A street art work has been unveiled in Dhaka in an innovative gesture to recognise and thank the frontline workers who continue to deliver essential services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in association with the Gulshan Society, Cartoon People and Aqua Paints unveiled two graffities at Gulshan 2, DCC market on May 30, the UNDP said on Tuesday.
The two wall paintings resemble, ‘Aparajeyo Bangla’ sculpture, situated on Dhaka University campus and a famous photograph of Naib Uddin Ahmed taken during the Liberation War in 1971. “We continue our all-out efforts in the battle against Covid-19 and also against dengue. In this fight everyone has a role to play,” the DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam said.
“I truly acknowledge the contributions of those who are at the forefront, bravely fighting Covid-19.”
UNDP Resident Representative Sudipto Mukerjee said while the coronavirus pandemic has affected life for nearly everyone, frontline workers are “fearlessly working to protect us and provide us with essential services”.
“Historically and around the globe, we have failed to appreciate their contribution and now is the time to seriously transform our values and ways of thinking – hopefully in the future as a society we will be far more respectful and caring for these social care givers,” he said.
“As a first move UNDP is already working with the government and other development partners for ensuring the safety by providing PPEs and other necessary items.”
Young cartoonist Morshed Mishu, who is also on the list of Forbes 2019, 30 Under 30 Asia, led the painting, on behalf of 'The Cartoon People'.
