Mymensingh: President Abdul Hamid on Friday urged the young generation to contribute to building a discrimination-free non-communal society by enriching them through practising Nazrul’s works and ideals.

‘The spirit and efforts of Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam for a social change inspire us to create a ‘Sonar Bangla’. I believe the new generation will enrich themselves through practising Nazrul’s ideals and make a meaningful contribution to building a non-communal society free from discrimination imbued with patriotism,’ he said, reports the UNB.

The President was inaugurating a three-day national programme marking the 119th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at Darirampur Nazrul Mancha in Trishal upazila.

The programmes jointly organised by the Cultural Affairs Ministry and Mymensingh district administration include colourful rally, discussion and cultural function.

Describing Kazi Nazrul Islam as the poet of national revolution and pioneer of Bangla literature and music, Abdul Hamid said he had made immense contributions to reawakening Bangalees raising voice for independence and speaking against fanaticism and communalism through his rich and valuable literary works, lectures, philosophy of life and spreading human values. ‘This is an invaluable resource of Bengla literature and Bangladesh, especially the young generation.’

‘Nazrul is not only the National Poet of Bangladesh, but also the poet of revolution and equality. His works speak of protest against exploitation, deprivation, tyranny, superstition and subordination for all the time and inspiration for all democratic movements,’ Hamid said.

Nazrul’s nationalism is the source of eternal inspiration for Bangalees, he said. ‘He even dared to stand against oppression and discrimination to Bangla and Bangalees during the British era defying all fears and threats.’

‘His works inspired us during the Language Movement and the freedom-loving people of Bangladesh in their struggle for independence from the oppressive rule of Pakistan. That’s why he is very much involved in our national revolution and independence struggle,’ the President added.

Paying rich tributes to the National Poet, he said Nazrul was born at Churulia village in West Bengal but he spent the most important time of his life at Darirampur village of Trishal since 1914. ‘Nazrul visited different areas of east, north and south parts of Bangladesh several times and exchanged views with people of the then backward remote areas and created awareness about equity and patriotism.’

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Additional Secretary of the Cultural Ministry M Moshiur Rahman and Deputy Commissioner of Mymensingh Dr Suvash Chandra Biswas also spoke at the programme held with Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Cultural Affairs Ministry Simeen Hussain Rimi in the chair.