GAIBANDHA, Dec 9, 2023 (BSS) - The Begum Rokeya Day-2023 was observed in the district today in a befitting manner.

Marking the day, district administration and Department of Women Affairs jointly chalked out the elaborate programmes.

In the morning, a grand rally was brought out led by Deputy Commissioner(DC) Kazi Nahid Rasul from Independence Square and ended in front of Zilla Shilpakala Academy after parading the main roads of the town.

Later, a discussion on the life of Begum Rokeya was held at the auditorium of the Shilpakala Academy with additional deputy commissioner (development) Sushanta Kumar Mahato in the chair.

The DC addressed the meeting as the chief guest and additional police super Abdullah AL-Mamun spoke at the event as the special guest.

The function was also addressed, among others, by executive engineer of Education Engineering Department Md. Belal Hossain, district representative of BRAC Mosarrof Hossain and senior program manager of Gana Unnayan Kendra Joya Prosad.

Earlier, deputy director of department of Women Affairs here Nargis Jahan delivered an introductory speech and welcomed all in the function.

The speakers said Begum Rokeya was born in a restricted elite Muslim family at Parabond village under Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur district on December 09 in 1880 and died on the same date in 1932 in Kolkata.

Begum Rokeya reawakened the womenfolk through her writings and strongly spoke for the economic freedom and right to education of the Muslim women, they also said.

Rokeya's ultimate goal was to educate women particularly the Muslim women in her country and here only dream was that when the Muslim women would be educated and able to lift themselves from the mire of superstitions, prejudices, they added.

Paying rich tributes to the memories of Begum Rokeya and mentioning her as the pioneer of women renaissance in the sub-continent, DC Kazi Nahid Rasul said Rokeya had played a significant role in establishing the rights of women and eradicating social prejudices.

Begum Rokey also showed the women the enlightened path of freedom breaking the social restrictions, the DC added.

Later, the guests, in different categories, distributed prizes under the programme of Jayeeta Annweshane Bangladesh to the 10 winner women who had prospered and succeeded in lives through struggling and facing different adverse situation.

A large number of women from all walks of life, and district and upazila level officials including journalists of print and electronic media attended the function.