Priyo Shikkhok: An Event of Gratitude, Storytelling, and Nostalgia

The sound of a school-bell is one of the most universal parts of our memories from school days. So when that traditional bell sound echoed in the hall-room followed by our National Anthem sung by a bunch of school students with a 3D National Flag waving on the LED screen, the audience went right back to their sweet old school days. This was how the grand finale (dubbed as 'Mahendrokhon') of 'IPDC-Prothom Alo Priyo Shikkhok Shommanona 2019' began. And this wonderful walk down the memory lane did not start just from the Anthem, but from the moment attendees came across the entry gate of the venue.

Spoiler alert: This write-up is not about the great initiative of honoring some of the most inspiring and selfless school teachers from all around Bangladesh. This write-up is about the final event that narrated a story and connected with the audience emotionally.

The entry gate of Priyo Shikkhok resembled familiar school gates from our childhood. The gate was no pompous construction of a typical corporate event. But it had the magic of connecting with people instantly. It triggered them to hear the familiar hustle and bustle near the icecream cart and jhalmuri-wala at busy school gates even though no jhalmuri mama or icecream-wala was there. Capturing their expression at the first look of the gate could easily make a Youtube video. Invitees knew the event was about paying gratitude to the teachers. But they did not expect to get emotionally invested and that even from the entrance.

The walkway communication materials were also pretty simple yet nostalgic. In some way or another, there were subtle hints of school days in each material. Remember the honours board at the Principal's office? The walkway had one like that with the names of the 12 winning teachers. And right before the foyer gate, at the left of the walkway, there was another winners board with their photos. There were some empty benches beside the board. The benches and the board under afternoon lights created a symbolic atmosphere. Students come, students leave. Teachers stay there to enlighten the new kids, to build the nation. Its time we get back to our root, we pay the deserved gratitude.

And undoubtedly, the most artistic display of communication was the miniature classroom at the foyer. There was hardly anyone among the attendees who didn't capture a photo there. Mane of them became a self-appointed class captain. Chalk at the hand once again became a dangerous weapon to list down names on the board. The classmates of childhood were being replaced by the names of colleagues at work.

And then comes the ballroom. The stage was all set to honour the real heroes. And it was set right in the proper manner. Adorned with the LED screen resembling a blackboard, a perfect pair of traditional chair and table, and a podium- the stage became a teacher's familiar zone, a classroom.

Soothing Rabindra Sangit by Aditi Mohsin, the two promotional AVs of the event, the 12 short bio AVs of the teachers or the surprising presence of Mashrafe Mortaza- all of these were warmly accepted by the crowd. But what touched them the most and tied them with the event was the effort to get them back to their memorable days. Some events become successful. Some events earn great exposure. In the case of Priyo Shikkhok Shommanona, the event named 'Mahendrokhon' talked! It talked directly to forgotten memories of the attendees. It told them a story. And it touched their hearts.

[Note: The 'Mahendrokhon' was held on October 4 to commemorate the Teachers Day on October 5. And the opening press conference of the initiative was held on August 25. From more than thousands of submissions, 11 teachers were selected by the jury to be honoured this year as Priyo Shikkhok. The jury also chose a nationally renowned teacher for the Lifetime Award of the first edition.

Promotional AV: https://www.facebook.com/PriyoShikkhok/posts/114839323231424/

https://www.facebook.com/DailyProthomAlo/videos/417364145651616/

Website: https://www.priyoshikkhok.com/

Page: https://www.facebook.com/PriyoShikkhok/ ]