On the occasion of The Daily Star's 32nd anniversary, the largest English daily in Bangladesh yesterday honoured 12 champions of free thought.

The 12 eminent citizens honoured are: jurist Dr Kamal Hossain, Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury, cartoonist Rafiqun Nabi, Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Prof Rehman Sobhan, writer and researcher Jatin Sarker, writer and political activist Badruddin Umar, language movement veteran Ahmed Rafiq, human rights activist Hameeda Hossain, artist Mustafa Monowar, educationist Sharifa Khatun and women rights champion Noorjahan Bose.

At the event, the champions stressed on the need for freedom of thought and said the ability to think is something that distinguishes humans from all other living beings.

Eight of the 12 thought leaders shared their insights on the changing times and imparted words of wisdom for the younger generation.

Hameeda Hossain

I think our society was very different back then in comparison to now. I think the young people are doing very well for themselves. I think we have a very common objective whether we are over 80 or under 16. We are trying to build a society where we believe in justice and we pursue the objective of justice whether it is for men or women of different communities in Bangladesh.

Dr Kamal Hossain

My message to the younger generation is that they have been doing very well in terms of all things they take part in. The young generation is making very valuable contribution to the society. Keep it up.

Mustafa Monowar

I don't have any idea whether there is anything called younger generation. We are young too. So, for all generations, freedom of thought is a must. Without freedom of thought, human beings are not humans.

Noorjahan Bose

I think the young generation should fight for their freedom of speech, freedom of writing. I want the young generation to stand up and fight for your freedom, for your country. Even if you have to give your life, you have to do that. I am 85 years old and I still do that.

Rafiqun Nabi

Do not do anything that harms the country, harms the people or society. You have to have the determination to keep yourselves above everyone. Don't keep any good thought within oneself. You should express it. Stay well, think and make all the efforts to stay well.

Rehman Sobhan

Freedom of thought and freedom of expression is nobody's gift to you. It will only come if you assert your rights to exercise that freedom. This means if you do so in sufficient numbers, you will capture freedom, and no one will be able to take it away from you.

Keep in mind, you have to always speak up and assert yourself. That is how freedom is earned.

Serajul Islam Choudhury

Three things are required. First is pursuit of knowledge, without which people will not be able to flourish. Second is socialisation. Because knowledge cannot be pursued alone; this knowledge has to be acquired from others and disseminated to others.

The third thing that the young generation specially should have is courage. I wish that you will have these three things combined in yourself.

Sharifa Khatun

It is not just the individual, the entire society is involved in the process of flourishing people's thoughts.

Education is very important. There should be libraries so that every child can read books. We have to develop a curriculum so that every student can flourish themselves. Educational institutions have a big role to play here.