The government has taken preparations to observe the birth anniversaries of the two great poets Rabindranath Tagore and National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in a befitting manner.
The 161st birthday of Nobel laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore is on May 8, while the 123rd birthday of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is on May 24.
A meeting was held recently in this regard with State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid in the chair. The meeting decided to carry out elaborate programmes on the occasion of the birth anniversaries of the poets, says a press release issued by the Cultural Affairs Ministry on Thursday (May 5).
The theme of the celebration of the 161st birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore this year is ‘Crisis of Humanity and Rabindranath’.
On this occasion, the Culture Affairs Ministry and Bangla Academy will publish souvenirs and posters. All departments and agencies under the ministry will organize special discussions, cultural programmes and many other events.
The main event of the birth anniversary this year will be held at Rabindra Kuthibari in Shilaidaha at Kumarkhali upazila in Kushtia district.
Alongside Kushtia district, various national-level programmes have been chalked at Patisar in Naogaon district and South Dighi in Khulna district. The three districts contain the memories of Poet Rabindranath Tagore.
National Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will attend the opening ceremony of the event at Rabindra Kuthibari as the chief guest at 2:30 PM on May 8.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid will chair the event, while Simeen Hussain Rimi, MP, will attend as a special guest. Secretary of the Culture Affairs Ministry Md Abul Mansur will deliver the welcome speech, while Ekushey Padak winner Prof Sanat Kumar Saha will be present as the commemorative speaker.
The inaugural ceremony will be broadcast live and other programmes will be broadcast extensively by Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, private radio and television channels.
After the inaugural session, a cultural programme, including performing dance and drama, will be presented by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Besides, an event will be organized at Rabindra Sarobar in Dhaka under the supervision of the Executive Director of Kobi Nazrul Institute.
In the districts where Rabindra’s birth anniversary will not be celebrated as part of the national-level programme, the Deputy Commissioners of the districts will form a committee in collaboration with the local MPs, public representatives and well-wishers to celebrate the birthday with due respect.
The birth anniversary will be celebrated in all educational institutions of the country by organizing cultural programmes, discussion meetings, and essay and recitation competitions.
Pictures, poems and paintings on the world poet will be displayed in all the districts, while banners, festoons, posters and digital displays will be set up and lighting arrangements will be made in different road islands.
As part of the national celebrations, Bangla Academy and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will organise programmes based on various creative works of the great poet.
On this occasion, the law enforcement agencies will ensure security at the national level and at other events. The Fire Service and Civil Defense will take the necessary steps to ensure firefighting in these areas.
Bangladesh missions abroad will also celebrate the day by holding various programmes.
