Husne Ara Kamal
হোসনে আরা কামাল
Born(1934-12-20)20 December 1934
Rajshahi District, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Bangladesh)
Died16 April 2009(2009-04-16) (aged 74)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
NationalityBangladeshi
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Professor
  • Author
  • Social worker
Spouse
​
(m. 1956)​
Children
Parents
RelativesAbbasuddin Ahmed (father-in-law)
Anisur Rahman (brother)
Mustafa Zaman Abbasi (brother-in-law)
Ferdausi Rahman (sister-in-law)
Armeen Musa (granddaughter)
AwardsRatnagarva Ma

Husne Ara Kamal[a] (Bengali: হোসনে আরা কামাল (20 December 1934 - 16 April 2009), was a Bangladeshi academician, philanthropist, and social worker who made significant contributions to social welfare and women's empowerment in Bangladesh throughout her career. She worked as a lecturer and later became the director and a professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Kamal was also an accomplished author and published several books on women and gender issues, as well as books for children.[1]

Early life and education

Husne Ara was born on 20 December 1934, in Rajshahi district, to Md. Hafizur Rahman and Anwara Begum.[2][3] She was an accomplished academic, earning post-graduate degrees from Dhaka University, Bedford College, and a master's degree in Social Science from Columbia University in the US in 1979.[4][5]

Husne Ara Kamal with Sufia Ahmed (later National Professor of Bangladesh) in 1956

Career

Kamal started her career as a lecturer at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, formerly known as Social Welfare College, of Dhaka University in 1960. During this time, she was also the principal of Purana Paltan Girls' College in Dhaka.[6] By 1966, Kamal had earned a reputation for her writings on children's literature.[7]

After the independence of Bangladesh, she focused on women's empowerment, publishing several books on the topic, including "Women in Distress" and "Women in Charge of Household". Kamal became increasingly concerned about the impact of overpopulation on the country. She wrote "Family Life Education as a Factor in Promoting Family including Family Planning" in which she detailed steps in educating women and dealing with the sociological aspects of this subject.[8]

In 1991, she was appointed as the director of the Institute and was promoted to the rank of professor in 1994. She retired from her position in 2001.[4]

Philanthropy

Kamal was involved in philanthropy, often donating anonymously. She was an advocate for women's rights and dedicated much of her life to improving the status of women and children in Bangladesh. She worked to establish programs that provided education and job training for women, advocated for laws that protected women from violence and discrimination, and supported organizations that provided social services to women and children in need. She supported various social service organizations and NGOs such as Palli Shishu Foundation of Bangladesh (PSF), B.M.N., Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Women for Women, Women's Voluntary Association (WVA), Mental Health Association, and The Hunger Project.[9][4][1] In 2006, she publicly donated Tk 15 lakh[b] to Dhaka Ahsania Mission.[10][11]

Awards

In recognition of her services, she was awarded the 'Ratnagarva Ma' award[c] in September 2004.[12]

Personal life

Kamal married Chief Justice Mustafa Kamal, son of Abbasuddin Ahmed, on 14 December 1956. She had three daughters, Nashid Kamal, Naeela K Sattar, and Nazeefa Monem. Ismail Sattar, son of M. A. Sattar and ASM Mainuddin Monem, son of Abdul Monem are her son-in-laws. Her granddaughter, Armeen Musa is a Grammy nominated singer-songwriter and composer.[13][1][5]

Death

Kamal died on 16 April 2009, as a result of a heart attack. She had been battling heart disease for some time prior to her passing. She is survived by her husband, three daughters, and seven grandchildren.[14] Throughout her life, Kamal dedicated herself to serving society, leaving behind a legacy that inspires many.[1]

Bibliography

Kamal was an accomplished author and published several books on women and gender issues. She has also written many books for children.

