Project Kombol Gala
Afsana Aziz Nitol
On hearing the word auction, the image of a bunch of people selling or bidding for tangible goods may be the first to come to mind. After all, how often do we see something intangible being sold in an auction?
Recently, for the very first time in Bangladesh, experiences alongside objects were up for bidding in an auction, organised by Project Kombol. The experiences included a journey to-and-from a concert with Tahsan, snacks with Ayub Bachchu in your own home, two nights stay at Nazimgarh Wilderness Tree Top Presidential Suite, a photography session by Prito Reza, a dinner date with one of our favourite cricketers, Taskin, at his restaurant, and the rare opportunity of a visit to the home of celebrity couple Mostafa Sarwar Farooki and Tisha. Goods for auction included signed bats of Mashrafe and Tamim, an exclusive Volkswagon and Bassbaba Sumons guitar.
A group of young minds _ Nuheen Khan from Gorbo Bangladesh Foundation and Saifullah Mithu from Bandhu Foundation _ had come up with the extraordinary idea of an effective way to raise funds for charity. Project Kombol, a leading winter clothing distribution platform in Bangladesh, assembled many people at the event, Project Kombol Charity Gala, on December 25 at a hotel in Gulshan.
The event, held from 4 pm to 7 pm, included a photo exhibition, award-giving ceremony and finally, a live auction with astounding experiences available to the highest bidders. The event started with an exhibition of photographs highlighting the four-year journey of Project Kombol. Over the years, the charity has helped distribute 30,000 blankets, donated by hundreds of schools, clubs, corporate houses and volunteer groups, to the needy in 34 districts of Bangladesh.
Following the exhibition, awards were given to three benevolent souls _ Ferdousi Priobhashini, Dr Adrik Baker and Hajera Begum _ who have discreetly been making an impact on the society through their keen efforts. The highlight of the evening, the auction, was divided into two sections _ an online auction and a live auction. The live auction took place on the very day of the event, whereas the online auction had already started a week earlier. The online auction included free food at Madchef, radio jockeying offer at FM 101.6, a leather bag from Salman Muktadir and attending two hours of a Warfaze jamming session. The items for online auction were no less remarkable than the live ones. Some of the auction winners are Iftekharul Islam, Sabbir Rahman Tanim, Rashid Khan and Ayesha Akhter Dalia.
Another attraction of the event was undoubtedly the invited guest list. Many popular and loved faces were spotted during the event _ Abdur Noor Tushar, Ferdousi Priyabhashini, Kaniz Almas, Kazi Mushikur Rahman, Nawshin, Hillol, Prito Reza, Solaiman Shukhon and G Sumdany Don. Tushar, a renowned anchor, announced that Project Kombol will be getting show time of one hour and funds matching those raised during the event from his upcoming channel, Nagorik TV. For an event filled with such amazing people, participants had to purchase tickets for Tk 2,000.
The event, indeed, may have appeared to be extravagant, but the motive behind it was to raise funds to help the needy during winter, as well as raising awareness about the relief distribution network of Project Kombol.
