High-level translation committee to be formed to spread Nazrul's literature globally: Cultural Minister
Staff Correspondent
Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, MP, and State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam, MP, visited the Kazi Nazrul Institute in Dhaka on Tuesday to inspect its overall activities and honor the legacy of the National Poet.
They were accompanied by Cultural Affairs Secretary Kaniz Maula and other senior officials from the ministry. Upon their arrival, the ministers were warmly greeted with floral bouquets by the institute’s officials before touring the library, various departments, and both the new and old buildings to observe the preserved literary works and memories of Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Following the inspection, Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury joined the institute’s officials as the chief guest in a view-exchange meeting. During the session, he emphasized the timeless relevance of Kazi Nazrul Islam’s revolutionary literature and stressed the need to translate his philosophy and works into major world languages to reach a global audience. To achieve this, the minister directed the immediate formation of a high-level translation committee. The proposed committee will feature the Executive Director of the Kazi Nazrul Institute as the member secretary, alongside the Director General of Bangla Academy, the Director of the National Book Centre, and Dr. Nashid Kamal, a renowned scholar and daughter of the subcontinent's legendary musician Abbasuddin.
Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury also expressed his keen interest in undertaking an official state visit to Churulia in West Bengal, India—the birthplace of the poet—as part of the ongoing 'Nazrul Year' celebrations.
Meanwhile, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam addressed the long-standing issue of vacant institutional positions within the organization.
Expressing concern over the prolonged delays in hiring, he demanded a formal explanation from the administrative officials and issued a strict directive to initiate the recruitment process immediately for all vacant posts to boost institutional momentum. Cultural Affairs Secretary Kaniz Maula lauded the institute's initiatives.
