Pubdate: Thu, 28 Jun 2007
Source: The Daily Star (Bangladesh)
Copyright: 2005 The Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.thedailystar.net
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3893
Author: Ahsan Habib

SAYING NO TO DRUGS

Cultural Personalities Contribute To The Cause

An anti-drug cultural evening on International Day against Drug Abuse 
and Illicit Drug Trafficking, organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala 
Academy (BSA), was held on June 26. This was to promote the anti-drug 
message to youths, telling them that there are better alternatives to 
having fun than substance abuse. The programme was held at the 
National Theatre Stage.

With the slogan Nesha noy gaan, juddho noy praan, the programme 
featured prominent artistes of the country performing and campaigning 
for the anti-drug cause. Factual information on drug abuse and its 
social consequences were presented in between the performances.

The show started with an anti-drug song Jibonto etkai tobe keno koro 
opochoy, rendered by non-professional singer Shafi Kamal, one of the 
directors of BSA. Noor-e-Hafza acted out a monologue that narrates 
the tragic story of a drug-addict from a mother's point of view. 
Fieldworkers of Anti-Drug Campaign performed a group dance directed 
by Deepa Khondoker, accompanying the song Shorbonasher dikey amra pa 
bariyechhi. Anima Mukti rendered an anti-drug song, Esho na boli 
madok ke na boli.

A number of group dances directed by MR Wasek, Shafikur Rahman, 
Sultana Haider and Sarwar Ahmed Belayet Hossain Khan were also presented.

Subir Nandi, Ferdous Ara, Joyonto Mukherjee Shibu, Nashid Kamal, 
Pagla Bablu, Wrishiz Shilpi Gosthi and rock bands -- Feedback and 
Maksud O Dhaka -- also rendered their popular songs at the show and 
talked about the benefits of living drug-free lives.

Adviser to the Caretaker Government, Geeteara Safiya Choudhury, was 
the chief guest while the director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala 
Academy, Quamrul Hassan presided over the programme.

Though the programme was not a part of the Academy's regular 
activities, BSA intends to take up such extra responsibilities 
because of its commitment to the nation, said Quamrul Hassan. He also 
informed that the performers participated in the programme without 
taking honorarium and many of them have contributed to the programme.

Speaking at the event, Geeteara Safiya Choudhury urged every citizen 
regardless of age, gender or class to fight against drug abuse 
through generating awareness.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom