Moin Mahmood: The birthday of renowned author, child advocate, and lawyer A.K.M. Badruddoza was celebrated with a grand event at the `Kitchen Yard` Chinese restaurant in Motijheel, organized by `Ababil`—a national organization for children, adolescents, and youth.

A.K.M. Badruddoza, a fiction writer, served as the chief director during the inception of `Phulkuri Asar,` a national organization for children. Recalling those days, he noted that at the start of Phulkuri Asar’s journey, President Ziaur Rahman declared 1979 as the International Year of the Child. A national committee was formed for this purpose, and he was included as a representative of Phulkuri Asar. During that period, the government undertook several initiatives for the mental development of children, including the publication of a monthly children’s magazine, the establishment of children’s parks, the launch of the `Notun Kuri` competition on Bangladesh Television, and the introduction of national awards for children.

He further mentioned that Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia also took several effective measures for children, particularly for adolescent girls. The current government is also implementing groundbreaking initiatives for children. He emphasized that children need to receive education through more modern methods. He pointed out that many parents and teachers do not give sufficient thought to children’s mental well-being, and there is a lack of qualified psychological professionals. He added that the goal should be to implement various programs dedicated to the mental development of children in every upazila. The event was presided over by Advocate Akbar Hossain, a senior Supreme Court lawyer and member of the Standing Committee of `Ababil`. Speakers included Akbar Mohammad, Executive Editor of `Ababil Asar`; Poet Syed Mazharul Parvez, President of the Bangladesh Lekhak Parishad (Bangladesh Writers` Council); Poet and publisher Kabya Sultana, Managing Editor of `Ababil Asar`; fiction writer Amena Aftab; Dr. Farhad Hossain Bhuiyan; Naushad Alam Shamim; Md. Monir Hossain; and Noman Molla, General Secretary of `Ababil`. During the event, the Farrukh Ahmed Award was presented to poet Kazi Nasrin. Members of the `Ababil` cultural troupe performed musical pieces at the event.