Bashundhara’s benevolence benefits Late journalist’s family, ailing journalism teacher

In another act of benevolence on the part of a business house, Bashundhara Group Wednesday gave away one-million taka in assistance to the tragedy-stricken family of journalist Dinesh Das who was killed in a recent road accident in the city. Chairman of Bashundhara Group Ahmed Akbar Sobhan handed over a cheque for the amount to the only child of the journalist in an emotion-charged ambience at a function in the conference room of the East-West Media Group Limited, a concern of the country’s largest business conglomerate, BG, which boasts four frontline media organizations. The BG chairman handed over the cheque to Dinesh’s daughter, Athai, in the presence of her mother Lipi Sarkar. He also handed over another cheque for Tk 200,000 in aid to ailing journalism teacher of Dhaka University Anisur Rahman at the function, attended by editors, senior journalists and leaders of the community. Chairman of Bashundhara Group Ahmed Akbar Sobhan is handing over the cheque of Tk1m to the daughter Athoy and wife Poly Sarkar of deceased journalist Dinesh Das. Senior journalists and high officials of BG are also seen in the photo. Dhaka University Journalism department teacher Rubayet Ferdous received the cheque on behalf of those working for fundraising for the treatment of the senior teacher critically wounded in a road accident. Dinesh Das, a senior reporter of Amader Shomoy, was killed in a tragic road accident in the city’s Kakrail area on January 7. His voice broke and a silence reigned in the house as the Bashundhara Group chief spoke briefly before handing over the cheque to the little orphaned daughter of the journalist. “What we are giving to the family of Dinesh is a little amount, but it will help his family. The death of Dinesh is an irreparable loss to his family,” he said. The renowned industrialist raised a moot point about the journalists’ welfare in their lifetime, too, instead of only posthumous aid to their families. He said journalists should be self-reliant before his/her death. “To save the family of a journalist, insurance is essential. The profession of journalism is not an easy one--it is a risky profession,” he told the function as the audience applauded his idea. Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said journalists could do more for the betterment of the country. So they have to play their role effectively, positively. “Journalists should not nurture vindictiveness. They have to work constructively. Only criticism won’t get anyone anywhere.” The BG chair announced their plan to do something far better for the Press Club, Dhaka Reporters Unity and the journalism department of DhakaUniversity for the betterment of the community. “We are planning to give stipend for the meritorious journalism students of the university as the country needs good journalists for the country’s good. The stipend will encourage them to be more serious in studies and it will be possible to get good journalists in the country,” said Mr. Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, true to the motif of his business group: ‘For the people, for the country’. He told the function of journalists that he did not set sights on the media for business purpose rather the media would play an important role in development as well as for the people’s economic emancipation. “Without economy we stand nowhere,” said the industrialist, whose innovative ideas and energies have lifted Bashundhara Group to an envious status in the economic arena not only at home but also beyond the borders. Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, president of BFUJ, told the meet that the initiative of Bashundhara Group is no doubt praiseworthy to all. “So I thank the chairman of this group for their contribution.” The business house is making immense contribution to the sector of media as they have provided jobs to many journalists and employees. He also hoped that the media in the country would be much more effective and play important role in the country’s progress. “Though Dinesh was not a journalist of East-West Media Group, it has come forward to help the family of Dinesh. So it proves that it is a great initiative on part of the organization,” said the leader of the journalist community. Even the group is thinking ahead of all to implement the upcoming eighth wage board award for journalists after the declaration comes from the government. “It’s also very positive initiative by Bashundhara Group,” he said. National Press Club President Kamaluddin Sabuj said Bashundhara is advancing with their slogan for doing welfare for the country. “Bashundhara is playing important role in the media sector in the country. Hope they will go on playing their important and effective role in the future.” DRU president Sakhawat Hossain Badsha also thanked the chairman for his contribution. He said, “Though journalists are playing a good role for the country, but many will not understand how the journalists pass their hard life.” He however sought contribution from the chairman of the Bashundhara Group for the development of DRU. In the concluding speech editor of daily sun Prof. Syed Anwar Husain said everyone has to leave this world, but if anyone faces sudden or tragic death, it becomes tough to tolerate for those who are left behind. And it happened to the family of Dinesh. “So the contribution of BG Chairman to the Dinesh family is immense and the Chairman set an example for others to emulate,” said the sun editor. Editor of the daily Kaler Kantho Imdadul Haque Milon, editor of daily Bangladesh Pratidin Nayeem Nizam, editor-in-chief of banglanews24.com Alamgir Hossain, Bashundhara Group’s chief adviser Mahaboob Morshed Hassan and Media adviser Abu Tayeb were among others present at the function.