Bhawal's poet Govinda Chandra Das was 6 years older than Kabiguru Rabindranath. The poet was exiled for the crime of taking pen against the king by abandoning royal favor. Govinda Chandra Das, who was exiled for the poetry book 'Mager Muluk', spent his life in severe financial hardship. Although he gifted Bengali literature with 10 priceless poetry books, the misery of this gifted poet's life was evident. At the end of his life, some noble people like Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das made some atonement for the apathetic society by helping the ailing poet financially. Fighting poverty, the oral poet expressed his regret of not being recognized during his lifetime in his poetry. Questioning the social state, he wrote in a poem, 'If I die, will you put the monastery on my pyre?'

This regret of the creators of art and literature has been echoing for ages. The latest incident is the suicide of Rabindra Sangeet artiste Sadi Mohammed. These incidents silently slapped our society and state. Our society and state have always failed to appreciate meritorious people in their lifetime. It is said that in a society where virtue is not valued, virtue is not born in that society. With the passage of time, we are gradually losing those geniuses that we can bow down to. Our lack of qualified people to fill that gap is constantly being felt.

The number of people who do not compromise with their personality and values is decreasing day by day. On the contrary, the staff and incompetent people are taking place. The huge vacuum created in society is endangering our traditional traditions. Scholars believe that this vacuum is the cause of the various questions that we are seeing in people's minds about the awarding of prestigious state medals and awards in recent times. Where many meritorious people suffer in silence, the pain of not being recognized, the incompetence of those concerned with the awarding of medals adds to the frustration of the meritorious.

In the midst of such a reality, Bangla Academy announced the Rabindra and Nazrul Award-2024 on April 30. Rabindra and Nazrul's efforts are unquestionable to the three geniuses who are being awarded this award. With this award introduced in the name of these two great poets, a symbol of Bengali nation's self-pride, this time the academy concerned have been able to raise their judgment above the question, it has spread optimism.

Professor Bhishmadev Chowdhury and Professor Laisa Ahmad Lisa are receiving the Rabindra Award 2024 for their contribution to the research of Rabindra-literature of Bangla Academy. On the other hand, Professor Razia Sultana is receiving the Nazrul Award 2024 for her research contribution to Bangla Academy Nazrul-Literature.

Eminent literary critic Bhishmadev Chowdhury is a professor in the Bengali Department of Dhaka University. Bengali novels, Rabindra short stories and the literature of Bangladesh are central subjects of his study and evaluation. Bhishmadev Chowdhury, the author of many research books, has two notable books on Rabindra research: Two-four Asrujal: Different Paths of Rabindra Golpo (2005) and Prabhas Surya: Rabindranath Sardashata Janmvarsh Swaran (ed. 2011).

Jagannath University Professor of Microbiology Department and renowned Rabindra Musician, teacher and general secretary of Chhaynat Sangeet Vidyatana Prof Laisa Ahmad Lisa dedicated Rabindranath research. She is trying to build a cultural movement by performing healthy music including Rabindranath's songs. Being closely associated with the National Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad, she is also playing a role in spreading the practice of pure music across the country.

Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, the beacon of Bengali heartbeat and spirit, was brought to Bangladesh with his family on 24 May 1972 with the permission of the Indian government. Researchers and writers of that time devoted themselves to the study of the silent poet in various perspectives and subjects. Those close to the poet were still alive, and anything needed as a reference book was not scarce. With the availability of information, with deep devotion and devotion, many academicians have tried to evaluate the poet in various ways.

Two eminent Professors of Bengali literature Mohammad Abdul Qayoum and Dr. Razia Sultana couple devoted themselves to Nazrul research. Although the number of books of these two talented researchers in Nazrul research is not huge, the few research books they wrote about the poet play a special role in Nazrul research in this country. That's why they are celebrated as pioneering researchers.

Mohammad Abdul Qayyum presented research on 'Nazrul in various contexts' and 'Nazrul reception and other contexts'. On the other hand, Razia Sultana's research books 'Kathashilpi Nazrul' and 'Nazrul-Anwesha'. Apart from these published collections of books, these two Nazrul researchers have created numerous Nazrul researchers and fans with devotion in their long teaching life; those who are carrying forward the practice of Nazrul in Bangladesh in later life. In recognition of the research Dr. Mohammad Abdul Qayyum and Dr. Razia Sultana-Both poets won the Nazrul Award initiated by the Nazrul Institute. Dr. Mohammad Abdul Qayyum won the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1991.

