DECEMBER 22, 2005

"This social force will create a bright future for Bangladesh."

Nearly 15,000 animators meet in Dhaka

The 8th Reunion of The Hunger Project’s Animators was held at GOVT. PHYSICAL TRAINING COLLEGE, MOHAMMEDPUR, DHAKA on the 22nd of December, 2005 It was a gathering of the organized social forces aimed at a self-reliant Bangladesh. Almost 15000 Animators, from the very grass root level of all over Bangladesh, participated in this program at their own cost. The program premises started to fill up from the very early morning. A unique scenario was seen when the Animators and the guests were twittering with laugh and joy and exchanging their experiences.

The Mayor of the Dhaka City Corporation Mr. Sadek Hossain M.P. was present as chief guest and famous novelist Selina Hossain was present as special guest in this program. It was presided over by the famous singer Iffat Ara Nargis, Convener of the 8th Animators re-union. Global vice President and Country Director of The Hunger Project, Mr. Badiul Alam Majumder, and Mr. Jafar ullah, Mr. Fazle Hassan Abed, Mr. Abdullah Abu Sayeed, and Father Richard William Team were also present.

In his opening speech chief guest Mr.Sadek Hossain M.P. has said that he was inspired by the success of The Hunger Project. He pointed out that we are now living in harsh times and everybody is trying to devalue other people’s good deeds. NGOs and aid agencies are trying to change the lives of the people of Bangladesh. He stressed that the government, from which he is a member, will help and cooperate with NGOs and aid agencies. He also expressed his gratitude towards the Animators.

Special guest novelist Selina Hossain has said that we liberated the country with a vision. Still, Bangladesh now is not the same Bangladesh as in 1971. We won the battle for independence and hope that we will win the battle against communalism and terrorism in these times. This huge gathering of Animators inspired us and we do believe that they will make Bangladesh a hunger free and self-reliant country. She stated that she will support the Animators in this fight.

Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder has said that we have a commitment to make Bangladesh hunger free and self-reliant. To materialize this commitment, re-union will play a very vital role inspiring the Animators. He also said that the Animators will fight against all kinds of fundamentalism and terrorism because we can overcome the deadly situation of the time only through the social protest from the very grass root level of the society and that’s why our Animators will inspire and organize the people of the grass root level.

After receiving the crest of honour from the Animators, Mr. Fazle Hassan Abed expressed his feelings and hoped that he and one lack (100,000) of his coworkers of BRAC will work together with The Hunger Project. He also said that the mutual cooperation of BRAC and The Hunger Project will enhance the social movement working for a hunger free and self-reliant Bangladesh.

Mr. Abdullah Abu Sayeed has said that the state is divided into two political arenas. The civil society is also involved in politics. Everything, even education and culture, is divided in two. Bangladesh will never prosper in this way. Therefore, he advised the Animators to inspire the people at the grass root level and make them aware about this situation. He firmly believes that the Animators can make a change.

Father Richard William Team and Mr. Jafferullah also expressed their feelings and stated that they will always support the Animators and will work closely together.

Iffat Ara Nargis has said that we, the Animators, are fighting for a hunger free and self-reliant Bangladesh. She thinks that we are now facing our second war for independence. She said that we will continue our fight until our goal is reached.

In various parts of the program, many journalists, intellectuals and cultural activists actively participated and inspired the Animators. Among them were, the executive editor of the daily Janakhonta, Mr. Borhan Ahmad, and the former staff editor of BTV, Mr. Rafiqul Islam Sirkar, and Tahmina Jannat.

The Animators also shared their feelings. Among them were the president of the U.P. Advocacy Group Mr. Abul Hossain Khan, Advocate Nurul islam from Barguna, Abu Wahab Ienuddin from Kishoregonj, Advocate Rasheda Akther Shelly from Dhaka, Motiur Rahaman Fakhru from Sylhet, Shipra Paul from Netrokhona, Kohinur Begum from Narail, Ameer Hamza from Gazipur. At the end of the program, a cultural show was performed by the Animators.

The whole program was presented by Mr.Asad Ali, Principle Abdul Latif, Sabiha Morshed Suborna, Asrafunnar Nahar Ruby, and Tahmina Jannat.

The website of The Hunger Project (www.thpbd.org) was launched and a book of the success stories of the Animators ‘Jagoraner Golpogata” was released during the program.