The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

"At present, the cartoonists do not seem to have the opportunity to work freely, whereas they can make a huge difference in exposing corruption and corruption suspects. The authorities concerned should take necessary measures for a cartoonist to be given a free rein," eminent artist and cartoonist Rafiqunnabi, popularly known as Ranabi, said this at the inauguration of five-day long cartoon exhibition titled 'Cartoon Against Corruption' organised by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at Drik Gallery in the capital.

The exhibition was inaugurated on December 7 and concluded on December 11. Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Lt Gen (Retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest, while Duncan Norman, Deputy British High Commissioner, Sultana Kamal, former adviser to the Caretaker Government, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, among others, were present on the occasion.

Ranabi, also a creator of 'Tokai' that representing the street urchins of the city, said, "A cartoon can portray a situation from a refreshingly different point of view. Besides, we cannot deny the role of cartoonists in bringing the corruption suspects to trial."

The TIB organised its second Anti-Corruption Cartoon competition to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day, which was observed on December 9. As a part of TIB's Youth Engagement and Support (YES) programme, the objective of the competition and the exhibition was to create greater awareness and motivation among young generation to say 'No To Corruption'. It also gave the participants an opportunity to communicate their understanding of corruption and raising voice against this menace.

While speaking as the chief guest, Hasan Mashhud said, "If you fight corruption with the spirit you've done the cartoons against corruption, I have no doubt that we will win over corruption with ease."

Duncan Norman said that people's participation in the exhibition shows that the message is getting across.

"Currently, freedom of speech is limited in many ways. But we believe it is a duty of the citizenry to put finger on places that require attention. And we will continue calling for an atmosphere where the people can contribute to rooting out corruption from the society," said Sultana Kamal.

The works on view on the first day came from the contest titled "Corruption and General People." A total of 747 cartoons were submitted for the competition arranged for the second time by TIB. Of those, 56 were selected for display.

The judges included cartoonists Shishir Bhattacharya, Shahrier Khan and Ahsan Habib.

The ACC launched a year-long campaign against corruption on December 9, the International Anti-Corruption Day. In association with TIB, it will work to organise a social movement against corruption.

The subject of this year exhibition was 'Corruption and Common People.' Winners of the contestants were announced in the opening ceremony of the exhibition. A total of 747 cartoons in two categories - 'Ka' group age ranged from 13 to 18 years and 'Kha' group age ranged from 19 to 35 years- took part in the contest. Of them, 56 cartoons got opportunity for displaying in the exhibition.

Maisha Maliha Ela, Syed Kamrul Hasan and Asim Chandra Roy secured first, second and third place respectively in 'Ka' group, while Sadatuddin Ahmed Emil, Swapan Charushi and Md Amirul Islam won top three places in 'Kha' group. All the winners were awarded officially on December 9 on the International Anti-Corruption Day.

The TIB arranged the first ever Anti-Corruption Cartoon Competition last year in Bangladesh. This was held in two age groups and about 150 young participants across the country participated with 316 entries. A total of 60 cartoons were selected to put on display among which three received awards in both categories. The first exhibition was held at Drik Gallery in Dhaka from December 7 to 10, 2006. These collections include all those cartoons, which were awarded displayed in the exhibition.

After the first exhibition at Drik Galley 11 successive cartoons exhibitions were organised in different areas of the country in 2007 which include Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Patiya, Chakaria, Chapai Nawabganj, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Jahangirnagar University in Savar and Nalitabari in Sherpur. Altogether 200,000 spectators have visited these exhibitions.