Bashundhara Group, the leading industrial conglomerate of the country, has taken responsibility for the families of five journalists martyred in the July Revolution. Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan has announced a support of Tk 1 crore to ease their future path.
He made this announcement at the 15th founding anniversary of The Daily Kaler Kantho on Thursday evening. Relatives of the martyred journalists were present at the event.
In addition, Bashundhara Group provided assistance and honors of Tk 2 lakh to each of the martyred families at the event. Then, the Chairman of Bashundhara Group officially inaugurated the daily's new year by cutting a cake with everyone present in the conference room of East West Media Group Limited. Veteran journalist Shafik Rehman was present as a special guest.
Deputy managing director of East West Media Group Kader Gani Chowdhury, Bashundhara Group advisor and eminent author Imdadul Haq Milan, president of Jatiya Press Club and Editor of Kaler Kantho poet Hasan Hafiz, executive editor of Kaler Kantho Haider Ali, acting editor of Bangladesh Pratidin Abu Taher, executive editor Manjurul Islam, joint editor Mahmud Hasan, editor of Daily Sun Md. Rezaul Karim, editor of Bangla News24.com Lutfor Rahman Himel, executive director of East West Media Group Md. Yasin Hossain Pavel, executive Editor of News24 Farid Ahmed and others were present at the event.
Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said, "I always try to stand by journalists in their hard times. Since Bashundhara Group entered the media world, we have been working to improve the quality of life of journalists. After the murder of journalist couple Sagar-Runi, I deposited Tk 15 lakh for his child. That baby boy is now much older. I will also be with the families of the five journalists martyred in the July Revolution. Thousands of people died in the July Revolution, many were injured. In exchange for their blood, we have become free from tyranny. The people of this country can now speak freely. The truth can be expressed in the media. Dr. Muhammad Yunus also asked everyone to criticize. No matter how unpopular the truth is, journalists must present the true story to the nation. The entire country will benefit from that.”
Shafik Rehman said, “Ahmed Akbar Sobhan is an amazing person and the number one entrepreneur in the country. Many people take credit for doing little. But, he is doing a lot silently. Bashundhara Residential Area has become the largest, most prestigious and safest residential area in the country. I have just known that he will build a hospital. I believe that it will be the most advanced hospital in Singapore, Bangkok and India. There are many entrepreneurs; however, I haven’t seen a visionary entrepreneur like him. Whatever he has done, he has done within the country. We need such entrepreneurs to beat India in business and commerce.’
Kader Gani Chowdhury said, “During the previous fascist government, there was pressure on the media from various sides. Even then, Bashundhara Group media outlets continued to publish news on torture, oppression and corruption. Now there is no more pressure. The media will now talk more about the people.”
