Bangladesh Pratidin marks eighth anniv

Bangladesh Pratidin, the highest circulated newspaper in the country, celebrated its eighth anniversary of publication on Thursday.The broadsheet started as a venture of East West Media Group (EWMGL), a concern of Bashundhara Group, on 15 March 2010.On the occasion of the anniversary, ministers, politicians, policymakers, civil society members and readers lauded the daily for its courageous journalism over last eight years.

With this year’s anniversary coinciding with the mourning day for the victims of the tragic plane crash in Nepal, the Bangla daily remembered the plane crash victims and with grief and prayer. Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam welcomed the guests and well-wishers at the anniversary function at International Convention City, Banshundhra in the capital. Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan formally inaugurated the anniversary programme on Wednesday night. The function began with the observance of a minute’s silence to remember those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash. Prime Minister’s Political Advisor HT Imam, Former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, State Minister for Forest and Environment Abdullah Al Islam Jakob, former Army chiefs Major General KM Shafiullah, Lieutenant General Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman, BNP leaders Nazmul Huda, Sahjahan Omar, among politicians, attended the function.

A special prayer was offered seeking the salvation of the departed souls and early recovery of the survivors of the tragic incident. Addressing the event, Prime Minister’s Political Advisor HT Imam expressed hope that the newspaper would continue to uphold the spirit of the country’s liberation war and independence through quality journalism. Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury said Bangladesh Pratidin became a popular daily as it has been giving the marginalised people a voice by producing new items focusing on issues matter to them. Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said Bangladesh Pratidin has turned itself into a newspaper of the mass people by bringing untold stories from the ground. Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain praised the newspaper for its continued efforts to bring authentic news to people from all walks of life. Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said the quality of journalism maintained by the newspapers, such as Bangladesh Pratidin, is crucial for the country to achieve peace and prosperity to the fullest.

Editor Naem Nizam informed the guests that Bangladesh Pratidin will start publication from New York on March 26 this year and from the UK and the Middle East very soon. Editor’s Council President Golam Sarwar, Daily Sun Editor Enamul Hoque Chowdhury, Kaler Kantho Editor Imdadul Haq Milon, publisher of the three newspapers Maynal Hossain Chowdhury, Kaler Kantha Executive Editor Mostofa Kamal, Daily Sun Executive Editor Shiabur Rahman (Shihab) and News24 Executive Director Hasnain Khurshid, among others, were present on the occasion. Academics and civil society members expressed their good wishes to the newspaper at the anniversary ceremony. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Kamrul Hasan Khan, Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Prof Mijanur Rahman, Kushita Islamic University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Shahinoor Rahman were also present on the occasion. Bangladesh Film Actors’ Association President Misha Sawdagar, General Secretary Zayed Khan, actors Arefin Shuvo, singer Monir Khan came to say good wishes to the newspaper on its anniversary.

SOURCE : Daily Sun