Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Aug 22, 2025 (BSS) - A festive mood prevailed at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium in Khulna today as a large number of students gathered there to receive recognition for their love of books. 

The day-long award distribution festival, organized by Bishwo Shahitto Kendro with support from Grameenphone, honored 3,909 students from 57 schools across Khulna city.

The event turned into a celebration of knowledge and inspiration as students collected awards in four categories - “Welcome Award,” “Greeting Award,” “Congratulatory Award,” and “Best Reader Award.” 

Among them, 2,100 received Welcome Awards, 1,108 received Greeting Awards, 615 earned Congratulatory Awards, and 86 were recognized as Best Readers.

Of the total, 2,260 students from 32 schools received their prizes directly from the stage, including 1,222 girls and 1,038 boys. For 18 other schools, teachers and organizers accepted the awards on behalf of their students.

The ceremony was graced by a host of distinguished guests. In the morning session, noted actor and translator Khairul Alam Sabuj, retired secretary and National Election Investigation Commission member Shamim Al Mamun, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro trustee Khalid Hasan, acting deputy director of secondary and higher education in Khulna region Md. Kamruzzaman, Grameenphone’s regional head Bushra Mehrin, and Everest conqueror M.A. Muhith attended as special guests.

Later in the afternoon, Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam, Khulna University’s School of Fine Arts associate professor Dr. Md. Tariqat Islam, and Khulna District Education Officer S.M. Sayedur Rahman joined the celebration.

Speakers at the festival praised the initiative for encouraging young minds to read more and cultivate a lifelong habit of learning. 

They also expressed hope that such programmes would continue to inspire the next generation to pursue knowledge and creativity.