Newsmakers celebrate decade of trailblazing journalism in Bangladesh with bdnews24.com

Politicians and diplomats, judges and civil servants, artists and journalists, regulators and market players have come together to celebrate 10 years of bdnews24.com’s pathbreaking journalism.

Known for political rivalry, leaders from the government and opposition sides joined hands to cut the cake at Dhaka's Radisson Blu hotel to mark the completion of ten glorious and eventful years of Bangladesh’s first internet newspaper and premier news publisher. 

It was a rarity in recent national memory that such a diverse array of people from every conceivable of walk of life joined in for a common event.

After the national anthem heralded the start, Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi spoke about his experiences and about the challenges faced by development of journalism in Bangladesh. He also spoke about the possibilities of internet journalism.

In a trip down memory lane, the history of bdnews24.com that began as a news agency and then went on to become the country's first internet newspaper in 2006, was recapitulated between the speeches.

After the speech, guests joined in to cut the cake.

Artistes then rendered the song "Anondolokey, mongolalokey" to begin the anniversary celebrations, styled “Terrific 10 Years”.

Joining the celebrations, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said, “bdnews24.com has played a sufficiently effective role as an online media.” 

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu praised bdnews24.com for doing the ‘difficult’ job of upholding credibility in journalism in a developing country like Bangladesh.

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak spoke about how his days start and end with bdnews24.com.

Political differences could not stop JaSoD chief Inu, Awami League MP Palak and BNP leaders from smiling during conversations at the event.

Along with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the party’s Standing Committee Members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and central leaders Afroza Abbas, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Nazimuddin Alam and BNP Chairperson’s Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan attended the programme.

Mirza Fakhrul credited bdnews24.com for upholding credibility in the face of difficulty.

Former chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda hoped bdnews24.com would continue the trend.

Leading human rights activist Khushi Kabir, social worker Aroma Dutta, International Crimes Tribunal Prosecutor Tureen Afroz, Bangladesh’s foreign friend of ’71 Julian Francis, and freedom fighter Masud Sadiq joined the ceremony. Some judges from the Supreme Court also came.

Bernicat busy interacting with other guests at the anniversary celebrations of Bangladesh's first internet newspaper.

US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat drew attention of others with her blue saree.

European Union Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Deputy Head of Mission Boris Kelecevic, DPRK Ambassador Ri Song Hyon, David Meale, deputy chief of mission, US embassy, Michael Schulthesis, deputy head of mission, German embassy, and Deputy Head of Mission Hamid Machhour, Morocco, were also present at the celebration.

Bernicat spoke about how she relies on bdnews24.com for news on Bangladesh. Mayaudon said he also check bdnews24.com regularly and asked for more editorials.

Silverscreen diva-turned-politician Sarah Begum Kabori lit up the programme with her charming smile.

Bangladesh cinema idol Kabori's charming face lent an added tinge of light to the event.

President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin, Public Administration Senior Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury and several other top government officials were present.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chairman Kazi Aminul Islam, diplomat Shahed Akter and former Election Commission secretary Md Zakaria were there.

Principal Information Officer AKM Shamim Chowdhury, National Press Club General Secretary Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, Ekattor TV Managing Director Mozammel Babu, DBC TV Chief Editor Manzurul Islam and Dainik Azadi Managing Editor Wahid Malik joined the celebrations.

Among others, BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood, Vice-Chairman Ahsan Habib Khan, Commissioner Zahurul Haque and Secretary Sarwar Alam were present.

Dhaka University Teachers’ Association President Farid Uddin Ahmed, Professor Khaliquzzaman Elias, Professor Sadrul Amin, Professor Anwar Hossain, Professor MA Taslim, Professor Sadeka Halim, Professor Nadir Junaid and Jahangirnagar University Professor Manosh Chowdhury also attended the event.  

Former information commissioner Sadeka Halim said, "bdnews24.com is a milestone for online journalism. It has become the most trusted and acceptable name among all."

Former BGMEA first vice president SM Abu Tayeb, leading telco ADN Chairman Asif Mahmood, Barvida General Secretary Mahbubul Haque Chowdhury Babar and several other business leaders joined the event. BRAC was represented by its Senior Director Asif Saleh.

Several top-ranking army officials as well as RAB spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan, police DIG Shahidur Rahman, DMP Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman were among those present.

The country's largest Eid congregation Imam Maulana Fariduddin Masud also attended the event.

So did film Director Sohanur Rahman Sohan, production house Jaaz Multimedia CEO Alimullah Khokon, actor Iresh Zaker, actresses Bonna Mirza and Sabrina Sultana Keya, singer Tina Mustari.

Designers Biplob Saha and Shahrukh Amin, binodon24.com Editor-in-Chief Moinul Haque Rose and beautician Afroza Parveen also took part in the celebrations.

The guests were welcomed by Editor of bdnews24.com's literary page 'Arts', poet Mohammad Nurul Huda and Senior Editor Amanullah Kabir.

At least 50 photographs published on bdnews24.com in 30 frames were displayed on the walls of the ballroom depicting major moments in the political history of the country along with events that captured the collective imagination in the bygone decade.

The 2007 arrests of Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina and her BNP counterpart Khaleda Zia have been portrayed in the pictures. A photograph in the collection also shows a special moment of Jatiya Party leader H M Ershad during a 2012 public rally.

The pictures also recapitulate the 2012 Bangladesh trip of Hillary Clinton as US secretary of state.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair, India's Congress party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and football icon Lionel Messi were also  portrayed in the pictures during their tour of Bangladesh.

The 2012 attack on Buddha Viharas in Ramu, the 2007 Dhaka University students' skirmish with the army, the 2013 Hifazat-e Islam public gathering also found place in the photo gallery.

Humayun Ahmed's shoot of his last movie was also among the photo collection.

The entrance to the ballroom had a digital screen displaying snapshots of the radical, ground-breaking journey of bdnews24.com.

The programme was webcast live.