On 20th May 2023, at 4 p.m. ‘Festival of Youth’ was celebrated by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) on the occasion of the 53rd founding anniversary at Nandan Mancha of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Dr. Fauzia Moslem, the President of BMP chaired the program based on the slogan- ‘’Seeking salvation from prejudice and discrimination, sing the song of humanity.” Maleka Banu, General Secretary of the organization gave a welcome speech. The festival was dedicated to the founder of Dipali Shangha, Lila Roy, one of the pioneers in achieving women’s rights in Bangladesh, and a leader of the movement against the British. Shima Moslem, Joint General Secretary of the organization presented the biography of Lila Roy in the program. Umme Salma Begum, Organizational Secretary of BMP facilitated the program.
500 people including the leaders of BMP, organizers-members of various area branches of Dhaka city committee, and representatives of the young generation were present in the program. Afroza Arman, research officer of BMP facilitated the cultural program.
Keeping ahead of the festival of youth, Dr. Fauzia Moslem, the President of BMP said- ‘Give and take, you will do match up and it will match’- today’s women’s movement is closely related to the social-cultural movement of the young generation of this country; women’s human rights movement which is a part of the humanity.
Maleka Banu, General Secretary of the organization mentioned in her welcome speech that today’s young generation will celebrate the achievement of the struggle of 53 years of BMP. She said people have to be free from that prejudice that increases discrimination and tramples humanity. Today’s young people will determine the duties of tomorrow, and make a humane society by developing the traditions and culture of the country and society.
Various social-cultural organizations of the young generation participated in the festival with their own performance. The participating organizations are Banhishikha, Sparsha, Nrityanandan, Dhaka University Cultural Society, Banhishikha Green Voice, Dhaka University Recitation Society, Dhaka University Drama Society, Dhaka University Mime Action, Dhaka University Research Society, Criminology Department of Dhaka University. Nabanita Chaudhury, a prominent singer and media personality performed a solo song. The organizations performed drama, recitation, mime show, and song at the festival.
It is noted that on 4th April 1970, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad has been agitating for the establishment of women’s human rights from its establishment to a half-century by the leadership of poet Sufia Kamal. The organization was created with the conviction to build a non-communal, democratic, and gender equality state and country. Therefore, we have to combine the thoughts and actions of the young and old generations, and so is the desire to organize today’s young festival.
