Her hair was flying loose, and as it caught the sun it shone and shimmered. The 11-year-old was riding a horse at full speed on an open field. Soon, she picked up speed and went past another rider and kept on riding.
All the eyes were glued to the screen when a documentary on Tasmina Aktar, a horse racer from a remote village of Naogaon, was displayed at a programme in the capital's Chhayanaut Sankskritik Bhaban yesterday.
The documentary, made by Tanha Zafreen, focuses on Tasmina's life, struggle and contribution to women empowerment.
Tasnima has been taking part in horse racing for the last three years in a row and has won several awards defeating male contenders.
But she did not get to keep the prizes she won; but rather they belong to the owners of the horses. She has to ride horses of other people, as she has no horse of her own.
However, the Bangla daily Prothom Alo has recently gifted her a horse. “I'm very happy. Now, I'll win for myself,” said an elated Tasnima.
The newspaper organised the programme marking International Women's Day to be observed today, anchored by its associate editor Anisul Hoque.
Manjurin Sabrin Chowdhury Rupanti, from Kushtia, is a popular stick fighter. She displayed her stick-fighting skills on the Kushtia Government College grounds at a competition last month.
She along with Bangladeshi archers Hira Moni, the gold medalist, and Bonya Akter, silver medalist, at the first ISSF International Solidarity Archery Championship in January, shared their experiences at the event.
Besides, Samapti Roy, the blind girl who works as a music teacher for Aparajeyo Bangla, Aung Main Chai, a photographer from Bandarban, and Shamima, an acid victim, who recently completed her studies in fashion designing, also shared their journeys.
“All the girls are unique…,” said State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, who greeted the girls with flowers. She also hoped women will come forward and contribute to the country's development.
The speakers, at the event, praised the girls for breaking barriers and conventions.
Prothom Alo Editor and Publisher Matiur Rahman, human rights activists Hamida Hossain and Salma Khan, eminent political scientist Rawnak Jahan, Prof Maleka Begum, and Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association Executive Director Salma Ali, also spoke.
Nazrul Sangeet exponent Sadya Afreen Mallick, Rabindra Sangeet singer Aditi Mohsin, singer Abanti Sithi and popular band Joler Gaan enthralled the audience at the event.