Two female artistes among Anannya Top Ten Award winners
In our society, women are often told that they have to sacrifice their dreams and aspirations for the sake of their families and responsibilities. Yet, even with such obstacles and social norms in place, more and more women are attempting to realise their dreams.
"Anannya Top Ten Awards 2021" organised by The Daily Ittefaq and Anannya Foundation, honoured ten such extraordinary women last Saturday at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium of Bangla Academy.
The event was hosted by the editor of The Daily Ittefaq and Anannya Magazine, Tasmima Hossain with Jatiya Sangsad Speaker, Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury attending as the chief guest.
Alongside the ten awardees, Anannya foundation also presented the "Lifetime Achievement Award" to the internationally renowned crafts and art persona Sarat Mala Chakma.
Upon receiving the award, ninety-year-old Sarat Mala Chakma said, "A girl's potential should never be ignored."
Among the recipients of the Anannya Top Ten Awards 2021, were two artistes:
Tropa Majumdar
Being the daughter of the two prominent theatre faces Ferdousi Majumdar and Ramendu Majumdar, Tropa Majumdar followed in her parents' footsteps and grew into a renowned theatre and television personality herself.
"As an actor, director and thespian, I want to enter not only the mind, but also the hearts of the audience when they see me on stage," shared the artiste. "Standing here today, with all of these amazing women and hearing the stories of their struggles is really touching."
Shahriar Farzana
Shahriar Farzana is an internationally acclaimed photographer, who earned the "Best of the Author Prize" in Diri International Photo Award 2022. She also founded the monthly daily Narikantho. The workforce of Narikantho also works as a women empowerment platform for young girls in Chattogram—a large part of whom are school and college goers—who work as writers.
"The harsh reality is that the life of a girl is never easy and no one gives you leeway in any sector just because you are a girl," shared Farzana, adding, "As girls, we must prove ourselves in every sector and stage, to earn our place."
Among the other awardees were Nazneen Ahmed, Country Economist, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh; Bitopi Das Chowdhury, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand, and Marketing at Standard Chartered Bank; Shahinur Akhter; Dr Salma Sultana, Veterinarian and Nutrition Scientist; Rudmeela Nawsheen, Aspiring Technologist; Santhana Rani Roy, Martial Artist; Mosammad Ismat Ara, Entrepreneur; and Jaya Chakma, Referee, FIFA.