In Bandarban, the International Youth Day was celebrated in a colorful way with the initiative of Our Lives, Our Health, Our Futures (OLHF) project on the theme ‘Youth Engagement for Global Action’.
On the occasion, a discussion meeting and a friendly football match were held yesterday (12 August) at the premises of Chimbuk Junior High School at Laimipara in Bandarban Sadar Upazila at 4 pm.
AKS Project Coordinator Myamesing Marma gave a welcome speech at the discussion and moderated by Sabuj Chakma, Project Coordinator, GRAUS. Sumit Banik, Master Trainer of Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha spoke on the significance of International Youth Day. Sadar Upazila Youth Development Officer Nu Prue Ching Marma was present as the chief guest at the meeting chaired by Dawnai Prue Naly, Executive Director, Ananya Kallyan Sanghthon (AKS). Para Karbari Hawlian Bawm was present as a special guest. Among others, Rahul Barua Chotan, District Representative of Mohana TV, Koshik Dasgupta, District Representative of Maasranga Television, and Ramesh Chandra Tanchangya, Project Coordinator of Tahzingdong were present on the occasion.
During the discussion, the speakers said that the purpose of the International Youth Day is to present and recognize the voices, actions, initiatives of the youth as well as their meaningful involvement and universality. And in order to implement this work, we all have to work sincerely to increase the participation and involvement of the youth. Even in the present Covid-19 pandemic situation, the participation of the youth in protection and humanitarian work needs to be further encouraged.
Moreover, girls and women are the most ignored in our society. Sports keep both body and mind well. Boys, as well as girls, can make themselves proficient in any kind of sport, so everyone must come forward to eradicate the prejudices existing in society.
Adolescent members of Laimi Para Girls Club participated in a friendly football match. In the friendly football match, the blue team defeated the red team 1-0 goal. The invited guests presented prizes to the two participating teams. The match was refereed by Nu Hai Marma, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of Tahzingdong.
It is to be mentioned that, the event was organized by the local non-governmental organization Ananya Kallyan Sangathon (AKS), GRAUS, Tahzingdong with the support of Simavi and Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS) funded by the European Union. The project aims to empower the adolescent girls and young women in the CHT to build a dignified and non-discrimination, violence-free dignified life.
