bdnews24.com is pride of Bangladesh, says FM Mahmood Ali

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali has lavished praise on Bangladesh's first internet newspaper bdnews24.com on its eighth anniversary.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 23 Oct 2014, 03:19 PM
Updated : 23 Oct 2014, 04:34 PM

bdnews24.com marked its eighth anniversary with a photo exhibition showcasing a selection of fascinating photographs on contemporary  Bangladesh.

The minister on Thursday inaugurated the exhibition, styled 'Capturing Bangladesh', at the Radius Art Gallery housed at the Bay's Galleria at Dhaka's Gulshan.

He spoke on the significance of bdnews24.com's journey as an internet newspaper. "Their work is really extraordinary. This is a matter of pride for Bangladesh."

"bdnews' achievement is enviable. I don’t feel any hesitation in saying that I read bdnews24.com all the time," said Ali.

bdnews24.com started its journey as the first internet newspaper of the country on Oct 23, 2006.

According to Google Analytics, currently bdnews24.com has readers from across the world.

Not only Bangladeshis in the country and abroad read bdnews24.com but it is also monitored by those interested in Bangladesh.

From around 2 million monthly visits in 2011, but the figure has now grown to 20 million. At present there are about 4 million unique visitors every month.

"4 million unique visitors is a staggering figure," said the foreign minister.

He suggested that bdnews24.com should keep up the good work for greater success.

"I wish bdnews24.com's prosperity and a bright future."

Apart from launching the five-day-long photo exhibition, AH Mahmood Ali also unveiled the cover of 'Anandapath', a 550-page special publication to mark the anniversary.

bdnews24.com's special photo website – click.bdnews24.com – was also inaugurated at the function by Bangladesh's first woman photo-journalist Saida Khanam and renowned photographer Anwar Hossain.

Former foreign minister Dipu Moni joined the celebrations along with other dignitaries including world famous artist Monirul Islam, poet Mohammed Nurul Huda and retired diplomat Mohiuddin Ahmed.

Senior editor Amanullah Kabir and veteran journalist Afsan Chowdhury were also present with bdnews24.com's Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi.