Internationa) Literacy Day was observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world yesterday underlining the importance of creating education awareness among the people, reports UNB.

The literacy day is very significant in countries, like Bangladesh, where the rate of literacy is very poor.

To mark the day. the Primary and Mass Education Division chalked out various programmes at district, thana and union levels. The programmes inclpded discussion, mass education fair, rally and kabbadi game.

It organised a discussion meeting on the "Role of non-formal education in eradicating illiteracy within next 10 years" at Osmant memorial auditorium in the morning.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the function as chief guest and distributed prizes among some individuals and organisations for their contribution to illiteracy eradication programme.

Some 32 government and non-government organisations related to literacy interventions Jointly organised various programmes, to mark the occasion.

Besides, different socio-cultural, UN and voluntary organisations put up programmes with the objective to create awareness among the people.

Combined literacy c ampaign brought out a colourful procession from the National Museum in the morning The procession ended at Central Shaheed Ml-nar after parading through Jatlya Press Club.

Representatives of goveYn-ment and non government or-Emaations. teachers, women, wyers and volunteers took part in the procession.

Campaign tor Popular Education (CAMPE) an NGO. chalked out a three day pro framme, Including staging of agore s drama titled Tota Ka hint at the Shaheed Mlnar premises in the morning

CAMPE also brought out a colourful procession in the city which was participated by thousands school children, former child workers at gar-

ment factories, teachers and NGO activists.

United Nations Association of Bangladesh (UNAB) held a symposium at its office at 55 Dilkusha commercial area in the afternoon. Shamanta Bhadra Barua was the main speaker while elderly scientist Prof Mohammad Abu Bakar presided it.

Association for Realisation of Basic Needs (ARBAN) arranged a seminar on education at Jatlya Press Club auditorium in the afternoon.

Former Chief Justice Ka-maluddfn Hossain presided over the seminar, participated, among others, by Chairman of Bangla Academy poet Shamsur Rahman and Prof Shahjahan Tapan of Institute of Education and Research of Dhaka University.

Bangladesh Girls' Guide Association organised a workshop and a day long poster exhibition at its office.

National Association of UNIESCO Club in Bangladesh organised a discussion In the capital. It was addressed by Mahboobuddjn Chowdhury. Prof Masuda M Rashid Chowdhury, Enayetur Rahman. Saje-du) Awai, Mohammad Sharif and KG Klbria Mukul.

Life. an anti narcotic organ Isatlon. in observance of the International Literacy Day held a discussion at Its central office in the city yesterday

Presided over by Md Kamrul Islam Sony, the meeting was also addressed by Sneikh Farukh Ahmad. Monir Hossain Tutul. Saleh Shiblt. Syed Lutfar Rahman and Md Amlrul Islam.