1st Bangla Olympiad

International Turkish Hope School has been running its operation in Bangladesh in 8 different branches in Dhaka, Chittagong and Bogra since 1997. ITHS has organized First Bangla Olympiad as a tribute to International Mother Language Day on February 20, 2011 at its Uttara Main Campus between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

First Bangla Olympiad has been performed in 2 levels - Junior Level (Class 1 to 5) and Senior Level (Class 6 to 12) and in 4 categories - Essay Writing, Poem Recitation, Painting and Singing.

Program has been honoured by the participation of HE Mr. Md. Motahar Hossain MP, State Minister of Education as Chief Guest, HE Mr. M. Vakur Erkul, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Bangladesh as Special Guest and Mr. Ayub Bachchu, famous singer as Guest of Honour.

Program started with the recitation of Surah Fatiha and followed by the recitation of National Anthem of Bangladesh by Uttara Junior Section students.

After the national anthem Principal of ITHS, Mr. Bayram Saatci delivered his welcome speech. In his speech he told that “ On the eve of Int’l Mother Language Day it is my great pleasure to welcome you all to our First Bangla Olympiad. This year this Olympiad is a small tribute to the Bangladeshi people right before historical 21^st February, the Int’l Mother Language Day. Here on this very ground we respectfully recall the sacrifices of the veteran deceased souls who laid down their lives for Bangla as the mother language in the year 1952. Language along with culture, traditions and values is one of the essential componenents of the existence of a nation. There are many races completely extinct today as they failed to survive with their language. Therefore the force of language on the existence and development of a nation is immense. It is undoubtedly a matter of great pride that Bangladesh is the only country who fought for her language and got international recognition for this. An indomitable and developing nation like this is sure to grow and reach the zenith of success, if not right today in the nearest future.”

After Principal’s speech Guest of Honour Mr. Ayub 
Bachchu, famous singer, started his speech. He said that “I am very happy to see that ITHS organized the First Bangla Olympiad. I am very much connected with ITHS. I will remain the part of the school till the last day of my life. Turkish people are very friendly and nice people. I will come and perform with my band any time the school invites me.”

After that HE Mr. M. Vakur Erkul, Honourable Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Bangladesh came to the stage for his speech. In his speech he mentioned that “Attending this very occasion Bangla Olympiad in Bangladesh organized by ITHS, I once more observe the vital contributions done by ITHS to the good of Bangladesh and the relationship that the school has been embroidering between Bangladesh and Turkey. Hence I again appreciate and congratulate the esteemed Principal of the school Mr. Bayram Saaatci and those who endeavoured for contributing in the establishment of this school.”

Finally HE Mr. Motahar Hossain, State Minister of Education, came to the stage for his speech. He said that  “ I really thank ITHS Management for organizing the First Bangla Olympiad as a tribute to Int’l Mother Language Day and I hope that it will go further in the future. ITHS contributes the cultural exchange between Turkey and Bangladesh. I personally visited Turkey five times and I witnessed the hospitality and friendly attitude of Turkish people many times in many places. Turkey has always been helping Bangladesh in the field of education, business and investment. I again thank ITHS Management for organizing this First Bangla Olympiad, devotion and hard work for giving the quality education in Bangladesh.”

After the speeches First Bangla Olympiad started. Initially around 500 students participated in First Bangla Olympiad from all its branches of International Turkish Hope School. Competition held in four categories, in two groups. Essay, Painting, Singing & Poem Recitation.

First round was held in respective branches. Second round was held in at Uttara Main campus.

Best competitors were selected by the Jury Board from about 500 participants.

The final selection of Essay & Painting Categories had already been completed before the final program.

In the final program best students of Singing and Poem Recitation Categories from Junior and Senior Sections came to the stage to perform their talents. During singing and poem recitations of the students extra activities and performances made the program very special and colourful. Bangla song performed by a Turkish student of class 5, Bangla song performed by a chorus of  Turkish students of Junior Section, Bangla song performed by a chorus of foreign students of Junior Section, dance performed by  Gulshan Junior Section student, Zarin Reshmi of Class 5 who was the dance performer of World Cup Cricket Opening Ceremony were the unique performances that made the program very special and wonderful.

In the program 30 students were awarded.

10 First prize winners were awarded with Full Touch Screen mobile set with 2.0 Mpx camera each.

10 Second prize winners were awarded with I Pod Nano, with 8 GB internal memory each.

10 Third prize winners were awarded with I Pod MP3 with 4GB internal memory each..

Chief Guest, HE Mr. Md. Motahar Hossain, State Minister of Education delivered the awards to the best achievers of Poem Recitation Category, Special Guest HE Mr. M. Vakur Erkul, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Bangladesh delivered the awards to the best achievers of Essay Category, Guest of Honour Mr. Ayub Bachchu delivered the awards to the best achievers of Singing Category and Principal of ITHS Mr. Bayram Saatci delivered the awards to the best achievers of Painting Category.

Program was ended by the songs performed by the Guest of Honour Mr. Ayub Bachchu, famous singer. Audience were enthused by his wonderful Bangla songs.

Program lasted for about 2 hours.