SAFDAR HASHMI MEMORIAL COMITTEE 8, Vithal Bhai Patel House, Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110 001 The Safdar Hashmi Memorial Committee has decided on several short-term and long-term projects, including two which Safdar had himself wanted to start in the near future. The first of these is the organising of a 'Jan Utsav* as a counter to the Government-sponsored 'Apna Utsav* with its mythification of culture and propagation of decadent values. The Committee has decided to organise the first Jan Utsav in Delhi in about a year's time from now. The second is the setting up of a cultural complex-cum-training centre for theatre, video and related fields which would aim at discovering and developing artistic talent among those sections of our society who do not normally get the opportunity for developing their talents. The centre would involve professionals from different fields of art for this purpose and work towards strengthening the bonds between artists and the people. The Committee has also decided to constitute vigilance committees at different places to safeguard freedom of expression. The most immediate plan chalked out by the Committee is to observe Safdar's birthday (12 April) by organising a cultural festival, beginning on 12 April and concluding onSunday, 16April.April 12 will also be observed as National Street Theatre Day. The cultural festival will include the following: (i) A one-day festival of street theatre, (ii) a seminar on street theatre, (iii) a music concert, (iv) a dance recital, (v) a full length play, (vi) an exhibition and auction of works of art, (vii) mushaira and kavisammelan, (ix) a video film on Safdafs life. In order to increase the mobility of the Jan Natya Manch, the street theatre group of which Safdar was the convenor, the Committee has decided to raise resources to acquire a suitable vehicle and convert it into a mobile theatre. A large mobilisation of resources and funds would be required so that the Committee may be able to carry out its plans. As part of this resource mobilisation, the Committee has decided to bring out a souvenir on the occasion of the cultural festival, which would include a selection of Safdar's writings, excerpts and photographs of Janam plays and of the national protest that followed his death. The souvenir will be released on Safdar's birthday. Funds will also be raised through the cultural festival. Finally, the Committee decided to constitute a Trust to implement its decisions. It elected from among its own members the following trustees: Bhisham Sahni, Buddhadev Bhattacharya, E. Alkazi, G.P. Deshpande, Habib Tanveer, M.K. Raina, Utpal Dutt, Vivan Sundaram, Moloyashree Hashmi, Sohail Hashmi. It was also decided to constitute a committee of patrons consisting of eminent persons from all walks of life. Eminent painter M.F. Husain has already agreed to become one of the patrons. We appeal to all those who feel the need to protect and advance the democratic and secular values for which Safdar Hashmi lived and died, to contribute generously towards the work of the Memorial Committee. We make a special appeal to the press to help us by publicising our plans and the appeal for contributions as widely as possible. All contributions should be sent to the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust, 8 Vithal Bhai Patel House, Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110 001.