On November 21, 2020, Toronto Bangla School celebrated the “World Children’s Day – 2020” virtually with Holistic Sustainable Development Network (HSDN) International and Taylor-Massey Summer Activity Group, which was funded by the City of Toronto, followed by the announcement of the winners of the Fall Art Competition – 2020.
Students of the Toronto Bangla School, parents/guardians and all of the members of the Toronto Bangla School Committee participated in the Virtual Program. Students of the Toronto Bangla School participated in the cultural activities, followed by the main event of the “World Children’s Day – 2020”, and finally winners of the Fall Art Competition – 2020 were announced.
The program was started with the National Anthem of Canada. Then, students of the Toronto Bangla School participated in the cultural activities, descripted by Mrs. Nasrin Islam, Teacher of the Toronto Bangla School. Poems were recited by Debyajit Bhowmik (“Kajla Didi” by Jatindramohan Bagchi), Aryan Saha (“Shobar Shukhe” by Jashim Uddin), Seji Manha Chowdhury (“Mamar Bari” by Jashim Uddin), Bela (“Kola Benger Cha”), Debesmita Bhowmik (“Kana Bogir Cha”), Raeed Hasan (“Tal Gach”), Nileema Jannat Tazrin (“Khoka Geche Mach Dhorte”), Smia Melisa Gomes (“Proshno” by Robindronath Tagor), Mahib Chowdhury (“Ek-Dui-Tin”), Fattima Hossain (“Jhony-Jonny”), Ajmain Sajid (“Khat Berali” by Kaji Najrul Islam), Zaina Ahmed (“Chad Uteche”), Soha Siddiqqi (“Ai-Ai Chad Mama”), and Nowrin Chowdhury (“Amar Pon”). The rhyme song “Megher Kole Rod Hesheche” was sung by Manha Saina and Amira. Afrida Kabir sang the song “Fule-fule Dhole-dhole” by Robindronath Tagor, , Afia Islam sang “Amra Korbo Joy”, and Tahmeed Hassan sang “Baba Bole Gelo”. Lastly Afia Islam and Afrida Kabir finished the Virtual Cultural Section by presenting a joke jointly.
Then, the main event of the Virtual Program, presided by Mr. Jannatul Islam, followed by the speach of Fakhruddin Ahmed, Chair of the Toronto Bangla School. Momotaz Begum and Arzu Moon Zarin on behalf of the parents, Siddhertho Saha, Secretary of the Toronto Bangla School, and Rafia Mokbul, Academic Advisor of the Toronto Bangla School. The program was then given to facilitate by Nupur Chowdhury, Chief News Editor and Presenter in Chief, TBN24 Television New York. Dr. Abul Hossain, Project Director, Ministry of Woman and Child affairs, Bangladesh, and Prof. Salimullah Khan, Director, Center for Advanced Theory, University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh, were the main speakers for the “World Children’s Day – 2020” followed by the Q&A session. In the meantime, Afrida Kabir also presented the purpose and goal of Toronto Bangla School, Afia Islam recited the country poetry “Jonmechi Ai Deshe” (by Sufia Kamal), and Smia Melisa Gomes sang a Robindro Song (“Ai Tobe Sohochori”). Shahidul Haque Mintu (Editor of Bangla Mail), Tito Khandaker, and so on also presented in the program.
After that Rafia Mokbul shared the Arts of the participants in the Art Competition with all in PowerPoint form. After a short speech, Hamidur Rashid Chowdhury announced the names of the winners of the Art Competition. Among 22 participants in the Art Competition, Afia Islam, Souronil Day and Fareeha Rizwana Manha winned the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively in the Junior Group (Preschool to Grade 3). Salwa Mahbub (1st), Smia Gomes (2nd) and Zaina Nuryn Ahmed (3rd) were the winners in the Senior group (Grade 4 to Grade 6).
World Children’s Day advocates and celebrates children rights and calls for actions that build a better world for children. Toronto Bangla School is committed to continue activities to teach children Bangla language and heritage in an entertaining and social environment along with celebrating and organising related events and workshops to build a better world for Bangladeshi-Canadian children. As part of the activities, Toronto Bangla School observed World Children’s Day to make the community understand better the rights of children, which will be continued to preserve their rights.