DNCC, UNDP honour Covid-19 frontline heroes with street art

In an innovative approach to appreciate and recognise the contribution of the frontline workers during the Covid-19 situation, Dhaka North City Corporation and UNDP unveiled two graffiti at the DNCC market in Dhaka's Gulshan-2 area.

DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam inaugurated the artworks on June 2. Gulshan Society, Cartoon People and Aqua Paints were involved with this initiative.

The two wall paintings include one resembling the "Aparajeo Bangla" sculpture on Dhaka University Campus and the other is based on a famous photograph of Naib Uddin Ahmed taken during the Liberation War in 1971.

Cartoonist Morshed Mishu, who is on the 30 Under 30 Asia list of Forbes 2019, led the painting on behalf of The Cartoon People.

"I wanted to draw something that can connect people and also shows proper respect to our front liners. Therefore, I chose the iconic images associated with the Liberation War. It took one week to complete the task," Morshed Mishu told The Daily Star.

"Doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers are working tirelessly and doing their best to save peoples' lives. Journalists are also keeping the people informed about the current situation taking risks. City corporation workers too are doing their daily duties providing services," DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam said.

"We owe a profound debt of gratitude to the frontliners. DNCC will always remain by their sides and provide all the necessary support when required," he added.

"While the coronavirus pandemic has affected the lives of nearly everyone, frontline workers are fearlessly working to protect us and provide us with essential services," UNDP Resident Representative Sudipto Mukerjee said in a statement.

"As a first move, UNDP is already working with the government and other development partners for ensuring safety by providing PPEs and other necessary items," he added.