Prothom Alo's 13th Anniversary

Inspiring to build a better Bangladesh

4 November 2011, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Guests, including former Chief Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Syed Abul Maksud and National Professor Dr MR Khan, raise their hands to reiterate their determination to bring about positive changes in society during the 13th founding anniversary of the daily Prothom Alo at Rabindra Sarobar in the city yesterday.Photo: STAR

With the golden rays of the late autumn afternoon sun spreading its warmth, the ambience at Rabindra Sarobar in the city yesterday reverberated with the achievements of the daily Prothom Alo over its 13-year journey. Presence of showbiz stars, singers, writers and eminent citizens in the venue beside Dhanmondi Lake and their spirited performance thrilled spectators who gathered to celebrate the daily's 13th anniversary. In their short speeches and songs, the guests reflected the ways in which the leading newspaper elucidated peoples' aspirations through journalism and inspired them to build a new and better Bangladesh. Moderated by novelist Anisul Haque, the anniversary celebrations began around 4:00pm with Rezwana Chowdhury Bonnya singing Bangladesh's national anthem in front of an audience filling the venue to the brim. Columnist Syed Abul Maksud said, “It (Prothom Alo) speaks for the women, youths, the marginalised, the poor and the oppressed. That is where the task of media is. “Prothom Alo speaks of progress. Each of its anniversaries is unique in featuring the daily's advancements.” This single newspaper reflects the aspirations of 70 percent of the country's population, said Maksud, hoping that this figure would soon increase to 90 percent. “I wish Prothom Alo every success on its anniversary,” said former Chief Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman. Writer and littérateur Abdullah Abu Sayeed said having a widely accepted and reliable newspaper in a country is crucial in reflecting all sorts of repression and injustice. Prothom Alo is just the one in Bangladesh, he said. As long as the daily runs, it must continue to reveal the truth and function like a hero, said Sayeed. Afterwards, the theme song of Prothom Alo “Bodle dao bodle jao, bodoler gaan gai” was performed by SI Tutul, Fahmida Nabi, Deenat Jahan and Asif Akbar. Artist and actress Bipasha Hayat said, “Light is the spirit of life and knowledge is the light which can remove all forms of darkness and inferiority. Prothom Alo is doing the job of removing darkness.” Women leader Salma Khan said Prothom Alo's supplementary slogan “Shawpner Shawdesh” (a homeland of our dreams) is very inspiring. Bangladesh has many achievements. Its youths went to the highest peak of the world, the Himalayas, and won the Nobel peace prize. “Together we can surely build a new Bangladesh and be its proud citizens,” she said. National Professor Dr MR Khan said the best thing he finds of the daily is its positive features. “When we find someone, a very commoner, building a hospital with the earnings of his life, we are inspired. Besides, the daily takes risks in publishing many news items for the sake of justice and humanity,” he said. The characteristic of the daily that makes it the number one in the country is that it never stops from revealing the truth, said former Bangladesh cricket team captain Habibul Bashar. Film actor and road safety activist Ilyas Kanchan said freedom fighters liberated the country and now it is today's youths who must work together to build the nation and free it from the clutches of corruption. “Continue your fight until you win,” said singer Mahmuduzzaman Babu, quoting the Latin American revolutionary Che Guevara, in his song. Development activist Rasheda K Chowdhury, Dr Mohit Kamal, film and television personalities Reaz, Jahid Hasan, Mosharraf Karim, Chanchal Chowdhury and Tisha also spoke at the programme. Singers Nakib Khan, Sajeev, Ibrar Tipu, Muhin, Nishita, Nawreen, Kishore, Liza, Shoshee, Pulak and Sabbir enthralled the crowd with country songs.