MNU launch 2 books under ‘Book Writing Grant, kicks off book fair

`Maldives National University on Tuesday kicked off the ‘MNU Book Fair’, and launched two books under their ‘MNU Book Writing Grant’.

A special ceremony was held for this at MNU, with former President and Speaker of the Parliament Mohmed Nasheed attending as chief guest.

Alongside him, Minister of Higher Education Ibrahim Hassan, Chancellor of MNU Dr Hassan Hameed, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Aishath Shehenaz Adam, and other senior officials of the university.

During the ceremony Speaker Nasheed launched two Dhivehi children’s books – ‘Dharumaveri Ruh’ and ‘Velaa Finolhu’ authored by Leela Ahmed.

Addressing the gathering, Leela said that publishing a book is a long process, but that has been made a lot easier with the grant launched by MNU.

“The artist that draws what the author’s brain pictures are a very significant person. That someone is very hard to find. Through the Book Writing Grant launched by MNU last year, we have been introduced to many artists in MNU. This provided great ease to us writers.”

She expressed hope that the grant books aimed to enhance love for the language as well as the progress it, will be released.

In addition to this, she spoke about how the inspiration for her books came. She said that in 2020, the children locked in homes gave her an idea, which was then discussed and finalized to be written as a book that centers around the environment.

“That’s because there aren’t many seen working towards protecting the environment.”

Hence, she said that it was her hope this book gives some lessons to children.

Also speaking at this ceremony, Nasheed said that Maldives does not have much of book culture. He added that due to this, the biggest obstacle in building a nation proves to be a lack of visionary thinking.

“We are unable to think about ideas and have visions about those because we do not do the work of reading books.”

He went on to state that MNU’s work to publish books was more needed by the country than infrastructure developments such as harbors and airports.

“A big harbor costs MVR 50 million. This only costs MVR 1 million. We are making a big harbor on an island with only 27 people in residence. But this is the language the entire country communicates with.”

During the ceremony, local radio personality Najma Hussian (Najmatha) read one of the books to the audience.

Speaker Nasheed and other officials took time to inspect the stalls set up by the participants of the book fair.

With 22 participants, the book fair has over 1,400 books available for sale, authored by local writers.