School kids make 30 Shaheed Minars in Barisal slum

Over 200 school children in Rasulpur Char area of the city took part in a unique event, making 30 Shaheed Minars with bricks, wood and papers on the occasion of 'Ekushey February'.

The artistic creations of the kids, mostly underprivileged ones, were exhibited at a competition jointly organised by Sishu Kishore Mela, Bigyan Andolon Mancha and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal in the slum area on February 21.

This programme started three years ago and popularity of the contest is increasing day by day, said Reba Begum, one of the organisers.

Another organiser Manisha Chakraborty said around five thousand people live in the area, but most of them are so poor that they cannot have any arrangement for entertainment.

“We planned to inspire the kids in the slum area so they could feel patriotism in their hearts,” she added.

School kids Rakib, Sweety,  Redwan, Zahid, Sadia and others said they had been working  for the last two days to build  a Shaheed Minar .

Seventh grader Ayeasha Anny said, “With my sister I built a Shaheed Minar. My father helped me to set it up.”

Five-year-old Sadia said, “I feel very good after making a colourful Shaheed Minar.”

The school kids were inspired by organisers and the char area has now turned into a fair of Shaheed Minar, said a guardian.

Prizes were later distributed among 10 winners in the competition.