main building. Structure The functions and structure of the institute was devised on the model of the French Academy. Divisions Research, compilation and folklore Language, literature, culture and publication Textbook Planning and training Activities The main task of the academy is to conduct research on Bengali language, culture, and history, and to publish Bengali literary and research work. To commemorate the Language movement and the Language martyr's day, the academy organizes the month-long Ekushey Book Fair, the largest book fair in the country. It was introduced by former director general Monzur-I-Mowla. Criticism In recent years, Bangla Academy has been widely criticized for allowing different organizations to arrange events in English and denigrating Bengali in the premise of Bangla Academy, which is a violation of visions of the institution. "The Academy has misused a lot of funds in producing useless books, books that are unoriginal," opines Salimullah Khan. Khan is of the opinion that the academy is short on original publications long on dross. He believes that both in research and in the field of creative writing, originality must be given priority. He also adds that most of the problems lie in the process of selection. The selection process the crucial decision to ditch one manuscript to pick another that will be added to the long list of academy publications, is faulty and in dire need of revision. Awards given by Bangla Academy Bangla Academy Literary Award Rabindra Award This award is conferred for significant contributions to Rabindranath Tagore works. 2010 – Kalim Sharafi and Sanjida Khatun 2011 – Ahmed Rafiq and Ajit Roy 2012 – Anisur Rahman, Fahmida Khatun and Iffat Ara Dewan 2013 – Karunamaya Goswami and Papia Sarwar 2014 – Manzoore Mawla and Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya 2015 – Sanat Kumar Saha and Sadi Mohammad 2016 – Syed Akram Hossain and Tapan Mahmud 2017 – Hayat Mamud and Mita Haque Mazharul Islam Poetry Award This award is conferred to the Bangladeshi poets since 2010. Presidents List of Honorary Fellows As of 2022, there are 193 persons made Honorary Fellows by the academy. References 1955 establishments in East Pakistan Learned societies of Bangladesh Cultural organisations based in Bangladesh Bengali language Bengali literary institutions Education in Bangladesh Cultural promotion organizations Recipients of the Independence Day Award