Borno Mela marks Ekushey
Children as well as adults visit Barna Mela, a fair projecting the history of the 1952 Language Movement, organised by the daily Prothom Alo, at Sultana Kamal Mohila Krira Complex in the city's Dhanmondi yesterday. Photo: STAR
The leading Bangla daily, Prothom Alo, yesterday organised Borno Mela, a fair where children of different ages thronged to celebrate International Mother Language Day. The daylong colourful festival, all about Bangla alphabets (Borno), took place amid the cheerful presence of exuberant children at the city's Sultana Kamal Mahila Krira Complex. Some of the kids were given first lessons on alphabets and good handwriting by noted personalities of the country in a joyous and pleasant atmosphere. Cultural functions were also held on a decorated stage for the children. Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, who inaugurated the Borno Mela, told the children that they would have to try to make good their childhood for a better future. As part of the fair, an exhibition of letters was organised. Painting and handwriting competitions were also held and winners were awarded prizes. Qayyum Chowdhury, Syed Manzoorul Islam, Prof Abul Barak Alvi, Abdul Mannan, Shishir Bhattacharya, and Anisul Haque, were among the eminent personalities who gave first lessons to the kids. BORNO MELA IN CHITTAGONGIt was all about Bangla and Bangalee at the Borno Mela in Chittagong city yesterday. Hundreds of enthusiastic children, adults too, swarmed the fair, organised by the Prothom Alo at the playground of BAWA School, reports our staff correspondent in Chittagong. At the colourful event, kids visited different booths, each dedicated to showcase particular aspects of the history and culture of Bangalee, took part in exciting games and competitions, and some learned to write their first ever letter. Five-year-old Srabanti Chowdhury had a wide smile as she finished making the figure of a snake by arranging Bangla letters. Her friends Tisha, Riya, and Runa were also delighted for creating figures of fish, cow, and bird in the game. Barna Jadughar, a booth showcasing the origin and evolution of Bangla Barnamala (alphabets) over more than a thousand years, attracted both children and adults the most. Artiste Ahmed Newaz was seen to help Sayem, a kid, write Bangla letters at Barne Hate Khari booth. The boy was excited as Newaz signed his autograph on the paper where he wrote his first ever letter. Artiste Dhali Al Mamun also shared the joy. A special attraction was an art competition. Around 100 kids took part in it, drawing pictures. A significant others particiapted in a handwriting competition. Meanwhile, the booths of Barna Chhobi showcased the photographs of language heroes and different moments of language movement, Barna Shambhar the books on Bangla language and Bangalee culture, and Barna Poshak the clothes of Bangalee men and women.
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