March 18-March 24, 2005

'Democracy is fun'

Mahfuz Sadique, back from Khulna, tells of patgaans, playacting and a carnival of youth, where he is reminded the true magic of discovering democracy…

As the potgaan (literally meaning 'picture-song') describes the importance of 'voting in a democratic society' with the soulful singing of a seasoned voice, and the rhythmic dancing of the accompanying troupe, you could be forgiven if your feet started tapping to the beat. Having seen the classic tools of the trade in the battle to tickle the masses to awareness - seminars, focus group discussions, motivational classes - such a 'no-nonsense' approach seemed like just what the doctor recommended. With Khulna Athletics Gymnasium and its adjacent field resembling a Baishakhi mela of yesteryears, and that too with just boys and girls in school uniforms adorning colours of the entire spectrum, I had a hard time convincing myself that this was a 'youth awareness' program. But it was. It was Discovering Democracy 2005: Tanunyer Mela. International Republican Institute's (IRI) second such youth awareness program was in full swing in between 7-9 March, and this time they were organising it in collaboration with one of Khulna's most prominent non-governmental organisation - Rupantar. The stars of the occasion were the nearly fifteen thousand 15-25 year old school and college going youths. 'It is so much fun,' as Tahmina Khatun overflowed in her feelings during her third visit to the festival, little did the tenth grader realise that the promise of her coming was the very reason why nearly two decades ago Nur Hossain had painted his body - 'Shoirachar nipak jaak, ganatantro mukti pak (Rid with dictatorship, may democracy be freed)'.

   The main crowd pullers of the festival were three separate annexes within the main Democracy Pavilion. Over the course of the Youth Festival, the annexes held various seminars hosted and conducted by participating organizations, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. To term them as seminars is an 'understatement' in today's seminar-infested world. 'The fun is mostly there,' said Habib, a seventh grader from Khulna Coronation School. And it was. The fun-factor was being mostly attributed towards the potgaans which were primarily performed by members of Rupantar's own troupe, and eventually by the instant improvisation of it by the school-going kids. The next in line were the impromptu drama sequences staged by the kids themselves under the tactful guidance of the TREE Foundation. Raju Ahmed, the man with the plan from TREE, made each participant playact a particular role - someone was the prime minister, while others took up roles of president, minister, businessman and other representative groups of society. 'They need to believe that they will one day play the larger role as nation builders. Through playacting they will start believing in themselves,' says the passionate social evolutionist Raju, who coins the basic deprivation of these boys and girls as 'psychological poverty'.

   What is a festival without a few star appearances? Abdun Nuur Tushar, the popular television presenter, was there too; but not as a star. Rather interactive discussion sessions conducted by him on issues such as 'Politics in campus', 'Women in politics' with many college students attending were the essential platforms of debate and discussion. The topics were rich and diverse. Rupantar, International Organisation of Migration, the Asia Foundation, Janipop, the European Union, the National Democratic Institute, World Vision, CAN, Citizen Forum, Peace Corps, TREE Foundation, Junior Chamber International, the International Republican Institute and the New Age all had insightful sessions with varied topics. Issues ranging from hartals to HIV/AIDS, election monitoring to community policing, journalism to women in politics were all there.

In the end, the youth were the real stars of the show. The initial ice-creaking over with, each session concentrated on giving the boys and girls attending the festival were given centre stage to speak. And they did. 'Are journalists always telling the truth', 'Politicians do not care for the people anymore', 'I will be an honest policeman one day', 'I know what HIV is and I now know how be careful about it' - they kept it coming like the default spokespersons of generation next. The variation of issues and ideas raised made the youth Khulna into a force to reckon with.

   Alex Sutton, the resident director of IRI in Bangladesh, was overwhelmed at the outpour. 'This is truly a festival of youth. The burning proof that democracy is here to stay is demonstrated in the very words of these young boys and girls present at the festival,' says the jovial Sutton.

   While these sessions were going on outside on the field, the gymnasium was another spectacle in the making. Termed as the Interactive Pavilion it housed nine presentation stalls that offered participants an open-door chance to join in on a learning activity connected to democracy and civic institutions, while making their own distinctive voices heard through numerous compact interactive brainstorming sittings. The pavilion's stalls had such a rush that long lines prevailed all through the day. 'I want to see how it feels to give a television interview. I also want to take part in the drama that is being enacted here. I hope I get a chance; the line is so big,' says Jebunnesa Chowdhury, a second year college student, referring to the Channel i stall where they were teaching the tricks of giving and taking interviews, while innovative approach of an 'Empty Room' which was conducted by the TREE Foundation.

   The other interactive pavilion booths were made up of multi-faceted issues ranging from 'Designing Your Own Campaigns', 'Conducting Potgaan', 'Career tips', 'Interactive Theatre & Role playing on early marriage, eve teasing, sexual harassment', 'Live Quizzes & Debates', 'Live Polling and Focus Group Demonstrations' and a Mock TV drama, which was directed by Gati Media.

   In addition there was also the 'Opportunities Pavilion'. Here college and university going students discussed and applied for internship openings. A counsellor from IRI answered questions from prospective intern seekers on their choices.

   While all of these were interactive areas, there were thirty stalls for participating organisations where they exhibited and informed the attendees on the issues each institution worked on.

   From start till end, the entire festival was abuzz. 'We have never had something so interesting in Khulna. For example, I want to become a journalist. But living here, I barely get any pointers on how to get started. Now I know,' says Abbas Ali, a first year college student of the Sundarban College, who had attended the Q &A session of 'Journalism for the new generation'.

   While some were informed, and others entertained, the festival's most fulfilling achievement was best put forward through the words of a little boy of Khulna's St. Joseph High School. When asked what he understood from the many programs at the Tarunyer Mela, the sixth grader Rashed had just this to say: 'Democracy is fun.'

   As high-powered reports on good governance, hartals and institutional democracy make their way to the front pages of our dailies, many have forgotten why we fought for democracy. Here is why: so that democracy could be enjoyed by Rashed, so that it could be simple for Tahmina, so that it would speak of Abbas. Because last time I checked, it read: 'Democracy by the people, for the people, of the people.'