Batighor is founded in 2010, and started its operations in Luton from 14th April 2010 through organizing Bangla New year called Boishakhi Mela 1417. At the beginning activities were mainly cultural; Batighor activists performed theatres and popular folk music on various social issues such as Rights, public health and environment, etc.
The fundamental principal of Batighor is based on the hypothesis that culture and sustainable development are closely connected. This connection is an emerging concept. Although the identity of a society is largely determined by its culture, yet is difficult for any society to have a static sense of the culture. Both society and culture are changing simultaneously.
The connection between culture and development works we think in three ways.
- Cultural diversity can be used as a national asset. Therefore, it is essential to restore and preserve heritage, various traditions, folk songs, dances, dramas and theatre etc.
- Culture can be used as a means for building awareness among people. In this respect, theatre, folk songs and other indigenous forms of entertainment can be used to raise awareness and inform people of new ideas. This form of entertainment media can also be used to strengthen the participatory process, organizational capacity building, conflict resolution and towards ensuring good governance.
- Culture can be used to counter the negative forces or impacts that prevail as social customs, norms and beliefs having detrimental effects on economic and social development.
Batighor attempts to address culture and development connection in all three ways. In facilitating social transformation, they undertakes initiatives for advocacy and raising awareness, disseminating information at the grassroots levels in Luton by using cultural events.
Batighor promote theatres, popular publications and traditional folk songs to communicate developmental and other social issues to the people.
Batighor revive, restore and use various forms of local culture. We use positive culture to remove prejudice, incorrect information, myths, superstitions, etc. and in the process try to unite the community and build social cohesion.
The workers of Batighor are mainly activists with extensive experience in working at the grassroots level. Over the years, we have developed the capacity to organize people at the grassroots level and an understanding about the dynamics of a society.
In addressing social issues, we are practical, result-oriented, innovative and risk-taker. The organizational structure of Batighor is not vary hierarchical in nature, and has shown good team spirit. These characteristics help us for socio-cultural development at the grassroots level of Luton.
Batigor School for arts and cultures established on February 2012 focusing mega events such as Luton Diamond Jubilee, Luton Festival. We could not continue the School due to funding shortage.
In last three years we organized mainly following major events in Luton where Thousands of people were attended:
- Boishakhi Mela 1417 at St. Margaret church near Biscot mill on 14th of April 2010
- Boishakhi Mela 1418 at Dallow Community Centre on 14th of April 2011
- Boishakhi Mela 1419 at Vanue Central 2, at Leagrave Road. on 14th of April 2012
- Luton Diamond Jubilee event organized by Luton Borough Council 2 June 2012
- Participate in Luton Festival 2012 on 7 July 2012 organized by Luton Borough Council
- Eid punormiloni (Social gathering)