The New Nation - Internet Edition

Child rights in action! Photography exhibition at Drik Gallery

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

“A picture is worth a thousand words. Many people ask us about our work and we answer as best as we can. But photos tell stories that words cannot. The photos were taken over the last year or so. They were displayed at an exhibition in Dhaka in June. We decided to bring the pictures to a wider audience. For this reason, we have organised the exhibition," said Sultan Mahmud, Country Programme Director of Save the Children Australia, at the inauguration of week-long exhibition at Drik Gallery in the city. The exhibition was inaugurated on June 19 and ended on June 25. Kilmeny Beckering Vinckers, Deputy Australian High Commissioner in Bangladesh, inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest.

Save the Children's work is child-centred and so are the pictures in the exhibition. They show some of the children they work with. In working with children, Save the Children listen to their voices and respond through projects that help achieve their rights, it came out through 40 different photos and some case studies of children.

By working to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child Save the Children believes children have rights - to survival and development, protection and participation - and it is their job to make these rights become realities. When rights to education, healthcare and an adequate standard of living become realities, children flourish and their futures are bright.

Sultan Mahmud said, "The staff members of Save the Children Australia in Bangladesh who implement our projects are very special people. Our work in Bangladesh could not continue without our supporters. Much work remains. But with ongoing support we are very keen to take the work forward."

In Bangladesh, 47 per cent of the population of over 140 million is under 18 years of age. This puts great pressure on education and health facilities.

"Save the Children Australia has helped disadvantaged children to reach their potential in Bangladesh since 1987. Over the past 21 years, it has implemented programs on child participation, education, child rights, community development, health and emergency relief," said Sultan.

Save the Children Australia 's recent projects in Bangladesh are Child Access to Rights through Development (CARD), Life Skills Intervention for Empowerment (LIFE), Listen to Children's Voices (LCV), Creating Access to Alternative life choices for the women and children of Daulatdia Brothel (CAAB) and Safe Home in Goalundo.

In all photographs child rights were mentioned significantly through photography.

In Gazi Nafis Ahmed's 'A girl at the KKS School at Goalundo' presented her eyes, which were full of dream to get proper education and hope.

Nafis' another photograph said 'Girls of the Safe Home are better able to protect themselves from abuse and exploration. Their self confidence and abilities to meet the challenges of life are much improved and they have access to an education.'

In Sumon Yusuf's 'Three year-old Suchona happily playing at one of the ECD centres at Daulatdia.' In the photograph, he wanted to expresses the safe life of the three years old girl at the centre.

In his another photograph 'Children playing at KKS School at Goalundo,' he expressed the freedom life of child especially female children who were born in the brothel area. But now they are growing up in better living area where they could get better education and livelihood.

Shooting: Monpura

Art & Culture Report

“Amar Sonar Moynar Pakhi / Konba Deshe Gela Uyrare .. / Diya More Faki .." with this song by Arnab, the shooting of the film 'Monpura' was ended recently . Music director of the film Arnab was delighted about the film. He said, "Audience will accept this folk melody based song."

Giasuddin Selim, Director of Monpura, said, "The song will bring new dimension to make Bengali movie in recent time. Its making will also create huge impact among the movie lovers. It will touch the heart of them."

On June 2007 the shooting of Monpura was started at the char area of River Jamuna in Dhunat in Bagura. It was ended after one year.

Works of post-production of Monpura are continuing.

The script of Monpura was written by Giasuddin Selim with the Greek mythology. Audio album of the movie will release soon. Actors Fazlur Rahman Babu and Chanchal Chowdhury, singer Krishnakoli, Chandana Majumder, Momtaz and Arnab gave vocals for the songs of the movie.

Chanchal Chowdhury, Farhana Mili, Monir Khan Shimul, Mamunur Rashid, Shirin Alam, Fazlur Rahman Babu performed in different roles in the movie.

Laser Vision’s new albums

1) Dhuli Barite Tolpar

Genre: Comedy drama

Direction: Sukumar Chandra Das

Script: DA Tayeb

Casting: Abdus Sattar, Dilara Zaman,

Abdul Kader, Khairun Kader, Rafiqullah

Selim, Anisur Rahman Dipu, Fahmida

Shanta Shanta, Kazol and DA Tayeb.

2) Dik Bhranto Nabeek

& Abar Asibo Fire

Genre: Bangladeshi drama

with English subtitle

Script and direction: Al Mansur

Production: RMMRU

Support: British High Commission

3) Teen Purush

Genre: Bangladeshi drama

Script and direction: Abdullah

Al-Mamun

Casting: Zitu, Ishita, Abdullah

Al-Mamun, Fazlur Rahman Babu,

Sharmily Ahmed, Abdul Kader,

Diba Nargis and others.