<nettime> [sa__photo] March edition of Meghbarta

[shahidul@drik.net (by way of Eric Kluitenberg)]

From: shahidul@drik.net

Dear Friends,

Another packed issue of Meghbarta (www.meghbarta.net/2000/march), the
Bangladeshi online forum for activists, is now out. The month of
February symbolises the struggle to establish the right to use one's
mother tongue as a medium of expression. The historic language
movement took place in Bangladesh in 1952. The inner strength of this
struggle goes beyond the question of language. After long 48 years,
the day is being recognized by the UN as the'International Mother
Tongue Day'. The irony is, the Bangla language for which the movement
primarily took place, has become marginalised, and other
nationalities are yet to get their right to express their's.

Here, Sayema Khatun explores the influence of English on the  psyche
of the middle class and the  elite of Bangladesh.

Arshad Siddiqui reports on an attempt to establish a school trying to
teach in the  Saontal language which is not encouraged by the
Bangladesh state.

Barkat Ullah Maruf reports on a historic event where six non-Bangali
minority student organizations gathered to demand their right to
speak their mother tongue and for constitutional recognition.

Under `State and Governance'

Hasibur Rahman spells out reasons to oppose the "Public Safety Act".

Anu Muhammad questions recent government moves to attack working
peoples' livelihood and shelter.

In `Our World'

Manning Marable, discusses `The World after Seattle'.

Tim Wise, talks of RESOLUTIONs for Radicals.

Under `Development'

Manosh Chowdhury and Saydia Gulrukh relate their horrific experience
at a blood donation center while trying to help a friend with
AIDS,and relates it to the many conferences being held to help AIDS
patients.

In 'Science and Technology'

Shahidul Alam talks of his personal encounter with the new technology.

Edward S. Herman discusses the background as well as the impact of
two-giant mergers on the information superhighway.

'Life and Struggle' finds Sharmin Maumita talking of the uncertain
future of conch bangle workers

while Audity Falguny documents the plight of the forgotten Biharis.

`Resistance' finds Sangeeta Barua questioning the silence of national
and international powers regarding the war criminals of `71.

In 'People in History'

Shahidul Alam  remembers Golam Kasem (Daddy) the Bangladeshi
photographer who died recently at the age of 104. Daddy was also the
first muslim short writer of Bengal.

In the 'Photostory' section

Shamima Binte Rahman looks at life against the odds.

In the Arts (Creation) section

Priscilla Raj and Akram Khan present two radically different
viewpoints on the recently released and much talked about film
'Daughters of History' by feminist and cultural activist Shamim
Akhter. The film is based on two women's contrasting experiences of
the liberation war of 1971, and the coming to terms of a family, with
rape, suicide and the birth of a `war child'.

This issue also has an electronic signature campaign based around
Clinton's visit to Bangladesh by the 'Committee for protecting
Oil-Gas resources in national interest'.

----There is also a registration form for people to join our
mailinglist.


And don't forget to look out for ads.


Shahidul Alam
www.drik.net
www.meghbarta.net
www.drik.net/pathshala


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Shahidul Alam
Drik Picture Library
www.drik.net, www.drik.org

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