bKash has donated 4,00,000 books to the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (BSK) book reading programme, including more than 40,000 books this year, to promote reading habits among students nationwide.
The mobile financial services provider said in a press release that it has contributed 3,67,520 books over the past 12 years, reaching nearly 3,000 educational institutions and more than 34 lakh readers.
The books were handed over to Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Founder and Chief Executive Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed at an event held at the Kendro’s auditorium in Dhaka on Tuesday.
bKash Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer Major General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam (Retd) presented the books at the programme.
The initiative will distribute books to 330 educational institutions this year, including 80 new schools joining the programme.
Bishwo Shahitto Kendro has been running the programme for decades to introduce students to local and international literature beyond textbooks and to build intellectual and moral development.
The programme also includes quiz competitions at district and upazila levels for students from classes 6 to 10, where winners receive books and certificates.
“Creating an enlightened individual depends on building a positive environment, and this programme helps nurture that through knowledge and reading habits,” said Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Founder and Chief Executive Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed.
He said the long-standing partnership with bKash has strengthened the initiative and will continue.
“Enlightened individuals contribute to a developed nation, and reading beyond academic books is essential to build such a generation,” said bKash Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer Major General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam (Retd).
He added that the company will continue supporting the programme as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts.
Among others, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Executive Director Khandakar Md Asaduzzaman, Joint Director Program Mesbah Uddin Ahmed Sumon, bKash EVP and Head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Department Humayun Kabir, and Vice President Sayma Ahsan were present at the event.
