Child artists of different ages have commemorated the martyrs of the August uprising in a drawing competition held in Gaibandha.
With the help of its Central Committee, Bashundhara Shuvosangho organised the event at the Canvas Art School on Saturday morning.
In the competition, participants surprised everyone by portraying the scene of standing in front of the police fire during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, demonstrations of students holding the national flag demanding an end to the dictatorial regime, and the scene of shooting from helicopters on unarmed people.
Children up to second and third to fifth graders were divided into Ka and Kha groups, respectively. Participants under the Ka group were allowed to draw as they wished, while for the Kha group, the topic was set as “Great August Uprising.” As many as 70 students participated in the competition.
Ayesha Siddika won the first prize in the Ka group, while Jyotirmoye Poddar Ritu, Soumitro Deb Sammo, Alifa Tabassum Zaramoni, Swapno Nila Das, and Nirupoma Roy stood second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively.
In the Kha group, Maisha Tabassum Bushra stood first by drawing the picture of martyr Abu Sayed of Rangpur being shot in the chest. Nusrat Tabassum Humaira, Tasfia Sarkar Zim, Parama Paromita Borno, and Abida Amin won the second, third, fourth, and fifth prizes.
Cultural personality Shirin Akter was the chief guest at the award distribution ceremony. Shuvosangho members honoured Canvas Art School Director artist Sheikh Majedul Abedin Apu with a crest at the event.
Gaibandha district unit Shuvosangho President Humayun Ahmad Biplab presided over the event. Majedul Abedin, Ahsania Snigdha, convener of the competition’s sub-committee, and Amitav Das Himun, district correspondent of the Kaler Kantho, spoke at the programme.
In his speech, Majedul said Bashundhara Shuvosangho has taken a positive step by emphasising the importance of knowing the true history of the Bengali nation and portraying it in artworks, which will play a role in building the country and bringing reforms.
Shirin Akter said the oppression unleashed on students and people during the movement was devoid of humanity.
“When one Abu Sayed, a symbol of youth, stood up to face the bullets, it became the language of protest for all of us.”
Dubbing the activities of Shuvosangho unique in all aspects, she said that through the organisation, thousands of young people from all over the country are working in the field of culture, education, and improving the quality of life of poor people.
Shirin said women are becoming self-reliant through the assistance of Bashundhara Shuvosangho and are helping their families now.
She added, “Efforts of Shuvosangho to make children aware of history through this drawing competition is definitely commendable.”
Aladin Alif, Hridoy Sarkar, Liza Sarkar, Tasin Moni, and Rubaiya Sarkar coordinated the event.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
