Begum Rokeya Day  is being observed countrywide today (Wednesday) on the occasion of the 135th birth and 83rd death anniversaries of the pioneer for women's rights in the subcontinent.

The Women and Children Affairs Ministry and various socio-cultural and political organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day.

The programmes include milad mahfil, placing wreaths at Begum Rokeya’s portraits, discussions and cultural functions.

On the occasion, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia have issued separate messages paying rich tributes to Begum Rokeya.

In his message, the President urged all to work together to materialise the dream of Begum Rokeya to establish peaceful and discrimination-free coexistence of males and females in the new century.

The Prime Minister, in her message, said Begum Rokeya showed the women the enlightened path of education overcoming different obstacles.

Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain was born on December 9 in 1880 at Pairaband village in Rangpur. She passed away on December 9 in 1932.