Begum Rokeya Day, marking the birth anniversary of the pioneer of an awakening for women’s rights in the subcontinent, was observed in a befitting manner across the country yesterday.
The Women and Children Affairs Ministry and various socio-cultural and political organisations has marked the day with elaborate programmes.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presented Begum Rokeya Padak-2013 at a function at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city to two erudite women for their outstanding contribution to the spread of female education, ensuring of human rights and immense work for the socio-economic development of rural people.
The recipients are Jharnadhara Chowdhury and Professor Hamida Banu.
On the occasion, teachers and students of Dhaka University brought out a rally on the campus.
DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique inaugurated the rally as the chief guest.
In Rangpur, the three-day celebration of Begum Rokeya Day-2013 began at her birthplace in Pairaband village under Mithapukur upazila yesterday.
Divisional Commissioner Muhammad Dilwar Bakht inaugurated the celebrations by placing floral wreaths at the altar of Begum Rokeya Smriti Stambha in the morning.
Recalling the contribution of Rokeya, the divisional commissioner she was the first woman to realize absolute necessity of ensuring education and rights of womenfolk for their advancement and civilized status.
Special prayers were offered seeking divine blessings for the departed soul of the pioneer of women renaissance in the sub- continent at Pairaband Jam-e-Mosque.
Deputy Commissioner Farid Ahammad, Mithapukur upazila parishad chairman Zakir Hossain Sarker, officials of the divisional district and upazila administrations, teachers, students, civil society members, professionals and elite were present.
Besides, a three-day traditional “Rokeya Fair” is being organised from yesterday and dramas are being staged focusing Rokeya’s dreams, discriminations against womenfolk, women empowerment and rights.
Meanwhile, a discussion and award-giving ceremony was held at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner in Faridpur.
DC Abu Hena Morshed Zaman attended the function as the chief guest while ADM of Faridpur MA Rashid in the chair.
DC Morshed Zaman said Begum Rokeya was an inspiring figure in this sub-continent who contributed much to the struggle to liberate women from the bondage of social malaises. He said that her life could be seen in the context of other social reformers within what was then India.
Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain was born on December 9 in 1880 at Pairaband village in Rangpur. She also passed away on December 9 in 1932.
