Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus hosted a reception for the winners of the 'Begum Rokeya Padak 2025' on Saturday (December 13) evening at the State Guest House Jamuna.
The recipients present at the event were Rubhana Rakib, Nabila Idris, Kalpana Akter, and Rituporna Chakma.
Concerns Over Attack on Political Leader
The Rokeya Padak winners began by expressing their concern over the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, a key leader of the July Mass Uprising, spokesperson for the Inqilab Mancha, and a probable independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. They urged the government to take strict action.
"We were excited to receive this reception from you. But after yesterday's incident, we are unsettled," they told the Chief Adviser.
They also advised the Chief Adviser on the need to increase unity among political parties and the public for the upcoming elections.
In response, the Chief Adviser stated, "This attack was clearly pre-planned. I am in regular contact with his family and continuously checking on Hadi's medical condition. I have also spoken with the political parties, and they are cooperating."
Praise for Labour Law Reform
The Chief Adviser then inquired about the workplaces and other endeavors of each of the Rokeya Padak winners.
Kalpana Akter, who received the award for women's rights (labor rights), specially thanked the Chief Adviser for the changes to the labor law and the signing of the labor convention.
"The labor law changes and the convention are two historic steps. Thank you for accomplishing this in such a short time," she said.
She added, "I was harassed with cases during the previous government's tenure. Fourteen cases were filed against me. I was accused in absurd incidents, like the looting of spectacles from Navana Tower in Gulshan. No one ever imagined that someone involved in trade unions and working for workers' rights would receive the Rokeya Padak. I thank the interim government for this."
The Chief Adviser responded, "Kalpana Akter is a strong woman who always speaks truthfully. She is respected globally."
Professor Yunus remarked, "After the Rana Plaza tragedy, none of the things that should have been done were actually implemented. Labor rights and the convention were priorities for me. The effort was to implement as much as possible before I leave." He then discussed the implementation of the labor law with Kalpana Akter, inquiring about workers' wages and working conditions.
Inquiries and Future Hopes
The Chief Adviser inquired about the overall situation of ICDDR,B (International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh) from researcher Dr. Rubhana Rakib. He noted that ICDDR,B and the Rohingyas were the worst affected after the cessation of foreign aid, and the government is holding continuous discussions regarding this issue.
He also checked on the affairs of the women's football team with player Rituporna Chakma, asking about their accommodation, training facilities, and the performance of new players joining the squad.
The Chief Adviser told Rituporna Chakma, "Everyone in the country is a fan of yours (the women's football team). Many boys and girls follow you. We are happy to honor you. Honoring you means inspiring those who follow you. We want our young people to be further motivated."
Praising Nabila Idris, the Rokeya Padak winner in the human rights category, the Chief Adviser said, "You have been praised for your firmness from the beginning. You have given courage to people and raised awareness about human rights among many. May your fight remain strong in the days ahead."
Nabila Idris specially thanked the Chief Adviser for initiating the trials for forced disappearances (Ghum). She said, "The current stage of the investigation and trial of these incidents is historic. If you had not been here, we might not have seen justice for forced disappearances and the July genocide."
At the end of the event, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus presented each of the four Rokeya Padak winners with his book, Jarimon of Beltail Village, and Others, which focuses on the economic struggles and lives of rural women.
Also present at the ceremony were Adviser for the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Sharmin S. Murshid, Chief Coordinator for SDG Affairs, Lamia Morshed, and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Momtaz Ahmed.
