Rabindra Bishwabidyalaya, an institution named after the Nobel Laureate Bangalee poet Bishwakobi Rabindranath Tagore, has begun its journey with the laying of its foundation stone by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday.
The PM laid the foundation stone at a function organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs at the Shahjadpur Pilot High School grounds in Sirajganj on the occasion of the 154th birth anniversary of Bishwakobi Rabindranath Tagore.
"It's a very delightful day for the people of Shahjadpur as the Rabindra Bishwabidyalaya is being constructed in this area, which is blessed with the memories of Rabindranath," she said.
The university would fulfill the long cherished demand of the Sirajganj locals to have an institution in the district for higher learning, she said, hoping that the university would play a significant role in the expansion of higher education in the region.
The Rabindra Bishwabidyalaya will be a public university and provide education on literature, music, drama, dance, fine arts, social science, agriculture, cooperatives, zoology and technological studies side by side with conducting research and practice on Rabindranath, the PM said.
Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University Anisuzzaman delivered a memorial speech on "Sabhyatar Sangkat O Rabindranath (Crisis of Civilisation and Rabindranath)" on the occasion, chaired by Minister for Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor.
Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, PM's advisor on political affairs HT Imam and local parliament member Hasibur Rahman Swapan attended the function as special guests.
Secretary of Ministry of Cultural Affairs Akhtari Momtaz and Deputy Commissioner of Sirajganj Billal Hossain also made speeches.