KHULNA, Dec 9, 2019 (BSS) – Begum Rokeya Day-2019 was observed in the
city here today with due respect and a befitting manner.
The Department of Women Affairs and the district administration jointly
chalked out elaborate programmes marking the day.
Later, a discussion on the life and works of Begum Rokeya was held at
the CSS Ava centre conference hall at about 11am with deputy commissioner
(DC) Md Helal Hossain in the chair.
Member of Parliament of Khulna -2 constituency Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel,
MP, attended the meeting as the chief guest while Divisional Commissioner Dr.
Muhammad Anwar Hossain Hawlader attended it as a honourable guest.
Among others, Deputy Director of District Women Affairs Nargis Fatema
Zamin, Deputy Director of Local government Ishrat Jahan, Director of
Archeology Department of Khulna Afroza Mita and Chairman of Jatiya Mahila
Sangstha Hosne Ara Runu spoke on the occasion.
The speakers said Begum Rokeya was born in a restricted elite Muslim
family at Pairabond village under Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur district on
December 9, 1880 and died on the same day in 1932 in Kolkata.
They said Rokeya’s ultimate goal was to educate women, particularly the
Muslim women as she believed that if women are educated, they would able to
make themselves free from superstition and prejudice.
Paying rich tributes to the memories of Rokeya and mentioning her as a
pioneer of women renaissance in the sub-continent, they said she had played a
significant role in establishing the rights of women and eradicating social
prejudice.
Later, the guests distributed prizes under the programme of Jayeeta
Annweshane Bangladesh among seven winners who had prospered in lives through
struggling and facing different adverse situations.
A number of women from all walks of life and journalists attended the
function.