The Jatiya Press Club (JPC), the house of journalists, is going to step into its 68 years on Wednesday with a glorious history.

After a hiatus of one year caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the JPC passionately called as the ‘Second Home’ by its members, has been celebrating the big moment with various programmes since October 6 maintaining health safety protocols.

A mini-marathon programme with the participation of the club members will be held in the early morning on Wednesday while the cultural function and annual dinner will be held on Friday as the 67th founding anniversary day of the club coincides with the holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi.

The Jatiya Press Club started its journey in Dhaka on October 20, 1954. Besides being a meeting place for journalists, it provides a forum for political, social and cultural groups and individuals for holding press briefings and seminars.

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On the occasion of its anniversary, JPC president Farida Yasmin said they could not arrange elaborate programmes to celebrate the 66th founding anniversary of the club due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have had a miserable time over the last two years due to the pandemic. Our children have gotten fed up with staying indoors for a long time. The children and spouses of our members have been eagerly waiting to join the founding anniversary programmes. As the Covid situation is relatively better, we’ve decided to mark the event this time with various programmes,” she said.

Farida said they want to turn the JPC into a more dignified institution so that it can help the journalists enhance their professional skills.

Earlier on October 4, JPC joint general secretary Mainul Alam announced a two-week programme to celebrate the event.

The programmes began on October 6 with a meeting remembering 34 club members who died over the last one year.

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As part of the programmes, an eye camp was held on October 7 on the club premises, followed by Shishu Ananda Mela on October 8 and 9, chess competition on October 10 and 11 and spades trump competition on October 13 and 14, Ludo competition for female members on October 14, table tennis on October 16 and 17.