Prime Minister’s Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman spoke at Rangpur Divisional Commissioner’s conference room during a view-exchange meeting. Photo : BSS

RANGPUR, Aug 19, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister's Adviser (State Minister) for Policy and Strategy, Information and Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs Ministry Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has said that the life, thoughts and ideals of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam should be spread among children. 
 
He said, "Children should be involved in sports and cultural activities along with their studies." 
 
Dr Zahed said this while speaking as the chief guest at a view-exchange meeting on organising a nationwide cultural competition with the participation of students of educational institutions on the occasion of 'Nazrul Barsho' at the Rangpur Divisional Commissioner's conference room on Wednesday. 
 
He said that children should be informed about Nazrul's life, thoughts and ideals without limiting cultural activities to songs, dances or recitations. 
 
In this regard, he urged the district cultural and education officers to give necessary instructions to educational institutions. 
 
The Prime Minister's Adviser said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman wants children to be involved in sports and cultural activities along with studies and that every child should learn to play at least one musical instrument. 
 
He also informed about the initiative to launch a nationwide book reading programme in collaboration with the Biswa Sahitya Kendra (World Literature Center) for primary and secondary students. 
 
Stressing the need to link cultural activities with profession and economic activities rather than just seeing them as hobbies, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said that Taka 800 crore has been allocated in the budget for creative initiatives. 
 
He stressed the need to organise drama, cultural programmes and independent film exhibitions in Shilpakala Academies throughout the year and to create opportunities for children to visit museums and archaeological sites. 
 
Regarding infrastructure development and cultural activities at the local level, the adviser mentioned that earlier the policy of 'demand before supply' (first supply and then demand) was used, which is not correct. 
 
He said, "First, demand must be created, and then supply must be ensured." 
 
Highlighting the need to verify whether adequate cultural activities are taking place at the upazila level, he wanted to know what kind of work the concerned people are currently doing. 
 
At the beginning of the meeting, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Md Hamidul Haque presented a documentary on the schedule of 
organising a nationwide cultural competition to celebrate 'Nazrul Barsho' along with complete guidelines. 
 
The meeting was presided over by Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam. 
 
The Deputy Commissioners of eight districts of Rangpur division, District Education Officers, District Cultural Officers, representatives of various cultural organisations and journalists were present. 
 
Officials said that on the occasion of Nazrul Barsho (25 May 2026-25 May 2027), the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has organised a cultural competition for the participation of students of primary, technical and secondary schools across the country. 
 
The competition will be held from September 1 to October 12, 2026. 
 
Students of private and kindergarten schools will also be able to participate in it. 
 
The final competition of the winners of the divisional level will be held at the national level.