Mentioning BTV's founding anniversary as an important milestone in the nation's trajectory, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday reminded everyone that the state television channel produced many famous artists in Bangladesh.

The minister said this while briefing reporters after paying tribute to the portrait of the Father of the Nation at the beginning of the programme marking the 58th anniversary of Bangladesh Television (BTV) in Rampura of the capital on Sunday afternoon.

BTV, BTV World, Sangsad BTV and BTV Chittagong are now four channels under the state's umbrella. Initiatives have been taken to set up full-fledged BTV centres in six more divisional cities, added the minister.

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He also recalled many BTV officials who gave their lives in the Great Liberation War.

"BTV has played an important role in all aspects of the Bengali independence movement, development of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman inaugurated the new building of BTV in Rampura. And on March 7, 1971, BTV officials refused to work because they were not allowed to broadcast Bangabandhu's speech," he mentioned.

"Since 1964, the role of BTV in nurturing our tradition, in enriching our art-culture, in building the country is really undeniable," the Broadcasting Minister said.

Humayun Kabir Khandakar, secretary of the information and broadcasting ministry, Director General of BTV Sohrab Hossain and senior officials were present at that time.