A three-day long ‘Bondhu Mela’ held at Kapasia, Gazipur

Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) organized a three-day long 'Bondhu Mela' (Bondhu Fair) at Khaled Khurram Bari Ground, Banar Hawla, Kapasia, Gazipur in collaboration with Kapasia Union Parishad, Gazipur on January 9-11, 2023 aiming to raise awareness among the common people about climate change and to disseminate various climate-friendly activities and initiatives of  Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU). 

The auspicious opening of the fair was announced on the 1^st day through various colorful arrangements. Honorable Member of Parliament of Gazipur-5 Constituency Ms. Simin Hossain Rimi, MP, was present as the chief guest in the opening ceremony.

The event was presided over by Dr. Eng. Khalequzzaman, program manager of Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) and president of Bashori- A Nazrul Center. 

On the first day of the fair, traditional stick game was organized. There was also a cultural program presented by Bashori. Nazrul music was performed in the cultural program by Bashori artist Siddhartho Golder, Ruma Hossain, Jabul Islam and others.

Renowned reciter and Nazrul-admirer Tito Munsi recited the famous timeless poem “Bidrohi” composed by Kazi Nazrul Islam. Bashori reciter Asma ul Husna Monika recited the poem “Samyabadi” (The Egalitarian) written by Kazi Nazrul Islam. The artists of Bashori performed poet Nazrul's song "Mora Ek Brinte Duti Kusum Hindu Musalman" in unison that bears the essence of communal harmony. Then the docufilm ‘Rajbandir Jobanbandi’ was screened.

On the second day of the fair, on Tuesday 10^th January, a Nazrul Music Competition was organized with the participation of students from local educational institutions. Bashori Leto Team performed two plays titled 'Chasar Sang' and 'Puratan Balad Notun Bou' written by poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. After that, Nazrul Sangeet (Song composed by poet Kazi Nazrul Islam) was performed by the Bashori artists. The play titled 'Swami-strir Jhogra' written by poet Nazrul was staged by the Bashori Leto team.

On the concluding day of the Bondhu Mela, a Kabadi competition was held with the participation of the students of the Kapasia Government Pilot High School. Then the Leto play 'Chashar Sang' was staged by the Bashori Leto team. Following this, in the prize distribution ceremony prizes were distributed among the winners of various competitions. Thereafter, the artists of the Bashori presented Nazrul Sangeet. On this day, the last performance was the play 'Bou er Biye’ (Wife’s Marriage) performed by the Leto team.

Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) and Bashori- a Nazrul Centre presented and displayed their activities in their stalls. Bashori displayed the books composed by Kazi Nazrul Islam and sold them at a 50% flat discount. Apart from the Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) and Bashori- a Nazrul Centre, a number of entrepreneurs participated in the fair with the products of their respective organizations. Among them - Amaraid Agro Nursery, Sagar Nursery, Rupak Mrit Shilpo, Alam Sanitary, Syngenta, Muktijoddha Pithaghar, Chanmiya Pithaghar, Krishi Ekok Udyokta, Maury Enterprises, Jubo Nari Hostoshilpo, Jubo Corner, Cherry Boutique House, Narir Saaj Hostoshilpo, Karupalli, Times International, Narir Unnayan Hate Kaj etc. participated in the fair.

The Bondhu Mela concluded with the closing ceremony on 11/01/2023. Mr. AKM Golam Morshed Khan, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Kapasia, Gazipur was present as the chief guest in the closing ceremony.

Advocate Mr. Md. Mazharul Islam Salim, Acting President, Bangladesh Awami League, Kapasia Upazila Branch, Agriculturist Mr. Bibhuti Bhushan Sarkar, Coordinator, Climate-Friendly Agriculture Project, Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU); Mr. Asaduzzaman Asad, Vice Chairman, Kapasia Upazila Parishad, Joint General Secretary, Kapasia Upazila Awami League; Mr. Mahbub Uddin Ahmed Salim, Joint General Secretary, Bangladesh Awami League, Kapasia Upazila Branch; Mr. Md. Abdul Halim Khokon, President, Bangladesh Awami League, Kapasia Union Branch; Mr. Md. Ziaur Rahman Zia, General Secretary, Bangladesh Awami League, Kapasia Union Branch; Mr. Rajiv Ghosh, General Secretary, Bangladesh Awami Jubo League, Kapasia Upazila Branch were present as special guests. 

The closing speech was delivered by Mr. Dr. Animesh Kumar Sarkar, Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh Bondhu Foundation (BONDHU) and chaired by Mr. Sakhawat Hossain Pradhan, Chairman, Kapasia Union Parishad and President, Bangladesh Awami Jubo League, Kapasia Upazila Branch.