Nilima Ibrahim's 10th death anniversary observed
Yesterday marked the 10th death anniversary of educationist, litterateur, cultural and social activist Dr. Nilima Ibrahim. She is well known for her outstanding research on Bangla literature but even more so for her depiction of raped and tortured women of the Liberation War in her book “Ami Birangona Bolchhi”.
A pioneer of women's rights and the progressive cultural movement in the country, Dr. Ibrahim was the founder president of Bangladesh Mohila Samity.
On the occasion of her death anniversary, Bangladesh Mohila Samity held special prayers at her grave at the Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard in the city. Social and cultural organisations also arranged meetings and discussions to mark the day.
Dr. Nilima Ibrahim was born in 1921, in Mulghar village of
Bagerhat district. She received her BABT from Scottish Church College, Kolkata. In 1943, she passed MA in Bangla with a first class from the University of Calcutta. She was the first woman to be awarded the Biharilal Mitra Scholarship in 1945. After completing her MA, Nilima taught at Loreto House and Victoria Institution, Kolkata. In December 1945, she married Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim, a captain in the Indian Army Medical Corps, and moved to Dhaka.
In 1957, Nilima joined the Department of Bangla and Sanskrit at the University of Dhaka. In 1959, she received her PhD from the university. She was chairperson of the Department of Bangla (1971-75), Honorary Director General of Bangla Academy (1974-75), and Provost of Rokeya Hall, Dhaka University (1971-77).
Nilima was associated with various intellectual bodies and national and international organisations. She was a fellow of Bangla Academy and life member of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Itihash Samiti, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and Bangladesh Family Planning Society.
Her notable literary works are “Sharat-Pratibha”, “Banglar Kabi
Madhusudan”, “Unabingsha Shatabdir Bangali Samaj o Bangla Natak”, “Bangla Natak: Utsa O Dhara”, “Begum Rokeya” and “Sahitya-Sangskrtir
Nana Prasanga”, among others. She also wrote a number of novels, plays, travelogues and short stories.
For her social work and contribution to literature, Nilima was honoured with various awards -- Bangla Academy Award, Jai Bangla Award, Michael Madhusudan Award, Lekhika Sangha Award, Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury Memorial Award, Ananya Literary Award, Begum Rokeya
Medal, Bangabandhu Award, Sher-e-Bangla Award, Theatre Award and
Ekushey Padak.
Dr. Nilima Ibrahim died on June 18, 2002.
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