December 9 is marked as ‘Rokeya Day’ across the country. She is considered to be a beacon of hope for women all over the world. Pairaband, the birthplace of Begum Rokeya has been visited by tourists frequently especially on Rokeya Day. Nationwide programmes have been scheduled to honour the memory of Begum Rokeya alike each year. However, the lack of maintenance and initiatives has made Pairaband unable to express the significance of Begum Rokeya’s life and work.
Locals have demanded to declare Begum Rokeya’s birthplace Pairaband as a tourist destination. They said with despair that government officials actually rushed to Begum Rokeya's birthday. Pigeons are seen in the footsteps of tens of thousands of people at various events including fairs, dramas, songs and music, circuses. But after that no one keeps inquiring. They demanded that Rokeya Memorial Center should be started and Begum Rokeya’s tomb should be brought from Kolkata to Pairaband and buried.
Today is December 9, the day of birth and death of Begum Rokeya, a pioneer of women's awakening. Various programs including administration have been organized in Rangpur around the day. The day-long program at Pairaband in Mithapukur, her birthplace, includes wreath-laying, milad and doamahfil at Pairaband Jame Mosque, discussions and cultural arrangements.
Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Asib Ahsan said that he would not only commemorate the day-based Begum Rokeya but would also translate and publish her literary works in different languages and keep them in the memorial center. He also said that a letter has been sent to the Ministry of Culture including the Bangla Academy in this regard.
