10 volunteer organisations receive awards, donations in Lalmonirhat

Bashundhara Shuvosangho held its district conference in Lalmonirhat on Saturday, bringing together members of eight local units and representatives of 30 volunteer organisations to promote social welfare and encourage community service.

The day-long event, held at the Lalmonirhat District Council Auditorium under the slogan “Join hands in good deeds”, featured awards, donations to volunteer organisations and a colourful procession against child marriage, dowry, violence against women and drug abuse.

Around 450 people, including Shuvosangho members, volunteers and professionals from different walks of life, attended the programme.

Participants from different upazilas began arriving at the district town in the morning. After registration, each received a T-shirt bearing the slogan “Together for everyone in good deeds” and a book written by Imdadul Haq Milan, a noted fiction writer and adviser to Bashundhara Group who heads Shuvosangho.

March against social crimes

After breakfast, participants joined a procession to raise awareness against child marriage, dowry, violence against women and drug abuse. The procession started from the District Council Auditorium, passed through several roads and Mission More, a central intersection in the town, before returning to the conference venue.

The procession filled the streets with slogans calling for an end to these social problems.

Conference highlights youth contributions

Following the procession, the conference began at the packed auditorium. AKM Mominul Haque, chairman of the Lalmonirhat District Council, attended as the chief guest, while Imdadul Haq Milon inaugurated the event and exchanged greetings with participants. An opening song was performed afterwards.

Jamal Hossain, president of the Lalmonirhat Shuvosangho unit, delivered the welcome address.

Others who spoke included Zakaria Zaman, director of Shuvosangho; Principal Entajur Rahman, an adviser to the district committee; Haider Ali Babu, Lalmonirhat correspondent of Kaler Kantho; Sunil Kumar Sutradhar, adviser to Sarpukur Youth Forum Library; and Naim Islam, general secretary of the district unit. Tanmoy Ahmed Nayan moderated the programme.

In his speech, Milon said young people played a significant role in serving society and bringing positive change to the country.

“When people grow, the country grows. Young people do more for others. Everyone in our organisation is young, and they are all like my children. They transform society, bring honour to the country and help change it,” he said.

He added that Shuvosangho was built on love and solidarity, stressing the importance of caring for neighbours and standing beside people in need.

“Bashundhara Shuvosangho is the only organisation in Bangladesh that invites other organisations and honours them. No other organisation has done this. Shuvosangho is essentially a name for love. Love can achieve everything. If each of us looks after our neighbours and stands beside others, suffering and poverty will decline in the country,” he said.

Addressing the conference, AKM Mominul Haque said Bashundhara Group, one of the country's major industrial conglomerates, had extended support to people as part of its social responsibility alongside its business activities.

He said the group's continued work for people during difficult times and its initiatives through Shuvosangho would serve as examples for society.

Awards and donations

Imdadul Haq Milon received a commemorative crest from Sarpukur Youth Forum Library. Outstanding Shuvosangho organisers were also honoured with crests and certificates, while 30 volunteer organisations from the district received recognition for their social work.

Ten organisations received certificates, crests and donations of Tk5,000 each from Bashundhara Shuvosangho, totalling Tk50,000.

The recipients were Tarunner Alo Social Organisation and Janani Women’s Welfare Organisation from Aditmari upazila; Sarpukur Youth Forum Library; Darpan Ekota Youth Organisation from Kaliganj upazila; Raktakanika Social Welfare Volunteer Organisation from Patgram upazila; and Nadibhanga Parishad, Blood Donation Society of Lalmonirhat, Lalmoni Bidyapith, Sabuj Seba Youth Science Association and Raktadata Youth Service Welfare Organisation from Lalmonirhat Sadar.

The conference concluded in the afternoon with a cultural programme following lunch.