Dr. Mohammad Abdul Quiyum passed away on June 12, 2020. After the death of her husband Dr. Razia Sultana spends time abroad with her children. On April 30, 2024, Bangla Academy announced the names of 3 people for the Academy Award for Rabindra and Nazrul research. Dr. Razia Sultana was nominated was nominated for the Nazrul award.

It is learned from the relatives that Dr. Razia Sultana has been suffering from various complications related to old age including memory loss. She learned the news of the award from a long distance. But despite this, she is very happy with this news!  The look of satisfaction on her face is evident, her daughters said. We are surely happy to know this news because a meritorious researcher is going to be awarded by a prestigious institution of the state for her research even though she is dying. Those concerned with Bangla Academy can certainly get thanks for this. But we also expect that why should a meritorious researcher wait until old age to get her research recognized? The question looms large today as to why we fail to reward an award while having the physical and mental impulse to celebrate it.

We know that many geniuses are still practicing their knowledge and art in secret without any desire for recognition. But when the state itself is dishonored by honoring the incompetent, then the virtuous like many others must be distressed. And not being able to bear the burden of this pain, even the eminent artists like Sadi Muhammad had to choose the path of self-immolation in silent pride. Those who run state institutions should remember that loyalty to power is not the only criterion for award nominations.

Writers who have been able to express the truth in writing without hesitation have a place in history. Syed Ghulam Hussain Khan Tabatbai, the history of the previous rulers during the British rule in favor of the Raj, the authentic historical book 'Siyar-ul-Mutakhkhirin' has proved to be a formal book in the later era. In dispassionate assessment of history, the so-called historian could not maintain his dignity. If we remember this historical reality and uphold the practice of contemporary knowledge and science, give value to real geniuses at the right time, only then will many geniuses be born in the country and we will be able to move forward on the path of building a knowledge-based society and state. Like the poet Govinda Das, we can change the character of the society by 'giving the monastery to the pyre after death'. 

The bloody history of the Great May Day is one of the glorious historical events of the 19th century. The event originated in the American city of Chicago but gradually its response spread worldwide. Historical records show that the May 1886 killings of workers and the bombing of protest rallies sparked worldwide condemnation for the next several decades. As a result, May 1 Day is recognized internationally. The protesters continued to campaign for their demands despite the killings and torture. In 1889, on the centenary of the French Revolution, the Second International Congress was held in Paris. Since 1890 there, Raymond Lavin proposed to observe the anniversary of the Chicago protest internationally in different countries. The proposal was formally adopted at the Second International Congress of 1891. Since May 1 was declared as Labor Day, the day has been celebrated by the working class in many countries.

May Day acquired a special significance after the socialist revolution in Russia and later in several other countries. Workers' rights were recognized with the establishment of the International Labor Organization as an important subsidiary arm of the United Nations. The ILO establishes a number of regulations and urges industrial owners and workers in all countries to comply with them, thus protecting the rights of workers and owners. Bangladesh is a signatory country to the principles formulated by the ILO. In 1915, the first 8-hour work day rule was issued in Uruguay. Later, the 8-hour work rule was introduced for workers all over the world. The May Day struggle demanded an eight-hour day, higher wages and better working conditions, etc. - now fully pursued in the developed world.

2. The country of the world, which once believed in the freedom of workers, is now living in fear and disorientation due to warlike behavior of Russia. Hundreds of countries in the world that celebrate May Day with great importance are also worried today. This internationally recognized day is also known as Labor Day or Workers Day. Many countries have a holiday on this day. May Day is a day to honor the memory of the workers who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for their demands. On this day, a worker dreams of a better life. Because May Day has given the whole world a society free from discrimination and exploitation. But war and political unrest spelled doom for working people. It is possible to co-operate with welfare systems in developed countries to protect against the impact of war.

On the other hand, developing countries are struggling to keep their hardworking people alive. For example, Bangladesh's 500,000 garment workers are urban (although only 15 percent of the country's workers are urban workers), there are also day-to-day laborers and a large poor population involved in agriculture. It is important to protect these low-income people from the crisis as well as to use them to keep the wheels of the country's economy moving. Moreover, the demand for working men and women in the medical service sector was very high during the Corona crisis. Along with doctors-nurses, hospital ward boys, nannies, cleaners have worked at risk to deal with Corona. In other words, the importance of working people in medical care at the critical moment was immense. From this point of view, this May Day carries a different significance. That's why the slogan of 2022 should be - 'The country will survive if the workers survive'.

3. The labor law of Bangladesh states that workers shall work six days a week, not exceeding eight hours per day. Two hours of overtime may be worked, but in no case more than that, i.e. in no case shall the working hours of a worker exceed 10 hours. The worker shall be paid double wages for these additional two hours. Under no circumstances can the mill authorities work overtime by force i.e. without the consent of the workers. It is an offense to force a worker to work 16/18 hours or not to pay double wages for overtime. In the labor law, the factory environment must be healthy and humane. Physical torture, abuse and sexual harassment should not be there. Violation of labor laws also provides for penalties.

