Meena Day celebrated in Dhaka

Meena Day 2006 was celebrated in Dhaka and around the country on Saturday. Large number of children and adolescents dressed up as Meena and participated in various activities and events in spite of the heavy downpour that stalled life in the city. The day was celebrated a day earlier this year in anticipation of the beginning of Ramadan.

"Meena leaves a deep and far reaching impact on children and young people's mind, be they from the rural or urban, areas across South Asia," said Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Establishment and the chief guest at the Meena Day central event held in Bangladesh Shishu Academy, "Meena has become an icon that is listened to by children and adults alike.
She talks about things that are central to our lives and can make it better." The theme of Meena Day this year was: Chhele Meye bibhed nai, jonmo nibondhon shobar chai meaning 'Birth registration for all, be it a boy or girl' - to draw attention to the priority the Government of Bangladesh has attached to Universal Birth Registration by 2008.

Young speakers in the Bangladesh Shishu Academy (BSA) narrated how Meena inspired them to go to school, practice healthy and clean habits, to shun child marriage and dowry practices. Numerous studies show that Meena is almost universally recognised in Bangladesh; she is loved, trusted and listened to.

Addressing an auditorium full of children, James Jennings, Chief of Education of UNICEF said, "Education can change your life, and you know Meena asks you to go to school. You can solve problems and make intelligent decisions just like Meena does if you focus on your studies. Meena is one of us, and you can be her any time you wish."

The main attraction of Meena Day 2006 was the release of 4 brand new Meena TV episodes: Aamrai Dekhbo Amader on the protection of children in difficult situations that commonly arise during floods; Bonnaye Nirapod Thaki, which deals with child injuries that particularly escalate during floods. Aar Noy Kanna, Prostut Bonnaye focuses on water, sanitation and hygiene issues that become challenging during and after floods. The fourth one is on Pneumonia, which is responsible for one quarter of child deaths in Bangladesh. Bonnaye Nirapad Thaki was shown at the BSA auditorium and well received by the children in the audience. UNICEF made the new episodes available to all television channels in the country for broadcast.

Bangladesh Shishu Academy distributed 27 prizes among the young winners of Meena look alike competition, and competitions on poster designing, painting, writing and speech.

Other speakers at the central event of Meena Day 2006 celebration at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy included Md. Abul Quasem, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, M M Niaz Uddin, Director, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Khondoker M. Asaduzzaman, Director General, Directorate of Primary Education, and Md. Abdul Mannan, Director General, Department of Mass Communication.

Source: The New Nation.

User comments

"EXTEND BIRTH REGISTRATION TO THE STRANDED PAKISTANIS ALSO"

Author: syed faiz

Time: 04.10.2006 10:06

Comment: I am very pleased to learn about MEENA campaign which is to do with International Birth Registration in Bangladesh.

My only request here to the Government of Bangladesh is to kindly extend this "Birth Registration Campaign" to the camps of the stranded Pakistanis also who are waiting to be reptriated to Pakistan. Some of them do want to stay back in Bangladesh and wish to become a Bangladeshi citizen. Infants born in the camps, to these unfortunate stateless parents, should also be registered
and due rights extended to them also.

Currently, some 250,000 of them are suffering in silence since past 35 years or so. They remain stateless as Pakistan refuses to accept them as their citizens despite past promises to do so and Bangladesh discriminates against them all the time and in every spheres of their life.