Today's women owe it to Nurjahan Begum

She had been working in media for three years, but always shied away from revealing that she is the granddaughter of pioneering woman journalist Nurjahan Begum. Priota Iftekhar, a model and actress, thought she was not yet worthy enough to expose it.

The first time she spoke of this identity was through the documentary film, “Nurjahan Begum -- Itihaaser Kingbadanti Nari” (Nurjahan Begum -- Legendary Woman in History). Made by Priota, it was screened Saturday at the Bashundhara City's Star Cineplex.

“I will further improve this documentary and screen it worldwide…grandma said there was no time for women to look back,” Priota said, aloud.

“My grandma is a hero for me. She would always say 'you have to go forward'.

To me, she is still alive. A woman like her can't die.”

That was the tone of the memorial meeting jointly organised by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad at Bangla Academy. Nurjahan Begum died on May 23 at age 91.

Editor of the Begum magazine, Nurjahan had created a space for women writers and journalists in the country's first illustrated Bangla magazine for women, by breaking the shackles of strictly conservative Bangalee Muslim society of the 1940s.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad President Ayesha Khanam said the progressive role of women in every sphere of life today was not achieved in a day; it happened because of the role of visionaries like Nurjahan, who worked in silence to transform society.

She said today there were hundreds of women journalists, and surely many of them were inspired by the courageous leap Nurjahan had taken.

Women's leader Dr Maleka Begum said Nurjahan Begum would live on in her works. She was a journalist, women's movement organiser, and women of all professions and geographical areas found place in her magazine.

The visibility of women in today's society is the contribution of women like Nurjahan Begum, Begum Rokyea and Begum Sufia Kamal, she added.

“I am sure the new generations will remember and present those who raised the combined voice of the women for centuries.”

Finance Minister AMA Muhith said the most important task to respect the memory of Nurjahan Begum would be to continue the magazine, Begum.

Nurjahan's daughter Flora Nasreen Khan, acting editor of Begum, sought cooperation from all to continue the magazine.

“I would take the magazine to a greater height…to tell the successes and sorrows of the women in cities and villages,” she said.

Dhaka University's Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman thinks alike, but also expressed disappointment, saying Bangladesh was facing unexpected realities.

“Whenever we speak of progressiveness, there are some people who oppose it,” he said, but called for united efforts against it.

“This society would not progress if we cannot resist such ill efforts.”

Bangla Academy Director General Shamsuzzaman Khan and poets Sanaul Haque Khan and Selina Khaleque also spoke.