It should be noted that the number of agricultural workers in Bangladesh is 2 crore 33 lakh, the number of workers employed in hotels, restaurants and shops is 82 lakh, and the number of factory workers is 75 lakh. Of these, 50 lakh workers work in garment factories. Among the 64 districts of the country, child laborers are also found in several districts. Besides, there are workers in roads and highways, construction, textile (yarn making and weaving), tannery, ship breaking, poultry and shrimp (processing), chatal (paddy mill), agriculture and fisheries. Shop workers and workers in vehicle repair factories are also important in the service sector. Stone quarrying and stone breaking and brick kiln workers in the construction sector are engaged in hazardous work. Many women workers work in inhuman conditions in this country. These women are seen in earth cutting and brick breaking, sawdust and fish processing industries. Again, the contribution of expatriate women workers to the remittances of this country is also recognized. Most women workers of Bangladesh went to 10 countries; There are about 9 lakh women workers in those countries.

According to the data of Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training or BMET, the number of women workers who went abroad from Bangladesh from 1991 to 2019 is - Saudi Arabia - 332 thousand 204 people, Jordan - 155 thousand 411, United Arab Emirates - 130 thousand 571 , Lebanon - one hundred and six thousand 840, Oman - 86 thousand 132, Qatar - 32 thousand 259, Mauritius - 17 thousand 923, Kuwait - nine thousand 19, Malaysia six thousand 638 and four thousand 290 women workers in Bahrain. There are 6 crore workers in all in Bangladesh. The main problems of these workers are harassment, disappearances and accidental deaths. In the sea fisheries, working people are the most missing. Among the accidents, road accidents, electrocution, building collapses, falls from above, lightning, fires and explosions cause workers to die every year. On the other hand, about 1500 workers were killed in the garment sector in the 11 years from 2009 to 2019. However, since 2018, the non-fatalities of workers have decreased to a large extent. Unable to write, the families and children of the dead workers are left helpless, with no one to look after them. They cannot meet the minimum requirements for survival.

4. The labor situation in Bangladesh in the last 15 years is not satisfactory, but there are reasons to be optimistic. The efforts of the Awami League government, from child labor ban and implementation of the labor law to increasing the wages of garment workers and the system of paying fair dues to agricultural workers, are notable works. The United Nations body International Labor Organization (ILO) has already found that Bangladesh labor laws and EPZ laws are consistent, workers are not prevented from organizing, retrenchment of workers and police harassment are absent in the pursuit of demands. In addition there are proper provisions on labor inspection (inspection). This has been made possible mainly due to various initiatives to ensure the compliance of Accord, Alliance and other national and international organizations. That is, the awareness of labor standards and protection of workers has increased. But the resolution of the crisis is slow compared to that. For this, it is necessary to look at all sectors.

However, after the Rana Plaza accident in 2013, the change in the environment of garment factories under the initiative of Sheikh Hasina government is very clear to the workers working there. Earlier there was no training in garments to deal with disasters. Now several factories are conducting multiple trainings a year. The owner is conducting various awareness programs about what to do in case of fire, sometimes other things to do. There is no 'fussing' about salary and bonus as before. If the workers have any problem now they can also complain to the management. In fact, according to the demands of two alliances of foreign buyers, Accord and Alliance, fire safety, electrical safety, building safety, everything has to be kept in operation by following modern methods.

According to Bangabandhu's 'Unfinished Autobiography' and other works, before 1971 Pakistan was full of workers' walk in jute mills, textile mills and sugar mills. Even though these large industrial factories could not see the face of profit after independence, small and medium industries have been established in this country on a large scale. Workers in these new factories next to Garments are new to the labor market. And all together, the number of women workers is now large. But no labor colony was built around the garment factories. For example, colonies used to exist around jute mills or textile mills. Workers now live in urban slums, underdeveloped areas adjacent to factories. But once upon a time there was provision of accommodation colony, medical allowance etc. for the workers of jute and textile industry. However, the rent of the worker's house, medicine and medical expenses, the monthly wage of at least 8 thousand taka for a family of four has been fixed during the Sheikh Hasina government.

5. May 1 is the day of awakening of hardworking people against injustice and exploitation. It is a day of struggle to claim against injustice and oppression. It is also a day of unity - a day when all working people pledge to advance the cause of development by strengthening their bond of brotherhood. I believe that working people and hardworking people will be able to establish their rights by realizing all their just demands in future with inspiration from May 1. In a corona-free world, the contribution of the working people in the agriculture and export sectors will be remembered if the safety measures for the industrial working environment and health protection are maintained.

