Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday emphasized on worldwide translation of creative Bengali literature for the readers of other languages and cultures across the globe.She gave the emphasis while inaugurating a function at Osmany Memorial Auditorium in the city, marking the 152nd birth anniversary of Bishwa Kabi Rabindranath Tagore and the Centenary of his receiving Nobel Prize.
Hasina said her government is committed to build a culturally rich and exploitation-free modern, non-communal and democratic Bangladesh as dreamt by Rabindranath Tagore and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She hoped that the cultural activists of the country will extend all out cooperation to the government as they had done in the past.
The Prime Minister said Rabindranath Tagore envisioned a country free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy where people of all strata could live with peace and dignity while father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman all his life fought for building a Bangladesh where every citizen will lead a decent life.
She said Rabindranath will remain a beacon for the Bengali nation as long as Bangladesh, Bangla language and Bangalee culture will survive on this earth.
“His creation, his dream and philosophy of life will show the path to the next generation to be on the side of truth and beauty.”
Hasina noted that the national anthems of both Bangladesh and India are the creations of the great poet and called Rabindranath as the poet of Bangla, Bangalee, liberal humanism and world peace.
She said that despite being a zamindar, Rabindranath was very kind to his subjects. He stood beside the people in times of their need. Rabindranath introduced micro credit programs for the welfare of the poor and marginal people utilizing the money he received from Noble Prize.
The Prime Minister said Rabindranath was the source of inspiration in all movements including language movement and war of liberation led by father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She said the whole nation is very proud that the greatest Bengali of all time, father of the nation Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, selected a song of Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore as the national anthem of Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister announced that a Rabindra University will be established at Shahjadpur in Sirajganj with an academic campus at Shilaidah in Kushtia and a Rabindra Academy in Bangladesh for higher study and carrying out research on Bishwa Kabi Rabindra Nath Tagore.
Besides, a Bangladesh Bhaban will be set up in Shanti Niketon of Paschimbanga (West Bengal) to provide housing to the Bangladeshi students studying there, she said.
Presided over by Finance Minister A M A Muhith, the function was addressed, among others, by Cultural Affairs Secretary Dr Ranjit Kumar Biswas while eminent Rabindra researcher Ahmed Rafiq presented the commemorative lecture.
Later, the Prime Minister enjoyed a colourful cultural programme presented on the occasion. UNB
