Sufia Kamal's 16th death anniversary today

Today is the 16th death anniversary of poet Sufia Kamal, also founder president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and a pioneer of Bangalee women's emancipation.

She was born on June 20, 1911 at Shayestabad, Barisal.

Marking the day, different social and cultural organisations have taken various programmes.

A platform comprising some 68 women, human rights and development organisations will arrange a memorial discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the capital.

Besides, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote leaders will place wreaths at the poet's Azimpur grave.

Sufia Kamal also fought for restoration of democracy. She was also active in the 1952 Language Movement.

She was involved in the 1969 mass upsurge and the non-cooperation movement of March 1971.

In 1956, she had organised the children's organisation, "Kochi-Kachar Mela".

She edited the women's magazine "Begum" before partition of the subcontinent in 1947. Her "Ekatturer Diary" tells the untold stories of 1971.

She got over 50 awards, including "Ekushey Padak", "Swadhinata Dibash Padak" and "Bangla Academy Padak".

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the memory of Sufia Kamal.