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.