ZCZC
BSS-20
CANDLE-LIGHT-RAKHI
Candlelight vigil to pay homage to Rakhi Das this evening
DHAKA, April 09, 2020 (BSS)- Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) leaders and
workers will observe a candlelight vigil this evening staying at their
respective homes to pay homage to memories of valiant freedom fighter Rakhi
Das Purkayastha, joint general secretary of BMP.
A two-minute silence will also be observed at 7:00pm simultaneously across
the country by members of central body and district units of the leading
organization working for woman rights, a BMA spokesperson told BSS.
Purkayastha died of liver cirrhosis on Monday at Apollo Hospitals in
Guwahati, capital of Indian state of Assam, at the age of 68.
Her body was cremated at a Guwahati crematorium at 12 noon (Bangladesh
Time) on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad announced a three-day mourning at
her death.
Purkayastha is survived by her husband, relatives and a host of well-
wishers and admirers. Veteran politician Pankaj Bhattacharya is her husband.
Purkayastha, a valiant freedom fighter, had played active role in different
democratic and progressive movements of the country.
She joined Bangladesh Mahila Parishad in 1976 and served different
positions, including Dhaka city unit’s general secretary and central
committee organizing secretary.
She served as Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Joint
Secretary and joined legal profession after her retirement from the
corporation.
During her student life, she was involved with Bangladesh Chhatra Union.
She was elected vice-president (VP) of Eden College Students’ Union for three
consecutive terms and later she was also elected VP of Shamsun Nahar Hall
Students Union of Dhaka University.
BSS/MKD/KU/1830 HRS