Pathao holds road safety cartoon exhibition at Drik Gallery
Pathao has wrapped up its month-long "Safe thaki, Safe rakhi" campaign with a high-profile cartoon exhibition on road safety at Drik Gallery in Dhaka, underscoring its commitment to public awareness.
As part of the initiative, Pathao organised the "Safe thaki, Safe rakhi" Cartoon Competition, inviting participants to spotlight road safety practices through creative cartoons.
The competition, held from 20 April to 31 May, encouraged submissions focused on everyday road safety habits, including helmet use, compliance with traffic signals, and vehicle fitness.
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Pathao also organised five road safety awareness events across Dhaka during the campaign.
These included interactive sessions at BRAC University, the University of Asia Pacific, and United International University; a school-based road safety programme; and a live public drawing event in Gulshan 2, in collaboration with Cartoon People.
The competition attracted more than 450 cartoon submissions from across the country.
Selected entries are being showcased at a special exhibition at Drik Gallery, which opened on Friday (26 June).
Fahim Ahmed, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Pathao, stated that road safety is a collective responsibility.
"Since 2015, we have been part of the journey of millions. Our daily workplace is not confined to an office; it is the open highway and the streets across Bangladesh," he said.
He said the campaign leveraged cartooning as a creative medium to engage the public in road safety awareness.
"We believe that the talent and intellect of cartoonists can effectively convey crucial messages like road safety to the wider public," he added.
Cartoonist Ahsan Habib, attending as special guest, said cartoons can deliver strong social messages through a single-panel format.
He praised both professional and amateur cartoonists who participated in the campaign and thanked Pathao for championing the awareness initiative.
The campaign was designed to encourage safer road behaviour and raise awareness of everyday practices that can help prevent accidents.
Ahsan Habib, together with young artists Morshed Mishu and Rashad Imam Tanmoy, judged the submitted cartoons.
Following the judges' evaluation, six winners will share a total prize pool of Tk1.05 lakh.
Raeid Hosen secured first place, earning Tk50,000.
Natasha Jahan took second place with Tk25,000, while Faridur Rahaman Razib placed third, receiving Tk15,000.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth prizes of Tk5,000 each will be awarded to Zurise Al Mahi, Showkat Rasadin Showkhin, and Mahatab Rashid, respectively.
The exhibition continues at Drik Gallery today (27 June) from 3pm to 8pm, featuring a collaborative wall-painting activity, a road-safety discussion, and a theatre performance.
Alongside the exhibition, visitors can participate in a collaborative wall-painting activity, attend a road safety discussion, and enjoy a theatre performance.
Other attractions include live cartoon and caricature sketches, games, and photo booths.
