bKash distributes graphic novel ‘Mujib’ to 35 schools in Rajshahi

Mobile financial service provider bKash has distributed 1400 copies of graphic novel ‘Mujib’ to students of 35 schools in Rajshahi division, in an effort to inspire the students with the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The BRAC Bank subsidiary took the nationwide initiative to mark the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence, said a press release on Wednesday.

According to the release, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (BSK) in collaboration with bKash has been distributing the graphic novel ‘Mujib’ which is published by Center for Research and Information (CRI) based on Bangabandhu’s autobiography ‘Oshomapto Attojiboni’ (‘The Unfinished Memoirs’).

BSK is an organisation well known for enlightening minds. After the publication of next editions of the graphic novel, published in eight volumes, bKash will further expand the program to more schools along with the existing ones, added the release.

Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Humayun Kabir and bKash Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer Maj Gen Sheikh Md Monirul Islam (Retd) handed over the books to the school representatives at Shilpakala Academy Auditorium in Rajshahi on Wednesday.

Noted cultural personality Prof Alok Maitra, an organizer of BSK, presided over the event.

The graphic novel ‘Mujib’ depicts the experiences of Bangabandhu’s childhood, adolescence and social and political activities in a format suitable for both children and adolescents with a vibrant combination of dialogues, stories and illustrations.

Graphic novel ‘Mujib’ will give the school students of Rajshahi an opportunity to know more about Bangabandhu.

At the event, 5 sets of the graphic novel -- 40 books in total -- have been given to each of the 35 schools of Rajshahi. As a result, 40 students will get the opportunity to read the book from school library at the same time.

bKash has a plan to distribute 20,000 copies of graphic novel ‘Mujib’ to 500 Bengali and English medium schools across the country by the end of 2021.

Addressing the book handover function, Dr Md Humayun Kabir appreciated the initiative and said it will inspire students with Bangabandhu’s ideals.

“Knowing the glorious life of Bangabandhu and cultivating the habit of reading books will greatly contribute to shape the minds of the students,” added the divisional commissioner.

Maj Gen Sheikh Md Monirul Islam (Retd) said, “The life of Bangabandhu is full of challenges, struggle and hardship. All along Bangabandhu dreamt about the economic, social and political emancipation of Bengali nation. The generation and the generation after generation need to know the life of Bangabandhu to be inspired to protect the hard-earned freedom of Bengali nation.”

The relationship of bKash with book donation is remarkable from its inception. As a responsible corporate organization of the country, bKash has distributed 253,600 books among students from 2,900 educational institutions since 2014 to cultivate the habit of reading books among next generation.

These books have benefited 2.6 million readers. In addition, bKash has been collecting books from readers, writers and visitors of the Bangla Academy Book Fair in last two years. Combining the books collected from this and also donated by bKash itself, bKash has distributed 22,500 books to the organizations and libraries for underprivileged children and general readers.

The MFS provider has been offering cashback at book fair for the last eight years to encourage people to buy books. bKash has also been working with Bangla Academy as the key sponsor of Ekushey Book Fair for the last four years.