The director of Granthakendra, Afsana Begum, has announced her resignation

The Interim Government has officially relieved Afsana Begum from her position as Director of the National Library of Bangladesh (জাতীয় গ্রন্থকেন্দ্র). The announcement was made through a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Tuesday, 20 January. The notice stated that Begum’s remaining contractual tenure, initially appointed on 5 September 2024, has been terminated.

At the time of the gazette’s issuance, Afsana Begum was attending a four-day training workshop outside Dhaka. Speaking to the press on Wednesday morning, she said, “I had come here with 25 colleagues for a training programme. Three of the four days have already passed. Yesterday night around 9:30 pm, a colleague informed me that the government had cancelled my appointment. I am now returning to Dhaka.”

Begum further revealed that she had received no prior warning regarding her dismissal. “No show-cause notice was issued to me. The government has the authority to terminate appointments at any time, which it has exercised. There is nothing more for me to say now,” she added. She also highlighted that much of her planned work remains unfinished, explaining, “I had been progressing according to a two-year work plan, but now I must leave several projects incomplete.”

Speculation on social media suggests that HM Sakhawat Ullah, popularly known as the poet Sakhawat Tipu, is likely to succeed Begum as Director. However, Tipu clarified to the media on Wednesday morning that he has yet to receive any official notification regarding the appointment.

Afsana Begum holds both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from Jahangirnagar University and a master’s degree in International Development Management from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom. She has made significant contributions to children’s and young adult literature, having authored 24 books. Her work also includes translations of renowned international authors such as Nadine Gordimer, William Faulkner, Julio Cortázar, Alice Munro, Isaac Asimov, and Fidel Castro.

Below is a brief overview of Afsana Begum’s education and literary contributions:

Begum’s sudden dismissal has reportedly caused surprise among government officials. Her dedication to children’s literature and literary translation has been widely recognised, making her departure a notable development in the country’s cultural and literary sphere.