PM Vows To Uphold Secular Spirit Of Nazrul

Urging everybody to sink ill differences and to devote to building an exploitation-free and secular "Sonar Bangla", she said poet Nazrul will be an "immense inspiration for us in this way".

The Prime Minister was inaugurating the national programme marking the 116th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at the Town Hall ground here.

Sheikh Hasina said her government is striving to build an enlightened society free from all sorts of exploitation and deprivation as dreamt by the Father of the Nation and the national poet.

"Father of the Nation fought throughout his whole life to build an exploitation-free secular Bangladesh. Nazrul Islam also worshipped the same ideology," the Prime Minister said and added that Bangabandhu picked "Joy Bangla" slogan from a poem of Nazrul.
The thunderous voice of the Father of the Nation and the inspiring songs of Nazrul imbued the nation for freedom, she said.

Paying rich tributes to Nazrul, the Prime Minister said the national programme on the occasion of 116th birth anniversary of Nazrul is being observed in Comilla, which carries many memories of the poet. It's a matter of pride and joy for the people of Comilla, she said.

Minister for Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor presided over the function held under the auspices of Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

Minister for Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Haque, Planning Minister ANH Mostafa Kamal and Railway Minister Mujibul Haque and Chairman of Nazrul Institute Professor Emeritus Rafiqul Islam and local parliament member AKM Bahauddin Bahar attended the function as special guests.

Professor Santonu Kaiser delivered a memorial speech on the occasion while acting secretary of the ministry of cultural affairs Begum Akhtari Momtaj delivered the welcome address and Deputy Commissioner Hasanuzzaman Kollol gave the vote of thanks.

Sheikh Hasina said Poet Nazrul is the name of an immortal talent of Bengali literature. Nazrul has immense contribution to the evolution of Bangla language and literature, she said.

The Prime Minister said though Nazrul was born in the Indian state of West Bengal, he collected numerous materials from the soil and people of this land for his literary works. The poet had a very deep affinity and relation with the soil and people of Bangladesh, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Comilla had a very special place in the life of Nazrul as he passed a very significant time of his life in Comilla. Nazrul first arrived in Comilla in April 1921 and thereafter he visited Comilla five times within the next three years and lived there for about a year.

The most important fact is that Nazrul married Ashalata Sengupta Promila, a daughter of Comilla. Another girl Nargis, whom Nazrul loved first, was from Comilla, the Prime Minister said.

Sheikh Hasina said Nazrul had created many of his poetic works including composition of Dolanchapa, Agnibina, Chhayanaut, Jhingephul and Puber Hawa in Comilla.

"Comilla gave him the touch of warmth and for this reason he could blow "Agnibina" from Comilla," she said adding that police arrested him from Comilla for his poem "Anandamoyeer Agomon".

Sheikh Hasina said Poet Nazrul was born during a very unstable period at the time of subjugation. The shackles of suppression stirred him, and at the same time he was vocal against religious and social superstitions, discrimination towards the womenfolk, and exploitation.

For this reason, the Prime Minister said, Nazrul called for gender equality and focused on the agonies of the downtrodden, peasants and working class people as well as against the supremacy of powerful people over the weak section of the society.

The Prime Minister said the writings of Nazrul inspired the Bengali nation to be imbued with self-strength against colonialism, communalism and subjugation. He was a frontrunner in the struggle for freedom of India. His poems and songs inspired Bangalee nation to the War of Liberation and infused strength into them.

Sheikh Hasina said Nazrul was born to a very ordinary family and was brought up amidst a very harsh reality of life and poverty. For maintaining his livelihood, Nazrul had to toil from his childhood. But he didn't break down even during the difficult period of struggle. Rather he made himself a real human being and inspired others to be real.

The Prime Minister said the British rulers threw Nazrul into prison as he raised his voice for freedom of the people. On the other hand, the religious fanatics branded him as "kafir" as he unveiled the mask of the religious hypocrites, she said.

Terming Nazrul as the poet of humanity and equality, the Prime Minister said: "Nazrul has placed mankind above everything, and communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims was the essence of his writings."

Sheikh Hasina said Nazrul is called a revolutionary poet. At the same time he was a poet of love which was not limited between man and woman but also was linked with the country, soil and countrymen. Because of his human values, Nazrul could be the best composer of Shyama Sangeet in Bangla as well as introducer of Islamic songs in Bangla, she said.

Pointing out the link of Nazrul with our everyday national and personal life, the Prime Minister said because of this closeness with the people of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu in the first cabinet meeting of independent Bangladesh on January 13, 1972 selected "Chal Chal Chal", a masterpiece of the rebel poet, as the military music of the country.

After some days, he talked to the family members of the poet to bring him to Dhaka. Accordingly, the poet along with his family was brought to Dhaka on May 24, 1972 giving him recognition as the National Poet.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu often visited Kobi Bhaban at Dhanmondi Road No 28 which was allocated for the poet to reside. Bangabandhu used to spend time with the poet and enquire about his health. Dhaka University conferred DLitt degree upon him on December 9, 1974.

The Prime Minister said, "It's our duty to show respect to the national poet. The Awami League, whenever came to power, has taken various steps to preserve the memories of Nazrul and promote practice of the literary works of Nazrul."

She said the Awami League government during its 1996-2001 tenure first chalked out a two-year programme to celebrate the birth anniversary of Nazrul at national level.

At that time, she said, libraries, auditorium and guest house were constructed at Trishal and Darirampur in Mymensingh.

Nazrul Institute was established in Comilla to create scope for practice and research on literary works of Nazrul, she said, adding concerned ministries and local administration were asked to preserve the places rich with the memories of the poet.

Sheikh Hasina said Nazrul Institute in Dhaka has been renovated while auditorium of the institute modernized. Steps were taken for making album and CD of the songs of Nazrul and their publicity. Teachers are being trained up for promotion of the songs of Nazrul correctly, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said some songs of Nazrul were translated into English, French, Latin, China, Hindi, German and Spanish languages. However, she laid importance on translating the literary works of Nazrul into other major languages, saying the government is ready to extend all support in this regard.

Sheikh Hasina urged all to remain united against the evil force, saying the struggle of the people of Bangladesh would continue until the nation gets rid off the evil force. Sheikh Hasina reiterated her commitment to constitute Comilla division as soon as possible.

Earlier the Prime Minister inaugurated ten development projects and laid foundation of nine projects in Comilla.

The inaugurated projects include Moinamoti Medical College, two bridges on Kathalia and Pararbandh rivers, hostel for the blind and waste treatment plant in Comilla EPZ.

The new projects include a railway overpass in Comilla town, Fire Service and Civil Defence Station of Burichang, renovation and development of the house of eminent singer and musician Shachin Dev Barman, new building of Bangabandhu Law College and a technical school at Payalgachha in Barura.

Later, the Prime Minister enjoyed a brief cultural programme arranged on the occasion.