Dark Mode
Friday, 29 March 2024
ePaper   
Logo
Rural students take vow to end child labour marking Bangabandhu’s birthday

Rural students take vow to end child labour marking Bangabandhu’s birthday

Professor Dr M Amjad Hossain

March is the month of independence of Bangladesh. This month is also notable because of birth of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The child named 'Khoka', was born in a respectable family at Tungipara in Gopalganj district on March 17 in 1920.

Later, he became the guide for the liberation of the oppressed Bengali nation. Due to his deep political wisdom, self-sacrifice and extraordinary affection for the people, he became the undisputed leader of the Bengali nation. His father's name is Sheikh Lutfar Rahman and mother's name is Saira Khatun. He was the third among four daughters and two sons of his parents.

March 17 is an important day for Bangladesh. Bengalis celebrate the National Children's Day on March 17 every year on the birthday of Bangabandhu, also the greatest Bengali of all times. In his lifetime, Bangabandhu used to love children from the core of his heart. The Father of the Nation had a limitless love for the children. He deeply cared about children and their rights, and made it a priority to ensure a bright future for them. Always he used to tell that a nation thrives when the rights of all citizens, especially of children, are ensured. Bangabandhu always knew that children are more than just our future, and we have a big responsibility to protect them from societal malpractices. During his brief three and a half years’ rule, he added special provisions in Bangladesh Constitution with regard to the responsibilities and duties of the state to the welfare of children. In 1974, he enacted children laws and made primary education compulsory.

Like previous years, this year too, the 103rd birth anniversary of Bangabandhu will be observed in all district towns of the country with due respect and festivity. Elaborate programmes have also been taken to celebrate the day at Tungipara, his place of birth. To mark the day, district administrations, different socio-cultural organizations, educational institutions and political parties will organise different programmes, including cutting cake, holding discussion meeting, cultural function, placing wreaths on the portrait of Father of the Nation, bringing out rallies, children gathering, recitation from the Holy Qur’an, poetry recitation, speech and essay writing competition, and screening documentary film on the life and works of Bangabandhu.

Besides, special prayer and doa mahfil will also be offered in different religious institutions; improved diet will also be served in jails, orphanages and hospitals in all districts. What is most interesting to note that this year keeping the Day in the forefront, rural students of a remote Chirirbandar upazila in Dinajpur district organized a discussion meeting on the eventful life and works of the great architect of the Bengali nation. Participating students dwelt on various aspects of the great leader of the oppressed people of the world.

Not only that, the juvenile students of Amena Baki Residential School and College also promised to eliminate the harmful child labour from their area under the guidance of this writer who founded this institution. He elaborately narrated the life and works of the great leader before the students. It is because of his deep political wisdom, self-sacrifice and extraordinary affection for the people, Bangabandhu became the undisputed leader of the Bengali nation in his prime age. As a teenager, he became involved in active politics. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested and imprisoned for the first time for joining the anti-British movement while studying in the eighth grade at the Mission School in Gopalganj. From then on, the journey of politician’s lifelong struggle began.

Sheikh Mujib along with his colleagues formed Bangladesh Chhatra League in 1948 and later Bangladesh Awami League in 1949. After the partition and independence movement of '47, language movement of '52, united front election of '54, education movement of '62, six-point movement of '66 and after the mass uprising of '69, he was established as the undisputed leader of the Bengali nation in the historic elections of '70. Independence was achieved through nine months of bloody armed struggle under his undisputed leadership. An independent Bangladesh emerged on the world map. Bengalis celebrate the National Children's Day on March 17 every year on his birthday to remember their leader. Bangabandhu’s prime aim was to liberate the Bangalee nation and bring economic freedom. On 15 August 1975, this great leader along with most of his family members was assassinated by a disgruntled group of army men.

The students of Amena Baki Residential School and College urged the government to take strict measures to stop violence against children and child abuse. They urged the government to try those who are involved in torturing or killing children. They also took a pledge to make their beloved motherland a safe habitat for all children. The government should ensure equal rights for all children, the students stated. This writer sought an immense role of parents, family and society in achieving the goal of the present government, which is relentlessly working to make children’s lives colourful.

He finally thanked the incumbent government for undertaking and implementing various initiatives for the welfare of the children. ‘World Children’s Day’ and ‘Children’s Rights Week’ are being observed at national level to protect child rights and to ensure their safety. National Child Policy-2011, Child Act-2013, Child Marriage Prevention Act-2017 have been enacted while National children’s day, child marriage prevention day, street-children rehabilitation and various activities for children with special needs have been undertaken.

The government deserves praise for undertaking various programmes related to safety, food and nutrition, shelter and protection for children and basic needs like education and health are being implemented along with sustainable development under the social safety net programme to prevent child labour.

The writer is a heroic war-wounded freedom fighter, who was awarded ‘Swadhinata Padak’ in social work category in 2021. By profession he is an arthroplasty and trauma surgeon.

Comment / Reply From

Vote / Poll

ফিলিস্তিনের গাজায় ইসরায়েলি বাহিনীর নির্বিচার হামলা বন্ধ করতে জাতিসংঘসহ আন্তর্জাতিক সম্প্রদায়ের উদ্যোগ যথেষ্ট বলে মনে করেন কি?

View Results
হ্যাঁ
0%
না
0%
মন্তব্য নেই
0%

Archive

Please select a date!