Multi-coloured flowers flooded the office of the Daily Sun on Thursday as eminent personalities graced the auspicious day with good wishes as the newspaper stepped into its 10th year.
It was the newspapers day to remember with exchange of good wishes and a renewed pledge to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War and to serve accurate news that matters.
Among the dignitaries, Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, graced the festivities as the chief guest and followed by Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Chairman of the
Daily Sun’s owning company – the Bashundhara Group – as the guest of honour. Information Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud also joined the celebration as a special guest.
Politicians, cultural personalities and media friends came in droves the whole day with cameras clicking to save the memorable time for the future.
In her comments, the speaker said “It is one of the responsibilities of the media to publish objective news being imbued with the spirit of independence. You should have the courage to present the truth on behalf of the country.”
The Speaker inaugurated the Daily Sun’s daylong celebration as the publications, one of the leading English dailies of the country, started a new chapter in its journey to bring readers accurate news amid a flurry of fake or mitivated news. Daily Sun is an outlet of East West Media Group Limited owned by the Bashundhara Group, the largest conglomerate of the country.
Bashundhara Group Co-Chairman Sadat Sobhan Tanvir and daily sun editor Enamul Hoque Chowdhury were present on the occasion and joined the chief guest and the guest of honour in cutting the birthday cake amid claps and cheers.
The Speaker said the mass media of Bangladesh is enjoying its golden era under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the government believes that
the medias effective role boosts democracy.
Greeting the daily sun family, Dr Shirin Sharmin said the newspaper won the hearts of the readers as one of the most popular English dailies.
“The daily sun projects success stories of Bangladesh. The newspaper is expected to continue its journey with objective journalism for the betterment of country and its people,” she said.
Addressing the programme, Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said the daily sun and other media outlets of East West Media Group Ltd had been surging ahead with impartial journalism.
“We stand by the people and the country at large. Bangladesh has achieved unprecedented socioeconomic development due to the strong leadership and healthy policies of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. We want to be a part of the development journey,” he said.
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, who came to greet the members of the Daily Sun, said “newspapers can play a pivotal role to take the country forward by presenting accurate information.”
The information minister said the media has a great responsibility in empowering people and the Daily Sun works to this end. He wished success of the newspaper.
Daily Sun Editor Enamul Hoque Chowdhury said the newspaper maintained a standard in gathering information and presenting news.
“We practice objective journalism and project positive stories on Bangladesh. A group of experienced and young journalists are putting their best effort to take the newspaper to a new height.”
BNP standing committee member retired Lt. General M. Mahbubur Rahman said the Daily Sun has contributed for the society by spreading lights as a real sun.
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam said the daily supported the organisation in addressing the city problems by publishing stories on civic amenities.
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader lauded the contribution of the newspaper in presenting socio-economic development of Bangladesh globally.
Among others, Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam, Kaler Kantho Editor Imdadul Haq Milan, Acting Editor Mostofa Kamal, News24 Head of News Rahul Raha and Banglanews24 Editor Jewel Mazhar were present at the cake-cutting ceremony.
Daily Sun Consulting Editor Nadeem Qadir, News Editor Syed Afzal Hossain, other journalists, officials and employees were also present on the occasion.
Mahila Awami League international affairs secretary Farzana Mahmood, Jatiya Party Secretary General Moshiur Rahman Ranga, presidium members ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader and SM Faysal Chishti, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s special assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, organizing secretary Shyama Obaid and press wing member Shamsuddin Didar, national executive member Barrister Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abdur Rob, Kalyan Party Chairman Major General Syed Muhammad Ibrahim(rtd) and Democratic League General Secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Moni were present on the occasion.
Brazil Ambassador Joao Tabajara de Oliveira, Junior China Radio International Director Wang Xiong Xian, Bangla Service Director Yu Guangyue Anandi, International Cooperation Division Deputy Director Chen Qiang, Urdu translator Sadn Qin Sheng Rui, Advanced Development and Relief Agency Country Manager Vitalie Zegera attended the function.
