Emdadur Rahman Chowdhury Zia, Sylhet 

Upon seeing the title 'Portrait of North America', one might think of history. Others might consider it an essay; some might think it's a travelogue; others might assume it's a research work. Initially, I thought it was a socio-cultural study. But after reading the book, my assumption proved baseless. I realized it is a biography enriched with all the aforementioned literary genres and adorned with exquisite aesthetics.

This is how Professor Dr. Mohammad Amin of the University of Ottawa, Canada, evaluated the book at its publication event.

On Thursday evening, the publication ceremony of 'Portrait of North America', written by Canada-based writer and journalist Nazrul Minto, was held at Batighar Book Café in the city.

Dr. Amin evaluated the book as a biography enriched with all literary genres and adorned with exquisite aesthetics. However, according to the author, his book is a 'non-fiction narrative'.

According to writer and Rabindra researcher Mihirkanti Chowdhury, the book is 'an echo of a comprehensive immigrant experience'. He opined, "Various chapters of the book highlight the psychological dilemmas of acquiring citizenship abroad, identity crises at the workplace, uncertainties about children's futures, or the sighs of loneliness without relatives—which are not just personal but echo a comprehensive immigrant experience. Yet, amidst all these, it hasn't turned into a lament. Rather, through the author's linguistic experimentation, insight, and innate sense of humor, it has become a balanced reading material."

On Wednesday evening, the publication ceremony  of 'Portrait of North America' turned into a gathering of writers and readers. The book's author, Nazrul Minto, who is also the chief editor of the North America-based magazine Deshe Bideshe, was present at the event. At the beginning of the event, two essays on 'Portrait of North America' were presented by Professor Dr. Mohammad Amin and Rabindra researcher Mihirkanti Chowdhury.

The publication event, conducted by poet and researcher Apurba Sharma, was graced by guests including writer and educationist Dr. Abul Fateh Fattah, poet Kalam Azad, and educationist Professor Bhaskar Ranjan Dash.

In his speech, Professor Bhaskar Ranjan Dash said that Nazrul Minto has been involved in writing and cultural activities since his youth. In the 1980s, he initiated the first music education institution in Fenchuganj. Even amidst his busy expatriate life, he has continued his writing and cultural services.

Poet Kalam Azad said, "Someone once said—'The ignorant have no homeland, and the wise have no foreign land.' Our esteemed poet Dilwar also wrote—'The world is the homeland of those whose companion I am forever.' Reading poet Nazrul Minto's book reminded me of these quotes. A wise person can embrace every country as their own. They can leave their mark of knowledge everywhere. This book bears testimony to that."

Prof  Dr. Abul Fateh Fattah said, "Nazrul Minto exhibits mastery in his writing. His thoughts are also masterful. With this mastery, he has analyzed society in his book 'Portrait of North America'. Moreover, the compassion for indigenous communities, poor children, immigrants, and Bangladesh's war children reflected in various writings reveals his humane and sensitive heart. I learned from this book that he was the first to use the term 'war child' in Bengali to describe children born from the wombs of tortured women during the 1971 war. This undoubtedly deserves commendation."

At the end of the event, the book's author Nazrul Minto expressed gratitude to all present and highlighted various aspects of his writing and journalism career. He also answered various questions from the audience.

The 256-page book contains 66 essays on diverse and varied topics. These include the history of North America, particularly Canada and the USA, their life, livelihood, nature, and culture, stories of the joys and sorrows, hopes and despairs of Canadian immigrants, and narratives of personal experiences abroad. The readable book can be finished in about three hours. It's like experiencing a journey through North America in just three hours.

The book has been published by Avro Publications on Thursday.

The publication event also featured speeches by former president of Sylhet District Press Club Hasina Begum Chowdhury, poet Pulin Roy, rhymester Bidhu Bhushan Bhattacharya, veteran journalist Riaz Uddin Iska, The Country Today's Sylhet bureau chief journalist Emdadur Rahman Chowdhury Zia, writer Habib Ahmad Dutta Chowdhury, poet Dhrubo Gautam, Kashmir Reza, Siraj Uddin Shirul, Masuda Siddika Ruhi, Rowshan Ara Basi, photographer Emran Faisal, among others.