New Global project : Migrantsoul ( http://www.migrantsoul.net )

Who am I? Where do I belong? Who determines my future? Society has no answer to these restless questions. Our sense of identity, kinship and community, are at worst shattered by the experience of migration and at best are thrown into uncertainty.

The universal declaration of human rights talks of a world “without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”. The reality, particularly for the economic migrant, is very different.

Physical, emotional, social and intellectual exclusion reinforce a migrant’s sense of displacement and alienation. The powerful may glide over such barriers, touching down for business, for pleasure or even out of guilt. For those without power, parting is painful, and each barrier crossed, like the ferry ghats of the big rivers, broadens the distance they must travel to return.

Expectations, dreams, duties and needs circumscribe the life of an economic migrant. The single hope, to change one's destiny, is what ties all migrants together, whether they be the Bangladeshis who work in the forests of Malaysia, the bonded labourers in the sugarcane plantations in India, the construction workers in the Middle East or the hopeful thousands bound for the promised lands of Europe and North America. They see migration not merely as a means to economic freedom, but also as a passport for social mobility. The wealthy can purchase the future they desire. But a migrant who chooses to rewrite an inherited destiny swims against the current and faces the wrath of the gatekeepers who shape that destiny.

Artist: Shahidul Alam
February, 2004

A leading and controversial author in Bangladesh has been stabbed and critically wounded on the University of Dhaka campus.

Police said three youths stabbed Dr Humayun Azad and exploded two bombs to make their escape on Friday night.

Dr Azad, a professor in the Bengali department, is being treated in Dhaka's Combined Military Hospital.

He recently wrote a book critical of some Pakistanis for their role before Bangladeshi independence in 1971.

Doctors said Dr Azad had lost a huge amount of blood due to deep injuries in his neck.

No one has said they carried out the attack and police could not say anything about a motive.

Dr Azad recently wrote Pak Sar Jamin Sad Bad (the first line of the Pakistani national anthem) which was critical about the role of Pakistanis and their Bangladeshi collaborators before the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.

Several Islamist party activists denounced the book when it was published.


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News source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3494188.stm

More news: http://www.independent.com.bd/daily/news.php?news_topic=crime&news_id=10847&issue_id=1959

http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/02/28/d4022801011.htm

The members of UnnayenNet designed `Bangladesh Homeworkers Women Association (BHWA)`s website under it`s newmedia support to the development, human rights and civil society organisaton program. Please visit .....http://www.bhwa.org

About BHWA
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Bangladesh Homeworkers Women Association (BHWA) is an NGO working with women homebased workers in the country since 1986 towards improving their socio-economic status. Our activities encompass all aspects of developmental work related to women homeworkers in our country. Along with our fight for worker rights issues, we also work towards increased awareness and financial independence for women homeworkers in collaboration with like-minded international agencies (HomeNet South Asia, UNIFEM etc.)............

Aalok group of photographers cordially invites you to its photography exhibition from the annual photo contest 2001 & 2002.

Mr. Abdullah Abu Sayeed-Chairman, World Literature Centre and Mr. Mahfuz Anam - Editor, The Daily Star have kindly consented to be present as guests of honor in its opening ceremony on Tuesday, 24 February 2004 at 5:00 p.m at Drik Gallery. you are cordially invited.
Duration : 24-29, February, 2004 ( Everyday 3pm to 8pm. )

Venue:
Drik Gallery: House # 58, Road # 15/A, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka 1209
Duration of the Exhibition: 17 to 21 February 2004, Everyday 3:00 pm. to 8:00 pm.

26 March 2004 is the 34th Independence and National Day of Bangladesh. In this day with the sacrifices of three million lives Bangladesh won independence from Pakistani occupation forces who unleashed the worst genocide. The peace loving people took up arms as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence on March 26. Independence was earned on December 16 after a bloody nine-month war.

