Jhalak Foundation

desh A K Azad President of FBCCI “I want a Drug free Bangladesh” is my first publication. My first book “I want a Drug free Bangladesh” was inaugurated at Shishu Kalyan Parishad auditorium by former secretary Enam Ahmed Chowdhury and president of Federal Journalist Union and the editor of the daily Observer Iqbal Sobahan Chowdhury. Moreover it was also inaugurated at Bangla Mirror paper office at Bricklane in London where renowned singer Fakir Alamgir, Dhaka Post editor Professor Faruk Alamgir, Chief of Bangla Post paper A. Abu Taher Chowdhury, Chief editor of the Bangla paper M. Aziz, editor M. Gani, Conservative leader Shafi Chowdhury and Journalist Shafi Ahmed. “Jhalak Foundation” is a voluntary organization for building a drug free Bangladesh. Slogan of the organization is- “Drug Free Bangladesh”. I am the founder and Chief Executive of “Jhalak Foundation” which started its journey on 16 May, 1995. I was a teen of 16 when I lost my mother. I started my journey in life with the blessings of my departed mother and the principle, love & affection of my father instead of following the path steps of a fallen and derailed youth. My mother late Jesmin Rahman was a news caster of Bangladesh Television and father Mansur Ahmed is the Member of United Nations Retarded Committee. With the inspiration of my parents and with my efforts I organized a workshop with one hundred young boys and girls on enlightenment of self at National Museum. Thus begins the journey of “Jhalak Foundation”. Renowned drama personality Atiqul Haq Chowdhury, Cartoonist Mostafa Monwar, Actress Doly Jahur and a lot of dignitaries were present in the three day workshop. Afterwards “Jhalak Foundation” organized training for around 500 less privileged meritorious students on acting, modeling, boutique skill training on local fabric alongwith their studies and subsequently they were provided with job in different sectors like printing & electronic media and different companies. By this time I have organized more than 100 discussion programs, seminars, workshops and cultural programs in home and abroad on eradication of drugs which prove our efficiency and commitment. People of the country are aware of the activities of “Jhalak Foundation”. I am trying my best at the grass root level to establish a drug free Bangladesh. My commitment is to march forward with a view to establish a drug free Bangladesh by 2020. Though it will not be possible for me alone, for which we need ardent support and extensive awareness program to be executed by the government. Moreover, in need the affluent society, elite society, business community, social workers, educated youths, educational institutions along with the printing and electronic media must come forward in this venture of eradication of drugs from the country. Only then we can achieve a drug free Bangladesh by 2020 and think of a beautiful environment leading to a beautiful future. Further more, I dream of a comprehensive drug addicted treatment clinic in the country. To materialize this mission I am marching forward. In 2007 I organized a huge anti-drug discussion meeting and cultural program at Dhaka Raddison Hotel. The then Advisor Gitiara Shafia Chowdhury, former secretary Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, Major General (Retd) Syed Mohammad Ibrahim (Bir Protik), Abdur Rob Mollick, Fakir Alamgir, Akhi Alamgir, Dr. Luna and a lot of dignitaries were present there. My “Jhalak Foundation” has arrived at 14 now crossing 17 years. So by this time it has become matured enough. I am not only thinking of a Drug free Bangladesh movement but also on its international context as it is also a global crisis. So I have ventured a cleanliness program in the international arena. I have done and have been doing a lot of programs abroad in this context. In 2004 I arranged a press conference in London under the initiative of “Jhalak Foundation”. John Bois Obee, Former Health Minister and Counselor Abdul Aziz Sarder, Mayor of Tower Hamlet were Chief Guest and Special Guest respectively. The program was presided by the President of London Bangla Press Club, Muhib Chowdhury and Advisor of London Branch of “Jhalak Foundation” C. Sheikh Eayor was present. In 2006 from 18 to 25 August, I participated in the 8th session of the seminar on the Retarded of the United Nations in New York. Moreover, I exchanged views with the Co-chairman of World Human Rights Service Council, New York Dr. Rahamn on the international crisis of drugs and to say no to drugs. It is not possible to solve this problem by any country alone. For this reason, a vigorous consorted efforts by all the nations against drugs menace eradication to be implemented globally following the reports and guidelines of the World Health Organization. I mentioned him that about 11,000 people die of drugs abuse everyday all over the world resulting to the death of 3 lac 24 thousand a month and 50 lacs in a year. To resolve such case we have to come forward with an attitude of cooperation and compassion. Drugs are the biggest hindrance to the self development of the youth. Considering this bad and destructive impact of drugs on the youth, for over a decade from 1995 to 2009 under the initiative of “Jhalak Foundation” I have been organizing monthly seminars and workshops in different schools, colleges, universities and institutions of the country through different committees. In 2008 under the banner of “Jhalak Foundation” I organized a charity show at Café Naz restaurant in Bricklane, London. The program was presided over by the Chairman of the British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and the Chief Advisor of “Jhalak Foundation”, UK Shahgir Bakth Faruk and the Chief Guest was the leader of the Conservative Party Mr. Northover. The program was addressed by Muhib Chowdhury, the editor of weekly the Notun Din, M.A. Gani, the editor of the Bangla Mirror, Syed Nahash Pasha, the editor of the Janamat, Journalist columnist Shoeb Chowdhury, UK advisor Sheikh Eayor, Chairman of the Euro Bangla paper Mia Monirul Alam and others. On 18 August 2006 I participated in the 8th session of the seminar on the Retarded of the United Nations in New York on behalf of “Jhalak Foundation”. In the United Nations building, I exchanged my views with the Co-chairman of World Human Rights Service Council, New York Dr. Rahman on the international crisis of drugs and to say no to drugs. He also agreed upon my views on drugs menace as an international crisis and also opined that it is not possible to solve this problem by any country alone. So, a vigorous consorted efforts by all the nations against drugs menace eradication to be implemented globally. It is true that for a drug free Bangladesh we all have to work united. Especially the cooperation by the government is inevitable. Along with the government assistance the awareness of the society is immensely necessary. My dream in life is – “Drug Free Bangladesh”. I got my dear father beside me during the inception of “Jhalak Foundation”. He is the Advisor of “Jhalak Foundation”. He has guided me, cheered me, given me strength to move forward with all the independence and self reliance. My father is my greatest friend also in my upward journey. From him I get inspiration and assistance. I am drenched with love, affection and ideological teachings of my beloved father. Apart from my father, the great souls who extended me love, affection, inspiration, support and assistance in achieving my mission are my reverend grand father former secretary Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, former Ambassador Masum Ahmed Chowdhury, Major General (Retd) Mohammad Ibrahim (Bir Protik); Managing Director UBICO, Dr. S.M. Akbar; CEO Pansupari Kona Reza, former information secretary Syed Margub Morshed, the editor Bangladesh Observer Iqbal Sobahan Chowdhury, Atiqul Haq Chowdhury, my favorite uncle from London Sheikh Eayor, journalist & columnist Manjusri Biswas; Kabir Reza, Managing Director of Regency Hotel & Resorts; editor of the Dhaka Post Professor Omar Faruk; editor of the weekly Arthakatha, Khondaker Abdul Mannan Babu; Executive director of NGO Nazir, Nurul Haq Sarkar. People who supported and assisted me in my fight for eradicating drugs menace from Bangladesh were Israt Jahan Shikha Vice Chairman Jhalak Foundation Mehdi Hossain Chairman Rainbow Holidays Dr. Alhaz Abdur Rahman; Khurshid Alam Apu, Managing Director of Configure Group, Managing editor of Arthakantha Publications Enamul Haq Enam, F. Zakir Khan, Poet Nahar Farid Khan; Masud A. Khan, President of Dhaka Language Club and Kaysan Islam, Shahana Jefreen
My heartiest gratitude to those organizations that gave me different prizes, recognition, assistance in my journey and activities against drugs and inspired me for this challenging task. I am very much indebted to them. The organizations that recognized and appreciated the tireless anti drugs activities of “Jhalak Foundation” by giving prizes and recognitions are-Dhaka Press Club, the Dhaka Post, Dipalok Child & Youth organization, Dhaka Voice, Dhaka Language Club, World Cultural Academy, Angan Cultural Academy, Sher-e-Bangla award, City social welfare organization, Bangladesh Cultural Forum, Bangladesh Cultural Academy, National Magic Circle of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Aqua Aid Project UK, Shadhinata Shangshad award, Bangladesh Federal Cultural organization, Human Rights Review Society, Atish Dipankar, Bangladesh Cultural society, Fulkali Child & Youth organization, Media Journalist Forum of Bangladesh, Weekly Arthadhara, Weekly Banglar Khabar, Commitment Cultural Organization, Arthakantha Publications, Eshakha Research Foundation, Bangladesh Children Journalist Association, Sattyachitra-Rangthanu Business award, Bussiness Asia, Mahanagari Cultural Forum, Acharja Dinesh Chandra Sen Research Society, Child Youth Cultural Forum etc. Apart from our anti drugs campaign activities, “Jhalak Foundation extended its support towards the devastated people of the costal area who were totally shattered by the all pervasive natural calamity named SIDOR. We, on behalf of “Jhalak Foundation, donated clothing and educational equipment amongst 400 SIDOR stricken families. Though it was a patty effort on our behalf but the government, industrialists & affluent segment of the country, social workers, NGOs and many more organizations immensely helped the people of SIDOR stricken areas. Through our consorted efforts the SIDOR stricken people of the costal area have again achieved and acquired a normal life. At last my sincerest gratitude and thanks to those great personalities who have given their best wishes through their messages and writings and inspired me in publishing my third book “Catastrophic Drugs”. I seek blessings from them all and pray to god so that I can be successful in my mission in future. Allah Hafez.