Begum Rokeya Day today

Begum Rokeya Day will be observed countrywide today to pay tribute to Begum Rokeya Sakhawat, a social reformer and pioneer of women's education.

The momentous day marks the 141st birth and 89th death anniversaries of Begum Rokeya.

Various organisations have chalked out numerous events to observe the day.

The main event will be marked by the Begum Rokeya Award giving ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, reports BSS.

The awardees are -- Prof Hasina Zakaria Bela for contributing to women's education, Archana Biswas for establishing women's

rights, Shamsunnahar Rahman Paran (posthumous) for socio-economic development of women, Dr Zinat Huda for literature and culture, and Dr Saria Sultana for rural development.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the programme virtually from her Gono Bhaban official residence as the chief guest with State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira in the chair, said a press release on Tuesday.

Besides, Begum Rokeya Deepshikha Parishad has arranged an event at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka University at 7:00pm today.

Meanwhile, Rangpur district administration, Begum Rokeya University, and several socio-cultural and women organisations will also hold programmes.

The Rangpur district administration has organised a programme to observe Rokeya Day at her birthplace in Pairaband village.

Begum Rokeya, who was a fierce champion of gender equality, was born at Pairaband village in Mithapukur upazila, Rangpur on December 9, 1880 and died on the same day in 1932 in Kolkata.

The birth and death anniversaries of Begum Rokeya are being officially observed as Rokeya Day since 1994.