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BSS-13
SUFIA-BIRTH-ANNIVERSARY-LEAD
107th birth anniversary of poet Sufia Kamal tomorrow
DHAKA, June 19, 2018 (BSS)- The 107th birth anniversary of late poet Sufia
Kamal will be observed across the country tomorrow.
A pioneer in movement for women emancipation, Sufia Kamal was born on June
20, 1911 in Shayestabad Nawab family in Barisal. Her father was Syed Abdul
Bari and mother Nawabjadi Syeda Sabera Khatun.
On the occasion, President Abdul M Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
have issued separate messages.
The President said, “Sufia Kamal had struggled throughout her life for the
emancipation of women from prejudice.”
She had active role in all progressive movements in the country, Hamid
said, adding that her struggle was for establishing a society with equal
rights of men and women.
He prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of the poet.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said, “I convey my profound
respect to the memory of Begum Sufia Kamal, one of the pioneers of
progressive, democratic and women emancipation movements in Bangladesh, on
the occasion of her 107th birth anniversary.”
The Prime Minister said Sufia Kamal was the image of a traditional Bengali
woman and an affectionate mother. On the other hand, she played an
uncompromising role in every movement in Bangladesh, she added.
The thoughts of Begum Rokeya had a far-reaching impact on the life of Sufia
Kamal, Sheikh Hasina said and recalled her role in the movement against
banning Tagore songs by Pakistan government in 1961, language movement in
1952, non-cooperation movement and the Liberation War in 1971 and all
democratic and cultural movements in the country.
She said Sufia Kamal’s role inspired the pro-liberation forces when the
distortion of history began in the country after the assassination of the
greatest Bangalee of all times, Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman in 1975.
She also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Begum Sufia
Kamal.
Different social and cultural organisations have taken various programmes
marking the anniversary.
“We would organize different programmes on June 27 to mark the birth
anniversary,” central leader of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad told BSS. Three
women will be honoured for their vital role against violence on women.
Begum Sufia Kamal died in Dhaka on November 20 in 1999. She was buried at
Azimpur Graveyard with full state honour. Her remarkable works are ‘Sanjher
Maya, ‘Maya Kajal’, ‘Mon O Jibon’, ‘Shanti O Pranthana,’ ‘Udatto Brithibi’
and ‘Diwan’.
BSS/DH/SSS/1650 hrs