Bangladesh Pratidin steps into 14th year

Bangladesh Pratidin, the country’s highest circulated Bangla daily, steps into the 14th year of its publication on Wednesday.

The daily started celebrations of the 13th founding anniversary by lighting 13 candles and cutting a cake at the daily’s office premises in Bashundhara Residential Area in the capital Tuesday evening.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir inaugurated celebrations.

Jatiya Sangsad whip Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapon, Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam, Daily Sun Editor Enamul Hoque Chowdhury, Kaler Kantho Editor-in-Chief Imdadul Haq Milan, Kaler Kantho Editor Shahed Mohammad Ali, Banglanews24.com Editor Jewel Mazhar, Daily Sun Executive Editor Rezaul Karim Lotus, and News24 Executive Editor Rahul Raha were present.

Bashundhara Group’s Adviser and East West Media Group Ltd (EWMGL) Publisher Maynal Hossain Chowdhury , senior journalists of Bangladesh Pratidin and other media outlets and high officials of the largest business conglomerate attended the programme.

The information minister wished the daily on its founding anniversary by handing over a bouquet to the Bashundhara Group Managing Director and Bangladesh Pratidin Editor.

Addressing the event, Dr Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh Pratidin is the largest national daily which has created employment for many journalists.

“It (Bangladesh Pratidin) is the No. 1 newspaper. The daily has earned popularity among readers from the outset. It is not easy to retain top position. The BP has been able to do this. Multiplicity of reports is a salient feature of this daily. Many 12 page or 16 page newspapers fail to accommodate multiple reports, but Bangladesh Pratidin is an exception.”

The Bangladesh Pratidin is playing important role in rebuilding the country by its objective journalism, he said.

Under Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has registered tremendous socioeconomic development surpassing Pakistan, India and other countries in per capita, GDP and other indicators, he said.

“Mere economic development is not enough. The government wants to turn the country into a humanistic one with the support of mass media. Being a top daily, the Bangladesh Pratidin is expected to play the continuous role in this regard.”

Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir said “Bangladesh Pratidin is like my family. The daily is in the core of my heart. Naem Nizam and I first initiated the launch of this daily. You were and will be with me. I hope the daily will retain number one position in the market by your efforts.”

Jatiya Sangsad whip Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapon said “I wish Bangladesh Pratidin on behalf of readers. The voice of the daily will be heightened further in favour of Bangladesh, liberation war, and its dignified journey.”

Naem Nizam said “Hon’ble Chairman of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir asked for finishing all preparedness for commercial launch of the daily within one month. And we succeeded in doing it.”

“Bashundhara Group is leading every sector. It has the largest media platform. So, we are encouraged and hopeful to continue with leading position in media category,” he said.

About anniversary, he said Bangladesh Pratidin has stepped into 14th year of founding anniversary maintaining spirit of the liberation war and upholding development of the country.

“The newspaper has commitment towards the liberation war, Bangabandhu, and forward journey of the country,” he continued.

The broadsheet Bangla daily, a concern of Bashundhara Group, the country’s leading business conglomerate, started its journey on March 15, 2010.