Halima Khatun (25 August 1933 – 3 July 2018) was a Bangladeshi activist, writer and academic. She took part in

Bengali Language Movement The Bengali language movement was a political movement in East Bengal (modern-day Bangladesh) in 1952, advocating the recognition of the Bengali language as a co-lingua franca of the then-Dominion of Pakistan to allow its use in government ...

in 1952 along with other activists including

Rawshan Ara Bachchu Rawshan Ara Bachchu (17 December 1932 – 3 December 2019) was a Bangladeshi activist. She took part in Bengali Language Movement in 1952. She was awarded Anannya Top Ten Awards in 2009. Early life Bachchu's family originated from Kulaura in Mo ...

. She was the recipient of

Bangla Academy Literary Award The Bangla Academy Literary Award (; ''Bangla Academy Shahitya Puroshkar'') is given by the Bangla Academy of Bangladesh in recognition of creative genius in advancement and overall contribution in the field of Bengali language and literature. ...

in 1981 and

Ekushey Padak Ekushey Padak () is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of martyrs of the Bengali language movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contributions in a number of fields, including culture, education, and e ...

posthumously in 2019.

Early life and education

Khatun was born in

Bagerhat Bagerhat is a city in southern Bangladesh and the headquarters of Bagerhat district. Located on the banks of the Bhairab river, Bagerhat has a population of around 50,000. It is located near the old city of Khalifatabad The Mosque City of Bag ...

in the then

British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance in South Asia. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one form or another ...

to Maulovi Abdur Rahman and Doulatunnesa. She completed her master's in English literature from the

University of Dhaka The University of Dhaka (), also known as Dhaka University (DU), is a public university, public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Established in 1921, it is the oldest active university in the country. The University of Dhaka w ...

and later in Bengali from

Rajshahi University The University of Rajshahi (), also known as Rajshahi University (RU), is a Public university, public research university located in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. It is the second oldest and third largest university in Bangladesh. The university's 59 ...

. She earned her PhD in education from the

University of Northern Colorado The University of Northern Colorado (UNCO or UNC) is a public university in Greeley, Colorado, United States. It was founded in 1889 as the State Normal School of Colorado and has a long history in teacher education. The institution has offi ...

in 1968.

Career

Khatun began her teaching career at Khulna Coronation School and RK Girls College. She later joined the Education Research Institute of the University of Dhaka until her retirement in 1997.

Awards

(1981) * Bangladesh Shishu Academy Sahitya Puraskar (1999) * Anannya Top Ten Award (2005) *

(2019)

Personal life

Khatun's only daughter, Progga Laboni, is a notable recitation artist and a book publisher. Her niece,

Suborna Mustafa Suborna Mustafa (; born 2 December 1959) is a Bangladeshi television, film and stage actress. She is a former Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Reserved Women's Seat-4 from 2019 to 2024. She is a member of the Bangladesh Awami League party. ...

, is an actress.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Khatun, Halima 1933 births 2018 deaths People from Bagerhat District University of Dhaka alumni University of Rajshahi alumni University of Northern Colorado alumni Bengali language movement activists Bangladeshi women writers Bangladeshi women academics Recipients of Bangla Academy Award Recipients of Bangla Academy Award in Children's Literature Recipients of the Ekushey Padak Burials at Mirpur Martyred Intellectual Graveyard