Paddmini Chakma, the recipient of the Indigenous Community Grant 2023, presented her work titled 'Do You Really See Me' at DrikPath Bhobon this evening.

The event, organized by Drik Picture Library, was part of the ongoing Bangladesh Press Photo Exhibition 2024.

During her presentation, Paddmini highlighted the discriminatory perception of Indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts by the state, citing differences in language, culture, and physical appearance as contributing factors to the reinforcement of a sense of moral superiority among Bengalis.

Paddmini further elaborated that Bangladesh's pursuit of a uniform Bengali identity often marginalizes other ethnicities, particularly impacting the cultural and political rights of indigenous peoples in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

She criticized developmental projects, focusing on tourism and road development, for allegedly displacing villages and harming natural resources vital to the livelihoods of local indigenous people.

Paddmini questioned if these projects genuinely benefit the local population and whether the concerns of the community and the preservation of their environment and resources are being considered.

The event was moderated by Jannatul Mawa, a photographer, writer, and mentor of the Indigenous Community Grant 2023.

Notably, the Bangladesh Press Photo Contest (BPPC) 2023 introduced a Community Grant Programme titled 'Photojournalism in the Margins' to encourage participation from photographers within marginalized communities,particularly the Bangladeshi Indigenous community of Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Paddmini Chakma, the inaugural recipient of the Indigenous Community Grant from the Bangladesh Press Photo Contest (BPPC), is currently showcasing her grant project photographs at the Bangladesh Press Photo Exhibition 2024.

This year's grant winner, Denim Chakma, was announced during the exhibition's opening ceremony, receiving a prize of Tk 50,000.

The exhibition, which runs until July 26th, celebrates the work of press photographers in Bangladesh and features 30 selected photographs from the 3rd edition of the BPPC.

It is open to the public daily from 3 pm to 8 pm at Drik Gallery.

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