The third Paara Utshab returned to another new community to promote the spirit of community togetherness and the power of connectivity. Realizing the need to re-engage the disengaged communities who are focused on having stronger relationships with devices and technology rather than people. Heroes for All (HFA), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), and Baridhara Society jointly organized Paara Utshab on January 26, 2024, on the streets of Baridhara. This event was powered by BTI which also had a new emphasis on promoting “know thy neighbors”.
For too long there has been a gap between people and a safe space in the community for them to express themselves creatively and grow through interaction. To create an environment, that fosters creativity, the Utshab (festival) provides a much-needed safe space for future generations. Heroes for All has been initiating “Paara Utshab” since 2019. The event was inaugurated by the Honorable Mayor, Mr. Atiqul Islam, Her Excellency Ms. Sarah Cooke, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh; His Excellency Shri Pranay Kumar Verma, High Commissioner of India; His Excellency Ambassador Leo Tito L. Ausan, Jr, Ambassador of Philippines to Bangladesh; His Excellency Haji Haris bin Othman, The High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Bangladesh. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, MP, and the Head of American International School in Dhaka Mr. John Smithies also was a part of the Inauguration. Dr. Rehnuma Karim, the Founder and President of Heroes for All, Mr. Feroz M Hasan, serving as the President of Baridhara Society, and Mr. F.R. Khan, the Managing Director of BTI, collaboratively conveyed a message of gratitude during the Paara Utshab event. The event is continuing its trajectory from the successful Gulshan Paara Utshab last year to Baridhara this Community this time. The street festival is the annual fundraising event of Heroes for All which has been working on youth development since 2018.
Inaugurated by the Honorable Mayor, Mr. Atiqul Islam
The day-long festival was packed with so many activities. There were parallel sessions ranging from arts and handicrafts, fun activities, traditional games, paintings especially for kids, street drama, street magic, stand-up comedy, lathi khela, music, demonstrations of self-defense, awareness & well-being, and CPR & First Aid sessions, a talent show for everyone in the community, tarot card reading, and games for neighbors of all ages to stalls offering a variety of foods.
A couple of activities from the day
The festival also offered an opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to exhibit their distinctive products and services.
Some stalls from the Utshab
Team HFA
