Healthy mothers are able to raise a healthy nation, as they are the role models for their children – especially during their formative years, Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said on Sunday.
“Mothers are the only refuge children know; mothers protect their children from or drive away their pains, sorrows and distress,” the speaker of parliament said at a function, marking Mother’s Day, held at the Raowa Convention Centre in the city.
The Universal Medical College and Hospital (UMCH) organized the function, titled “Gorbini Maa (Proud Mothers),” to recognize 10 women for their remarkable achievements as mothers – influencing the success of their children.
Along with Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Aitqul Islam, the speaker, who was the chief guest at the event, handed the crests to the 10 recipients.
They are: Monwara Begum, mother of State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Md Murad Hasan; Ujala Begum, mother of singer and lawmaker Mamtaz Begum; Zaheda Khatun, mother of Deputy Inspector General of Highway Police Md Atiqul Islam; Asia Rahman, mother of Dhaka University’s microbiology department chair Prof Sabita Rezwana Rahman; Amena Khatun, mother of Executive Magistrate Md Sarawar Alam; Apel Rani Saha, mother of ATN News Chief Executive Officer Munni Saha; Mariam Begum, mother of actor Sadiqa Parvin Poppy; Anjuman Ara, mother of TV actor Afran Nisho; Qazi Mahfuza Begum, mother of pilot Captain Mohammad Zakaria; and Sima Sarker, mother of Dhaka University meritorious student Hridoy Sarker.
Addressing the program, Shirin Sharmin said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a prime example of a successful mother, and similar to her remarkable achievement as a mother, she is leading the country in its journey towards development.
The House speaker further said, the prime minister had undertaken several significant initiatives for the welfare of mothers, including maternity allowance, allowance for lactating mothers, six-month maternity leave for working mothers, inclusion of mother’s name along with father’s in passports, and several other facilities for working mothers.
She urged all to be supportive towards mothers.
Chaired by UMCH Chairman and FBCCI Director Prity Chakrabarty, the program was also addressed by the hospital’s managing director, and chief initiator of Gorbini Ma award, Ashish Kumar Chakrabarty, and Nagarik Television CEO Dr Abdun Noor Tushar.
