23 September 2022, Bandar Seri Begawan:

Bangladesh High Commission and the Reading and Literacy Association of Brunei (ReLA) joined hands to celebrate the International Literacy Day and Teachers Day as well as to award certificates to the winners of the Victory Day Essay Competition organized in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh. Head of missions and representatives from Kuwait, Canada, Iran, Vietnam, Turkey, Timor-Leste, Lao, India, Pakistan, Japan, Oman, Indonesia, Myanmar and Cambodia, members of civil society and Indian community, and other distinguished guests attended the event held at Bangladesh High Commission on 23 September 2022.

Seri Mulia Sarjana School (SMSS) student Jawata Afnan, a Brunei-born Bangladeshi, won the hearts of judges and took the top spot in the Bangladesh Victory Day Essay Competition. Ayden Chung Xun Wang of Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College (MSPSBS) was placed second and Justene Wong Yixuan of St Andrew’s School won third place, while special mention went to SMSS students Kevin Su Sen Shong, Qasrina Mohd Pradaus and Nur Soffiya Nadhirah binti Hamzah.

The Bangladesh High Commissioner Nahida Rahman Shumona, in her speech, proudly told that the Birth and Independence of Bangladesh is linked to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman like an umbilical cord. It is to the full and absolute credit of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that Bangladesh emerged as an Independent nation in 1971, and that she could represent Bangladesh in Brunei. She further added that Bangladesh is a country, widely recognized and appreciated for its phenomenal socio-economic development, thanks to the strong and visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, the wise and worthy daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. While acknowledging that the challenging circumstances created by the Covid-19 crippled High Commission’s ability to organize the event earlier, she expressed happiness for being able to be part of this program to present the prize among the lucky and competent winners of the essay competition. Celebrating the International Literacy Day and Teachers Day was another key objective of the event, she mentioned. The Bangladesh High Commissioner also appreciated the role and support of ReLA in many initiatives of Bangladesh high Commission. She ended her speech by telling ‘Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu, Long Live Brunei-Bangladesh Friendship’.

Meanwhile, ReLA President Dr Malai Zeiti binti Sheikh Abdul Hamid noted that her research found that exposure to children’s stories and reading bedtime stories significant-ly improves children’s interest and positive reading habits. “Reading is an important part of life and to become a well-educated and knowledgeable person, there is a need to read and eventually write our thoughts. Hence this is why literacy is such an important part of our lives as through reading and writing, thoughts are critically crafted towards becoming a critical reader, writer and thinker,” she said.

The highlight of the event was the reading by the three winners of the competition and the recital of Bangladesh poems by ReLA youth.