The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rangpur

Speakers at a discussion on Rokeya Day programme at Pairaband village yesterday called for proper implementation of the ideals and philosophy of Begum Rokeya to establish equal rights of women.

They described Begum Rokeya as a great philosopher, human rights activist and pioneer of women renaissance while addressing the discussion meeting on the second day of the three-day official programme on Friday.

The programme, marking the birth and death anniversary of Begum Rokeya, is being organised by district administration under the auspices of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs at Pairaband village under Mithapukur upazila.

Begum Rokeya was born in the village on December 9, 1880 and died on the same date in 1932 in Kolkata after sparking the light of women education, empowerment and renaissance during her 52 years life in the then conservative colonial society.

The birth and death anniversary of the pioneer of women renaissance is being officially observed as Rokeya Day since 1994 here at Begum Rokeya Memorial Girls' High School ground in the village.

Deputy Commissioner Abdul Ahad inaugurated the programme through placing wreaths on the Begum Rokeya Smriti Stambha at Pairaband on December 9 and the observance again resumed today after a two-day gap for Eid-ul-Azha.

People of all ages are joining the elaborate functions with as many as 200 stalls and shops displaying numerous traditional products of local cottage industries in the Rokeya Fair-2008.

Essay competitions on 'Begum Rokeya-Pioneer of Women Education', 'Begum Rokeya in Women Renaissance' and 'Values of Rokeya's Literary Works' were held for students.

Drawing competitions for different age group children and recitation competition on poems of Begum Rokeya were also organised.

Besides, artists of District Shilpakala Academy, Rangpur Nritya Shilpi Sangstha, Paglapeer Shishu Sangeet Bidyalya and Sthaniyo Shilpi Sangathan took part in a colourful cultural show.

Advocate MA Basher Tipu presented the keynote essay titled 'Women Empowerment: Begum Rokeya's Thinking and Present Scenario' in today's discussion meeting that was chaired by UNO of Mithapukur Saiful Islam.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Rangpur Kallol Kumar Chakroborty attended as the chief guest while Principal Prof Sultana Rezia Begum, Advocate Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia and Advocate Rezeka Sultana Fency took part as discussants.

The speakers recalled with great respect the outstanding contribution of Begum Rokeya to the field of women education, establishing women's rights and empowerment of women in the conservative society during the British rule.

They said Begum Rokeya was the first woman in this region to realise that without ensuring light of education and rights of women, a society cannot achieve sustainable development, democracy and civilised status.

The speakers and local elite called for making Pairaband a national and international-level centre with establishing a women's cadet college and a university after the name of Begum Rokeya to pay due homage to the memory of this great woman.