Chandpur Correspondent

The installation ceremony of the newly- elected office-bearers of the 2024 Executive Committee of Chandpur Press Club -2024 was held on Saturday.

A colourful programme was organized at the press club premises on Friday afternoon, the first day of March of the Independence War.

The event started around 3 pm at Suparisar Pandal. The programme started with Quran recitation, Gita reading, national anthem and press club theme song. Apart from the speech, the reception and special awards were very enjoyable.

Minister for Social Welfare Dr. Dipu Moni MP. State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat MP jointly inaugurated the event.

On behalf of the press club, the chief guest read the greetings, presented crests and books to the guests and the guests of honour.

At the beginning of the programme , three accomplished children of Chandpur, the internationally renowned microbiologist Dr. Senjuti Saha, Chief Engineer of Education Engineering Department Delwar Hossain Majumdar and 6 times National Film Award winning lyricist and journalist Kabir Bakul were felicitated.

Former President of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, prominent media personality Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Bashir Ahmed on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner, Additional Superintendent of Police Sudipta Roy, Chandpur Zilla Parishad spoke as special guests on the occasion.

Chairman Alhaj Ochman Gani Patwari, Mayor of Chandpur Municipality. Zillur Rahman Jewel and Dainik Jugantar Joint Editor and Dhaka Post Editor Mohiuddin Sarkar.

Internationally renowned microbiologist Dr. Senjuti Saha, Chief Engineer of Education Engineering Department. Delwar Hossain Majumdar and 6 times National Film Award winning lyricist and journalist Kabir Bakul.

Press Club General Secretary Rota. Mahbubur Rahman Sumon and former president AHM Ahsan Ullah jointly conducted the welcome speech by press club president Shahadat Hossain Shanto. Former President of the Press Club Kazi Shahadat and former General Secretary Rahim Badsha delivered the welcome speech.

At this time freedom fighter Dr. Syeda Badrunnahar Chowdhury, Chief Executive of Chandpur Zilla Parishad. Manwar Hossain, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sakhawat Jamil Saikat, invited dignitaries, eminent personalities, professionals, political leaders and members of Chandpur Press Club, Television Journalists Forum and Photojournalists Association from all levels and their family members were present. Besides, many people involved in journalist, art-literature, culture, education and medical profession were present.

In the speech of the chief guest, Minister of Social Welfare Dr. Dipu Moni MP said, Press Club is my very special place. I grew up running around the Ittefaq press. My father was involved in the establishment of Ittefaq. My father Bhashabir MA Wadud is known by the people of the country as Ittefaq and Chhatra League. That's why the place of journalism is the place of my life. My relationship with Chandpur Press Club is more intensive. Since the beginning of my politics and representation, my relationship with the journalists here has remained intact. I hope there will be another day inshallah.

She also said, we want objectivity, social responsibility and positivity in journalism. We often shirk our responsibility by pretending to be neutral and sometimes condone injustice. There is no question of neutrality between the killer and the victim. The question there is between liberation war and war criminals, democracy and dictatorship. There is no room for neutrality in democracy, separatism, taking away rights. White must call black black. That we can do that fearlessly - that is the expectation of journalists.

The minister said that the profession of journalism is very risky. No profession is easy to do honestly. The path of truth is always difficult. Ravi Tagore's words - The truth that is hard, hard love never deprives. You have to move forward with that belief. With this sense we will be on the path of truth. He said, yoga is definitely changing. Keep up with new technologies.

In the opening speech, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat MP said that democracy cannot be complete without the freedom of the media and without the development of the media and the government wants to see media as fourth pillar of the state.

We are always ready to help media in such reality. The government does not want and will not allow any problem to arise in the place of media freedom. We want the media to stand on the basis of truth.

Arafat said that if a group abuses the freedom of expression, free flow of information and freedom of the media to spread propaganda and lies, it is harmful to democracy and the common people. Such inaction will be ensured to be brought under accountability. The government also believes that democracy never succeeds by keeping those who are war criminals, anti-liberation forces, militants, extremists in one place. That is why the government's position is against extremism, against militancy-terrorism, against fundamentalism, against those who are outside the spirit of the Liberation War, in favour of democracy, in favor of elections. There is consensus among media, politicians, government - everyone. If there are mistakes and deviations in government management, we will correct them through the media.

In the speech of the special guest, the former president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul said, I wish the souls of the victims of the fire on Bailey Road to rest in peace.

Our journalism today is questionable because of social media. A weapon in the fight is getting the right information out. The more accurate information can be brought out, the more questionable it can be.

In the speech of the special guest, Chairman of Chandpur Zilla Parishad Alhaj Ochman Gani Patwari said, we have to bring social media into accountability. Chandpur TIB should be held accountable.

In a special guest speech, Additional Superintendent of Police Sudipta Roy said, Chandpur is ahead in education, culture and knowledge. Chandpur house to house Dr. Senjuti Saha, Kabir Bakul and Eng. I think Delwar Hossain will be born.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) in the speech of the special guest. Bashir Ahmed said, there is a tradition in our country that we do not know how to respect the virtuous. Today, Chandpur Press Club has changed that idea. Those who have received today are enlightened people from all over the country.

Chandpur Municipal Mayor Adv. Md. Zillur Rahman Jewel said, journalists of Chandpur are working regardless of party affiliation. Thank you for your arrangement. You will work to improve the quality of life of journalists. Let us not hide anything in the name of impartiality. Let us not compromise on the question of freedom and liberation.

In the speech of the welcomed guest, the internationally renowned scientist Dr. Senjuti Saha said, Many thanks to Chandpur Press Club. Nothing makes me happier than when I get respect at home. Chandpur is my home and my country. I am a homebody. I was abroad for 11 years. Now I want to do something for the people of the country, so I came back to the country. I basically work with a child who is admitted with the disease. Let's find out what caused the disease. The people of the country should be healthy and well.

Speaking as the guest of honor, six times National Film Award-winning lyricist and journalist Kabir Bakul said, "My favorite place is writing." My starting point is from Chandpur, a town in Mofswal. I went to Dhaka fully prepared in this city. I am grateful for the welcome given to me by the Chandpur Press Club today. Minister of Social Welfare Dr. I am grateful to receive the welcome from Dipu Moni. I personally like the reception I receive from him.

The chief engineer of the Department of Education and Engineering was the guest of honor. Delwar Hossain Majumdar said, this is a rare honor for me. Minister of Social Welfare Dr. Grateful to Dipu Moni, because when he was the Education Minister I was the Chief Engineer of the Directorate of Education Engineering. As a child of Chandpur, I will do whatever is necessary for Chandpur.

It is noted that Chandpur Press Club was established in 1970. Chandpur Press Club, the top organization of journalists in Chandpur district, has passed 54 years since then. Through many joys and pains, this press club has become a family.
Mao recited the Quran at the beginning of the inauguration ceremony.

Gita was recited by former secretary Laxman Chandra Sutradhar. Then two members of Chandpur Press Club who died recently. One minute of silence was observed to pray for the peace of the departed souls of Shamsul Haque Bhuiyan and Mahmud Hossain.

Artists of Bangabandhu Recitation Parishad performed the national anthem.