The Journey of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Across 47 Years
Collected Photo
The seeds of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro were sown in a study circle in 1968, which eventually flourished into a massive institution in independent Bangladesh in 1978. Guided by the motto "We Want Enlightened Humans," the organization has engaged countless children and young adults in reading books and various cultural activities over the past 47 years.
According to data from several of its publications, 8,334,177 people participated in the center's reading programs between 2010 and 2017. In an interview last year, the founder of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, Abdullah Abu Sayeed, stated that they have encouraged over 22.5 million young people to read books to date.
On April 16, Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, founder of the World Literature Center, met with the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Recently, the institution has faced controversy on social media. On April 16, Prof. Abdullah Abu Sayeed met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Following the news of this meeting, various discussions and criticisms have surfaced on Facebook. Some are questioning how much "enlightened" work has actually been achieved in the center's 47-year journey, while others continue to shower the institution with praise. There have also been rumors circulating that Abdullah Abu Sayeed might be appointed as the President.
Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed met with the Prime Minister again today, Thursday. The Education Minister and the Cultural Affairs Minister were also present during this meeting.
When asked about the nature of the meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, several officials from Bishwo Shahitto Kendro told Agamir Shomoy that the Prime Minister had invited Abdullah Abu Sayeed to discuss book-related matters. The conversation focused on how to further expand book-reading programs and promote recitation, drama, and music.
"The discussion on Facebook regarding Bishwo Shahitto Kendro is a suppressed, malice-driven debate. In discussing what Sayeed Sir said to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, some are forgetting the 47-year journey of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro. Many of those engaging in this debate likely have children who read the world’s best literature for the first time through the center's school and college programs," said cultural activist Humayun Azam Rewaz.
Rewaz added, "Those asking how many people became truly 'enlightened' through these programs forget that a single institution cannot transform an entire society overnight. The collective effort of many similar institutions is essential. Looking for immediate results in the cultivation of the mind is a sign of shortsightedness. To build a developed society, we need more diverse, public-oriented, and progressive institutions like Bishwo Shahitto Kendro at the grassroots level. Those trying to judge everything just by looking at the multi-story building at Banglamotor are living in a fool's paradise."
Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed met the Prime Minister on Thursday (April 23). The Minister of Education and the Minister of Culture were also present at the meeting.
What Does Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Do?
Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (World Literature Centre) operates through a diverse range of programs aimed at intellectual and cultural enrichment. Its core activities include:
Nationwide Enrichment Programs: Book reading and cultural activities across the country.
Mobile Library Service: Reaching readers at their doorsteps.
Reading Habit Development: Specifically targeting students and PTI (Primary Training Institute) teachers.
Alor Ishkul & Alor Pathshala: Specialized learning platforms and an extensive e-library.
Publications: Publishing 574 books so far, including a 209-volume collection of thoughtful essays in the Bengali language.
Cultural Engagement: Film screenings, audio-visual programs, recitation, music, and drama.
Outreach and Impact
The organization currently operates in 1,400 schools and colleges across 450 upazilas in all 64 districts. The current reader engagement is as follows:
Program Number of Active Readers/Participants
Nationwide Enrichment Program 130,000
Mobile Libraries 375,000
Central Library (Dhaka) 13,400
Alor Pathshala (E-Library) 33,659
Alor Ishkul 400
Funding and Vision
The center is primarily funded through government and private grants, supplemented by income from book sales and auditorium rentals. Mesbah Uddin Ahmed Sumon, Joint Director (Program), notes that their quiz competitions and award ceremonies help students overcome shyness, build confidence, and develop leadership qualities.
In his book Bishwo Shahitto Kendro O Ami, founder Abdullah Abu Sayeed defines the organization's two primary goals: Nurturing the youth (the people of tomorrow) to grow into great individuals and Transforming them into a united national force.
The Mobile Library Initiative
Since 1999, the Mobile Library has been a flagship project. By 2026, it aims to operate 76 mobile library units across 3,200 spots nationwide, specifically targeting women and children.
The project also aims to foster social and cultural engagement among teenagers by managing 700 cultural clubs and organizing 8,000 cultural events. While the center initially bore all costs, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has been providing financial support since 2018, significantly expanding the project's reach.