Papers

Notes

  1. ^ Alternatively spelled as Hosne Ara Kamal, Husneara Kamal, Hosneara Kamal in various publications in English.
  2. ^ As of 2006, 1 Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) was equivalent to approximately 0.015 USD. Therefore, Tk 15 lakh would be equivalent to approximately 22,500 USD.
  3. ^ Ratnagarva Ma is an award (Bengali: রত্নগর্ভা মা পুরস্কার) which aims to recognize mothers and the important role that they play in society of Bangladesh.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Tributes paid to Hosne Ara Kamal". The Daily Star. 20 May 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  2. ^ বেগম জাহান আরা (1987). বানালা সাহিত্যে লেখিকাদের আবদান (in Bengali). Bangladesh: Muktadhārā. p. 96. Retrieved 12 April 2023. হোসনে আরা কামাল রাজশাহী জেলার ১৯৩৪ সালের ২০শে ডিসেম্বর লেখিকার জন্ম।
  3. ^ হক, আনিসুল (December 20, 2015). "বেকার মিথুনের কর্মসংস্থান, আবেগ সামলে রাখুন ধনু". ntv online (in Bengali). Retrieved 12 April 2023. আজকের দিনে জন্মগ্রহণকারী বিশিষ্ট ব্যক্তিত্ব : বদরুদ্দিন উমর, হোসনে আরা কামাল,
  4. ^ a b c ড. সুফিয়া আহমেদ (April 14, 2014). "স্মৃতির মণিকোঠায় হোসনে আরা কামাল". bd-pratidin (in Bengali). Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  5. ^ a b Bhuiyan, Robina Rashid (14 May 2017). "Like mother, like daughter". The Daily Star. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  6. ^ Ala-Muti, Abadullaha, ed. (1968). Papers and Proceedings of the Symposia, East Pakistan Education Week, 1966-67. Symposium Committee, East Pakistan Education Week. Retrieved 19 March 2023. Mrs. Hosneara Kamal - Principal, Purana Paltan Girls' College, Dacca
  7. ^ Bhuiyan, Ali Asgar, ed. (1966). Writers' Seminar on Preparation and Production of Adult Literature, May 2-7, 1966. East Pakistan Education Directorate, Adult Education Section. Retrieved 19 March 2023. Mrs. Husneara Kamal : - Earned reputation for her writings on children's literature
  8. ^ Annual Report - Family Planning Association of Pakistan. Family Planning Association of Pakistan. 1971. p. 66. Miss Hosne-Ara Kamal's paper title "Family Life Education as a Factor in Promoting Family Welfare including Family Planning" dealt with the sociological aspects of the subject. Over-population, Miss Kamal said, was creating overwhelming problems in the developing countries.
  9. ^ "Death anniversary". The Daily Star. April 16, 2013.
  10. ^ "Tk 23.57 crore received in donation for cancer hospital". The Daily Star. February 2006. Retrieved 12 April 2023. Prof Hosne Ara Kamal and Engr MA Haque contributed Tk 15 lakh each among others
  11. ^ "Donor List". Ahsania cancer. Retrieved 12 April 2023. 32 Prof. Hosne Ara Kamal Gulshan1, Dhaka 1,500,000
  12. ^ "Mothers awarded". The Daily Star. Oct 2, 2004. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  13. ^ "The flame of grit and passion burns bright". The Business Standard. 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  14. ^ "Wife of justice Mostafa Kamal dies". bdnews24. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  15. ^ "হোসনে আরা কামাল এর বই সমূহ". Rokomari. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  16. ^ Mahmuda Islam (1994). Whither Women Studies in Bangladesh. Bangladesh: Women for Women. p. 21. Retrieved 19 March 2023. Hosneara Kamal also presented series of cases of single women in her book "Paribarer Akok Daittee Nari" (1989) (Women in Charge of Household)
  17. ^ Pakistan Quarterly. Pakistan Publications. 1969. p. 40. Retrieved 19 March 2023. one must read Mrs. Hosne Ara Kamal. Her publication " Ivur jonne Chhora " is an example of sensitive, affectionate writing about children. In "Fuljhuri ", her artful presentation of souring fire-works gives us the very image of childlike frolic and festivity.

Further reading

External links

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