22 November 2018: The High Commission of Bangladesh in Abuja, Nigeria observed ‘Rabindra Nazrul Jayanti’ on 21 November, 2018 celebrating 157^th birth anniversary of Biswa Kabi Rabindranath Tagore and 119^th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

In his welcome remarks, H.E. Mr. Md. Shameem Ahsan,ndc, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria highlighted the invaluable contribution of the two literary luminaries. Mr. Ahsan said that after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman brought poet Nazrul Islam from Kolkata to Dhaka and gave him citizenship of the country. The poet was later honored as the National Poet of Bangladesh. He added that in order to promote research on Tagore, Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of Rabindra University in Tagore’s memory-blessed Shahjadpur, Shirajganj in 2015. The High Commissioner said that both Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul enlightened the society through their songs, poetry, novels, short stories and dramas. He added that their songs and poems were great inspirations to the freedom fighters during the war of independence in 1971.  Mr. Ahsan specially mentioned about the secular aspect of their literary works which, he felt, was more relevant now in the context of growing intolerance and violence in the world.

Professor Dr. Shehu G. Ado, Vice Chancellor of Al-Qalam University, Katsina, Nigeria also delivered speech as a Guest of Speaker who touched on the importance of the literacy works of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam.

The second part of the programme was a colorful cultural event. A cultural troupe from Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy led by Mrs. Tamanna Rahman enthralled the audience. Local artists from Bangladesh community and Bengalis of West Bengal, few members of the visiting 9-member Bangladesh delegation for “11^th International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo 2018, Abuja” also rendered songs and recited poems. The programme was attended by, among others, members of the Bangladesh and Indian Bengali community, Nigerian nationals and Officials of the High Commission of Bangladesh.

The guests were served with traditional Bangladeshi cuisine.