The name of the party itself is self-explanatory indicating it was a timely initiative taken in order to change the quality and culture politics in Bangladesh as well as bring an alternative voice other than the two main parties in the political arena. This party stood out from the others with its main agenda of involving the civil society and other diverse segments of the society in the nation-bu
ilding process. Mahi B Choudhury, the Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of Bikolpodhara have been a consistent champion of nationalist ideology and have worked tirelessly to involve youth in the political process. He believes that a fresh, young and forward-looking next generation is needed to change transform the political culture today. Regrettably, the young generation has been averse to politics because of perceptions of negativity, corruption and violence. Mahi B Chowdhury launched Blue Band Call, a Facebook-based non-partisan independent Facebook-based group to positively motivate youth to make a difference in the political arena. The name of the group was itself a call for the youth from Mahi B Chowdhury as the blue color symbolizes liberal and tolerant ideas. This was the first Facebook-based political movement in the country and the young generation responded enthusiastically to come together and positively influence the political process. They called for peace and reconciliation for the country to go forward. Blue Band Call emerged as the country’s foremost youth platform for the generation to play a role in nation-building by overcoming their traditional repulsion to day-to-day politics. As the Blue Band Call expanded, the young generation decided it was time to play a more direct and visible role in the political process. Celebrating its fourth year in March 2015, Mahi B Chowdhury was nominated to participate in the Dhaka mayoral elections nominated by yhe youth. During the election period, Projonmo Bangladesh and Centre for Generaiton Change emerged from Blue Band Call to transform the social media movement into an institutionalized organization to champion the voice of youth in Bangladesh. Projonmo Bangladesh is a youth-based, youth-focused and youth-driven movement championing political, social and economic changes in Bangladesh by bringing together the post-71 Generation Bangladesh. Centre for Generational Change is a multi-disciplinary research, advocacy and training centre-cum- think-tank supporting Projonmo Bangladesh by providing policy, research and intellectual support for a qualitative change in our political culture as aspired by the next generation.
