Inspire youth with Nazrul's spirit of equality and humanity, urges State Minister

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom on Friday stressed the need for rearing the new generation with the spirit of equality, humanity, and non-communalism of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. 

He made this call as the chief guest while speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day Folk Cultural Fair organized by the Mymensingh District Administration at the Baishakhi Manch of Jainul Abedin Park on the occasion of "Nazrul Year", BSS reports.

The State Minister said Kazi Nazrul Islam was a versatile genius whose literature, music, poetry, and humanistic philosophy enriched our society and culture. 

He said the new generation must be raised by imbuing them with Nazrul's ideals of equality, humanity, non-communalism, and protest against exploitation and injustice. Everyone must play a role in building a humane, discrimination-free, and harmonious society in the light of Nazrul's multidimensional creativity. 

He noted that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has taken various programs across the country to observe Nazrul Year. A nationwide talent hunt program involving competitions in Nazrul songs, poetry, dance, and essay writing is currently underway. 

These competitions will continue until May next year, creating an opportunity to spot untamed talents from remote areas of the country and bring them to the national stage, he added.

The State Minister further said Bangladesh possesses a rich heritage of folk culture and music. Steps have been taken to organize folk and cultural festivals nationwide starting December 1. 

The initiatives aim to preserve and promote the folk music, traditions and cultural heritage of different regions, including the works of Lalon Shah, Hason Raja and Shah Abdul Karim.

He said the programmes also seek to pass on this heritage to younger generations while creating opportunities for the creative development of local artists and cultural workers.

Presided over by Mymensingh District Commissioner Md Saifur Rahman, the event was attended by local leaders of BNP and its associate organizations, officials from the administration and law enforcement agencies, cultural activists, professionals, and representatives of civil society. 
The two-day fair features various performances of local folk traditions, music, and cultural activities.