The pioneer of feminism in Bengal, Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was born on 9 December, 1880. Bangladesh is observing Rokeya Day today (Friday). Prothom Alo had organised a simple ceremony to mark the day.
A documentary was shown in the programme on young girl Tasmina Aktar, a horse racer, who lives in a remote village of Naogaon district. The documentary focused on her life, struggle, and contributions to women empowerment.
Her horse riding scene appears to be a movie shot -- an 11-year old girl is riding a speeding horse, flying hair, and passing fields. Horse riding has brought her much popularity not only in the northern part of the country, but among the Mymensingh and Gazipur people. The documentary shows her horse runs past all the contenders, and moves forward.
Naogaon, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Pabna are among the districts which arrange horse race in the winter. Tasmina took part in the races for last three years in a row. Nowadays, she wins over her male contenders. Ironically, the prizes she wins do not go to her house, rather to the owner of the horse. Tasmina rides horses of other people in the race, since she has no horse of her own.
The documentary on Tasmina was made by Tanha Zafreen. Tasmina and her father Obaidul Mandal were present at the programme.
Eminent writer and associate editor of Prothom Alo Anisul Hoque anchored the programme. He recalled Begum Rokeya saying that not only her diction was perfect, her writings also were of versatile topics with world view.
The main speaker of the programme professor Dr Maleka Begum demanded inclusion of Rokeya writings in curricula of all universities, saying “Rokeya’s writings are still as relevant as they were during her time, irrespective of religion or class. She stood against gender discrimination and torture which can also be found in her writings. Her theories are being studied internationally; we also should study her more intensively.”
Tasmina’s story was first published in Odhuna section of Prothom Alo on 17 June, titled “The sad story of a horse racer”. Meanwhile, initiative was taken to buy her a horse following the publication of the story, and also this documentary was made on her life. It was made by Tanha Zafreen under the supervision of Anisul Hoque.
At the programme, Tasmina expressed her wish to continue her studies and desire to be a police officer when she grows up.