Mongla, Feb 05 (V7N) — Father Marino Rigon, a foreign-born priest who became a son of Bangladesh through his lifelong dedication to humanity, education and literature, was remembered on his 101st birth anniversary today, February 5.

On Thursday morning, various local socio-cultural organizations paid tribute to Father Rigon by placing wreaths at his grave during a memorial ceremony.

The program was jointly organized by St. Paul’s Catholic Church, St. Paul’s High School, Mongla Government College, Father Rigon Education Development Foundation, Mongla Civil Society, Shelabunia Catholic Mission, Haldibunia Secondary School, Sammilit Sangskriti Jote, and Seva Sangstha.

The Father Rigon Education Development Foundation has been organizing the Rigon Fair on the occasion of his birthday since 2008. The fair has remained suspended since 2020. However, Foundation President Subhash Chandra Biswas announced that the Rigon Fair will resume from next year.

As part of the observance, a cake-cutting ceremony was held to mark Father Rigon’s birthday. The event also featured speeches, cultural programs, and a friendly football match.

Father Marino Rigon was born on February 5, 1925, in Villavesta, Italy. He arrived in Bangladesh as a missionary in 1953, beginning his long journey of service in Premnagar, a remote village adjacent to the Sundarbans in Khulna. Alongside his priestly duties, he played a pioneering role in education, poverty alleviation, healthcare, and employment generation.

He developed a profound love for the Bengali language and literature while learning Bangla. Inspired by this passion, Father Rigon translated more than 40 works of Rabindranath Tagore into Italian. He also introduced the poems and songs of Kazi Nazrul Islam, Jasimuddin, Lalon, and other Bengali poets to European readers. He once said, “Rabindranath is in my mind, and nurturing is in my heart.”

With his initiative and support, more than a hundred educational institutions were established in southern Bangladesh. He also took responsibility for the education of countless underprivileged students and created handicraft markets in Italy to help rural Bangladeshi women become self-reliant.

Father Rigon’s role during the Liberation War of 1971 was marked by courage and compassion. At great personal risk, he provided shelter, medical treatment, and food to freedom fighters and war-wounded civilians. In recognition of his contribution, he was awarded the “Muktijuddho Maitree Sammanna” in 2012. Earlier, in 2009, he received honorary citizenship of Bangladesh for his exceptional contributions to education, literature, and culture.

Father Marino Rigon passed away in Italy in 2017. In accordance with his final wish, his body was brought back to Bangladesh. After being accorded a Guard of Honour with state recognition, he was laid to rest in the soil of Premnagar, where his lifelong service to the people of Bangladesh began.

END/SMA/AJ