A Journey of Dream, Silence & Oneness | Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed | TEDxBangladeshAgriculturalUniversity

Quick Overview

Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed shares her journey of overcoming adversity, including imprisonment and paralysis, by embracing her artistic identity, finding inspiration in figures like Sister Valerie and the members of her inclusive theater group 'Together We Can,' and advocating for oneness and empathy in society.

Key Points: Nawshaba asserts that everyone is a dreamer, but questions whether society grants the freedom to see those dreams, noting her personal experience of being jailed for speaking necessary truths. She describes her return to public life, receiving an invitation to TEDx after her film was previously blocked by the Ministry of Information, as 'magic' made possible by her perseverance, her parents' blessings, and the support of people like the audience. Nawshaba requested one minute of silence to remember those who died in conflicts globally, asking the audience to place their hands on their chests and remember their parents and the martyrs. A pivotal moment involved meeting Sister Valerie at CRP, who called Nawshaba a 'magician' for wanting to help herself, which reawakened Nawshaba's inner 'Ikri' persona and belief in her worth despite past struggles. She founded the theater group 'Together We Can' with physically challenged individuals, staging productions like 'Mukti Alay Alay' with 35 wheelchair-bound artists, despite facing initial ridicule and restrictions on performing the shows. Nawshaba emphasizes that the philosophy of 'Together We Can' does not require formal training in arts, welcoming individuals like Uber drivers, doctors, engineers, and even a betel leaf seller, to express their inner artist. She urges the audience not to lose hope or abandon the country, stating she had '101 reasons for asylum' but refused to leave while bowing her head, stressing the importance of remembering both good and bad times.

Context: The TEDx talk by Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, titled 'A Journey of Dream, Silence & Oneness,' chronicles her personal and professional struggles, including her experience with imprisonment and physical paralysis, to deliver a message about resilience, creativity, and the power of community. Nawshaba discusses her past as an actor and puppeteer, the societal pressures she faced growing up when her academic performance didn't align with her family's expectations, and the profound impact of realizing one's own inherent value through the support of mentors and collaborators.