South Asian Youth Convention 'Lead 2012' at Dhaka
Monday, 09 January 2012
Divided into a number of sessions, ‘Lead 2012’ focused on the power of youth and it’s rising contribution in South Asia. The convention was held at the Bangabandhu International Convention Center (BICC) on the 7th and at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on the 8th of January 2012.
JAAGO Foundation provided volunteer support as well as hosts for the event, from its volunteer platform, Volunteer for Bangladesh (VBD).
The convention began with an inauguration hosted by H.E. President Zillur Rahman, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. This was followed by guest speakers Mr. GM Quader, Honorable Commerce Minister, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Mr. AMA Muhith, Honorable Finance Minister, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and Ms. Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed, SAARC Secretary General, Maldives. The speakers were generally focused on the young generation of Bangladesh, their contributions and its importance.
‘What does it take to Inspire?’, the first session of the convention focusing on leadership – brought together some of the most famous leaders of South Asia together. Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar, Former Diplomat & Member of Parliament of India finished his speech by saying, “While you are working for your own prosperity and achievements, give others, those who are in need, the same opportunities." Honorable Member of Parliament, Bangladesh, Mr. Tofail Ahmed discussed the contributions of the youth and students in the movements of '52 and '71. He pointed out the differences in student politics from his time to the present, ending with high hopes for the future. The speakers answered many questions from the audience.
The second session of the day focused on the youth entrepreneurs of the region. Hosted by Mr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, President of SAARC CCI (Elect.) & CEO of SUN Group, India with Moderator Mr. Ejaj Ahmad, Founder & President of Bangladesh Youth Leader Centre, the session focused on ‘Young Entrepreneurs - Rising South Asia : Promises and Dreams’.
Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Founder of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra entertained the audience with two hilarious yet inspirational stories. As the audience doubled over with laughter, he delivered his message to the youth, “You will have to dream and this is the most important thing in your life.”
Mr. Suhas Gopinath, CEO & Chairman of Globals Inc. India; the youngest CEO of the World shared his life story with the audience and of how he had struggled to achieve success. Anand Bagaria, Managing Director of Probiotech Industries P Ltd, Nepal explained how he had failed many times before finally gaining success.
Korvi Rakshand, Founder of JAAGO foundation, began his speech with a documentary featuring the JAAGO School and its students. Korvi Rakshand talked about how he had been inspired to do something for the underprivileged when he was very young; and how his dream transformed from a single classroom with 17 students to three branches with more than 600 students at present. Ignoring ultimatums from his family and criticisms from his peers, he settled himself in the slum of Rayer Bazar with his students and has dedicated his life to the school and to the organization. All the programs of the organization are basically solutions to the problems that the school faces every day. Mr. Rakshand also shared his dream of one day opening a school and every district of the country. Korvi Rakshand finished his speech with the inspirational words, “People call it charity, I call it Responsibility.”
Touched by the words of Mr. Rakshand, Mr. Rajat Sharma, Chairman and Editor-in Chief of India TV, and Host of Apki Adalat threw away the script he had previously prepared and spoke from his heart. He talked about his own hard childhood - a childhood of living in a 10 x 10 room, without any water and electricity. He had struggled hard to reach where he is and now, he has fond memories of his childhood.
The first day of the convention ended with a mesmerizing performance by two prominent singers of the subcontinent - Runa Laila of Bangladesh and Nazim Shiraj of Pakistan.
The Women’s Session begin the second day of the convention – ‘What does it take to battle Bias?’, where prominent female personalities of South Asia discussed the problems they had faced in their lives. Mrs. Rubana Huq, Managing Director of Mohammadi Group, introduced the speakers of the session.
Mrs. Ajeet Caur, President of Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature in India, talked about the situation of females in her country; how they have to survive in face of harsh discrimination and criticism.
Ms. Pramila Acharya Rijal, President of the South Asian Women's Entrepreneurs Council, discussed women's contribution and participation in world business and economics. Dr. Maleka Begum, Professor of the Department of Women and Gender Studies, University of Dhaka reminisced about her early life and the lack of gender discrimination in her family.
Mrs. Vani Kola, Managing Director of Indo-US Venture Partners (IUVP), India shared her experience with gender discrimination in her career. Mrs. Vandana Luthra, Founder & Chairperson of VLCC, India talked about her organization and its employment of more than 6000 women.
Mrs. Zarine Aziz, President of First Women Bank, Pakistan talks about her institution, the first bank in the world founded by, run by and for women.
Dr. Dipu Moni, Honorable Foreign Minister of the Government of Bangladesh, appreciated each speaker's words and answered their questions. She also answered many of the questions from the audience.
The last session of the day was on how to connect and inspire, hosted by the Honorable Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Abul Kalam Azad and moderator Mr. Mahfuz Anam, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star.
Mr. Simon Dring, Former MD of Ekushey TV and Former Correspondent Reuters, the Daily Telegraph, London and BBC, who had come back to Bangladesh after a decade, recalled the early days of Ekushey TV. He expressed his joy at being in Bangladesh and wished for the success of the budding media of the country.
Mr. Jawed Naqvi, Columnist of The Dawn of Pakistan in Delhi, said, "You cannot connect if you are dominating." Mr. Kanak Mani Dixit, Editor of Himal Southasian from Nepal, talked about the advent of SAARC and its contributions throughout the years.
Mr. Nurul Kabir, Editor of New Age, Bangladesh insisted, "If you cannot fight against discrimination, if you cannot fight against injustice, then you are not worthy of being called a person!"
Mr. Mark Tully, Former Chief of Bureau of BBC, New Delhi joined the audience through telephone as his health did not permit him to attend the seminar.
Members of the audience answered numerous questions to the distinguished panel of speakers. J.E. Mamun, Munni Saha and many other famous personalities were present among the audience.
In the cultural part of the evening, Ms. Sonam Choden Retty, Miss Bhutan and Ms. Sadichha Shrestha, Miss Nepal gave inspirational speeches about their dreams to see a united South Asia. The convention came to a close with a fashion show by Rina Latif designs and an amazing performance by a Sri Lankan Dance Team.
