# A Journey of Dream, Silence & Oneness | Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed | TEDxBangladeshAgriculturalUniversity Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCiSKNbNv3Y Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/QCiSKNbNv3Y Generated: 2026-02-24T16:38:53.244+00:00 --- ## 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. ## Detailed Analysis Nawshaba frames her talk around the concept of being a dreamer and the necessity of speaking truth, recounting how she overcame significant setbacks, including being jailed, only to eventually stand on the TEDx stage, which she views as magical. She emphasizes the importance of silence and reflection, leading a moment of silence for global victims of conflict. Her artistic identity, which she believes kept her moving forward through periods of paralysis (at age 2 and again at 18), was solidified after meeting Sister Valerie at CRP, who validated her strength and reminded her of her past work as the character Ikri. This encounter inspired her to create 'Together We Can,' a theater troupe composed primarily of people with physical disabilities, with whom she produced impactful, though often suppressed, performances like 'Mukti Alay Alay.' She highlights that their philosophy prioritizes the inner artist over formal qualifications, noting the diverse professions within the group. Nawshaba strongly advocates for empathy and oneness, warning against letting fear or external criticism destroy one's core self or deter efforts to improve the nation, urging listeners to uplift marginalized individuals and reject the temptation to flee when facing adversity. ### Speaker's Core Beliefs - Believes everyone is a dreamer - Advocates for speaking 'ought to be said' truths - Stresses the importance of silence and empathy - Urges against losing one's inner self ('bodh') during good or bad times ### Personal Trials and Triumphs - Experienced imprisonment for speaking out - Suffered paralysis twice, losing two years at one point - Returned to public life despite government opposition to her films - Views her current success as 'magic' fueled by focus and parental blessings ### The Role of Mentors and Inspiration - Sister Valerie at CRP identified her as a 'magician' for seeking self-help - Sister Valerie's affirmation reawakened her 'Ikri' persona - Her daughter, Prokriti, is her sole friend and inspiration post-father's passing ### Formation of 'Together We Can' - Created a group to teach theater to disabled individuals, facing initial ridicule - Staged 'Mukti Alay Alay' with 35 wheelchair-bound artists for 52 minutes non-stop - Faces difficulty staging shows due to lack of patronage and systemic restrictions - Philosophy welcomes artists regardless of formal training (e.g., Uber drivers, doctors, vendors) ### Artistic Identity and Resilience - Her artistic self prevented her from walking away during paralysis - Urges everyone to hone their 'artistic self' as a constant companion - Created anti-plastic movement art for Cox's Bazar after July incidents - Refused asylum because she would not leave the country with a bowed head ### The Call for Oneness and Inclusivity - Emphasizes empathy is crucial now - Highlights Bishu, who is visually impaired, performing 'Akash Amay Bhorlo Aloy' beautifully - Stresses that AI cannot replicate human connections like a baby's first smile or a loved one's scent - Defines 'oneness' as recognizing every individual as a reflection of another.