Begum Rokeya Day is being observed countrywide on Thursday (December 9) to pay homage to Begum Rokeya Sakhawat, a social reformer of women’ rights and education in the subcontinent.
The momentous day is the 141st birth and 89th death anniversary of Begum Rokeya, a Muslim woman who fought against all the prevailing superstitions and injustice.
The government, socio-cultural and women’s organizations have chalked up programs to observe Rokeya Day-2021.
Different government, socio-cultural and political organisations have taken elaborate programmes such as prayer sessions, placing wreaths at her portrait and sculpture, discussions and seminars to mark the day.
On the occasion, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs will organise a function at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the morning to distribute the Rokeya Padak-2021. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the programme virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban as the chief guest with State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatunnesa Indira in the chair.
Besides, five distinguished female personalities have received the prestigious Begum Rokeya Padak 2021 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to women empowerment and progress.
The recipients are Prof Hasina Zakaria Bela, Archana Biswas, Shamsunnahar Rahman Paran (posthumous), Dr Zinat Huda and Dr Saria Sultana.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages, paying rich tributes to Begum Rokeya.
Begum Rokeya was a lifelong fighter against all kinds of gender inequalities. She was born at Pairaband of Mithapukur in Rangpur on December 9 in 1880 and died on December 9 in 1932 in Kolkata.
She established the first school for Muslim girls in the then 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 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.
BDST: 1232 HRS, DEC 09, 2021
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