Prothom Alo celebrates 26th anniversary

The Bangla daily Prothom Alo celebrated its 26th anniversary with much enthusiasm and fanfare yesterday.

As part of the event, a cultural programme was held at Radisson Blue Auditorium in Dhaka, where employees of the daily from across the country took part.

Distinguished personalities including advisers to the interim government, politicians, intellectuals, industrialists, businessmen, women leaders, art and literature connoisseurs, senior public and private officials, lawyers, and civil society representatives, joined the event as guests.

Executive Editor of Prothom Alo Sajjad Sharif welcomed the guests.

'In the last 26 years, we have devotedly tried to protect the promise of independent journalism. It continued during the July-August mass upheaval and will continue in the future as well," he said.

The July mass uprising was central to the anniversary arrangements.

The ceremony began with a minute's silence to pay respect to the martyrs of the uprising.

After the welcome session, a documentary film "Bidrohe Biplobe" was screened.

A photo journal titled "Mukto Koro Bhoy" was also published with selected photographs taken by Prothom Alo photojournalists during the mass uprising. Apart from this, famous artist Shahid Kabir unveiled a artwork called 'Chiro Unnata Momo Shir' based on martyre Abu Sayeed.

The Latifur Rahman Award, presented annually to the best journalist at Prothom Alo, was also given during the programme. The daily's Deputy Editor AKM Zakaria received this year's award from Transcom Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Simeen Rahman and Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman.

The award has been launched in the name of the late Latifur Rahman, the founding chairman of Transcom Group and Prothom Alo's publishing company Media Star Limited, remembering his role in establishing independent journalism in the country.