In observance of the Martyred Day of Professor Dr Syed Mohammad Shamsuzzoha, formerly Proctor of RU and Reader of the department of Chemistry of Rajshahi University, various organisations of Rajshahi observed 'Teachers' Day' with due respect and solemnity at RU campus and outside on February-18.
It is learnt, during the Mass Upsurge Movement, on this very day of February-18, 1969, Professor Dr Syed Mohammad Shamsuzzoha was brutally shot and killed by charging bayonets by the marauding Pakistani Army during assigning of his duties. Dr Zoha is regarded as the first Martyred Intellectual of this country. Various educational institutions including Rajshahi University, Rajshahi College, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology and various political and voluntary organisations of the city observed the day with various programmes.
In the early morning, black flags were hoisted on the roof tops of various buildings of RU including at Syed Nazrul Islam Admin building, VC's residence and other buildings of RU. Later, RU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Golam Sabbir Sattar, Pro VCs Profs Chowdhury Md Zakaria and Sultanul Islam, Treasurer Obaidur Rahman and teachers, students and officials of RU placed floral wreaths at the foot of the grave of martyred Dr Zoha and at the foot of his memorial plaque and observed one minute of silence before saying prayers seeking salvation of the departed soul. Among others, teachers, staff of the department of Chemistry and Shahid Shamzuzzoha Hall, RU School Sk Russel Model School, RUTA, Progotishil Teachers Society, political organisations and various professional organisation of RU and the city placed floral wreaths at the foot of grave of martyred Shamsuzzoha at RU campus.
A memorial meeting was organised in observance of the day at the Department of Chemistry of RU on Friday morning where RU VC Professor Golam Sabbir Sattar attended as the chief guest.
A special prayer, recitation from the holy Quran and special prayer was held after the Juma prayer at theRU Central mosque. Identical programmes were also observed at Shahid Shamzuzzoha Hall and the Zuberi Bhaban of the varsity in the afternoon and in the evening.
The Martyred Memorial Museum at RU was kept open to the visitors from 8-00 AM to 5-00 PM on this day.
A press release signed by Professor Dr F Nazrul Islam and Prof Masudul Hasan, President and Gen Secy respectively of Jatiyatabadi Teachers' Forum, RU, said the organisation observed the martyred Zoah day at RU with due solemnity, prayer and discussion meeting. They said it is a long standing demand of declaring the martyred Shamsuzzoha Day as the ' National Teachers' Day' and to declare the day as a government holiday and they again placed the same demands to the government.
Bangabandhu Education and Research Council, RU, also observed the Martyred Zoha Day with due solemnity and programmes at RU. Among others the programme was attended by Professor Provas Kumar Karmaker and Professor Dr Mokaram Hossain, President and the Gen Secy of the organisation, Dr Mokarram Hossain Mondol, Professor Shahidullah and Professor Dr Tanjima Yeasmin of RU.