Contribution of Bangamata recalled

President Zillur Rahman yesterday laid emphasis on highlighting before the new generation the contribution of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib to the independence struggle as wife of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
"She played a crucial role in resolving many political and national crises . . . she was a hard working, perseverant and intelligent woman," said the president while a delegation of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Parishad led by its President Dr Abdul Mannan Chowdhury called on him in Bangabhaban in the city.
Zillur, a close associate of Bangabandhu and his family, said Begum Fazilatunnesa also played a vital role in the country's political arena with her constructive advice to Bangabandhu throughout his political life, especially during the long 14 years of imprisonment of her celebrated husband.
He particularly recalled that during Bangabandhu's imprisonment in Agartala conspiracy case, he refused to join on parole the roundtable conference, convened by the then Pakistan president Ayub Khan in line with her advice of Begum Fazilatunnesa.
"As a result the then government was forced to free 32 detainees including Bangabandhu," he said, adding that there were many such instances which still remained unknown to people of the country and expected the parishad to take steps to let the
new generation know more about the great woman.
The delegation, including adviser of the parishad Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun, apprised the president of their regular activities and sought his cooperation in the ongoing research work on life and works of Bangamata.
The members of the delegation also invited the president to attend the birth anniversary function of Bangamata on August 8 at Osmani memorial auditorium.
The president gave his consent to join the programme and assured his all out support to further development of the parishad.
Other members of the deligation Advocate SM Rezaul Karim, Abdus Salam Mridha, Advocate Yadia Zaman, Advoate Nasir Uddin and Advocate Al-Ahsan Lashkar were present during the meeting.