A total of 174 students who emerged victorious at the district level of a national cultural competition organised to promote the literature, music, patriotism, humanism and secular values of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam among the younger generation received awards and certificates in Habiganj yesterday.
The awards were handed over at the closing and prize-giving ceremony held at the auditorium of Habiganj District Shilpakala Academy on Wednesday (October 8).
The competition was organised nationwide on an educational institution basis under an initiative of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. In Habiganj, the district-level competition was held over three days with the cooperation of the district administration and under the management of the District Shilpakala Academy.
Habiganj Deputy Commissioner Dr GM Sarfaraz attended the programme as the chief guest. District Cultural Officer Asit Baran Das Gupta presided over the event.
Former joint convener of Habiganj district BNP Haji Md Enamul Haque and district JASAS President Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury were present as special guests.
Officials from the district administration and education department, teachers and students from different educational institutions, guardians, cultural activists and journalists attended the programme.
Speakers said Nazrul was not merely the poet of rebellion, but also a poet of equality, humanity, secularism and free thought. His literary works and creative contributions continue to inspire the younger generation to stand against injustice and discrimination and work towards building a humane and harmonious society.
Students who had won at the upazila level from primary, secondary and technical educational institutions, madrasas and colleges took part in the district-level competition.
The competition featured various disciplines, including Nazrul songs, dance, recitation, painting, acting, essay writing, prepared and extempore speeches, Islamic songs and ghazals by Nazrul, as well as hamd and naat.
At the end of the three-day competition, 174 students who demonstrated excellence in different disciplines were awarded prizes and certificates.
In their concluding remarks, the guests congratulated the winners and called on the students to become knowledgeable, creative and compassionate citizens by embracing Nazrul’s ideals of equality, humanity and communal harmony.
They also stressed the need to further expand institution-based cultural activities to foster the talents and creativity of students.
