Children are like flowers—innocent, gentle, pure, and beautiful. They are as true and real as the moon, the sun, and the stars. Children do not understand conspiracy; they do not recognise hostility. They call black as black and white as white. I believe that if these ethereal, enchanting children can preserve the eternal qualities and beauty within their hearts, and grow up to be fearless and steadfast in truth and justice, they will become the architects of a healthy and beautiful world of tomorrow. Through them will be built the creative and sustainable foundation of a nation’s ideals and values.
If they keep the windows of their minds open to all that is good, they will create a liveable universe. What they need most is a liberal, free environment and encouragement.
Keeping in mind this immense potential of children, I thought of arranging a small initiative for them. My idea was to create an event where, even for a short while, children could freely express themselves—where they could pour all the colours of their imagination onto canvas and let a hundred flowers of possibility bloom.
I wanted them to adorn the unseen and seen histories and heritages of lands, soils, and peoples with the colours of imagination. With this aspiration, I approached the authorities of Bashundhara Public School and College, a unique educational institution of the Bashundhara Group, and asked them to organise such an event—one that would bring together children from different parts of the country to draw and express their thoughts. I requested an event that would be unparalleled in scale and diversity of themes. I also asked that the programme centre on our great Liberation War of 1971, independence, and the heroic sacrifices of the freedom fighters.
I wanted children, through their imagination, to portray the reality and outcome of that inevitable and bloody war from more than five and a half decades ago. At the same time, I requested that they also depict, through their paintbrushes, the sacrifices of young people during the bloody events of 2024. One is an inevitable and incomparable chapter of our national life; the other is equally significant in the struggle to secure people’s rights.
Children did not witness one of these events, but they may know how a country named Bangladesh was born. They may know how blacksmiths, potters, fishermen, weavers, farmers, and labourers shed their fresh blood to wrest the map of Bangladesh from the clutches of the occupying forces. Through their imagination and creativity, they would therefore paint that time, the war, and the sacrifices of millions. They would get the opportunity to show how clearly the unseen historical events of a nation’s independence are reflected in their consciousness and minds. At the same time, they would also be able to portray a recent mass movement—one many of them either directly participated in or witnessed and learned about—and show how they perceive it. I believe the organisers were able to implement my wishes properly.
The competition was held on 12 December. I was deeply delighted and moved to learn that nearly 10,000 children registered for the competition. The response from thousands of children and their guardians from different parts of the country, centring on such a small idea of mine, was truly unimaginable. Seeing the news and photographs of so many children coming hand in hand with their parents to draw at the Bashundhara Public School and College campus and the adjacent Bashundhara Sports City filled my heart with immense joy. The sight of children sitting on the floor, absorbed in painting with scattered brushes and colours on their canvases, awakened great hope within me.
It made me realise that this generation is not confined only to digital devices, nor are they immersed solely in foreign games and social media. Given the opportunity, they too can demonstrate that they possess an immense reservoir of limitless potential. I felt even more pleased knowing that this was the largest event of its kind ever organised in the country. The Bashundhara Group is also proud to have created such an inspiring opportunity for children.
An even greater aspect of this event was the presence of judges who are among the country’s finest artists—some of whom enjoy global recognition. I express my heartfelt gratitude to them for responding to this initiative. Through this, children had the opportunity to see and draw inspiration from the nation’s leading artists. This alone could change the course of a child’s life.
I have learned that around 150 participants will receive awards. The eminent artists who served as judges will select the winners based on artistic merit and various criteria. But in my eyes, every participant in this competition is a winner. The thousands of drawings created—depicting the Liberation War of 1971, independence, and the mass movement of 2024 through the tender hands of children—are more valuable than any prize. These are not merely drawings; they are reflections of the thoughts, perspectives, intelligence, ideals, and values of the next generation—lessons in becoming enlightened, modern, and patriotic citizens.
The parents, too, who accompanied and encouraged their children, are in a sense co-builders of a beautiful future world. I salute them as well.
I sincerely congratulate those who will receive awards as winners today. Undoubtedly, they are the best among all participants, as judged by the experts on the basis of artistic excellence. I do not possess the authority to judge this. Through receiving these awards, they will surely go far and achieve greater success—this is my firm belief. I hope that, inspired by creativity and patriotism, they will go on to conquer the world.
At the same time, I extend equal congratulations to those who did not receive awards. They may not have emerged as winners here, but they will certainly excel somewhere else. The enthusiasm and dedication they showed by participating in this competition will one day earn them top honours in higher-level competitions. From my own life, I have learned that if one remains devoted to a task with sincerity and honesty, success will inevitably follow. They too will succeed one day.
At this stage of this noble initiative, I would also like to inform you that Bashundhara Public School and College will continue such good work. The institution plans to organise various competitions every year in science, mathematics, language, culture, and other areas. By expanding the scope of these initiatives, we want to convey to the nation that the progress of Bangladesh—achieved through immense bloodshed and sacrifice—must not and will not stop. It must move forward.
The new generation is the future potential of the country. To prepare them for the Fourth Industrial Revolution or an AI-driven world, they must be equally proficient in all co-curricular and extracurricular activities. The Bashundhara Group will continue to support such efforts from the forefront.
As you all know, the Bashundhara Group is one of the country’s leading industrial conglomerates, working tirelessly for the welfare of the nation and its people. The group generates massive employment and contributes significantly to the national economy. It operates dozens of enterprises across import-export, manufacturing, and service sectors. Alongside this, as part of its social responsibility, the Bashundhara Group and its affiliated organisations regularly arrange creative initiatives such as this.
Through all of this, our sole and primary priority remains the same—Bangladesh first. If this country progresses, our dignity as a nation will rise on the global stage. We will earn respect from all. No matter how many challenges we face, the Bashundhara Group has always stood by, continues to stand by, and will always stand by everything that is good for the country and its people.
May everyone prosper.
Writer: Chairman, Bashundhara Group
