Kishor Alo Celebrates 13th Anniversary with Vibrant Youth Festival in Dhaka
Renowned cartoonist Ahsan Habib fielded a lighthearted query regarding why he is affectionately addressed as "boss" by his peers, noting that the title is merely a term of endearment and should not be taken too seriously. This engaging interaction highlighted Thursday afternoon (October 31) during the vibrant 13th-anniversary celebration of Kishor Alo, a popular youth magazine, hosted at the Prothom Alo conference room in the capital's Karwan Bazar area. Centered around the inspiring slogan "Let Dreams Be as Vast as the Sky," the celebratory gathering drew enthusiastic children and teenagers from numerous educational institutions across Dhaka.
Addressing the young audience, Ahsan Habib remarked that the attending youth represent the true bosses of tomorrow, stating that the older generation eagerly awaits the day they lead the nation forward. The event featured a rich tapestry of addresses, cultural performances, and documentary screenings aimed at inspiring the younger generation. Rhymemaker Romen Rayhan underscored the vital importance of dreaming big while securing adequate opportunities for sports and physical recreation. Echoing similar sentiments, Kishor Alo publisher and Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman urged the attendees to balance their regular magazine and book reading habits with dedicated academic focus to achieve stellar educational results.
Prothom Alo Executive Editor Sajjad Sharif emphasized the profound necessity of cultivating a robust reading habit to broaden intellectual horizons and knowledge, asserting that intellectual growth is essential for propelling Bangladesh forward. Cartoonist Mehedi Haque and Nasreen Sultana Mitu, accompanied by their daughter Anusriya Aboni, encouraged the young minds to passionately pursue their personal interests rather than succumbing to external pressures. Ten Minute School founder Ayman Sadiq highlighted that expanding one's experiential scope, coupled with relentless curiosity and hard work, serves as the cornerstone of true success.
The anniversary program also showcased the indomitable spirit of young achievers through compelling documentary screenings. A biographical film on Cox's Bazar surfer Fatema Akhter vividly illustrated her resilient journey, with director Ashik Ibrahim expressing hope that her story would deeply inspire the youth. Prothom Alo Managing Editor and Kishor Alo Editor Anisul Hoque reiterated that young dreamers must harbor colossal aspirations and exert rigorous effort to overcome obstacles, drawing a parallel to Fatema's remarkable tenacity. Manipur School fourth-grader Ariatti, an aspiring robotics enthusiast, shared her personal journey, while another inspiring documentary, Sagarika, detailed the resilient path of female footballer Mosammat Sagarika.
The celebratory atmosphere buzzed with musical renditions, lively camaraderie, and magical performances. Singer Fatima Tuz Zahra Oishi mesmerized the crowd with popular tracks, prompting enthusiastic sing-alongs from the teenagers, while magician Swapan Dinar left the audience spellbound with captivating illusions. Animated sequences from The Second Studio's series Best Show Everest, crafted by cartoonist Rakib Rajjak, were also screened alongside musical performances by artist Anik Sutradhar and Bakhtiar Hossain. Co-hosted by Jahin Zaimah Kabir and Abu Taleb Rafi, the anniversary gala concluded with a ceremonial cake-cutting, a spirited chorus of Happy Birthday, and a resounding rendition of the national anthem.
