Sporsho, a literary touch that lets the light in

Like the past few years, Sporsho Braille Publication, a special publication house that produces books for the visually impaired persons, has set up their book stall at the same corner near the exit gate of Bangla Academy premises, just in front of Dr Muhammad Enamul Haq Bhaban of the academy.

Sporsho is the only publication house in Amar Ekushey Book Fair that is providing visually impaired individuals with the opportunity to engage with books, to take the taste of literature.

Many visitors said that the opportunity should have been spread beyond the stall.

For instance, an HSC student Nazim living in Mirpur area, said that although being visually impaired he repeatedly visited the fair only for taking opportunities to read books.

He said: “I dream of joining the University of Dhaka in near future so that I can visit the book fair frequently. I prefer reading books on politics and history. But there are very few books related to this. But at least I can get some to read here.”

Another student from capital’s Mohammadpur area Nabila Binte Jannat hails Sporsho Braille Publication for its pioneering efforts in publishing Braille books in Bangladesh and to facilitate access to literature for a segment of society that has often been overlooked.

Apart from the visually impaired visitors, many visitors who are not physically challenged like Mrs Salema Ali said that such facilities should have been expanded to other book stalls as well.

But such initiatives remain a distance talk for years, the mother of two partially visual impaired children said.

Nandita Saha, supervisor of Sporsho in the fair said that they are setting up the stall since 2014 and a total of 119 Braille books have arrived till 2023. This year 29 books have come so far.

She said with sorrow that many visually impaired persons like to read variety of books which can be published in Braille. But many publications do not allow this, often due to copyright. And so, these people are deprived of reading many good books.

Nazia Jabeen, the founder of Sporsho Braille Publication said that the publication believes that everyone has the right to read and acquire knowledge, and so it strives to provide them with that opportunity.

Jabeen highlighted the significant impact of their initiative mentioning the increased participation of children from across the country, including remote areas like Chittagong Hill Tracts, at the book fair.

The Vice President of the Bangladesh Publishers and Booksellers Association Shamal Paul while appreciating the idea said that they will keep the idea into their accounts for discussion and possible implementation.

Meanwhile, Member secretary of the book fair organizing committee Dr KM Mizahidul Islam confirmed Views Bangladesh that a total of 1,878 books were newly published till February 18. The fair sees the highest number of books on February 16 with 298 books.

The organizing committee also show-caused some 12 book stalls that participated in the fair, he confirmed. But he could not say how many of them were punished.