Bangla Mayer
Bir Meyera - International Mother Language Day
commemoration to benefit war women survivors of 1971
Presented by Drishtipat
Chicago
Ekushey February (21st February) commemorates
the sacrifices made during the Bangla language
movement of 1952. Now recognized by UNESCO as
International Mother Language Day across the
world, Ekushey February is a time to remember and
rejoice for the mother language each one of us
holds dear.
Ekushey February strengthened
the cause for Bengali nationalism that eventually
led to independence from Pakistan. But not before
as many as 3 million perished in a bloody nine
month liberation war, a genocide that began on the
fateful night of March 25, 1971. Relive that
night with Shei Rater Kotha.
Our
collective recollection of this great heritage is
fading. One particular shortcoming is the
consistent failure to recognize the role of women
in the Bangladesh Liberation War. In fact, the
role of women is largely ignored, denied and
misconstrued in our mainstream history. Guest
speaker Dr. Capt. (Retd) Sitara Begum is one of
only two women to be awarded the Bir Protik by
Bangladesh for gallantry in the 1971
war.
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Join
Drishtipat
for a brief journey through this history. The program
will benefit seven women veterans of great courage who
are now living in extreme poverty. Learn more about
Ammerjan Bewas and the Women of 1971 campaign here.
Event
Details
| Date and Time:
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| March 21, 2004
Lunch: 12 1 pm
Program: 1 3
pm
Please note this program was
postponed from its original February 22nd
date due to a tragic death in our community.
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| Venue:
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| Brooks Middle School
325 S. Kenilworth
Ave.
Oak Park, IL 60304
Onsite parking
and limited childcare available.
DirectionsFrom the City:
290W (Eisenhower) to Austin, turn right
(North) on Austin, left at Madison, right at Oak
Park Ave, left at Washington, right at
Kenilworth.
From the West/Northwest Suburbs:
290E to Chicago,
turn left at Harlem (North), cross Madison, right
at Washington, left at Kenilworth.
Please click here for a
detailed map.
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| Program:
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| An afternoon of remembrance, music, food and a
screening of an award winning film Shei Rater Kotha (Tale of the
Darkest Night), a poignant recount of the genocide
that began on March 25, 1971 and Runner Up, 2003
South Asian Short Film Festival. Caution:
Sections of the documentary may not be suitable
for small children.
We are excited to
have Dalia Nausheen and Azad Hafiz perform Ekushey
and Gono Sangeet songs.
And dont miss the
Grand Raffle Prize a 3 night stay in Cancun,
Mexico courtesy of Hyatt International/American
Airlines!
Suggested minimum donation:
$20/Adults, $10/College Students, $5/Kids
(includes Lunch).
If you are unable to
attend, please consider making a tax-deductible
donation. Report your donation using tax ID
54-1936299. For instructions of making an online
donation or mailing a check, Please click here.
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| RSVP:
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| Please reply to
this email with number of attendees - we need
to accurately predict our catering needs!
info@chicago.drishtipat.org
or 630-759-6059 (Suburbs), 773-832-1759
(City)
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