Begum Sufia Kamal Friday called upon the pools to work unitedly with rest of the population lo cleanse the society of the ills that got rooted during Ihc past auto cratic rule, reports BSS

While paying tributes lo ihc poets for their relentless and uncompromising struggle against the authoritarian rule. Begum Sufia Kamal said though autocracy had been removed from the centre of ihc stage, its vestiges still continued lo < ausc concern lo those- who cherished freedom, democracy and wellbeing of the masses.

Ik cu.n Sufia Kamal was in-augur.ilitig the fifth poetry festival ai Ihc road-crossing near the TSC. the venue of the four previous festivals organised by Jatiya Kabita I’arishad. The inaugural session of the two-day festival was presided over by the I’arishad Chief poet Shamsur Rahman.

The theme of this year’s festival was 'poetry for democracy".

The inaugural session was addressed, among others, by Poet Nirmak-ndu Goon. General Secretary of the Paris had and poet Faiz Ahmed, Convenor of the festival committee. Poet Mohan Raihan read out the declaration of ihc festival.

One minute's silence Jivas observed at the outset to pay respects lo those who sacrificed Ihcir lives during antf-aulocracy movement and those Cmincnt personalities who passed away after the last festival.

Begum Sufia Kamal said the nation was now passing through a critical Juncture. She said Ihc poets had role to play this to materialise the hopes and aspiration of the masses for a decent living. She was optimistic that the poets would

work with likeminded people lo ensure Justice. fairplay and pence in the society and guarantee security of all including

Poet Shamsur Rahmnn said, poets arc for democracy because its absence denies the people their basic rights and the way to creativity. "We are against autocracy lor we be licve in democracy and only in a democratic atmosphere, we can compose poems, paint pictures and sign songs freely, he observed.

Mr. Shamsur Rahman said the mass upsurge that forced the collapse of autocracy had added a new dimension to the poetry festival. He said keeping that spirit in mind "poetry for democracy" was selected as the slogan of the festival.

The Parishad President warned that like in the past, the poets would again rise if any evil force attempted to silence peoples’ voice. We would continue to remain vocal against autocracy, communal-ism and terrorism, he added.

Fatz Ahmed expressed happiness of the parishad members for being associated with the masses In dethroning the autocratic rule. He said, we arc also thankful to the people for the ovation they have given to the poets for their contributions to the anti-autocratic movement. The victory against autocracy has revived ano revitalised self consciousness of the poets, he added.

Poets Mohan Raihan said the fifth poetry festival was unique because this was for the first time, the festival was tak Ing place in an atmosphere free from autocracy. He said, we all' including the poets should work such a way that the nation was never chained by autocrats.

After the Inaugural session, a procession was brought out.