SAARC Charter Day 2014

 

charter day

 

The 30th SAARC Charter Day was celebrated on 8th December 2014 at the Arcade Independence Square at the Asylum . The Guest of Honor was Mr. Nihal Rodrigo, the former Secretary General of SAARC Secretariat who also spoke and shared some thoughts on the importance of the celebration of the occasion. The SAARC Cultural Centre Director, Mr. G.L.W.Samarasingh briefed the august diplomatic corps and other luminaries on the developments of the other SAARC Regional Offices.   The messages of the President of the Socialist Republic Democracy of  Sri Lanka, the Honorable Foreign Minister Mr. Peiris and  H. E. Secretary General of SAARC Secretariat Mr. Arjun Thapa were read out.

A cultural programme of “Naye gurulu dances “ were performed followed by formal dinner.

The guests were also shown the photographs on display, selected from the Photography Competition 2014 organized by the SAARC Cultural Centre.

Photography Competition 2014

The SAARC Photography competition was organized by the SAARC Cultural Centre for the year 2014. The following member states had sent the photographs.

1 Afghanistan 0
2 Bangladesh 1
3 Bhutan 1
4 India 4
5 Maldives 0
6 Nepal 8
7 Pakistan 4
8 Sri Lanka 27
45

Six countries had participated in it. A total of 45 photographers sent in 208 photos and 20 were selected by the panel of judges. They are :

1. Mr. Sebastian Posingis  from Germany
2. Ms. Olivia Bonal Sansoni from England , and
3. Mr. Dominic Sansoni , CEO of Barefoot, Sri Lanka who has authored many books and brought out many landmark photography works himself.

3 winners were selected for the photography competitions. 2 were selected as Highly Commended and 15 photographs were selected forHonorable Mentions.

The winners are from 3 Member States of Bangladesh, Nepal and India.

1st Place –  Title –  Honey Collecters
Photographer – Muhammad Mustafigur Rahman, Bangladesh
Email – mustafizmamun@gmail.com

muhammad m - honey collectors 1st

 

2nd Place –Title –  Clouds of Devotees
Photographer – Narayan Maharjan , Nepal
Email – narayanmaharjan@gmail.com

2

 

3rd Place –Title –  Golden Ganga
Photographer – Anilrisal Singh, India
Email – anilrisal@gmail.com

 

Glden Ganga

 

Highly Commended

1. Title –  Follow
Photographer – Muhammad Mustafigur Rahman, Bangladesh
Email – mustafizmamun@gmail.com

Women carry pitcher of drinking water at Burigoalini. Satkhira, Bangladesh

 

2. Title –  Kanshat Mango Market
Photographer – Muhammad Mustafigur Rahman, Bangladesh
Email – mustafizmamun@gmail.com

muhammad m - kanshat mango market hc 2

 

Honorable Mentions (15 entries)

 1. Title –  Zhabdrung – The Patron Saint of Bhutan
     Photographer – Karma Tshering Wangchuk,  Bhutan
     Email – karmatw08@gmail.com
 2. Title – In No Man’s Land
     Photographer – Pattabi Rahman, India
     Email – pattabiram@gmail.com
3. Title – Roadside Dentist
    Photographer –  Anilrisal Singh, India
    Email – anilrisal@gmail.com
4. Title –  Tent Pegging
    Photographer – Irshad Ellahi Sheikh, Pakistan
    Email – appsheikh@yahoo.com
    Photographer – Yatra Rai ,  Nepal
    Email – ikimanepal@gmail.com
6. Title –   Narayan M – A local women enjoying during plantation – National Paddy Day Celebration
    Photographer – Narayan Maharjan , Nepal
    Photographer – Sunil Sharma, Nepal
    Email – sharmalinus@gmail.com
8. Title – Divine 
    Photographer – Dikesh Maharjan, Nepal
    Email –   deekes.mhj@gmail.com
9. Title – Flying Karadi 
    Photographer –  Tharmakulasingam Kugaruban, Sri Lanka
    Email – nallurruban@gmail.com
10. Title – Lone Fishermen at Dawn
      Photographer –  Biman Lakshitha Pathirage, Sri Lanka
      Email – bimanlaksitha@gmail.com
11. Title – Culture
      Photographer –  Sampath Peiris , KJK,  Sri Lanka
12. Title – Breaking 
      Photographer –  Tharmakulasingam Kugaruban, Sri Lanka
      Email – nallurruban@gmail.com
13. Title –  Off to School
      Photographer –  Ravindra Ranasinghe, Sri Lanka
14. Title – Delft Jaffna
      Photographer –  Viraj Liyanarachchi,   Sri Lanka
15. Title –  Blockart Action
      Photographer –  Tharmakulasingam Kugaruban, Sri Lanka
      Email – nallurruban@gmail.com
The selected photographs were displayed for the public and invited dignitaries on the 8 December 2014 which was also celebrated as SAARC Charter Day.
3 winners will be given cash prizes of US $ 300,  $ 250, $200 and  certificates.
Certificates of participation  will be given to the  Highly Commended photos and for 15 selected for the Honorable Mentions.