Author: Professor, Department of Bengali; Jagannath University

In the beginning of the world, labor was an unimportant matter. Slavery originated in the ancient Egyptian era, where people were held captive as slaves and forced to work against their will. It was building palaces by cutting mountains or building pyramids by placing stones on stones. Labor was axiomatic to power. In one observational sense, the word "slave" was the root word for labor. Human life is changing and evolving in the course of time. In the development of civilization, work is created as a result of necessity and invention of labor for that work. The whole world becomes labor-dependent. Two clans called owner-laborer emerged based on this labor.

One team needs work, another team also needs work. And from that the concept of selling labor was born. Long before the industrial revolution in the world, the valuation of human labor was cheap. Since the establishment of factories in Europe, the entire social system has largely become dependent on workers. But in the beginning this modern social system was not so worker friendly as it is today. Long working hours, low wages, the urge to over-produce in working hours, all together create two groups, the exploiters and the exploited all over the world. A worker means inhumane life. Colonial theory developed in consumerist society. The poor keep getting poorer. People are affected by hunger, famine and epidemics. The ruling clique started fighting to establish their empire. And these workers and poor class people become their targets.

World War I saw the emergence of a new concept of labor called war labor in Eastern Europe. The ruling class of the countries participating in the war would forcefully send men to the battlefield. For this they were paid a hefty salary. After the war, a different picture emerged across Eastern Europe. That is, Eastern Europe became largely male-free which hurt the whole social system. A kind of silent famine ensued. Women, children continued to leave other parts of Europe. Polygamy, monogamy and prostitution appeared among women. An obscenity filled the social system.

Labor history developed in late 19th century Europe through political movements aimed at securing the rights of the working class. Throughout Europe, the impact of labor rights began to spread worldwide through piecemeal labor protests, strikes and movements. Workers involved in the wool trade started the Luddites movement in Britain, which was considered one of the most talked about events in Britain at the time, centered on the penetration of modern machinery. Haymarket riots in America, Homestead strike, Pullman strike etc. contributed to the promotion of the labor rights movement. As a result, today we celebrate the great May Day.

Complaints of inhumane living and deprivation of citizens were common during the Russian Revolution. Workers joined this revolution in 1917 through labor unrest and riots. The success of the Russian Revolution came with the declaration of the solidarity of workers with people of all classes and professions and the formation of the Bolshevik (communism) government. From time to time, throughout the ages, from pagan to colonial, from colonial to modern, workers have been marginalized and oppressed. And so they fought to survive for centuries by raising the flag of their rights. The fortunes of workers in free market economies have improved somewhat. They get paid for their fixed working hours. He gets the benefits he deserves in the workplace. But the workers who benefit are from first world countries. Workers in third world countries are still neglected today. Labor unrest, death risk of workers due to various errors in the workplace, recession in the labor market, etc. are a daily occurrence in various third world countries including Bangladesh. The tendency of Bangladeshi workers to go abroad today is due to these reasons.

Even though the economic index in Bangladesh is on the upswing, we have not been able to claim ourselves as a worker-friendly country. It is our failure. And so we think of ourselves as the slaves of the workers. That's why the hardworking people like housekeepers, rickshaw pullers, janitors don't have any holiday on the great May day. They don't even know what this day is. Our social system has deprived them of their fair labor rights.

There is a dire message for workers in the world to come. Fourth Industrial Revolution (Four IRs). What is called in English, The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). A combination of the physical, digital and biological realms. Advances in information technology, the Internet of Things, robotics, artificial intelligence and quantum computing are considered by many to usher in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Many economists believe that the fourth industrial revolution will usher in a world of inequality and extreme poverty. Robots and machines will be factory workers. Low-skilled workers will be fired en masse. As a result, the economic condition of developing countries will be extremely disappointing. We want workers' rights, worker's independence. The sweat of the workers has gone from the jungle to the city. The towering skyscrapers has the touch of a worker's hand. So behind the development of the world is the sweat of millions of workers.

And so the best tool for the development of human civilization is the labor of this world. Everyone says, "Be one of the laborers of the world!"

At present, there is no active participation program of political parties in the country in that sense. However, there is no lack of interest in politics among the common people in the country. Evidence of this can be found in rural areas at neighborhood-mahalla junctions or market tea shops. I have gone to a market in the village before the Eid of last month and saw a crowded chat at tea shops. As there were no empty seats, standing behind for a while, it was understood that the people working in the fields all day long do not keep the news of the country less than the urban people!

