National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam wrote in his poem ” All the great creations in the world are eternally good, half of them are made by women, half by men.” In the biographical analysis of Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib, we find the exact copy of this poem of the national poet.
The greatest achievement of the long struggle under the leadership of Bangabandhu is the independence of Bangladesh. Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib, the noble woman of Bengal, was the inspiration behind these struggles and movements of Bangabandhu and followed Bangabandhu’s entire political life like a shadow.
Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib was born on August 8, 1930 in Tungi Para village of Gopalgangdistrict. Her calledname was Renu. Her Father’s name is Sheikh Zahurul Haque and mother’s name is Hosne Ara Begum. He was the youngest among one brother and two sisters.
Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib is a name of respect and love for the people of Bengal. She wasby the side of Bangabandhu like a shadow in his entire political life during the liberation war.That is why Bangabandhu was able to taste and bring the dream of independence in the mind of a nation. Begum Mujib worked behind the scenes to implement her political philosophy and ideals. Bangabandhu, Bengalis and the country of Bengal are built on the same formula, just like Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman andBangmata Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib and each other are inseparable names.
Whenever there is any discussion about Bangabandhu, Bangmata naturally comes up there. She got married to Bangabandhu according to family sources. From Khoka to Mujib, from Mujib to Bangabandhu and finally from Bangabandhu to the Father of the Nation, the woman whose contribution is undeniable is none other than our Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnecha Mujib.
After Bangabandhu was repeatedly imprisoned by the Pakistani rulers after the declaration of the six-point charter of the liberation of the Bengali nation, Awami League leaders and workers at all levels used to rush to Begum Mujib. He used to convey various directions of Bangabandhu to them and inspire them to continue the struggle.
Especially in the Agartala Conspiracy case, when Bangabandhu was released on parole, some kuchakri mahal conspired to endanger the freedom struggle. Begum Mujib’s firm stand against parole accelerated Bengal’s liberation struggle. Which will be written in golden letters in the history of Bangladesh’s freedom struggle.
Behind Bangabandhu’s historic 7th March speech was his correct direction. During the better times of the movement, he used to entertain the relatives of the oppressed leaders-activists in his house with utmost compassion, listen to the pros and cons and take measures. It was hoped that the leaders and workers would have found the light of hope, the fuel of the movement would have come from Begum Mujib’s inspiring speech. He used to personally support the families of martyrs and freedom fighters by giving money.
Commemorating the memory of her mother, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “Whatever is achieved in the world, there is someone behind it to give motivation. Otherwise, no leader can ever be successful. Similarly, my mother has a huge contribution behind my father’s politics. My mother was politically strong.”
She also said, “My mother was a ‘guerrilla’. While the father was in prison, he used to pass the news to the leaders and workers under the guidance of the father, avoiding the eyes of the detectives. Which intelligence people could never know. That means my mother was a real guerrilla.”
Bangamata raised herself and her children in the ideals of Bangabandhu. Begum Mujib was Bangabandhu’s lifelong shadow companion not only as a consort but also as a political colleague. Until the last moment of his life, he was by the side of the inspiration of the timeless great hero of history. In a cruel irony of fate, on August 15, 1975, all the members of the family including Bangamata had to die due to the brutal bullet of the assassin.
For the first time after the establishment of the university, a convention hall in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University has been named after Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib. Which was unanimously approved. Named Bangmata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Convention Centre. Where field hospital work is currently going on. As the present Vice-Chancellor, I feel privileged to propose naming a convention hall after Bangamata.
In recognition of the contribution of Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib in the history of Bengal’s freedom struggle, the people of Bengal awarded her the title of “Bangmata”. The names of Bangabandhu and Bangamata will be eternal in the history of Bangladesh. A deep tribute was paid to this respected woman on her birthday.

The Writer is Vice Chancellor, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbagh , Dhaka.