Fresh Perspective

In BTV's history only two women have taken the responsibility of the position of General Manager. One is Khaleda Fahmi. Kamrunnesa Hasan has taken this responsibility in 2006. Though this position of General Manager is a very crucial position in BTV but still some people says that it is a “thankless” designation. So many responsibilities have to be taken while sitting in this position. But if anything causes hamper in time of responsibility all the blames go to the general manager. That is why everyone says that it is a “thankless” job. Sadly it is true that whoever has left this position couldn't have a happy ending.

Though the joining event of Kamrunnesa Hasan was simple but she has officially taken all the responsibilities from the former general manager Ali Imam. Ali Imam has also taken his farewell officially through a farewell program. Before him Nowajish Ali Khan has taken official farewell from the same post. It has to be mentioned that Nowajish Ali Khan at that time joined Ekushey Television.

Kalim Sharafi was the first who joined as the chief of the program. After the country got independence famous journalist ABM Musa has joined the television as the first managing director (at that time the post was named as Managing Director). At the same time actor Abul Khayer had taken the responsibility of the managing director of FDC.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman himself has appointed them in both of the positions. It has been heard that as a senior artist Abul Khayer would run the administration of FDC with enough efficiency and ABM Musa would be enough to run BTV's administration.

In a program Bangabandhu had said that he was looking for ABM Musa to appoint him in the television. Thus ABM Musa went to the DIT. Seeing the condition of DIT ABM Musa didn't dare to take the job. Even the former officials were not interested to take him easily. Then one day seeing him Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman asked, “What is the condition of television”?

ABM Musa then replied that he had not joined television. Bangabandhu then immediately called up his PS to bring a piece of paper. Then he wrote in the paper that he want to see ABM Musa as the managing director of television. Then ABM Musa took that letter to the television and joined as the first Managing Director of television. But he has seen that the condition of the television was not up to the mark. A huge crowd of young people was in the DIT Bhaban. Their demand was, “they are the freedom fighters. They have to be given the chance to perform in the television”. ABM Musa then threw a question to the crowd in which program they can perform since the television has only two hours broadcasting time every day?

But the youths were tenacious. They have to give them the program to perform. Then ABM Musa said, “Okay! There are some rules and regulations to perform at television. Everyone has to give audition”. Then the youths became angry. Why would they give auditions? Are they the dancing artists? ABM Musa then said;

“If they don't know any dance then what will they perform”?

The youth freedom fighters said, “We don't know but we will learn”.

“Still you have to give auditions at first”.

ABM Musa was irrevocable in his words. At the end he said, “You must give auditions. But not for music or dance. Since you have fought with guns you have to give auditions of something like that”.

The writer is Managing Director, Channel i
Translated by Imtiaz Salim