Sheikh Russel Day 2021 is being celebrated with due dignity in all the district-upazilas across the country as well as in Bangladesh embassies abroad for the first time as a ‘Ka’ class day today (October 18) with the theme ‘Sheikh Russel Dipto Joyollash, Odomyo Attobisshash'.
On the occasion of the day, ICT Division has made arrangements to distribute 10 Sheikh Russel Gold Medal to children with special needs as well as to others for their contribution in education, arts, literature and culture, sports, science and technology.
20 laptops will be handed over to the Sheikh Russel Medal winners and the winners of the online Sheikh Russel Quiz Competition. Under LEDP, five laptops will be given at the main programme and other 3,995 laptops will be distributed at the district level.
In addition, Sheikh Russel Shishu-Kishore Parishad will distribute 60 prizes. Supplementary papers will be published in various national dailies highlighting the importance of the day.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak informed this at a press conference at BCC Auditorium at ICT Tower in city’s Agargaon on Sunday.
On the day, ICT Division and Bangladesh Shishu Academy will jointly place a wreath at the portrait of Sheikh Russel at Banani Graveyard at 6.00 AM to pay homage and place separate wreaths at the portrait of Sheikh Russel on their respective Ministry / Department / Office / Institution premises.
The inaugural and award distribution ceremony of Sheikh Russell Day has been organized at 09:30 am at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) Hall of Fame by the joint initiative of Information and Communication Technology Department and Sheikh Russel Shishu Kishore Parishad. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will participate in the event as the chief guest from Ganobhaban through virtual medium. On the occasion of the day, a national seminar titled "Sheikh Russell Dipta Joylas, Indomitable Confidence" will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Hall of Fame at 3:00 pm on the initiative of Information and Communication Technology Department. Intellectuals from different walks of life will participate as negotiators. "Concert for Peace and Justice" will be held at 06:00 pm at Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Hall of Fame. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haque will be present as the chief guest on the occasion. A book on Bangabandhu and the Liberation War will be displayed at 9:45 am on the initiative of Bangladesh Shishu Academy.
Besides, book presentation will be held at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum Dhaka at 10:30 am and visit to Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, children's film will be screened at 12:00 pm at Shishu Academy Auditorium. Milad and prayer mahfil at Shishu Academy Mosque Dhaka at 1:45 pm, 02:00 pm. Photo exhibition at the late Sheikh Russell Gallery.
On the occasion of the day, wreaths will be laid at the portrait of Sheikh Russell at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bangladesh Missions abroad, readings of speeches by the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs from the Public Diplomacy Division will be displayed.
In addition, other Ministries / Departments / Institutions / Agencies will take necessary steps in the light of the programs adopted from their respective institutions. He said the ICT division would provide the necessary technical assistance.
Speaking as the chief guest at the press conference, the state minister for ICT said Sheikh Russell was a hospitable, friendly and lively child. The joys and sorrows of Sheikh Russell's untimely demise may never end. On Sheikh Russell's birthday, we wish and hope that not only in Bangladesh, but all over the world, we will work together so that children around the world can grow up safely and develop their dreams and latent talents. To build this Bangladesh and the world as a safe country and safe world for the children of the next generation.
The State Minister for ICT said that Sheikh Russell Digital Computer Lab has been set up in 8,000 educational institutions across the country under the direction and advice of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Digital Technology, the architect of Digital Bangladesh Architect Bangabandhu Suvilya Dauhitra. More than 5,000 new Sheikh Russell Digital Computer Labs are being set up. At the same time, we have taken initiative to establish the "School of Future" in 300 parliamentary seats this year. Palak added that the government is running 13 Sheikh Russell Child Training and Rehabilitation Centers to ensure that not a single child is left homeless or homeless.
NM Ziaul Alam, Senior Secretary, ICT Division, Md. Rezaul Makshud Jahedi, Acting Director General, ICT Division and KM Shahidullah, Secretary General, Sheikh Russell Shishu Kishore Parishad, among others, spoke at the press conference.