Include Pritilata's life in textbooks

Anti-colonial revolutionary Binod Bihari Chowdhury yesterday urged the government to include biography of Pritilata Waddedar and other revolutionaries in textbooks so that the next generation can learn the history of the nation's struggles.
He was addressing a memorial programme, in observance of Pritilata's 80th death anniversary yesterday, styled “Struggle of Pritilata in movement against British colonial rule and present perspective” at Studio Theatre in Chittagong.
Committee to Observe 80th Death Anniversary of Pritilata arranged the programme to commemorate Pritilata, the first woman who embraced martyrdom for the country's freedom from British colonial rule.
“Women are being neglected in our history as our society is patriarchal,” said Binod Bihari. He called upon all progressive and conscious people to create a society free of discriminations and exploitations.
Hossain Kabir, dean of Chittagong University's social science faculty, Anwara Alam, principal of Agrabad Mohila College, among others, spoke at the programme.
To mark the day, discussions and exhibitions based on Pritilata's life were held at Dr Khastagir School, where she studied, and at Aparnachara Balika Uchcha Bidyalay, where Pritilata was the headmistress.
Chittagong University authorities also arranged a discussion in the auditorium of Pritilata Hall.
At the programme, hall provost Dr Mahbubul Hoque announced that from this year they would give Pritilata award to two students based on their performance.
In another programme in the city, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal observed the day by laying wreaths at the Pritilata monument at Pahartali.