Staff Reporter:
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said that patriotism and love for the country cannot truly awaken in us unless we know the history of our forefathers, nor can education inspire us without that awareness.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a “Reception for Meritorious Students” organised by the Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq Foundation at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in Dhaka.
Addressing the students, Rizvi said, “You have witnessed the students’ movement – the July uprising last year – and the self-sacrifice of young boys and girls of your age. Even after being shot, a student named Mugdha was carrying water for her injured comrades – that is true sacrifice. Only by knowing such history can genuine patriotism be born.”
He continued, “Sher-e-Bangla Fazlul Huq was a towering figure who devoted his life to enlightening the Muslim community through education. His father was among the first Muslims to earn a BA degree in 1862, while Fazlul Huq himself displayed extraordinary brilliance by completing his master’s in mathematics with just six months of preparation.”
Rizvi added, “As Prime Minister, Fazlul Huq introduced the roll number system to ensure fairness in exams so that papers were evaluated without bias toward any religion or caste. He also made it mandatory for every school to have an Arabic or Persian teacher to expand employment opportunities for Bengali Muslims. If the younger generation remains unaware of such contributions, they will lose connection with their roots.”
At the event, crests and certificates were awarded to meritorious students who achieved GPA-5 from Vikarunnisa Noon School and College, Ideal School and College, and South Point School and College.
The Foundation’s Chief Adviser Marghub Morshed presided over the ceremony, while President Engineer Abu Hanif delivered the keynote speech. BNP Chairperson’s Adviser S.M. Abdul Halim, Foundation General Secretary Ziaur Rahman, and Mohila Dal Joint Secretary Sabina Yeasmin were also present.
