subrata Bishwas, Mihir Chowdhury, Reshad Khan, Shahadat Sabuj, Rimon Islam & Mamun Rahmen, among others also attended the publication ceremony.
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