"Book is not only a source of knowledge, but also a medium of pleasure and it can save us from various social crises preventing degradation of moral values," Khaleda Zia said this while she was inaugurating the 10th Dhaka Book Fair at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre here yesterday afternoon.

The theme of this year's book fair, being held on the premises of the conference centre, is "Books for Better Life".

She said the rising trend of book sale and purchase would help give the publication industry a boost, casting a positive impact on the economy.

"If we can remove our limitations of knowledge by reading books, our resource constraint will soon disappear and we'll be able to make Bangladesh a prosperous country," she said.

Declaring the year 2004 as 'Child Literature Year', the Prime Minister urged all to present books to their children at every moment of their success and joy.

Khaleda Zia also urged all to make the first day of the New Year memorable by presenting books to their children and appreciate their achievements in schools and other institutions by giving them books.

The prime minister asked the writers and publishers to always write and publish books worthy for children and youths.

"More and more books should be written and published for children to grow their interest in reading books," Khaleda Zia said adding that every addiction has its adverse effect, but addiction to book reading has no harm, it rather has a lot of benefits.

She said the writers and publishers could make the book fair attractive by providing good books and the readers could make it a successful one by purchasing books for themselves and their beloved ones.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Begum Selima Rahman, Director of National Book Centre poet Mahmud Shafiq and Mesbahuddin Ahmed also addressed the function.

Later, the prime minister went round some bookstalls of the fair and bought some books for herself.

Some 110 bookstalls, including four from abroad, have been set up at the 15-day fair, which will remain open from 2pm to 9pm everyday, except holidays. It will remain open from 11am to 9pm on the holidays.

Earlier, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia distributed prizes among the winners of various competitions, including essay writing and extempore speech making arranged on the occasion of the Library Year 2003.