Begum Rokeya

Begum Rokeya was a famous writer, a feminist [নারীবাদী] and a social worker in undivided Bengal in the early 20^th century. She is most famous for her efforts on behalf of gender equality and other social issues. She was born in 1880 in the village of Pairabondh, Rangpur. Her father, Jahiruddin Muhammad Abu Ali Haidar Saber, was a highly educated landlord. She had two sisters and three brothers. Rokeya’s eldest brother and elder sister had great influence [প্রভাব] on her life. She learnt Bangla and English from her eldest brother Ibrahim. She believed that women should have the same rights and opportunities [সুযোগ] as men have in the society. So, she fought for their cause throughout her life. In 1896 she was married to Khan Bahadur Sakhawat Hussain who was the Deputy Magistrate. He was very cooperative [সহযোগিতা করে এমন], and always encouraged [উৎসাহ] Rokeya to go on with her activities. Rokeya had great love for her mother tongue. She launched her literary career in 1902 with a Bangla story entitled Pipasa (Thirst). Her famous novels are Sultana’s Dream (1905), Motichur (1908), Padmaraga (1924) and Oborodhbashini (1928). Rokeya established [প্রতিষ্ঠা] Sakhawat Memorial Girls’ High School. It started in Bhagalpur, a traditionally Urdu-speaking area, with only five students. She also founded Islamic Women’s Association. In her life, she remained busy with the school, the association, and her writings for the rest of her life. She died of heart problems on December 9, 1932. The date of her death, 9 December, is now commemorated [স্মরণ] as ‘Rokeya Day’ in Bangladesh.