The government, political parties and different socio-cultural organisations will observe this public holiday with due solemnity through elaborate programmes. Including country Precedent, Prime minister thousands people place floral wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar early morning with prayerful spirit by remembering the national heroes. Streets of the cities decorate with National Flags, banners and fastoons.

Special prayers will be offered at mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of the country. Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar will air special programme highlighting the significance of the day. Newspapers will bring out special supplements.

Social and cultural organization will arrange special programmes countrywide that include discussion meetings, seminar, public gathering, campaign, poetry recitations and Bangladeshi cultural function.

From Drik multimedia under `Bangladeshi Spirit` project we will publish in Internet; free screen saver, background, sound clip on theme `1971` and web format of `Bangladesh: Images and Impressions` multimedia presentation.

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Reported by : Siraj/ Dhaka
23 February, 2004
( http://www.drik.net/siraj )
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Related web links :
· Images of 1971 - http://www.drik.net/calendar96
· Women of 1971 http://www.drishtipat.org/1971
· Genocide 1971 : http://globalwebpost.com/genocide1971
· "War Veterans" life of freedom fighters' 1971 : http://www.drik.net/warvet1971/index.html

With the nonstop theme song -- `amar bhayer rokte rangano Ekushey February`, thousands barefoot offers the gratitude and commitment to the Language Movement martyrs at central `Shahid Minar` , the venue for centrepiece February 21 observance.

The celebration has started from the zero hour of midnight when Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and President Iajuddin Ahmed showed solemn silence for some time after placing the wreaths. After that the leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina, representatives of foreign missions, social and cultural leaders offer flowers a wreath

The day is a public holiday and the national flag flies at half-mast atop all government, autonomous and private buildings. The Shaheed Minar entrance, roads and medians have been festooned with Bangla alphabet and national flags. The red glow of a replica of the rising sun placed behind it. The alter of the monument is flooded with flower and people especially young generation beyond the races, cultures and religions.

The government began a five-day cultural programme to mark Ekushey and International Mother Language Day at the Central Public Library. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will hold a cultural programme at its auditorium today. The book fair at the Bangla Academy looks set to draw the largest crowd today since it was launched on February 7. Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation holds a weeklong street theatre festival

One hundred and eighty-eight countries across the Globe also observe the day as International Mother Language Day, declared by UNESCO in recognition of Ekushey February on November 17, 1999 to promote linguistic diversity and multilingual education and raise awareness of cultural traditions based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue. The recognition came when half of the 6,000 or so languages spoken in the world are under threat.

The life sacrifice of Bangla language hero Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and other patriotic spirits inspire the people of this part of the world to fight against all injustices and subjugation. Undoubtedly, the Immortal Ekushey culminated in the War of Liberation and the emergence of independent and sovereign Bangladesh on December 16, 1971. Fifty two years ago, students in Dhaka took to the streets in protest at the denial of Bangla as the national language and imposition of Urdu as the sole official language of Pakistan. The protest sparked on February 21, 1952 progressed into the long-drawn struggle and eventual birth of Bangladesh.

As the nation prays for the divine blessings of the great martyrs on this auspicious occasion, the people at large hope for a prosperous and democratic Bangladesh where equal opportunity for all will be ensured.

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Related links:
http://www.powerofculture.nl/uk/specials/bangladesh/language/index.html
http://www.powerofculture.nl/uk/specials/bangladesh/milestones.html

Registration going on for a workshop on
‘video film-making focusing on documentary’

Organiser by :
Pathshala- The South Asian Institute of Photography

From 23 - 29 February, 2004
( 9.00am to 2.00pm )

The workshop will be conducted in a participatory way covering most of the essential parts of filmmaking.

Workshop fee: Tk. 3,000/= (Taka three thousand only)

Workshop conductor: Mr. Kawsar Chowhury

Contact person: Mr. A N M Mosharraf Hossain
Pathshala-South Asian Institute of Photography
16, Sukrabad, Panthapath, Dhaka-1207.

Phone: 9129847 & 9136895
E-Mail: pathshala@bd.drik.net
URL: www.pathshala.net

More info : siraj@drik.net