Held Boichitrer Oikyotan with the participation of different language communities and ethnic groups

The sports and cultural event styled “Boichitrer Oikyotan” (Unity of Diversity was held during 23-28 February 2025 aims at promoting diversity, peace and harmony at national level with the students of Lalmatia Housing Society School and College, Daffodil International University, Dhaka. The program also included film screenings and environmental painting. A film exhibition on various languages ​​and ethnic groups was held in Dhanmondi on February 23-24 in collaboration with the Zahir Raihan Film Institute. Supradeep Chakma, Advisor to the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony while Dr. Maung Usha Thoai presided over the event. The speakers gave speech among others were MM Akash; Janaudyog platform and Organizing Committee Convener Dr. Mushtaq Hossain; ABM ​​Shamsul Huda, Executive Director, ALRD and Dr. Dibalok Singha, Executive Director, Dustho Swastho Kendra. The welcome speech was delivered by IED’s Senior Coordinator Jyoti Chattopadhyay.Chief Guest Advisor Supradeep Chakma said, “Every person’s first language is her mother tongue, and so is mine. Then, they can develop fluency in their second, third, and fourth languages.” There is no pain if you make a mistake in these 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th languages. But the practice of the mother tongue should be continued, and mistakes should not be made in this regard. Dr. Mushtaq Hossain said, this film festivals captures our pluralistic characteristics and traditions. Such exhibitions need to be spread nationwide by government and social initiatives. IED developed 3 documentaries were showcased along with screening films.A drawing competition on environmental issues was organized for children and teenagers on February 25 at the Rivershore Sports Arena. 52 students from disadvantaged families from different schools in Dhaka participated in the event. Painters Abdul Mannan, Krishna Chattopadhyay, Zahid Mustafa, Saul Haccha, Joytu Chakma and Rafi Ahmed Chanchal were present. Painter Abdul Mannan inaugurated the program at 10 am. He said, “Today’s children are lucky. They are getting the opportunity to draw today, the children’s minds are developing.” On February 26 at 10 am, a sports and cultural program was organized for students of different ethnic groups at Lalmatia Housing Society School and College. Numan Ahmed Khan, Executive Director, IED inaugurated the daylong program. Actor and reciter Jayanta Chattopadhyay, college principal Professor Akmal Hossain, lawyer Tania Nahar, Janaudyog convener Dr. Mushtaq Hossain, environmental news editor Fardous Ahmed Ujjal, and Indigenous leader and member secretary of the program implementation committee Ananta Dhamai spoke in the event. Numan Ahmed Khan said, “Our society is an amalgamation of different ethnic groups and cultures. We would like to build a society grounded on equality by mutual understanding, and creating a modern and pluralistic mindset. In this regard, educational institutions play a responsible role.” This college is playing instrumental role to promote pluralism by bringing together students from diverse ethnic groups. IED is happy to support such an event.

Then two separate friendly football matches by boys and girls, a symbolic bicycle race, and a karate exhibition by a girls’ team were held in the college playground. The sports event was followed by a cultural program.