08 August 2023, Port Louis:

On the occasion of the 93rd Birth Anniversary of Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, the Bangladesh High Commission in Port Louis conferred honour to Ms. Ingrid Leste, a multi-talented young woman who intends to set up a business in Mauritius. High Commissioner Ms. Rezina Ahmed presided over the event which was centered on the theme of the day ‘Bangamata’s Inspiration, Revolution and Liberation’. A delegation of Al Shams Ladies Association, a prominent Mauritian NGO that works for women empowerment, participated in the program, among others. 

The program took off paying floral tribute at the portrait of Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, the able life partner of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Ms. Ahmed led the august gathering at the time. The Al Shams Ladies Association also paid floral tribute. It was followed by a special prayer seeking salvation of the departed souls of Bangamata, Bangabandhu, and all the martyrs of 15 August 1975. Then the messages of the Hon’ble President and Hon’ble Prime Minister were read out. Later, the guests joined in a discussion on Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib and her contributions as wife, mother, and political confidante to Bangabandhu.  

While paying glowing tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, High Commissioner Ms. Rezina Ahmed said Bangamata was an accomplished life partner to him, who not only tended the family well but also advised Bangabandhu in his struggle for the independence of Bangladesh. The objective of the celebration was to inform the women of Mauritius about the legacy of Bangamata so that they could draw inspiration from her life. Recognizing a Mauritian young woman entrepreneur was an effort to highlight the theme of the day.

Ms. Shireen Motala, President of the al Shams Ladies Association, paid tribute to Bangamata and called her an icon for all women of the world. She also thanked the High Commission for conferring honour to one of their promising members. Ms. Georgina Ragaven, a champion of women’s rights in Mauritius, described Bangamata as an amazing woman. She said Bangamata’s legacy could be an inspiring story for the Mauritian women. She also thanked the High Commission for honoring a young Mauritian woman, who is planning to set up her own business, on this auspicious occasion. During the discussion, women entrepreneurs of Mauritius shared their stories.

A documentary on the life and contributions of Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib was screened at the event. At the end, the guests were served with refreshment.