Drishtipat campaign for 1971 women war veterans

[rafiq]

This may interest some of you. Drishtipat, a Bangladesh-focused human rights organization, has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the role of women in 1971 liberation war. We are raising funds to help 7 veterans and war affected women who now live in dire poverty.

To learn more about Drishtipat, the campaign or to make a contribution please visit:
www.drishtipat.org

If you are in New York, Boston, Washington or Chicago area in the US, you may also be interested in fundraisers and movie screenings we are doing in those cities over the next several weeks. The campaign kicks off with an Ekushey program in Chicago this Sunday Feb 22.

Drishtipat Chicago Feb 22 event

[oracle]

Rafiq. This is a great effort from your organisation. Thanks for raising a neglected part of the liberation war saga. Will catch one of the events in NY. Actually, I stumbled upon it from Naem, one of your Drishtipat guys.

[Navarene]

A great effort by Drishtipat. Too bad I live in a different continent.

By the way, I can still remember that the Dhaka based women organisation "Probortona" and their NGO group "UBINIG" (headed by the reknowned activist Farhad Mazhar) also took the same initiative to launch a campaign for our woman freedom fighters a few years ago.

[rafiq]

Farhad Mazar's daughter chaumtoli is active in the current effort. The more efforts the better. younger people need to feel more connected to the historic legacy - and all of this needs to be more engaging than the usual political bickering. it's a big challenge but one worth taking on.

oracle - glad to hear you are going - I think the NYC one will be at the NYU law school and will feature Yasmine Kabir - her film about a woman gone mad afer 71 and who still roams the streets just won best documentary at an asian film festival this week.

btw folks, if you use paypal you can donate any amount you want however small, unlike banglacricket, there are no minimums (oops, pls donate to banglacricket, too!!)



[Edited on 20-2-2004 by rafiq]

[rafiq]

Hey guys, am forwarding an update on the Drishtipat/Uttorshuri fundraisers to benefit 7 war women veterans of 1971. The events are in multiple cities in the US in the next couple of weeks. check the website for details. Maybe some of you guys and gals can channel some of your considerable cricket energy towards this and join the group, even if you don't live in the US!

Drishtipat website

___________________________
The following events have been planned for the Drishtipat/Uttorshuri Women of 71 campaign.

Some members here have asked if they can have a showing at their city. We have sent the request to Yasmine and are checking with her on the schedule.

Silicon Valley Bay area have been added to the list of cities to have the screening. Almost 100 workers of Drishtipat is now working to make these events a success.

The following is the schedule. Please check the drishtipat website for further updates:


Chicago:
Film, food and music
Special Guest: Capt Sitara Begam Bir Pratik
Date: March 21st / 12 PM
http://www.drishtipat.org/chicago


New York, Manhattan.

Film Screening of Shei Rater Kotha and Shadhinota Special Guest: Yasmine Kabir and Susan Brownmiller
Date: March 25th 7 PM
http://www.drishtipat.org/newyork

New York, Queens
Film Screening of Shei Rater Kotha and Shadhinota Special Guest: Yasmine Kabir
Date: March 27th / 7 PM
http://www.drishtipat.org/nuke/upload/3/0/flyer2.jpg

Washington DC
Film Screening of Shei Rater Kotha and Shadhinota Special Guest: Yasmine Kabir
Date: April 3rd / 4-6 PM
http://www.drishtipat.org/dc


San Francisco, Bay Area:
Tentative date April 3rd

Boston
Movies of Liberation war
April 10th
MIT Student auditorium

[rafiq]

Thanks to the mods for putting this thread at the top while the campaign is still relevant.

Well, we have had a few of the fundraisers and a few more to go. We have had great turnout for the most part and so far have raised $7355 out of the $10,000 target. The actual pledge amount so far is $9000 after accounting for a large Chicago donor who will sponsor one of the women by herself.

With 2 fundraisers to go, that means we will likely cross $10,000. The extra money will go to the subject of Yasmine Kabir's film Swadhinata, Gurudasi Mondol.

The audience reaction to the movies and the need to remember 1971 have been overwhelmingly positive. Younger people want to know more and hopefully there are more efforts to educate and disseminate info, without unnecessary man-made controversies we Bangalis are famous for. Personally, it was fantastic to meet some war heroes in person and hear their stories, as well as to find otherwise disengaged ethnic Bangladeshis being genuinely interested our history.

Washington DC will screen Shei Rater Kotha and Swadhinata on Aprfil 3rd at Geroge Mason University.

The Bay Area folks will have an event on April 18th.

If you are in that area, I would encourage you to check out the movies.

[Zunaid]

Rafique,

Would you happen to know if the movies are for sale in NTSC format - VHS/DVD/VCD doesnt matter ...

That might be another way to generate funds. I'll buy.

Thanks,
Zunaid

[rafiq]

we've received many similar requests and need to look into the feasibility of doing that - watch the DP site for any announcements

[fab]

rafiq,
How much did you guys end up raising in total? You guys did a great job. Well done!