'Nazrul Parjatan' launched at Trishal to revive the poet's memory

Trishal, Jan 21 (BDNEWS) – Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and Nazrul institute jointly launched 'Nazrul Parjatan' at Trishal, Mymensingh commemorating the national poet of Bangladesh Saturday.

The inaugural session was held at Nazrul Institute, Dhaka. The state minister for cultural affairs Begum Selima Rahman was the chief guest while the state minister for civil aviation and tourism Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was the special guest. Chairman of Nazrul Institute noted folklore specialist Dr Ashraf Siddiqui, poet Al Mahmud, renowned Nazrul singer Sohrab Hossain and other distinguished artists were present at the ceremony.

The chief guest Begum Selima Rahman said Nazrul was a great Muslim poet who made music acceptable to Muslim families and he always uphold Hindu-Muslim amity.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the amalgamation of tourism with culture created a new dimension in the history of Bangladesh.

Khilkhil Kazi, granddaughter of Kazi Nazrul Islam urged all to remain vigilant so that the rebel poet's life is presented in true perspective.

The discussants urged the new generation should to explore the roots of their rich heritage. Young people should be familiar with the heritage and culture of Bangladesh as they would find there inspiration to defeat those who were distorting the image of the country.

Banglasdesh Parjatan Corporation later officially inaugurated the travel-in-groups programme towards Trishal.

There was mark of lacklustre attitude in organising the programme everywhere. Even the Nazrul Academy was cleaned hastily on the occasion of the arrival of the distinguished guests.

Near the Kazir Simla Daroga Bari, a two-storeyed structure has been erected. It will be used as a rest house. There was a mini exhibition of books there. Dhumketu and Langal, the two magazines edited by Nazrul and 'Nazrul Janmashatabarshiki Sharok Grantha' drew attention of the visitors.

Executive Director of Nazrul Institute poet Abdul Hye Shikder said Nazrul Institute would assist the ministry of civil aviation and tourism to organise cultural programmes and assembly of poets for the tourists on regular basis.

Rezauddin Stalin, the deputy director of Nazrul Institute though claimed that frequent cultural programmes would be held later told BDNEWS they would not be able to arrange any cultural programme for the first group of tourists coming on January 28 as it is still at a nascent stage.

He told BDNEWS some 350 publications of Nazrul Institute would be exhibited and sold in two nearby libraries. The library is not yet ready, even the shelves have not yet been made.

There was another structure near Bechutia where the poet took lodging for some time. The proposed three-storeyed building has an auditorium, a library and a museum with a few photographs without captions. Near the structure, Nazrul had a house that had been destroyed. The two State Ministers ordered a replica to be built at that point.

The cultural programme was held in the afternoon at a stage under the Battala, an extension of Kazi Nazrul University modelled after Shanti Niketan, where the rebel poet used to play flute.

Mirza Alamgir told BDNEWS it was the first step and it would go further. Asked if any new entrepreneur would come shortly, he told BDNEWS 'Parjatan had a small rest house at Sagardari. Though we want to extend activities, financial constraints held us back'. But he assured all renowned poets would be brought under this programme.

Chairman of Parjatan Corporation Dr Mahfuzul Haque asked the tour operators to participate in the programmes and said the Corporation would organize periodical trips for students to Trishal with discounts.

Though a noble effort, the tourist spot is not ready to welcome visitors from home and abroad.

The programme ended with a cultural programme.

BDNEWS/2120 hrs