By Bimal Chandra Roy from Manikgonj
Ayesha Mostafiz, a third-year Honors student in the English Department at Government Debendra College, recently won first place in poetry recitation at the Dhaka divisional level. She says her success is largely due to the encouragement of her mother, Ishita Yasmin.
Ayesha, the daughter of Mostak Ahmed and Ishita Yasmin, is the second of five siblings. She grew up in Keorjani village of Manikganj Municipality. She completed her primary education at Keorjani Government Primary School and later passed Dakhil from Doat Ali Dakhil Madrasa. She completed her Higher Secondary from Government Debendra College and is now studying there for her Honors degree.
From childhood, Ayesha took part in cultural and co-curricular activities. With her mother’s support, she joined Shishu Academy, Shilpakala Academy, and Saptasur Sangit Niketan to learn recitation, music, and drawing.
At first, she did not win any prizes in competitions. However, she continued participating with determination. In class eight, she won her first prize in poetry recitation. Later, she began winning awards in district-level competitions in recitation, essay writing, storytelling, Qirat, and extempore speech. In 2019, she was selected as the best student in the district for her academic results and extracurricular activities.
After several years of trying at the divisional level, Ayesha finally won first place in recitation in 2024 and again in 2026 at the Dhaka divisional competition. Along with cultural work, she is active in social initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped start a small community learning initiative in her village to support children’s education and promote environmental awareness. She is also involved in youth activities related to climate awareness, social responsibility, gender equality, and health rights being affiliated with BARCIK.
Ayesha expressed her gratitude to her mother for constant encouragement, to Professor Basudeb Saha of Saptasur Sangit Niketan for guidance, and to youth organizer Mizanur Rahman Hriday for inspiring her to engage in social work.
