A tribute to “Begum” Editor Nurjahan Begum (Mohammad Amjad Hossain)

Mohammad Amjad Hossain

Born in East Bengal in 1925 in the British ruled India, Nurjahan Begum had begun her education in Calcutta in the mid 40’s when her father Mohammad Nasiruddin brought out weekly journal Shaoghat to inspire writer-poet from Muslim community in particular when Kallol group of writers  had  begun influential  literary movement in Bengali literature around 1930s. Having graduated from Lady Brabourne College in Calcutta in 1944 Nurjahan Begum had developed editing and writing skill in a journal in pioneer Shaogat in cooperation with her father Nasiruddin. By now Shaogat earned fame in India in introducing colourful pictures of events along with news. I have had experience to read those Shaogat at our home in Kumarkhali because my father was a subscriber.

To inspire Muslim women to come forward to literary circle Mohammad Nasiruddin had brought out Weekly Begum from Calcutta, now spelt Kolkata, in July of 1947. Editor of the Begum was legendary poet Sufia Kamal. When Poet Sufia Kamal had left for Dacca after division of the British India in August of 1947 along with her husband Kamaluddin Ahmed, Nurjahan Begum was assigned as Editor of Weekly Begum. During her stay in Calcutta Nurjahan Begum also came in touch with rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam who was given shelter in one room apartment of their house by father Nasiruddin to save Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam from financial crisis. In Calcutta Nurjahan Begum was associated with volunteering in refugee camps during Hindu-Muslim riot in 1946. In 1950 family of Nasiruddin moved to Dacca, now Dhaka, and settled at Sarat Gupta road in Narinda area and weekly Begum had begun publishing from Patuatuli, old Dhaka. Weekly Begum was an inspirational journal to establish Bengali women as writers and poets in the society. In 1954 Begum Club was established which became a hub for social and cultural activities of women in Dhaka. Poet Sufia Kamal was its advisor. In Bangladesh, Nurjahan Begum was involved in social activities as can be seen from her involvement at Narinda Mahila Samity as well as Wari Mahila Samity.
 

In 1952 Nurjahan Begum married Rokonuzzaman Khan, who was feature and mufassil page editor of Daily Ittefaq. She had a happy life with Rokonuzzaman Khan and gave birth to two daughters: Flora Nasreen Khan (Shathi) and Rina Yasmin Ahmed (Miti). Incidentally, I met Nurjahan Begum in November of 1962 when we were travelling to different parts of Sylhet along with an 18 member of caravan of Central Kachi-Kachar Mela headed by Rokonuzzaman Khan as the founder-Director. That was a memorable trip to greater Sylhet. Since then Nurjahan Begum joined with members of Kachi-Kachar Mela to visit different offices of Mela, including Charigram and Kushtia. It was probably Nurjahan Begum’s first visit to Rokonuzzaman Khan’s  ancestral home at Bheramara along with Poet Sufia Kamal and Rokonuzzaman Khan. From Bheramara rail station both Poet Sufia Kamal and Nurjahan Begum travelled in palanquin. My family was honoured by the invitation of Rokonuzzaman Khan at Sarat Gupta residence of his father-in-law where Nurjahan Begum entertained us on the eve of our departure to join my first diplomatic assignment in Bangladesh embassy in Kuala Lumpur in 1977.
 

Since departure of Rokonuzzaman Khan from this world Nurjahan  Begum was invited by Central Kachi-Kanchar Mela to participate in different functions of the organisation. Of these functions this writer, as Joint Director of Central Kachi-Kanchar Mela, invited Nurjahan Begum to join the 46th anniversary of the Mela on 5 October of 2002 where she gave inspirational speech to members of Central Kachi-kanchar Mela to march forward with ideals of founder Rokonuzzaman Khan who was known popularly as Dadabhai. Minister Khurshid Jahan Haque presided over while Barrister Moynul  Hossain as one of the special guests. She also participated as Special guest on the occasion of 48th founding anniversary of Central Kachi-Kanchar Mela while Chief guest was Mr.Morten Giersing, Representative of UNICEF in Bangladesh. Nurjahan Begum was invited by Central Kachi-Kanchar Mela on the occasion of fiftieth founding anniversary of Central Kachi-Kanchar Mela to receive award on behalf of Rokonuzzaman Khan. Nurjahan Begum allowed this writer and artist Hashem Khan to bury Rokonuzzaman Khan at the office of Central Kachi-Kanchar Mela at Shegun Bagicha. Rokonuzzaman died at 74 in December of 1999.

Nurjahan Begum was the chief guest at a function related to media and women organised by Bangladesh Centre for Development of Journalism and Communication at the Planning and Development academy on 24 October of 2003. It was presided over by Dr. Geeti Ara Nasrin. Here Nurjahan Begum emphasised the need for commitment and professionalism to carry out duties in the media. She pointed out the weekly Begum could complete its 56 years of publication amid many hindrances because of unwavering professional zeal. She said the history of women journalists in the country was quite long and urged women in the media to go ahead with a modern outlook with the changing needs of time. Nurjahan’s commitment to Weekly Begum was tremendous as had been reflected in 2003 when she was confronted with financial crisis. She had sought assistance from this writer to pay back workers in printing press. I gave ten thousand taka to pay back workers which she, however, paid back ultimately. That showed her commitment to her journalistic career. Weekly Begum is published now on the occasion of Eid only. Nurjahan Begum declared Mohammad Nasiruddin Smriti Bhavan as trust. Nurjahan Begum was awarded with Rokeya Padak in 1997 while Ekushey Padak by Bangladesh government in 2011.

Nurjahan Begum actually had been suffering from respiratory trouble during winter seasons for a long time. She was admitted to Square Hospital on 4 May with respiratory trouble along with pneumonia and doctor did not give hope for survival as this writer was told by her daughter Rina Yasmin (Mithi). Nonagenarian Nurjahan Begum left this world on 23 May leaving behind two daughters, grand sons and daughters and score of admirers to mourn her death. May Allah grant her peace in heaven!

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Mohammad Amjad Hossain, retired diplomat from Bangladesh writes from Virginia