Celebrating Life Photo-book and CD Launch, 2016
Last week, the joint initiative by The Daily Star and Standard Chartered bank titled Celebrating Life launched a photo-book and audio CD compiled and composed from the previous years' winning entries. The event was held at The Westin hotel in the capital. The programme was hosted by Rafi Hossain (editor of Showbiz magazine at The Daily Star and Festival Director of Celebrating Life) and Bitopi Das Chowdhury (Head of Corporate Affairs at Standard Chartered Bank). Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu graced the occasion as the chief guest, joined by Editor of The Daily Star, Mahfuz Anam, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, Abrar Anwar and Editor of The Daily Star's Arts and Entertainment page, Sadya Afreen Mallick. Prominent photographer Anwar Hossain, lyricists Rafiquzzaman and Munshi Wadud, singers Fahmida Nabi and Konal and popular actor Swagata were also present, among others.
The speakers at the ceremony emphasised on the cultural importance of the competition, and the values it seeks to endorse and inspire among the youth. More importantly, the Minister of Information Hasanul Haq Inu greatly appreciated the efforts of the two organisations and remarked how the overall cause not only promotes love for one's country, but also empowers them to hold a vision for the nation's upcoming and create optimistic revolutions.
"The photo book shall be made part of our national archive," he said, "and the government shall make efforts to distribute and make them widely accessible to the public in hopes of spreading this awareness."
The CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, Abrar Anwar expressed how this platform permits ambitious contestants to not only showcase their talents, but it also provides them useful exposure for future endeavours. "Every picture tells us a story of our country, and under the theme presented each year, they form a collective narrative, voiced by many," he said.
Mahfuz Anam, Editor of The Daily Star emphasized on the need to identify songwriters and encourage the art of composing lyrics, as well as photography and film-making. "Every year we select the best photos borne from the competition over two years, which are compiled and published as a photo-book.
The objective of the book is to help citizens fall in love with their country and teach them their heritage, as well as inspire them to take part in the challenge in subsequent years."
The ceremony concluded with Chirkutt presenting songs of the audio CD which featured various singers. "The songs have been jointly sung by everyone from the band as well as the other recording artistes," said Shumi, lead vocalist from Chirkutt. "We tried our best to fulfill the magnanimous responsibility put forward to us."
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