Exim Bank – Kishor Alo Anti-Drug Essay Competition 2015

On June 25, a day before the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Prothom Alo Trust held the award ceremony for the EXIM Bank - Kishor Alo Anti-Drug Essay Competition 2015. The competition had asked students from grades 8 to 12 from all over the country to write an essay on the prompt, “It is modern to be drug-free”.

Around 600 students submitted their essays by both post and e-mail. These essays were separated into two categories; group A for 8th to 10th grades and group B for 11th and 12th grades. The top three essayists from each group were invited to The Daily Prothom Alo Office and handed their awards. 

The ceremony was hosted by Aziza Ahmed Paula, Chief Operating Officer at Prothom Alo Trust. She welcomed Associate Editor of Prothom Alo, Anisul Hoque, to give the opening speech. Hoque addressed the distressing scenario of peer pressure starting from a very young age in our country as dealers portray non-users as “uncool”. While he acknowledged that it is easy to get influenced and it is possible to recover, he said that it is easiest to just say “no” and not lose precious years to this evil. 

Deputy Managing Director of EXIM Bank, Khondoker Rumy Ehsanul Huq, appreciated the effort the students put into their essays. He advised the youngsters to spread their words among their friends to put them off from taking drugs.

Following that, renowned magician Jewel Aich delivered his speech through magic. He told the story of Kobi, a boy who had lost his parents at a young age. Using a long piece of thread to represent the hopes and dreams of the boy, he demonstrated how devastatingly drugs ruin young individuals. As Kobi became addicted to drugs, the thread got smaller and smaller until there was absolutely nothing left. It was only when Kobi renounced drugs that the thread miraculously was put back as a whole as before. 

Abdul Qayyum, Associate Editor of Prothom Alo, sympathised with users who suffered loss or tragedy as they may have latched onto drugs because they were hormonally imbalanced. He said that those periods are hard and afterwards trying to go without drugs is also tough due to withdrawals. However, he said that despite these hurdles, it is possible for anyone to give up drug abuse.

Syed Manzoorul Islam, Professor of English at the University of Dhaka, stated his firm belief that the Bangladeshi youth has the potential to progress. However, one of the major roadblocks in their path is drug addiction. He expressed his faith in the youth and belief that they can overcome this challenge. 

After the moving speeches, prizes were given away by the honourable guests. First prize winners, Nafisa Tasnim Ishrak from group A and Noshin Tuba from group B were awarded with BDT 15,000 worth of books. Shudipto Chakraborty from group A and Md. Mahir Moshiar Mim from group B were second prize winners, each receiving books worth BDT 10,000; and third prize winners Najeeb Ahmed Bhuiyan from group A and Fariha Ferdous from group B received books worth BDT 5,000. Furthermore, all winners were presented with certificates and gift hampers.

Just as the event was about to end, acclaimed actress, Aupee Karim, made a last minute entrance. She spoke of the ills of drug abuse and made everyone present pledge against it. The programme then ended on a pleasant note after iftar boxes were distributed to those who attended the programme.

With a keen eye and a broken brain to mouth filter, Mahejabeen Hossain Nidhi has a habit of throwing obscure insults from classic novels at random people who may or may not have warranted them.  Drop her a line at mahejabeen.nidhi@gmail.com.