DHAKA:  People from all walks of life yesterday paid rich tributes to national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on the occasion of his 117th birth anniversary.

The poet’s birth anniversary was celebrated with due respect on Dhaka University campus where he has been laid to rest.

The main programme of Nazrul Jayanti was held in Chittagong M.A. Aziz Stadium under the theme “Communalism and Religious Fanaticism: Relevance of Nazrul.” President Advocate Abdul Hamid was scheduled to attend the programs as the chief gust but could not attend the function because of inclement weather.

The president sent a message which was read out in the function by Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Ministry Begum Aktari Momtaz.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor chaired the programme while Chittagong city mayor AJM Nasir Uddin was present as the special guest. Nazrul’s granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi also addressed the function.

The programme of the day began in Dhaka with placing of wreath by the cultural affairs ministry at the poet’s grave at the Dhaka University early in the morning.

Marking the day, teachers, students, officers and employees of the university led by Vice-Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique went in a procession to the mazar of the poet adjacent to Central Mosque and placed wreaths.

Earlier, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages paying tributes to the national poet.

Different organizations of the university, including the teachers’ association and residential halls placed wreaths.

A memorial meeting was also held at the mazar premises with the vice-chancellor in the chair.

Presided over by DU Vice-Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, the meeting was addressed by Nazrul expert Prof. Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Arts Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. M. Akhtaruzzaman, Social Science Faculty Dean Prof. Farid Uddin Ahmed and Finance Environmental Sciences Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. ASM Maksudul Kamal.

Bangla Department Chairperson Prof. Dr. Begum Aktar Kamal conducted the meeting.

Terming Nazrul as the poet of humanity and liberty, Prof Arefin Siddque said the songs, poems and essays of Nazrul are still relevant in combating militancy and terrorism at home and abroad.

Referring to the criticism of war crimes trial by Turkey, the progressive Turkey of Kamal Ataturk and Nazrul is now affected by fundamentalism.

The DU vice-chancellor urged the new generation to imbue themselves with the ideals of Nazrul to become worthy citizens with non-communal spirit.

The Nazrul Research Centre of Dhaka University held a seminar marking the poet’s birth anniversary at R.C. Majumder auditorium in the afternoon.

The Nazrul Institute and the Bangla Academy organized separate discussion meetings and cultural functions marking the day.

Shilpakala Academy also organized a cultural function in the evening.

The local administrations celebrated Nazrul’s birth anniversary at Trishal of Mymensingh and Daulatpur of Comilla, the places having memories of the poet.

The birth anniversary of the national poet was also celebrated in educational institutions and district headquarters.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television channels are airing special programmes and the newspapers have published special supplements highlighting the birth anniversary of the national poet.