National poet Kazi Nazrul Islam struggled throughout his life for freedom of the exploited people aiming at establishing an equity-based society free from injustice, exploitation and communalism.
"Rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam rose from abject poverty to a great man with extraordinary talent," Vice-chancellor (VC) of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) Professor Dr. Hasibur Rashid said while addressing a discussion here on Thursday afternoon as the chief guest.
The BRUR authority organised the discussion followed by a colorful cultural function marking the 124th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in front of the administrative building on the campus.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman brought the rebel poet with his family to Bangladesh immediately after the independence of Bangladesh and arranged his residence in state status, the VC said.
"As a Bengali nation, we have been able to show the rebel poet the respect he deserves following the noble initiative of Bangabandhu," he said, adding that the non-communal spirit of Nazrul is a great inspiration for the Bengali nation.
Pro-VC of BRUR Prof Dr. Sarifa Salwa Dina spoke as a special guest in the event while poet, essayist and fiction writer Prof Dr. Zulfiquer Matin participated as the main discussant.
Convener of the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam's 124th Birth Anniversary-2023 Celebration Committee and Dean of the Faculty of Arts of BRUR Prof Dr. Abu Saleh Mohammad Wadudur Rahman presided over the function.
President of Begum Rokeya University Teachers' Association Md. Shariful Islam, its General Secretary Md. Asaduzzaman Mandal Asad, Assistant Prof Umar Farooque of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems and President of BRUR unit of Chhatra League Pomel Barua also spoke.
In the evening, students of the university and local artists performed Nazrul Sangeet, enthralling the students, teachers, officers and employees of the university.