Alif Laila spoke between songs about her experience visiting DCI’s projects in Bangladesh and urged the audience to take initiative in supporting DCI’s mission for underprivileged children. The audience was very moved by the performance and gave the duo a lengthy standing ovation.

Other performances of the night included:

• a special rendition of “We Are the World” by DCI’s Youth Group and New Haven Chorale
• a classical dance by youth dancers Shreya Dhume, Saumiya Vodapally, Shreya Vasagiri, and Shruti Vasagiri
• a recitation of poems by Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam about poverty and human rights, read by Sarah Tasneem Liya and Ayesha Dewan Lipi
• a duet love song performed by Sharmin Akhter and Zubair Nazmi
• dances inspired by the work of Rabindranath Tagore performed by Tania Chandra and Debirtha Dipon Ghosh

An informal networking reception with light refreshment preceded the event. DCI’s Executive Director Dr. Ehsan Hoque spoke about DCI’s mission and programs and encouraged everyone to get involved.

The event was attended by many people and was successful in raising awareness of the grave problems faced by children in Bangladesh and other countries. We thank all the performers and attendees for taking part in this special evening and helping us strengthen our network to combat child labor, poverty, and blindness.

Click here to view photos from the event on our Flickr page.