Aug 23, 2011

Dhali Al Mamoon Fund

Dear Friends,

By now you must be all aware about the extent of our friend and artist Dhali Al Mamoon's injuries from the road accident that took the lives of Tareque Masud and Mishuk Munier as well as three others. He is suffering from massive injuries in the ribs, jaws and arms. He is on life support with artificial ventilation.

Mamoon’s role in the cultural sphere is well known and his commitment to anti-fundamentalism and humanism is well known. He is a professor of Chittagong University, Institute of Fine Art.

Having realized the gravity of the situation and the extent of expenses involved, which is estimated to run over a crore of rupees, we as fellow artists wish to assist Dhali in this emergency. Accordingly, Khoj Kolkata appeals to all friends and well-wishers  to contribute generously for his treatment.

Please send your contributions by a/c payee cheque in favour of “Khoj Kolkata Artists’ Initiative” or by net transfer to the following address:

Khoj Kolkata Artists’ Initiative
c/o Abhijit Gupta
68G, Purna Das Road, Kolkata - 700 029
phone: +91 33 2466 1526
e-mail: khojkolkata@gmail.com

for the net transfer

Khoj Kolkata Artists' Initiative
A/c. No: 31649478548
State bank of India
Branch code: 07195
IFS code SBIN00007195
MICR: 700002041

Those of you who reside in Kolkata may deliver the cheques to Chhatrapati Dutta, Dr. Paula Sengupta or the undersigned.

Please do not forget to mention your name or the name of the organisation as the same would be published on our website (www.khojkolkata.org) to maintain transparency in the proceedings. In case you do not wish us to publish your name or the amount of your contribution please do notify us through an email addressed to khojkolkata @gmail.com.

The funds will reach the Secretary of Culture, Government of Bangladesh (who is presently dealing with Dhali’s treatment expenses) through the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata. Nisar Hossain (prominent artist of Bangladesh and friend of Dhali) will ensure appropriate utilization of funds.

We wish Dhali Al Mamoon a speedy recovery.

Regards.

Abhijit Gupta
Khoj Kolkata

Dear friends,

Artist Dhali al-Mamoon (professor, Fine Arts, Chittagong university), who was critically injured in the August 13, 2011 road accident in which internationally acclaimed film director Tareque Masud, ATN News CEO Mishuk Munier and 3 members of their shooting crew died -- has reached Bangkok Hospital this evening (August 19, 2011), and has been admitted to the hospital.

As you probably know, Dhali was critically injured in the accident, he suffered massive injuries in his ribs, jaws, chest and shoulder. He was on life support with artificial ventilation at Square Hosital (Dhaka). His lungs were injured as a result of the rib fracture. While at Square, his jaw was operated upon; according to the surgeon, the operation was successful.

Dhali is accompanied by his wife Dilara Begum Jolly, herself an acclaimed artist, and their friend, Shahaduzzaman, writer and medical doctor.

Jolly too was injured in the accident (right arm fracture). The air ambulance took off from Shah Jalal airport (Dhaka) at 15:20pm, and landed at Bangkok airport at 20:20pm local time (19:20pm BDT).

I received this sms from our friend Sajjad Sharif (in Dhaka) a while ago, `They are now in the hospital. Pablo is also with them. Admission process is going on. Representative from the (Bangladesh) embassy is taking care. Mamoon is ok.'

And immediately after, a phone call from Shakhawat (Jolly's brother, in Dhaka) who has spoken to Shahaduzzaman, who confirmed that Mamoon is okay.

By all accounts Dhali's treatment and recovery is going to be a long haul, please pray for Dhali. It is also going to be very expensive, hence contributions from his friends and well-wishers are welcome. If you wish to know more about this, please contact Lala Rukh Selim .

best/r