The life struggle, ideologies and legacy of poet Begum Sufia Kamal are timeless and would remain a source of inspiration for the new generation in every struggle, said speakers at a programme yesterday.

A torchbearer of justice and equality, Sufia, who is regarded as Janani Shahashika (the courageous mother), had worked all her life for people's emancipation, enlightened the society with her rebellious spirit and influenced the positive transformation of the status of women and the society as well.

And everything that she had worked for has become more significant now when the country is facing serious problems, they added.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) organised the programme that include a memorial speech and award ceremony at Bangla Academy on the occasion of the poet's 105th birth anniversary yesterday.

BMP gave its annual Sufia Kamal Honorary Award to noted writer, essayist and researcher Prof Hasan Azizul Haque.

"When we remember Sufia Kamal, we do not only understand her poetry, political activities or her struggle against women's suppression. We go back to her creativity. She had a firm conviction for humanity," said Dr Nasim Akhter Hossain, in the memorial speech.

In her speech on "Begum Sufia Kamal and women's movement in twenty-first century", the professor of government and politics department of Jahangirnagar University gave a brief life history of the luminous figure, her various movements and contribution to the society.

For six decades, Sufia Kamal worked for people's emancipation, she said.

"She was the epitome of the country's democratic movement. She showed how to stand firm peacefully against the autocrat.

She proved that people are the source of power," Prof Nasim said.

“She was firm in her goal to change the society and gave a solid leadership. Yet her presence was gracious and warm," she said.

Receiving the award, Prof Hasan Azizul Haque said this honour was rare to him.

 "We have to ensure equal dignity and rights to them. But it is difficult to do so in our country,” he said. He urged all to work hard to end the discrimination. He said there has been a progress in the education in the last 25 to 30 years with so many students getting GPA-5 every year. "But where are these GPA-5 holders going?" he said.

When it comes to the university education, the scenario is appalling, he said, adding the number of students who are completing graduation are extremely poor compared to the number of students admitted to class-I. "And what are the graduates doing," he asked.

Ayesha Khanam, president of BMP, said, "Sufia Kamal is our courage, strength and inspiration. We remember her because of our need not hers."

Sufia, also the founding president of BMP, did not only belong to past, she is our present and will remain in future, said Ayesha, urging all to follow her principles and work together.

Sultana Kamal and Syeda Kamal, daughters of Sufia Kamal, were also present at the programme.