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Published : 23 Oct 2025, 07:45 PM
At a time when the rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of journalism and news services, bdnews24.com, Bangladesh’s first internet-based newspaper, has celebrated its 19th anniversary, standing tall at the frontier of digital transformation.
The platform that ushered the country’s news service into the digital era observed the milestone on Thursday evening, with a grand celebration at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden’s Grand Ballroom, beginning at 7:30pm.
The glittering evening brought together an extraordinary mix of guests -- policymakers and political leaders, diplomats and justices, lawyers and business magnates, poets, writers, journalists, cultural icons, athletes, organisers, and both military and civil officers -- all gathered to honour nearly two decades of digital news excellence.
Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi led the ceremonial cake-cutting, joined on stage by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas and his wife Afroza Abbas, Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader, former CPB president Mujahidul Islam Selim, Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, columnist Farhad Mazhar, and actress Dolly Zahur.
After the cake-cutting, Khalidi invited guests to a dinner reception and moved through the illuminated ballroom, greeting and hosting everyone warmly.
Earlier in the evening, after welcoming guests, Khalidi delivered his speech, presenting the guiding philosophy behind this year’s slogan -- “Just journalism. Always” -- a reflection of bdnews24.com’s 19 years of commitment to truth and integrity in news.
He reminded the audience of journalism’s role in society: “Our duty as a news organisation is to report the news. We are not here to govern; our role is to hold those in power to account.”
As he spoke, a slideshow of defining moments from bdnews24.com’s 19-year journey played on screen, showcasing milestones that marked shifts in the nation’s media landscape.
A special video segment followed, celebrating the inspiring rise of Bangladesh’s women footballers, a story of determination and pride.
The ballroom itself reflected the theme of the evening -- a visual chronicle of Bangladesh’s digital news evolution, from the dawn of online journalism to the present day.
Exhibits featured archival photographs, early web layouts, and print publications produced by bdnews24.com over the years, illustrating how the platform bridged traditional and digital media.
From early in the evening, distinguished guests began arriving to share in the celebration.
Among them were political figures including BNP Standing Committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan, Selima Rahman, and Salahuddin Ahmed, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Aman Ullah Aman, Joint Secretaries Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Habib un Nabi Khan Sohel, and Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anne, former DUCSU AGS and BNP leader Nazimuddin Alam, National Executive Committee member Md Nur Mohammad Khan and his daughter Nusrat Khan.
Also joining the evening were the CPB leaders Kazi Sazzad Zahir Chandan and Abdullah Kafi Ratan; Gono Forum Acting President Subrata Chowdhury; Amar Bangladesh Party President Mojibur Rahman Monju; Ganosamhati Andolon Executive Coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel; and Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan.
From the realms of thought, art, and literature came notable figures including researcher and Liberation War Museum Trustee Mofidul Hoque, magician Jewel Aich, his wife Bipasha Aich, artist Monirul Islam, author and poet Bratya Raisu, writer Khaliquzzzaman Elias, academic Kamal Uddin Kabir, and poet Tasnim Hossain.
The gathering was also graced by Justices Mozibur Rahman Mia and Jafar Ahmed.
Among the diplomats were Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma and his wife Manu Verma, Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe, Algerian Ambassador Abdel Wahab Saidani, Argentinian Ambassador Marcelo Carlos Cesa, Singapore High Commission’s Chargé d’Affaires Michelle Lee and Second Secretary Hew Kok Siang, Republic Kosovo Ambassador Lulzim Pllana, Russian Embassy officials Sofia Kutepova and Nadezhda Nacharova, and Philippine Embassy attachés Arthur Blas and Michael Ray Castillo.
Former ambassadors Shahed Akhtar, Munshi Faiz Ahmad, and Nasim Ferdous also joined the evening.
The celebration drew Rasheda K Choudhury, executive director of the Campaign for Popular Education and former caretaker government advisor, along with rights activist and Women’s Reform Commission Chairperson Shireen Parveen Haque.
Among the civil servants and officials were former cabinet secretary Abdul Karim, former law secretary Golam Rabbani, Information Secretary Mahbuba Farzana, RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Sazzat Ali, Additional Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Samsud Douza Nayan, and Ayesha Akhter Shilpi, deputy director of the 250-bed TB Hospital.
Vice-Chancellors from academic institutions -- Prof Shams Rahman of East West University and Prof Md Jahangir Alam of Bangladesh University -- were also present.
Cultural luminaries included Ramendu Majumdar, actress Jannatul Ferdous Oishee, actor-academic duo Rahmat Ali and Wahida Mallik Jolly, Tariq Anam Khan and Nima Rahman, actors Mukit Zakaria, Jitu Ahsan, Shariful Raj, Suman Patwari, model Sabrina Zaman Riba, and dancer Pooja Sengupta.
From the world of music came Khurshid Alam and his daughter Shahnaz Alam Diya, Fatema Tuz Johra, Ferdous Ara, Naquib Khan, Naseem Ali Khan, Pathik Nabi, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Feedback band’s Foad Nasser and Labu Rahman, Shironamhin’s Ziaur Rahman Zia, and AK Rahul with his band.
Film and television figures Salauddin Lavlu, Tanim Noor, Shankha Dasgupta, Mohammad Taufiq Islam, and Aporajita Sangita were also among the guests.
Joining the celebration were Luva Nahid Choudhury, director general of Bengal Foundation; Praava Health Director Simeen Akhtar; Kaniz Almas Khan, founder and managing director of Persona; culinary expert Rita Khanam; designer Biplob Saha of Bishworang; Shawon Akand of Jothashilpo; and M Hoque Faishal, director of Tropical Homes Limited.
Among well-wishers were Julian Francis, a long-time friend of Bangladesh; journalists Anis Alamgir and Ehsanul Haque Babu; Deputy Attorney General Prokash Biswas; Ahmad Tabshir Choudhury, deputy chief of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Bangladesh, and Hasibur Rahman Mukur, executive director of MRDI.
The celebration also brought together business and industry leaders including former FBCCI president Mir Nasir Hossain, BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell, and Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) President Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez.
Retired major Ruhul Amin and Sena Kalyan Sangstha Director General (Business Division-1) Brig Gen Md Zubayer Hasnat were also in attendance.
From the banking sector came Dhaka Bank Chairman Abdul Hai Sarker, Premier Bank Chairman Arifur Rahman, Shahjalal Bank Managing Director Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Midland Bank MD Ahsan-uz Zaman, Standard Chartered Bangladesh’s Country Chief Risk Officer Enamul Huque, Trust Bank’s Head of Business Mahboob Hossain, Islami Bank Senior Vice President Nazrul Islam, and Bangladesh Development Company Manager Md Anwar Hossain.
Among others, Dhaka Stock Exchange Director Minhaj Mannan Emon, Institute of Architects Bangladesh President Abu Sayeed Ahmed, BRAC Bank Senior EVP Ekram Kabir, Standard Chartered Bank’s Bitopi Das Chowdhury, Tool Master Fire Solution Bangladesh Director and retired lieutenant commander Azhar, Asia Publishing House Chairman Shahed Akhtar, bKash GM of PR Rukhsana Akter Mily, HR Specialist Samina Amin, and corporate motivational speaker Ghulam Samdany Don joined the evening.
Also present were DUCSU General Secretary SM Forhad and members Sarba Mitra Chakma and Umma Uswatun Rafia, adding youthful energy to the celebration.
