Meena (1993 TV series)

The cartoon series and multimedia initiative produced with the support of UNICEF and its donors as part of a program to raise awareness against various social inequalities in South Asian countries and to educate children, parents, and community leaders. Awareness created through Meena cartoons includes stopping child marriages, encouraging the construction and use of hygienic toilets, sending girls to school, giving more importance to education than marriage of young girls, stopping dowry, equal nutrition and opportunities for boys and girls. Meena Day is still celebrated today on 24 September every year in some countries of South Asia. == History ==

From 1991 to 2000, the United Nations declared a decade for South Asian girls. UNICEF is responsible for its expansion. At that time, Bangladesh agreed with the Norwegian Government to provide financial assistance for the production of animated cartoons in South Asia. Meena started its journey in 1990 under the leadership of Neill McKee, Chief of UNICEF Bangladesh Communication Section. The name "Meena" was suggested by Shamsuddin Ahmed of UNICEF, Dhaka and was chosen among other suggestions after careful research throughout the region, which including research on character designs and backgrounds. The late Ram Mohan from Mumbai, was the genius animated film artist and producer behind the success and longevity of Meena. He worked with the animation studio of Hanna Barbera in the Philippines to produce the first few episodes and then later produced many more regional episodes at his studio in Mumbai. Later, Meena cartoons were made in Bangladesh with technical advice from Ram Mohan, under the direction of Mira Mitra, who became the overall coordinator in that country. In the first few years, Rachel Carnegie worked as a consultant with Neill McKee to coordinate and facilitate the creation of the Meena series, involving UNICEF officers in India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Dr. Mira Aghi from New Delhi was the lead researcher who trained and supervised researchers throughout South Asia, including on story lines. Nuzhat Shahzadi became the project leader in Bangladesh, and Christian Clarke became the regional coordinator, based at UNICEF's regional office in Kathmandu. Later, Nuzhat Shahzadi took over from him. == Episodes ==

There are 31 regional Meena episodes and 14 produced in Bangladesh. See this link to view the regional series and download comic books: https://www.neillmckeevideos.com/meena A brief description of many of the episodes in provided below. == Characters ==

• Meena: Main character. • Raju: Meena's younger brother. • Mithu: Mina's closest friend and her pet parrot. • Rani: Meena-Raju's younger sister. • Grandmother: Meena-Raju's old grandmother. • Parents: Meena-Raju's parents. • Lali: Meena's cow. • Munmun: Meena's goat. • Leader: The leading personality of the village. • Shopkeeper: Feudal, oppressive, deceitful man. He has a shop in the market and his son has just passed medical from the city. He is the main villain in the cartoon series. • Rita: A sister studying in the upper class of School, where Meena studies in. She was later married to the shopkeeper's son. • Dipu: Meena's naughty friend. Mithu helps Dipu to become aware at different times. • Teacher of the school: She helps Meena with various problems with time and wise advice. There has also been the arrival of different characters in different series at different times. • Aunt: Meena-Raju's father's elder sister. Bad-tempered, cruel woman. Meena Meena is a fictional character who stars in the television show of the same name. The show is broadcast in the English, Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, and Urdu, Odia and Dari languages. Meena educates the children of South Asia on issues of gender, health, and social inequality through her stories in comic books, animated films, and radio series (affiliated with the BBC). Secondary characters of her stories include her brother Raju and her pet parrot Mithu. The first Meena episode was launched in 1993 on Bangladesh Television in Dhaka. == Other activities ==

UNICEF Bangladesh launched the UNICEF Meena Media Award in 2005 to create awareness among journalists for better reporting on children in the media. In 2012, UNICEF launched a live radio show featuring Meena, Mithu and Raju as presenters. In 2016, on the 70th anniversary of UNICEF, it launched the 'Meena Game'. == See also ==