Everywhere in the state the celebrations marked the people's genuine love and respect for their very own poet who preached the tenets of socialism, and rebelled against caste, creed and communalism. It was fond remembrance of the man who fought for Hindu Muslim amity till the day he breathed his last.

At a function held in Calcutta on the day the Nazrul Award instituted by he Bengali Academy this year, was handed over to the elderly poet and litterateur Annada Shankar Roy by the acting Chief Minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharya.

Speaking on the occasion, Buddhadev Bhattacharya said that poet Nazrul was very relevant to us now. His ideal of opposing communalism through poem songs and speeches attracted people of all walks of life. The poet had to be remembered again and again as communal forces were trying to hit at the secular fabric of the country by fanning communal passive. The function was presided over by the State Assembly Speaker, Hasim Abdul Halim.

 The Nazrul Award carries cash of Rs. 25,000. Receiving the award poet Annada Shankar Roy said poet Nazrul was above communalism. The Chief Guest at the function was Mr. Kalpataru Sengupta.

At the function the State Government announced a set of programmes on the poet's 100th birth anniversary which include installing a life size statue of poet Nazrul on VIP Road and publication of a complete volume of the poet's works.

The celebrations began with the prabhat feries with the marchers carrying portraits of poet Nazrul Islam toured their towns, cities and villages. Functions were held later.

Several thousand people participated in the celebrations organized at Churulia in Burdwan district, the birth place of the poet Nazrul Islam. The West Bengal Governor Mr. Shyamal Kumar Sen inaugurated the celebrations and a seven-day Nazrul fair at Churulia. The Governor said that Nazrul as philanthropist, fought for the wellbeing of man. In the present situation the study of Nazrul's ideals was of utmost importance, he said.

In all other districts functions were held to celebrate the birth anniversary of the poet.