Published: 11:46 AM, 17 September 2026
Cultural minister urges youth to embrace Nazrul’s ideals
Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury on Tuesday called upon the younger generation to be enlightened by the ideals of Kazi Nazrul Islam, particularly his humanism, secularism, equality and patriotism.
He made the call while addressing as the chief guest a day-long cultural programme at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College here, organised as part of the Nazrul Year celebrations, BSS reports.
The minister said the practice and study of Nazrul’s works would inspire creativity, human values and patriotism among the young people. He said the development of a healthy cultural environment is one of the key foundations for building an enlightened society.
Nitai Roy Chowdhury said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had given a new impetus to the practice of Nazrul’s works across the country by declaring Nazrul Year during the inauguration of a three-day programme in Trishal marking the 127th birth anniversary of the National Poet.
He said an initiative has been taken to organise cultural competitions simultaneously at educational institutions across the country as part of the Nazrul Year celebrations.
The cultural minister paid rich tribute to Viqarunnisa Noon, founder of the historic Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, and said institutions of this kind play an important role in producing talented and cultural minded generations who can contribute to nation-building.
He further said Nazrul set a unique example of religious harmony through his compositions of Islamic songs and Shyama Sangeets. He also noted that the poet enriched the Bengali language through his creative use of Arabic, Persian, Urdu and various foreign words in his writings.
The minister said the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Nazrul Institute were established through the visionary initiative of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and that the institutions have been playing an important role in preserving and promoting the country’s national culture.
Reciting lines from Nazrul’s poem Bidrohi, “With a crooked bamboo flute in one hand and a war trumpet in the other” and several lines from ‘Gahi Samyer Gaan’ (Song of Equality), he highlighted the poet’s secular ideals.
Through his recitation, the minister portrayed Nazrul as a poet who embodied the dual spirit of love and rebellion.
