Childhood
I
was born on 25th July 1937 in a remote village, of the Noakhali
district called ‘Langal-mora’. My father was a Senior Govt.
Officer during British rule and my mother was housewife ,had an educational
foundation in mother tongue. As I was first baby of my parent, I
was not welcomed by the relatives and neighbors. It was said to be
an ominous sign. But my parent was very bold against this
criticism and to prove how happy they were, they arranged a grand
dinner inviting the whole villagers.
I
lost my father in 1948 when I was only a girl of eleven years old.
It was a great shock to my mother with six children. However my
mother managed to rear up us with great difficulties. I was a girl
but my father did not let me know the sex discrepancy rather he
trained me up physically and mentally as a human being. This
approach helped me a lot to face in my future educational life and
career.
Study
Life
As
my father was in transferable job I had my early education in
different places in different times. This helped me to learn
adoptability to any circumstances and to become socially amicable in
future.
I
had my secondary education in a school, in Dhaka (1952). In 1953 I
was admitted in Victoria College in Comilla town. There I found
co-education, where girls were not allowed to talk with the boys
out side the classroom. When I secured highest marks in any
tutorial I had to face remarks of fellow boys that I was given the
highest mark because I was a girl. However, I didn’t find these
mentalities in the university level .
I
have completed my BA Honors in 1958 and MA in 1959 in Bangla
Language and Literature from
Dhaka university. In 1983 I have done diploma in Persian language
and PhD on “Poet and Poetry of Abdul Hakim” in 1985 from the
same university.
Career
After
my post – graduation I joined in the Govt. Education Service. I worked as lecturer in Govt. Eden College and Chittagong Govt.
College (1961-1968), as Associate Professor in University of
Chittagong (1968-1974). I joined in Dhaka University in 1974 as
Associate Professor. I have been promoted as Professor in 1992.
Published
books and articles:
My
five research books on the Bangla Poetry of Abdul Hakim ,
Kazi Nazrul Islam and Nowajish Khan( three famous poets and literary of
Bangla language and literature) and on Medieval Bangle
poetry. Further more
about 25 research articles on language and
literature of Bangle were published in different journals. I have
written many articles (some of it’s in English) on women’s and
activities and contribution to the society.
I
have publish 5 articles in English on women, e.g.
a)
Bengali Women in the Medieval Socio-Culture-Milieu,
b)
Women's Occupation in Medieval Bengal,
c)
Working Women in Ancient and Medieval Bengal,
d)
The Socio-Religious Rites, Ceremonies and Festivals in Medieval Bengal.
e)
Nutrition and Consciousness among Women in Medieval Bengal.
In
1997,my paper on Breast cancer was read on behalf of me
in world conference for breast cancer held in Kingston, Canada. In 1999, I went to
Ottawa Canada and presented a paper in the world conference for
breast cancer as a lone participant from Bangladesh.
Environment
of service place
I
thought there was no sex discrimination in the Public Service
Commission. But the environment of my service place was not always
congenial. I have observed the discrepancies between male and
female. Most of the male colleagues criticized my service in the
office in place of full-time housewife’s service. I had to face
criticism as both of my husband and me worked in the same
department. I had to suffer a lot for this attitude off
discrepancies. I didn’t always get my due share in my career. My
male colleagues were promoted long before my due promotion, though I
had all the required qualifications. I was deprived of my
seniority in my department due to nepotism and political
interference.
Impression
of family
I
was married before I took admission in first year honors class in
the University. The
atmosphere of my father-in law’s family was
favorable to my study. Other family members like brothers and
sisters -in –law were also students in different levels. My
father-in-law was well known literary, who was always in favor of women’s education. I must be indebted to my mother-in-laws,
who herself took the responsibilities of household duties and
rearing up my four children .
Impression
of life partner
My
husband belonged to the same discipline and subject. He was the
main source of inspiration and co-operation in my university
studies. My husband was always beside me in my struggle for
existence and success. I did my PhD in Bangle literature with the
perpetual inspiration of my husband and assistance.
My
Family
When
I had a separate home of my own, I groomed my family consisting of
my husband and four children satisfactorily. My career didn’t
create any hindrance in doing so. I was always in favor of dignity
of labor, I myself being an university teacher in my county I did not
hesitate to work in a factory.
My
Satisfactions
I
myself-think that in spite of all my odds and obstructions in
life, I have achieved all my success
in my family life and career. I am able to contribute some
thing to the society. I feel I am a successful as human being not
only a woman . Keynote of my
success is that I was always sincere
in my career and my house hold duties.