What did the leader of any party say when, which heroine's family broke up, which country lost whom in the cricket game, etc. What did Putin-Biden say, the whole world situation including the Ukraine-Russia, Israel-Palestine war should be memorized by them! These tea stalls also have a party identity. Separate stalls for Awami League and BNP supporters. And the supporters of other parties live together in all of them. I have never seen such political awareness of the people of the village in the memory of leaving the village two and a half decades ago. Talking to the villagers, it was learned that this awareness has come among the people mainly due to the spread of electronic media. These tea-stall chats often lead to violence.

This shows that even though there is no active program of political parties in the country, the political mentality has not disappeared among the common people. Instead, they keep all the news happening in the country and abroad for the kindness of the media and also raise their own thoughts in their tea chat. Although there are supporters of the party, many times they do not stop criticizing even the intemperate speech of a central leaders of their party. The commonly used term 'Public Parliament' is probably a reflection of these tea stalls in the village.

Amid apathy in political parties, an election opportunity has come again. Upazila Parishad election. Although the local government cannot be an active organization at the moment, there is no lack of enthusiasm among the local leaders and activists of the parties around the upazila elections. Elected office confers certain privileges, as well as nurtures a cadre of followers—which paves the way for establishment in politics. Many leaders of upazila and district level have participated in the upazila elections due to such reality. Many of those who were defeated in the race to become MPs are also participating in the upazila elections, breaking their shame and lowering their aspirations.

Some speeches and statements of the 'high command' of Awami League and BNP, the two main parties in and out of power, have made this election more important. The ruling party Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has recently called several press conferences and issued 'strict' instructions to follow some of the party's precepts in the upazila elections. This strong message is that relatives of MP-ministers should not be candidates in the upcoming upazila election.

For the past few weeks, there has been a lot of commotion within the ruling party and in the entire political sphere. The high command's informal and personal dealings with important leaders and MPs at various levels of the party are going on extensively. Awami League general secretary had a heated exchange with some senior leader due to the fear of conflicting with the party's 'hard position' and the interests of relatives!

According to political sources, a member of the party's presidium also said that if his son is not the chairman, the development of the area will not happen!

According to the news published in the media, in most of the districts of the country, relatives of MPs and ministers have become candidates in defiance of the central instructions of Awami League and their candidatures have also been declared valid. We have seen many leaders announcing decisions like notice-expulsion, permanent expulsion due to disobedience of the party's decisions in the past national elections and even earlier local government level elections and even by-elections. Later, I saw that the party reconsidered the decision and returned the expelled leaders to the party. Even the general secretary of Gazipur Metropolitan Awami League, Jahangir Alam, who was expelled for insulting Bangabandhu, was surprised by the decision to return to the party. In such a reality, it is probably necessary to consider whether the 'strict instructions' from the party high command not to run for the relatives of MP-ministers in the upazila parishad elections are being considered 'ridiculous' by the common people and even the field workers-supporters.

On the other hand, BNP has expelled 73 members of the party for taking part in the first phase upazila parishad elections in violation of the party decision of the BNP, which was limited to some press conferences and meetings with foreign diplomats without a political program. Among them there are 28 upazila chairman candidates, 24 vice chairman candidates and 21 female vice chairman candidates. It has also become clear that BNP leaders and workers who have been paying costs for a long time due to the short-sighted and stubborn decisions of the party high command are impatiently taking care of the party's decisions. If you don't get a chance to contest in the elections, you can feel the lack of politics among the leaders or workers if you talk to the grassroots workers of the party.

The leaders of HM Ershad's Jatiya Party, which has ruled the country for a long time under the shelter of dictatorship, have become stunts and sidekicks of other parties and have come to such an unimportant condition that it is impossible to say how much importance people give to the leaders of this party. Besides, the infighting in the party has reached such a state that the current party chief himself is disappointed. Then the workers and supporters of that party understand how directionless it is.

In this situation, the 'ridiculous' expression of the public about the 'judgment' of the high command of the political parties in the country does not bode well at all. The self-realization of those who are involved in the decision-making process of the parties is very important that the common people of the country have now learned to understand many things. In those 'public parliaments' of the village, post-mortems of all the leaders of every party, big and small, take place. They do not hesitate to lash out at those concerned for controversial and anti-public activities while praising good and honest work. History has repeatedly proved that the future of those 'politicians’, who are eager to expand the self-thinking of those who consider these perceptions and opinions of the common people to be unimportant, is not good at all. Therefore, it is very important to practice far-sighted and steady decision-making in politics rather than being a laughing stock to the public.