She said the previous yearlong campaigns for the promotion of books of different categories proved a success.

The enthusiasm created by "Literature Year 2002", "Library Year 2003", and "Child Literature Year 2004" continuity of the advance has to be maintained she said announcing 2005 as a new book year for promoting science and technology.

The prime minister appreciated the theme of this year's Book Fair, `Family Library Enlightens the Home', stating it was well timed. She called upon all to set up home libraries and encourage family members to read books to taste the joy of knowledge.

"The crisis of inner souls can be embalmed by way of creating a thirst for book reading," she told the elite audience at the book fair, where publishers from home and abroad participated.

Citing the age of renaissance before the Industrial Revolution in Europe, the prime minister said scholars, pundits, writers and intellectuals, philosophers and litterateurs -- all enlightened with knowledge -- had led the renaissance from the forefront.

"Following this example we can also be successful in building up a knowledgeable society," she added.

Chaired by State Minister for Cultural Affairs Selima Rahman, the inaugural function of the fortnight-long book fair was also addressed by Education Secretary Kazi Abu Kashem, Director of the National Book Centre Ahmed Musa and publishers' representative Sayeed Bari.

A total of 146 stalls have been set up at the book bazaar being with 115 publishing houses participating.

The fair will be open from 3 to 9pm with an entry fee of Tk 2. School and college students will have free access to the fair where books will sell at a 20 percent discount.