The 106th birth anniversary of late poet Sufia Kamal is being observed across the country on Tuesday.
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 Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages.
President Hamid said, "Her Literary works inspire the new generation with profound patriotism."
He said Sufia Kamal had struggled throughout his 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 106th 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.
The creativity of Sufia Kamal in literature is ever-memorable, the Prime Minister said, adding that her write-ups still inspire the readers.
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.
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`.
Source: BSS