Begum Akhtar Jahan, former Member of Parliament and Deputy Librarian receives Begum Rokeya Padak 2019

Ahasan, Dhaka

Begum Akhter Jahan-a librarian, politician, freedom fighter and a social worker received Begum Rokeya Padak 2019.

Prime Minister Sheik Hasina handed over to five people the prestigious Begum Rokeya Padak for their outstanding contributions to the empowerment of society and women. The award ceremony, marking the 139th birth and 87th death anniversary of Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain.

Begum Akhter Jahan completed her BA (Hons) and master’s degree from the University of Rajshahi in 1973 and 1974 respectively. Later on, Ms Jahan obtained her second master from the University of Dhaka in 1985. After awarding her librarianship degree, she started her career at the University of Rajshahi central library and retired from the same institution as a Deputy Librarian and since then she is actively involved in politics. In her glorious political career, she was responsible for the various position of Bangladesh Awami League from division to central. However, the highest achievement came in 2014 when she became MP from the women reserved seats.

This year, Begum Selina Khalek, Professor Shamsun Nahar, Papri Basu, Begum Akhtar Jahan, and Dr Nurunnahar Faizunnesa (posthumously) received the Begum Rokeya Padak.

In 1995, the government introduced the Begum Rokeya Padak conferred on five eminent women each year to acknowledge their significant contribution to empowering women and highlighting women’s issues in society.

Begum Akhter Jahan, the first-ever Bangladeshi LIS professional to become Member of Parliament (MP) who also won TLT Excellence Library Professional Award 2018.