A Correspondent:
Rangpur: Prime Minister’s Adviser (State Minister) for Policy and Strategy, Information and Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs Ministry Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has said that the life, thoughts and ideals of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam should be spread among children.
He said, “Children should be involved in sports and cultural activities along with their studies.”
Dr Zahed said this yesterday while speaking as the chief guest at a view-exchange meeting on organizing a nationwide cultural competition with the participation of students of educational institutions on the occasion of ‘Nazrul Barsho’ at the Rangpur Divisional Commissioner’s office.
He said that children should be informed about Nazrul’s life, thoughts and ideals without limiting cultural ac-tivities to songs, dances or recitations.
In this regard, he urged the district cultural and education officers to give necessary instructions to educational institutions.
The Prime Minister’s Adviser said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman wants children to be involved in sports and cultural activities along with studies and that every child should learn to play at least one musical instru-ment.
He also informed about the initiative to launch a nationwide book reading program in collaboration with the Biswa Sahitya Kendra (World Literature Center) for primary and secondary students.
Stressing the need to link cultural activities with profession and economic activities rather than just seeing them as hobbies, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said that Taka 800 crore has been allocated in the budget for creative initiatives.
He stressed the need to organize drama, cultural programs and independent film exhibitions in Shilpakala Academies throughout the year and to create opportunities for children to visit museums and archaeological sites.
The meeting was presided over by Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam.
The Deputy Commissioners of eight districts of Rangpur division, District Education Officers, District Cultural Officers, representatives of various cultural organizations and journalists were present.
Officials said that on the occasion of Nazrul Barsho (25 May 2026-25 May 2027), the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has organized a cultural competition for the participation of students of primary, technical and sec-ondary schools across the country.
The competition will be held from September 1 to October 12, 2026.
Students of private and kindergarten schools will also be able to participate in it.
The final competition of the winners of the divisional level will be held at the national level.
