BM Desk:

A day-long program was organized in the presence of more than 300 children at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on the occasion of the 60th birthday of Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Painting, letter writing, discussions, and cultural programs were organized under the leadership of Director General of the Academy Liaquat Ali Laki, Secretary Salahuddin Ahmed, Director of the Academy, and artists, officers, and employees of all levels paid tribute.

On Wednesday, a discussion and cultural program were held at the Academy’s National Theater auditorium. Minister of State for Culture, Mr. KM Khalid MP, delivered a speech as the chief guest in the discussion program. Khalil Ahmad, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, delivered a speech as a special guest. The discussion was presented by the Director General of the Bangla Academy, Poet Muhammad Nurul Huda, and the Executive Director of the Nazrul Institute, AFM Hayatullah.

Minister of State for Culture KM Khalid MP said, ‘We usually celebrate any birthday with joy, enthusiasm, and gaiety. But on Sheikh Russel’s birthday, we can’t rejoice; we turn blue with pain, and the shadow of deep sadness falls on us. An innocent, tender child was brutally murdered. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.”

Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Liaquat Ali Lucky, said, “Bangamata named her youngest child Sheikh Russel after being inspired by the famous philosopher Burton Russel. But with the aim of destroying the cultural roots of 5000 years, 75 murders have been committed; the child Sheikh Russel has been killed.”