3 univ students receive awards
Gyantapash Abdur Razzaq Foundation -- an organisation promoting thoughts and ideals of educator Abdur Razzaq -- yesterday conferred awards on three winners of an essay competition.
Dr Ahrar Ahmad, director general of the foundation; M Syeduzzman, a trustee of the foundation; and Prof Dr Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque of Bangla department at Dhaka University handed over the awards for the competition themed "Spirit of Nationalism: Challenges and Prospects in Bangladesh's Context".
The first prize winner, Soumic Das Soummo, a student of electrical & electronics engineering at Dhaka University, received Tk 20,000; the second prize winner, Minhaj Aman of English department of Jahangirnagar University, received Tk 15,000; and the third prize winner, Johir Uddin of Law department of Dhaka University, received Tk 10,000.
Aside from cash awards, all the three winners -- selected from a total of 70 participants -- were also given certificates. The submission of essays for the competition started in November last year.
A discussion was organised on the occasion of distributing the awards in an auditorium at the National Museum in the city.
"I feel great. It is inspiring," said Soumic Das after receiving the first prize.
During the discussion segment of the programme Mofidul Haque, a trustee of Liberation War Museum, said academic excellence and intellectual capability of Abdur Razzaq, a teacher of Dhaka University, is unique in the country.
Noticing increasing influence of Abdur Razzaq's political ideas on dissenting politicians in the 1960s, the Ayub regime dismissed him from his teaching job at Dhaka University alleging that he was nonchalant about his duties. The then government, however, failed to establish its case in the court, according to Banglapedia.
In recognition of his distinctive status among academicians and scholars, the Bangladesh government in 1975 honoured him with the distinction of a National Professor.
Academics at the discussion called for an inclusive approach in building a modern nation state where people of all faiths, ethnicity or colours would enjoy equal rights.
DU History Department Professor Mofakkharul Islam said the idea of nationalism developed in Europe, but the rise of ultra nationalism in some countries resulted in two world wars.
Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque said the problem arises when nationalism becomes extreme and a nation state tries to dominate other groups.
The state has to be established on the basis of democracy, but a strong democracy is difficult when political parties become corrupt, he observed, saying that a proportional representation of all communities in a democracy would be ideal for ensuring equal rights for all, not for just the majority.
Professor Shapan Adnan suggested conducting critical analysis as to why democracies in countries such as Bangladesh remain vulnerable or why socialism could not establish a firm foothold in these countries.
DU Economics Professor MM Akash said although Bangladesh is a country where most people are Muslims, but they are also of Hindu origins. Therefore, they historically have the virtues of living in harmony.
In recent times, however, there have been cases of militant attacks that represent elements of fanaticism. The factors of such behaviour have to be looked into closely and addressed accordingly, he added.
Gyantapash Abdur Razzaq Foundation Director General Prof Ahrar Ahmad made welcome speech at the programme.
Comments