Bashundhara Cement art contest held in Rajshahi

Speakers at a function of Bashundhara Group, a big business house in Bangladesh, Friday said drawing competitions help young learners explore their latent talent. They made the observation at the prize-giving ceremony of Bashundhara Cement Drawing Compe-tition-2012 held at the fine art department of Rajshahi University in the afternoon. A total of 72 winners from seven districts under Rajshahi division received certificates and crests. Bashundhara Cement has organised the national-level contest to celebrate the 41 years of the country’s independence alongside introducing its flagship product. The competition is being held under three categories –- ‘Ka’ (play group to class 2), ‘Kha’ (class 3 to class 5) and ‘Ga’ (class 6 to class 8). During the divisional round contest, each participant had to bring with them a painting and also drew a picture on the spot of the competition. The topic for ‘Ka’ section was ‘Dream City’ (homework) and ‘Independence’ (drawn at competition); ‘Dream Bangladesh’ (homework) and ‘Joy of Independence’ (drawn at competition) for ‘Kha’ section and ‘Dream Building’ (homework) and ‘Bonds of Independence’ (drawn at competition) for ‘Ga’ section. Dr Bilkis Begum, head of Fine Arts Department, spoke at the event as chief guest. AKM Arifur Rahman and Kanak Kumar Pathok of the same department were present as special guests. Md Saiful Islam Helali, chief marketing officer (cement sector) of Bashundhara Group, Md Shamim Al Mamun, brand manager, and Md Rafiqul Islam, regional sales manager, also addressed the function. Mahabub Hossain, father of Nazim Faisal Saday who stood first in ‘Ka’ Group in Rajshahi district, told this correspondent that such kind of competition will encourage children in creative works besides their regular studies. “I like drawing and I feel very happy taking part in the competition,” said Tanvin Ahmed, a contestant from Pabna. Guardians termed the competition a very positive initiative of Bashundhara Group. Such competition will encourage children in drawing. The winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) from each group of the divisional rounds will qualify for the grand finale. In Barisal division, the competition will be held on June 1, Khulna round on June 8, Dhaka round on June 15 and 22, Sylhet round on June 29, Chittagong round on July 6 and Rangpur round on July 13. The winners of the final round will get 30 exciting prizes, including laptop (1st prize), Tk 10,000 (2nd prize) and Tk 5,000 (3rd prize). Besides, participants of the district-level competitions, divisional rounds and final round will also receive crests and certificates. Noted artists Hamidu­zzaman Khan and Syed Abul Barak Alvi are adjudicating at the competition.