Bangladesh Mahila Parishad organised a memorial lecture titled 'Sufia Kamal and democratic movement' at the Biam auditorium in the city to mark the day.

Parishad President Hena Das said, "We want to establish a non-communal, humanitarian society free from discrimination and deprivation. To achieve the goal, we must seek inspiration from poet Sufia Kamal as she taught us how to fight."

"We are now passing a very crucial period and we have to move forward courageously," she added.

Delivering the memorial lecture, noted litterateur Hasan Azizul Haque said poet Sufia Kamal was always at the forefront of many democratic movements, although she was not a political activist.

Committed and spirited, she extended her helping hand to the nation during the critical periods, he said, adding that the poet always said that politics, economics, social science and culture are all for the welfare of people.

Parishad General Secretary Ayesha Khanam said the nation now needs a person like Sufia Kamal who played an important role in every democratic movement.

At the programme, the Parishad announced the name of the winner of newly instituted Sufia Kamal Honorary Award. Noted educationist Prof Golam Murshid won the award this year for his research work.

Later, a cultural programme was also held.