Dhaka: The country will observe the 152nd birth anniversary of Bishwakobi Rabindranath Tagore like the Bangla New Year's celebration with a call for resisting militancy, religious fanaticism and rooting out superstition from the society, said Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad on Tuesday.

"We are going to observe Kobiguru's 100 years of receiving the Nobel prize by holding a colorful programme side by side with celebration of his birth anniversary," he said this while chairing a meeting of the National Committee formed earlier in observance of Kobiguru's birth anniversary at Silpakala Academy.

The minister said law enforcing agencies will remain alert during the function so the people could take part in Tagore's birth anniversary programme without fear like the people attended the Bangla New Year's programme.

The meeting was attended, among others, by cultural affairs secretary Ranjit Biswas, Bangla Academy Chairman Professor Anisuzzaman, Nazrul Institute Trustee Board Chairman Professor Rafiqul Islam, noted singer Momtaj Begum MP, Director General of Bangle Academy Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, cultural personalities Ali Imam, Golam Quddus, Director General of Shilpakala Academy Liyakat Ali Lucky, Director General of National Museum Prakash Chandra Das, poet Rafiq Azad, Director Sonagaon Museum Rabindra Gope and deputy commissioners of Kushtia, Sirajganj, Naogaon and Khulna, which bear the memories of Tagore.

Besides, representatives and officials of education ministry, Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Bangladesh Group Theater Federation and other socio cultural organizations were present.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the 152nd birth anniversary and 100 years of his receiving the Nobel for 'Gitanajoli' function at Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium on May 8 next, the meeting was informed.

Shilpakala academy takes programme to observe the day at Shilaidaha in Kushtia, Shajadpur in Sirajganj, Patishar in Naogaon and Dakkindihi in Khulna while Bangladesh missions abroad will also observe Tagore's birth anniversary by holding colorful programme, the meeting was informed.

The meeting also decided to arrange Rabindra memorial lecture at Bangla Academy, stage Koboguru's Painting Exhibition, display documentary on Rabindranath and publish magazine.

Ends/AMA/16/04/13