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Development of the
Bangladesh Bible Society
The history of the Bible Society of undivided Bengal started in
the year 1801 through the untiring efforts of Dr. William Carey.
The Old and New Testaments of the Bible were translated and
revised with the initiative of various missionary institutions
up to 1909. The Bible Society of Calcutta was formed in 1911.
The East Pakistan Bible Society was formed in 1953 and was
managed by the Pakistan Bible Society located in Lahore. In
1966, the East Pakistan Bible Society because directly
affiliated with the UBS and started functioning independently.
In the year 1971, after the liberation war, the East Pakistan
Bible Society emerged as the Bangladesh Bible Society.
In 1979 and 1981 the New Testament Was translated into a common
Bangla that was easy to understand. The Injil Sharif version was
translated in a language and style consistent with that used by
the majority community. These two editions became so popular
that Bible sales increased remarkably. In subsequent years, the
New Testament was translated into a number of tribal languages
like Chakma, Bawm, and Tipra. Starting in 1958, audio cassettes
were produced with portions from the scriptures for people those
who do not know how to read or write. Two audiocassettes series
named "Sukhobor" (Good News) and "Muktir Path" (Way of
Salvation) are being recorded for audiences, which are 75%
illiterate. Through the sales and distribution of these
cassettes, individuals and churches are blessed as the Word of
God reaches out to those who lack the ability to read Scriptures
for themselves.
Currently the Bangladesh Bible Society employs 17 office workers
to provide services from the main office in Dhaka and a team of
18 distribution workers to reach the far corners of the country.
The Society has 537 regular members and 407 life members. The
Execute Committee is comprised of 8 representatives of church
denominations, 8 elected members, and 2 co-opted members. Board
members can be elected for two terms (or four consecutive years)
but must retire for a term before further re-election.
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