Declare Feb 18 as Natl Teachers Day
RU teachers urge govt marking Dr Shamsuzzohas martyrdom
UNB
Teachers and students of Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday demanded that the government declare February 18 as National Teachers Day to commemorate Prof Dr Shamsuzzoha.
On that day in 1969, Prof Zoha, the then RU proctor, was shot dead by the Pakistani army before the university main gate when he tried to convince them not to fire at students who were protesting the murder of Sergeant Zahurul Haque. Since then, the university teachers, students, employees and various social, political and cultural organisaitons have been observing the day as Zoha Day, reports UNB.
The sacrifice of Professor Zoha is vivid example for the teachers-students relations as he is not only a name of inspiration for the RU students, but also for the whole nation, said teachers and students of the university.
Professor Khaleque said Shamsuzzoha was different from other martyred intellectuals as he was the only martyred intellectual who sacrificed his life for his students. From this ground, the government should declare the day as National Teachers Day soon, he demanded.
RU Teachers Association general secretary Professor Ruhul Amin said that it seems to them that the government is reluctant to pay heed to their demand only due to being a teacher of Rajshahi University. If the same incident would happen at Dhaka University, the day had been declared earlier, he thought. RU Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Ananda Kumar Saha said they had been urging the government for a long time to declare the day as national one. But, it is yet to be declared. We hope the ruling government will declare the day soon, he said.
Liton Das, convener of RU Progressive Students Alliance, a platform of four left leaning organisations of the university, said that the sacrifice of Professor Shamsuzzoha is a part of the countrys War of Independence. To recognise his contribution, the government should declare the day nationally, he opined.
Commemorating the 49th anniversary of martyrdom of Dr Shamsuzzoha, the university authorities, various social, political and cultural organisaitons of the university and chemistry department have chalked out elaborate programmes that include placing of wreaths at the grave and monument of Dr Zoha, hoisting of black flag, Quran Khwani and memorial speech.
RU chemistry department in association with the university authorities is set to organise Zoha Memorial Speech at senate building where UGC chairman Professor Abdul Mannan will read out the keynote paper.
