Dhaka, Dec 9 (UNB) – Speakers including foreign delegation put emphasis on the need of everyone’s participation in fight against corruption in order to achieve sustainability in the country's progress.
 
They came up with the notion at the inauguration of a cartoon and photography contest alongside five-day long exhibition, marking the international anti-corruption day, arranged by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at the capital's Gallery Drik on Sunday.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman in his inaugural speech said his organization have always meant to use cartoon as a tool to fight corruption since its interception.

“Through cartoons youth send powerful message on how to combat corruption,” he added. 

Dr Luke Mukubvu, Governance and Institutional Adviser of Public Finance Management and Service Delivery, DFID Bangladesh emphasized on the citizens' involvement in fight against corruption.

He also lauded the participations of young generation in the war against corruption through satire and photography.

Andres Ohrstrom, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Development Cooperation, Embassy of Sweden stressed on the cooperation between government and the people in order to eradicate corruption mentioning it as a must to attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

He further said that Sweden is keen to work closely with TIB to take drastic measures in spreading awareness against corruption. 

Winnie Estrup Petersen, the Royal Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh, said, "A transparent and accountable government for corruption control needs to be maintained for SDGs. To which Bangladesh and other countries have signed up for."

Recognising TIB's youth engagement initiatives, she hoped that such initiatives would add significant contribution to the social movement against corruption.

Chairperson of Board of Trustees of TIB Advocate Sultana Kamal said cartoons are comments on society.

"It’s also the manifestation of freedom of expression,” she added.

In conclusion, she urged everyone to unite for the war against corruption.

Following their speeches, prizes were distributed among six winners and 55 special mention cartoonists parted in two categories alongside 23 photographers including three winners and 20 special mention photographers. All of their works have been put up for the exhibition. 

In the 13th year of the cartoon contest, a total of 751 cartoons were enlisted and 496 entries were made for the 3rd anti-corruption photo competition.

The event is supported by Embassy of Denmark, Embassy of Sweden, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation alongside UKAid.

The open-for-all exhibition will remain open from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm each day till December 13.

Dhaka, Dec 9 (UNB) - A 12-day solo photography exhibition of Shibly Siraj titled ‘American Landscape’ hosted by Edward M Kennedy (EMK) Center for Public Service and the Arts kicked off in the city on Saturday.
 
The exhibition which features 43 captivating photographs will remain open from 10 am to 8 pm every day till December 20.
 
Chairman of United News of Bangladesh (UNB) Amanullah Khan inaugurated the exhibition in an event held at the EMK Center where eminent academician and former University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Nazrul Islam Khan was present as the chief guest.
 
A traveller, entrepreneur and part-time photographer, Shibly Siraj captured a wide variety of images on natural terrains of the United States of America which include glimpses of vast prairies, stretching fields, mountains, windswept valleys, canyons, lakes, barren desserts and more.
 
UNB Chairman Amanullah Khan, in his inaugural address said, “Ever since the invention of photography in the early 19th century, the medium has influenced the way the world is viewed and provided a testimony of human history as it unfolded down the ages to the modern day highlighting the saga of daily life.”
 
Khan also a patron of art commented, “Shibly’s mantra has been to travel and take photographs as he sets out on an odyssey to explore some of the world’s greatest natural wonders in order to share them with the audience.”
 
He emphasised photographers can play a vital role in society by representing social movements and acting as a motivating force behind social change.
 
“Art watchers would admire and marvel at Shibly’s photography focused on nature that take them back to their roots exalting them to a new level of ecstasy, consciousness, self-discovery and spiritual regeneration,” he observed.
 
Paying tributes to the photographer, the UNB chief said in these pieces of art he has been able to recreate the pristine glory of nature that needs to be preserved at any cost for the posterity not only to enjoy and feast their eyes on but also to ensure their survival and sustenance.
 
“A distinguishing feature of these priceless pictures is that they resonate and communicate with the viewers as they feel to be an inseparable part of the landscapes,” he added.
 
Khan warned that at a time when the world is facing the worst environmental disaster in its history, there is no option other than conserving nature for saving the earth from extinction. “This is the underlying message that is ringing out loud and clear from Shibly’s masterpiece photographs,” he asserted.
 
While winding up, Amanullah Khan said, “This flagship exhibition is a vindication of the fact that the language of art is universal that transcends national boundaries. Art and culture are going global as part of the irresistible process of globalisation that includes art market in which Bangladesh is a lead player and mover. Global art is contributing to the growth of cross-cultural relations that would help foster international peace and security. “
 
Prof Nazrul Islam said through his masterful photography Shibly took the audience to a short trip amidst the beauty of American nature.
 
He also mourned the death of noted photographer Anwar Hossain.
 
Concluding his speech, Prof Nazrul Islam said Shibly’s work will inspire the new-comers to join the profession of photography.
 
Shibly Siraj, primarily an avid traveler, mentioned that photography is part of his hobby and he is delighted that EMK Center is showcasing his works. He expressed the hope that the young generation who are planning to visit the USA, will gain from the exhibition a preview of what they are about to experience once they arrive there.
 
Starting his career as an entrepreneur, Shibly lived in the USA for 25 years where he developed a passion for photography while he travelled places and started taking photos depicting panoramic landscape, people, culture and abstracts.
 
Moving back to Bangladesh recently, he has opened a studio at the city’s Banani to pursue his talent in professional photography.
 
Shibly Siraj is a member of Northern Virginia Professional Photographers Association (NVPPA) and attained the prestigious ‘Master Photographer’ award many times.
 

Dhaka, Dec 7 (UNB) – A 12-day long photo exhibition titled ‘American Landscape’ by Shibly Shiraj will begin at the Edward M Kennedy (EMK) Center in the city’s Dhanmondi area on Saturday. 

Amanullah Khan, chairman of news agency United News of Bangladesh (UNB), will formally inaugurate the exhibition at the EMK Center situated at the Midas Centre at 11 am.

Prof Nazrul Islam, eminent academician and former Chairman of the University Grants Commission, will be present at the opening ceremony as the chief guest.

The exhibition will remain open from 10am to 8pm every day till December 20.

Dhaka, Dec 06 (UNB) – A 12-day-long photo exhibition titled ‘American Landscape’ by Shibly Shiraj will begin at the city’s EMK Centre on Saturday.

Amanullah Khan, chairman of United News of Bangladesh (UNB), will formally inaugurate the exhibition at Edward M Kennedy (EMK) Centre, Midas Center, House-5, Road-16 in Dhanmondi around 11 am on Saturday.

Eminent academician Professor Nazrul Islam, former Chairman of the University Grants Commission, will be present as the chief guest.

The exhibition will remain open from 10 am to 8 pm till December 20.

Los Angeles, Dec 6 (AP/UNB) — Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg will share host duties at the Golden Globe Awards.

Producers on Wednesday announced the co-hosts for the Jan. 6 ceremony. The Globes are hosted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which presents awards for film and TV.

Nominees will be announced Thursday morning.

Oh won a 2006 Golden Globe for "Grey's Anatomy." This year, she became the first actress of Asian ethnicity to receive an Emmy nomination for drama series lead, for "Killing Eve."

Samberg won two Golden Globes in 2014 for "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," for best comedy actor and as a producer.

He was the 2015 Emmy Awards host, while Oh is a newcomer to handling emcee duties for a major ceremony.

The three-hour Golden Globes ceremony will air live on NBC from Beverly Hills.