Begum, Nurjahan
Begum, Nurjahan (1925-2016) pioneer of women journalism, editor of the famous newspaper ‘begum’. She was born on 4 June 1925 at Chalnatali village in Chandpur. Her father was a renowned journalist of the subcontinent, mohammad nasiruddi, editor of 'saogat’ newspaper and mothers name is Fatema Khatun. Nurjahan Begum’s nickname was Nuri and her official name was Nurun Nahar. Later, her name was changed to Nurjahan Begum as wished by her grandmother. Despite strong reservation about women’s education in the then conservative Muslim society of her time and her mother’s vehement objection, she was admitted to the children’s class at Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Memorial School in Bhagalpur district of Bihar state by her progressive father. After studying in this school for one year, she studied from second to fourth grade at Beltala High School in Kolkata and then returned to Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Memorial Girls School. She passed Matriculation in 1942 from this school and Intermediate from Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata in 1944 and honours examination in 1946 from the same college.
Nurjahan Begum lived in Calcutta in a two-storey house at No. 11 Wellesley Street. On one side of the first floor was the office of ‘Saugat’ newspaper and other side was used for the family members to live in. The ‘Calcutta Art Printers’ press was on the ground floor. Nurjahan Begum used to play harmonium and organ and sing songs. She used to participate in music, dance and drama in school events. Along with studies, she learnt cooking, sewing, painting. During her college life, she staged and directed the play ‘Chandragupta’ and played a prominent role in it. In the play ‘Meghdoot’, she introduced an event highlighting the movements of clouds through dance. In 1946, when communal riots broke out in Calcutta, an organization named ‘Muslim Orphanage and Women’s Home’ was established with her initiative and efforts along with some others. She was its founder Secretary. To help the distressed people, Rabindranath’s play ‘Samanya Khati’ was staged at the YMCA under her direction.
On 20 July 1947, the first illustrated weekly magazine ‘Begum’ was published. Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hussain’s picture was placed on the cover page of the first issue. In the beginning, Nurjahan Begum served as the acting editor of ‘Begum’. In 1950, Nurjahan Begum moved to Dhaka with her father. After arriving in Dhaka, she began to bringing out ‘Begum’ from Saratgupta’s house number 38. The Eid issue was published in 1951. The writings of 62 women writers were published in this issue. ‘Begum Club’ was established on 15 December 1954. Nurjahan Begum was its elected secretary. Its initial membership stood 64. In 1952, Nurjahan Begum was married to Roknuzzaman Khan Dada Bhai, the founding editor of ‘Kachi Kachar Mela’ under the aegis of the Daily Ittefaq. She was actively associated with the ‘Wari Mahila Samiti’, ‘Gandaria Mahila Samiti’ and ‘All Pakistan Mahila Samiti’. In 1956, she formed the ‘Narinda Mahila Samiti’ and served as its founding president. She was also associated with, Zanta International, Bangladesh ‘Shishu Kalyan Parishad’, ‘Mahila Parishad’, ‘Bangladesh Lekhika Sangha’ and many other organizations.
In recognition of her greet contribution to the awakening of the women folk, she was awarded the ‘Rokeya Medal’ (1990), ‘Nandini Sahitya and Pathachakkra Sammanana’ (1996), ‘Gandaria Mahila Samity Shuveccha Crest’ (1999), ‘Ananya Sahitya Padak’ (2003) ‘Nari Paksha Durbar Network Padak’ (2003), ‘Kanya Shishu Divas Samvardhana’ (2005), ‘Inner Wheel Padak’ (2010), and ‘Ekushey Padak’ (2011). She also received gold medals and honours from ‘Kazi Mahbubullah-Jebunnessa Trust’ and ‘Bangladesh Journalist Forum and Rotary Club’. Nurjahan Begum was the mother of two daughters.
This great lady passed away on 23 May 2016. [Jebunnessa]
