The 53rd birthday of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Chief Editor and Managing Director and Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Mohammed Kader Gani Chowdhury was marked by a joyous programme at the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday.
The programme, titled “Adda”, was held at the Zahir Hossain Chowdhury Hall, where journalist leaders, representatives of different journalist organisations and well-wishers greeted him with flowers.
Jatiya Press Club President poet Hasan Hafiz chaired the programme, which was attended by Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, Information Commissioner SAM Mahfuzur Rahman, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Md Shahidul Islam and General Secretary Khurshid Alam, former Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) presidents Mursalin Nomani and Sakhawat Hossain Badsha, and Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust Managing Director Mohammad Abdul Basir (Basir Jamal), among others.
Speakers highlighted Kader Gani’s professional career, contribution to journalism, role in upholding journalists’ rights and involvement in the movement against authoritarian rule.
Abdal Ahmed greeted him with a poetic birthday wish, while Information Commissioner Mahfuzur Rahman praised his leadership, professionalism and vision for journalism.
DUJ President Shahidul Islam said Kader Gani Chowdhury had overcome various challenges and conspiracies to reach his present position.
DUJ General Secretary Khurshid Alam described him as a symbol of unity among journalists, expressing the hope that he will continue to lead the journalist community.
Basir Jamal wished him good health and expressed his commitment to working under his leadership for democracy and the development of journalism.
Former DRU president Mursalin Nomani said Kader Gani had never compromised on his principles.
He also said the number of reports published by the state-run news agency, BSS, has increased by 45 percent over the past two months under his management.
Hasan Hafiz described Kader Gani Chowdhury as a frontline fighter who had played a significant role in movements for journalists’ rights during difficult times.
He said Kader Gani has earned the affection of colleagues by standing beside journalists in times of hardship and leading movements to protect their livelihoods.
Hasan Hafiz also said BSS has started regaining its lost glory under Kader Gani’s leadership and expressed hope that the agency will further develop and earn international recognition.
Expressing his gratitude, Kader Gani said he was deeply moved by the affection and respect shown by his colleagues and well-wishers.
He said the love and greetings will make him more careful and committed to his responsibilities.
“I want to remain devoted, until the last moment of my life, to this country, its soil and people, civilisation and humanity, and the welfare of journalists and professionals,” Kader Gani said.
Reaffirming his commitment to the principles of journalism, he said journalists should continue to call a spade a spade.
“Please pray for me. Let us all come forward to build a humane Bangladesh. If a humane Bangladesh is established, journalists will not face harassment and the freedom of media workers will be ensured,” the journalist leader said.
The programme began with a prayer led by Maulana Moniruzzaman, imam of the Jatiya Press Club mosque, and ended with a cake-cutting ceremony.
Earlier in the afternoon, journalists and employees of BSS greeted their chief editor and managing director with flowers at the agency’s office.