Begum Sufia Kamal

An acclaimed Bangladeshi poet, Begum Sufia Kamal played an important role in the Bengali nationalist movement of the 1950s and 60s.  Kamal is also hailed as an exemplary poet, a committed activist and feminist who worked all her life for women's emancipation. 

"We must bring respect and dignity to our country and to our people, and reach the fruits of independence to the masses. We must all work together to build our country. We should not allow ourselves to be misled by a vested group, in the name of religion, and let people exploit our religious sentiments for narrow political ends. Our younger generation must be taught the values of our Liberation War and the ideals for which millions gave up their lives.

Absence of leadership is the uppermost thought in my mind. But I am hopeful that out of this present crisis there will emerge a patriotic, visionary and courageous leadership. We will, once again, hold up our head in pride and dignity of an independent nation.

Another thing that worries me is the lack of respect for women these days. Earlier when men and women used to work side by side, there used to be tremendous mutual respect. Now it is all gone. It is the age of competition and I can understand that men may resent women intruding into their world. So let there be competition, but why should it come with lack of respect?

Today nobody is exploiting us – not Russians, Japanese, Indians or Pakistanis. Today we Bengalis are fighting against one another and destroying ourselves. It is we who are killing, injuring, abusing and insulting one another. We have become our worst enemies."

The quotes are taken from an interview by The Daily Star's Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam and published on January 1, 1996 on The Daily Star.