General Economics Division Senior Secretary Shamsul Alam, Bangladesh Press Council Chairman Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, Principal Information Officer Surath Kumar Sarkar, Public Health Engineering Department Social Development Officer Muktadir Harun, Bangladesh National Cricket team former captain Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, Bangladesh Cricket Board(BCB) Directors Jalal Yunus and Ahmed Sajjadul Alam, Chief Executive Officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury, Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) Secretary General SM Shafiuzzaman, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) Director Prof Dr Afzalur Rahman, National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh Epidemiology and Research Head Prof Sohel Reza Choudhury, ICDDRB Media Manager Tariful Islam Khan came to greet the English newspaper.
Bashundhara Group Deputy Managing Director Mustafizur Rahman, Head of Human Resource Department Captain Shaikh Ehsan Reza(rtd), Bashundhara City Development General Manager Habibur Rahman, Chief Engineer Ashiq Elahi, Amin Mohammad Group Chairman Enamul Haque, Deputy Managing Director Aminul Hoque, Bashundhara City Development, Pran RFL Senior Manager Touhiduzzaman, Concord Communications Assistant Manager Jamal Uddin Bhuiyan also attended the event.
Robi Axiata Communication General Manager Ashikur Rahman, Prociti Executive Director Abdul Quiyum, Kona Software Assistant Manager Sabiha Samad, Huawei Technologies Senior Public Relations Manager Tanvir Ahmed, Huawei Device Business Public Relations Manager Suman Saha, Shohoz App Assistant Manager Muhtasim Jawad, FCB Bitopi Operations Manager Ali Jinnah, Le Medidian Assistant Manager Mohammad Sazzad Hossain, ZTE Bangladesh Public Relation Manager Oliullah Rafat, BackPage PR official Azam Chowdhury, ConcitoPR Media Relations Lead Srabon Sagor, South Bangla Agriculture Bank Public Relations Division Head Asadullahil Galib, Meghna Bank Public Relations Manager Shahriar Emon also joined the celebration.
Bangladesh Police Special Branch Chief Mir Shahidhul Islam, Additional Inspector General Mahbub Hossain, Police Headquarters’ Human Resource Deputy Inspector General SM Ruhul Amin, Community Policing Assistant Inspector General, Shahely Ferdous, Legal and Media Assistant Inspector General Sohel Rana, Public Relations Officer AKM Kamrul Ahsan, Criminal Investigation Department’s Deputy Inspector General Manzur Kader Khan, Additional Special Superintendent of Police Sharmin Jahan, Dhaka Range’s Deputy Inspector General Habibur Rahman, Dhaka Metropolitan Police(DMP) Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner Anisur Rahman, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Obaidur Rahman and Gulshan division Additional Deputy Commissioner Momtazul Ehsan Ahammed Humayun, Rapid Action Battalion Senior Assistant Director Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan and Bangladesh Coast Guard Assistant Director Lieutenant Commander Hamidul Islam also visited the newspaper office and greeted the journalists and other staff.
The visit of legendary singer Kangalini Sufia, singer Ferdous Ara, dancer Kajol Ibrahim, Director Simanto Sajal, actor Meer Sabbir, film stars Misty Maria and Aman Reza added some colour to the daylong celebration.
Media professional and civil society members including – Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Managing Director Abul Kalam Azad, Jatiya Press Club General Secretary Farida Yasmin, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalist(BFUJ) Secretary General Shaban Mahmud, senior journalist Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, Dhaka Reporters Unity former Presidents Shafiqul Karim and Saiful Islam, also Boishakhi Television senior news editor, Shahnaz Munni and Samia Rahman of News24, humanitarian activist Sir Frank Peters, Christian priest Reverend Martin Adhikari, Dhaka Newspaper Hawkers Bahumukhi Samabay Samity President Mostofa Kamal, General Secretary Abdul Mannan also attended the day long prorgamme.