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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom