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Portrait and Person

Portrait of MEETO ~ Kamaljit Bhasin~ Malik (1978~2006)

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

To commemorate the brief but brilliant life of Meeto or Kamaljit Bhasin-Malik (1978-2006), a scholar, activist and dancer, Meeto’s mother, Kamla Bhasin has decided to institute an award in her memory to honour young South Asians whose work demonstrates a commitment to communal harmony, peace, justice and human rights.

MEETO memorial award ceremony was held at Jatiya Nattyashala, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on 1st of October 2010. Several prominent South Asian activists, artists, academicians and diplomats attended the ceremony. Akeela Naz, a farmer and a woman’s leader from Punjab, Pakistan was awarded this year’s MEETO memorial award.

The award ceremony is held for the second time, the first award ceremony was held in 2009 in New Delhi. This year’s award night was followed by cultural events including participants of SANGAT XVth South Asian Feminist Capacity Building Course on Gender, Sustainable Livelihoods, Human Rights and Peace sang and danced for the song “Chalte Jaayenge” at the event.

Memorial and Memento

The Award comprises of Indian Rupees 100,000/=, a citation and a memento

Dedication and Discussion

Professor Amena Mohsin from the Department of International Relations at the Dhaka University addresses the gathering

In Honour

Dr. Hameeda Hossain, the Co-Chair of the South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) hands over the book to MEETO’s mother Kamla Bhasin

Book in Memory

Religion: A Tool for Discrimination in South Asia? is launched at the MEETO Memorial Award ceremony which is dedicated the work to MEETO

Songs on Stage

Past and present participants from Bangladesh who attended SANGAT South Asian Feminist Capacity Building Course sing songs on stage

Mother and Memory

MEETO’ mother and renowned feminist and feminist scholar Kamla Bhasin addresses the gathering

Stays on Stage

Dr.Amreen Ahmad of Pakistan addresses the gathering while this year’s award winner Akeela Naz stays on stage before receiving her award

Sharing Thoughts

Abha Bhaiya shares her thoughts of MEETO

Mother’s Words

Brij Bhasin, MEETO’s maternal Uncle reads her mother’s words

Key Note

Sunila Abeysekera delivers the key note at the ceremony

Farmer for Landless Farmers

Award winner Akeela Zaz addresses the gathering

Last Year and This Year

Akeela Naz of Pakistan receives her award from Anusheh Anadil of Bangladesh~last year’s MEETO memorial award recipient

Special Guests

A section of audience at the event

Shot from Stage

Guests at the occasion

Songs of Peace

Anusheh Anadil sings songs of Peace

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