Women of entire world can follow Bangamata’s life: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said not only the Bangladeshi women, but also the women of the entire world can follow the life of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, reports BSS.

"I think, not only the women of our country, but also many women of the world can follow the example of her (Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib) life," she said.

The prime minister said Bangamata was a person who sacrificed everything of her life for the independence of the nation, for the country and its people.

She said this while addressing the opening ceremony of the two-day international conference titled "Bangamata: A Paragon of Women's Leadership and Nation-Building in Bangladesh" at Senate Building Auditorium in Dhaka University as the chief guest.

The premier joined the function virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.

Sheikh Hasina said the decision Bangamata gave about family and politics for the country was very much right - till the end she sacrificed her life.

"My mother sacrificed a lot. She had no demand in her life. She didn't want anything for herself. We didn't hear anything that she wanted for something of her own," the premier said.

Highlighting Bangamata's habit of living a simple life, she said, "Bangamata used to give away everything she had for the party, for the people, for the poor relatives."

At the function, the prime minister also inaugurated Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Centre for Gender and Development Studies established by Dhaka University.

For this initiative, Sheikh Hasina extended her gratitude to the University of Dhaka as a member of this institution. 

She said that she has tried to do everything possible for welfare of the womenfolk.

Mentioning that her mother didn't do her study formally, she said, "Bangamata had agony for not doing formal study and that is why she endeavored to educate us and also emphasised women's education so they could stand up."

Bangla Academy President Selina Hossain made a keynote presentation on Bangamata.

With Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman in the chair, Chairperson of the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Centre for Gender and Development Studies Professor Dr Tania Huq delivered the welcome address.

Pro-Vice Chancellors Professor Dr Muhammad Samad and Professor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, and Treasurer Professor Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed also spoke.