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Sisimpur celebrates new season 7

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Art & Culture Report:
Sisimpur, the most popular children’s TV show in the country, celebrates the launch of its seventh season amid fanfare. At a commemorative event, the Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad  along with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena and USAID Mission Director Richard Greene launched the new season at Bangladesh Shishu Academy on March 31.
Among the other the Information Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, The MOPME Secretary AKM Abdul Awal Mojumder and The MOWCA Secretary Tariq-Ul-Islam were present on the occasion. 
Tuktuki, Ikri and all the muppet friends from Sisimpur return to Bangladesh Television (BTV) with a brand new season emphasising critical thinking, science, and encouraging science-mindedness. Co-produced by Dhaka-based Nayantara Communications and Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organisation behind Sesame Street, Sisimpur’s landmark 7th season continues to address cognitive and socio-emotional development of Bangladeshi preschoolers. Twenty-six new half-hour episodes, now currently airing on BTV will  follow the beloved Sisimpur friends as they discover the world around them all while engaging children to think like scientists.
Much like the series’ first six seasons, Sisimpur aims to delight young viewers with a stimulating mix of studio segments, animations and live action films-all which highlight lessons on math, literacy, and science. Through music, humour, and the strong appeal of the Sisimpur residents, research has shown significant gains in early childhood development. In a nationwide study, Community and Population Research found that children, who watch Sisimpur regularly, demonstrate literacy, math, and socio-cultural skills at levels equivalent to that of a child who is one year older who had no exposure. In addition, they found that children with exposure to Sisimpur show greater gains in skills over time compared to their peers with no exposure.
Highlights from Sisimpur season-7 include Ikri inheriting her first bicycle and learning how to ride safely while modelling the patience and resolve of her best girlfriend, Tuktuki. In another episode, Ikri, in an effort to deliver cool refreshment to her friend Halum, learns how the properties of ice can change on a warm, sunny day.
In addition, local celebrities drop by Sisimpur for a visit including: Actors Shahed Ali Sujon, Farzana Chumki, and Arman Pervez Murad, writer and actor Litu Shakhawat, performer Asaduzzaman Noor, singer and writer Ezaz Farah, film director Animesh Aich and Professor Haseena Khan.
In additional to the television series, Sisimpur related outreach programs reach thousands of children at home and in pre-school centres around the country. Through a partnership with Bangladesh Shishu Academy (BSA), teachers in 64 districts across the country have received training and educational materials to enhance the classroom experience for their students, as well as promote important messages such as health and hygiene.
The USAID-funded Sisimpur programme was first implemented by Sesame Workshop in 2004, designed to increase opportunities for high-quality early childhood education in Bangladesh and strengthen capacity in the field of educational media production.
Content of Sisimpur has been carefully researched and designed by local educators and child development experts to address both academic and social issues most relevant to Bangladeshi children. Significant contributions from esteemed professionals Dr Md Zafar Iqbal, Professor M Shahjahan Mian Tapan, Dr Professor Haseena Khan, Professor Dr Muhammad Ibrahim and Siddque Belal guide an effective and meaningful curriculum for the series and all related programmes.
Sesame Workshop works with Nayantara Communications to produce Sisimpur in Bangladesh with world-renowned puppeteer Mostafa Monwar serving as the series’ Chief Creative Advisor. 
The seventh season of Sisimpur is made possible by generous support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Sisimpur programmes are implemented by Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Sesame Workshop.
Bangladesh has been an important friend and partner of the United States having a longstanding relationship.  The US Government, through USAID is proud to have provided more than $5.7 billion in development assistance since Bangladesh’s independence with over $770 million in health sector.  USG, through USAID, currently dedicates about $180 million every year to improve the lives of people in Bangladesh; promote democratic institutions and practices; expand economic opportunity; improve health and education services; increase food security and support Bangladeshi efforts to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
Sisimpur airs every Friday at 9:10am, Sunday at 12:10pm, Monday at 10:05am and Wednesday at 6:10pm on Bangladesh Television (BTV). Desh TV also airs Sisimpur in every Friday at 6:25pm and Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00pm.