An event held at the Bangladesh Film Archive yesterday marked the observance of Women, Child Martyrs and July Warriors Day. The program, organized by the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation and the Bangladesh Cinema and Television Institute (BCTI), included an audio-visual publication series on the 2024 Mass Uprising, a theme song presentation, cultural performances, and a discussion session.
National Responsibility to Preserve Memories
In his welcome address, Lt. Col. (Rtd.) Kamal Akbar, Chief Executive Officer of the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation, emphasized the national responsibility to preserve the memory of the martyrs of the July Mass Uprising and promote their stories to future generations. The foundation has been implementing various research, publication, and memorial initiatives to achieve this goal.
State and Society Must Recognize Martyrs
Shah Alam, Additional Secretary and Secretary in-charge of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, spoke as the chief discussant. He stressed the need for the state and society to ensure due recognition of the martyrs and establish a coordinated support framework for their families and those affected by the uprising. Dr. Alam Mostafa, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, highlighted the importance of remembering the martyrs every day.
President of the Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies, Dr. Mohammad Zahirul Islam Kochi, noted that July represents a glorious chapter in the nation's history and transforming grief into strength would help build a developed and humane Bangladesh. The event also saw the attendance of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Managing Editor Fazlul Haque, Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust Managing Director Mohammad Abdul Bachhir (Bachhir Jamal), and Bangladesh Film Certification Board Vice-Chairman S. M. Abdur Rahman.
July warriors and members of martyrs' families shared their experiences and emphasized the importance of preserving the history of the martyrs through research and presenting it properly to future generations. The program concluded with the screening of the theme song and audio-visual publication series on the 2024 Mass Uprising, followed by a cultural performance.
The organizers stated that a series of discussion sessions, audio-visual exhibitions, and cultural programs have been taking place at the Bangladesh Film Archive from July 16 to 18 to preserve the history of the July Mass Uprising, commemorate the martyrs, and promote the spirit of July among the younger generation.
