The nation will pay tributes to Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain today
marking the 133nd anniversary of her birth and the 81th anniversary her
the death today.
The government and socio-cultural and women’s organisations have chalked
up programmes to observe Rokeya Day 2013 in a befitting manner.
Begum Rokeya, a fighter for gender equality, was born at Pairaband of
Mithapukur in Rangpur on December 9, 1880. She died on December 9, 1932
in Kolkata.
She established the first school for Muslim girls in the undivided
Bengal in the early 20th century, which is now situated on Lord Sinha
Road in Kolkata.
A prolific writer and essayist, Rokeya made a remarkable contribution to
the Bangla literature. Her major works include Matichur, Padmarag,
Abarodhbasini and Sultana’s Dream.
She also founded the Anjuman-e-Khawateen-e-Islam (Islamic Women’s
Association), which campaigned for raising the status and education of
women.
The president, Abdul Hamid, and the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, issued messages on the eve of the day.
Newspapers will publish special supplements on the occasion.
The Bangla Academy will hold lecture by the academy’s fellow Ghulam
Mursid on ‘Begum Rokeya: first feminist’ at the Kabi Shamsur Rahman
Seminar Hall of the academy at 4:00pm.
In Rangpur, the district administration has chalked up a three-day
programme marking the occasion, beginning today, in her birthplace by
placing wreaths at Begum Rokeya Smriti Stambha at 11:00am.
The first day’s programmes include a prayer session, an open discussion
on ‘Child Marriage and Women Empowerment,’ blood donation and blood
group test camp, launch of three-day traditional Rokeya Fair followed by
cultural programmes.
A drawing competitions for the children, recitation of the poem ‘Chand’
written by Begum Rokeya, an essay writing competition on the ‘Philosophy
of Begum Rokeya and her working life’ for the school students, and
cultural programmes will be held on December 10.
An award ceremony will be held on the concluding day on December 11 in the evening to be followed by cultural programmes. (source)