TIB showcases 60 cartoons ridiculing corruption

Dhaka, Dec 7 (bdnews24.com) - Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) has organised a cartoon exhibition at the Drik Gallery to sensitise the youths on corruption. The three-day show, organised to mark International Anti-corruption Day, started Thursday. Sixty cartoons selected from among 316 drawn by participants of aged 13-18 years under 'Ka' group and 19-35 years bracketed under 'Kha' group are on display. "Corruption has penetrated into every sphere of society. The whole country is plunging into darkness because of greed of only a handful of people," Artist Rafiqun Nabi said, speaking at the inaugural session. He thanked the TIB for arranging the exhibition. "The thoughts, wit and pointed expression of the competitors to some extent will help lessen corruption in society," he added. Denmark's Ambassador Einar H Jensen said, "Cartoon is an excellent language. It is the free and sarcastic expression of conscious mind in protest against something." Journalist Sharier Khan said, "This is probably the first ever large scale competition on cartoons. Even an illiterate person can enjoy cartoons." TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said, "The competition has been arranged with the aim of increasing social awareness." The names of the winners in the competition were announced in the inaugural function. In the 'Ka group' Md Mahdin-ur-Rahman of Khagrachhari became first followed by Masum Billal and Minara of Dhaka. Sumon Wahid of Dhaka came out first in 'Kha group'. Mamun Hossain of Dhaka and Md Arifur Rahman of Sirajganj were second and third. Artist Mostafa Monwar, Rafiqun Nabi, Shishir Bhattacharya, Ahsan Habib and Sharier Khan were the judges. The awards would be distributed among the winners at the Women's Voluntary Association auditorium on December 9. bdnews24.com/af/eh/bd/1954hrs