The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has selected eight directors to make films on the July uprising under its “Remembering Monsoon Revolution” programme. These directors will lead workshops in eight divisions of the country and produce medium-length films with the trained personnel. Cultural Affairs Ministry unveils seven priority projects to inspire youth after July Revolution Suman Rahman, a member of the search committee, announced the names of the directors on Tuesday at a press conference held at the Secretariat. Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki was present at the press conference. Rahman said that the search committee aimed to select filmmakers who will conduct workshops in eight divisional cities of Bangladesh in 2025 and create eight films with participants trained during the workshops. The selected directors are: Anom Biswas, Humayra Bilkis, Shankha Dasgupta, Shaheen Dil Riaz, Robiul Alam Robi, Tasmiya Afrin Mou, and Mohammad Tawkir Islam. Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin’s 110th birth anniversary being observed While outlining the initiative's objectives, Rahman said, “Firstly, the aim is to establish communication between young people interested in film production, both inside and outside Dhaka, and to provide opportunities for them to develop their skills and talents. Second, to directly apply the knowledge and skills acquired through the training by participating in film production with the same trainers.” He added, “There is no fixed framework for these workshops and film productions. This will allow artists to implement their own work methods and creativity to the fullest, and they will be more comfortable creating artistic, politically charged, revolutionary, and youth-oriented languages.” Rahman also expressed hope that the films would reflect the experiences of Bangladeshis, particularly following the long period of struggles and the blood-soaked July-August revolution. "We hope to see an artistic representation of that in these films," he said. Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said, “In selecting these film directors, we didn’t look at whether they had done 50 films; what mattered more was whether they had done a work that we could refer to. We tried to see if they had the spark.” He also assured that the selected directors have complete freedom to create their films. “We have given them complete freedom regarding what they will create. We don’t want this to become another failed government project. We want these eight films to be engaging. We want these films to show the way forward for the future of filmmaking. These elements will certainly be present in their stories.” Curtain rises on 6th National Sculpture Exhibition at BSA The government will provide full financial support for the films' creation. The directors, along with the search committee, will determine the budget. Farooki said that the production work for these films must be completed by June. The ministry will create a Google form for each division’s workshop, allowing interested individuals to apply. The directors of the respective divisions will select the candidates, according to Rahman.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam has stated that the government will assist in the production of a documentary on the July Uprising. Speaking at the closing ceremony of a training course on Content Creation, Screenplay, and Visual Production Techniques at the National Media Institute of Bangladesh in Dhaka on Monday, Adviser Nahid Islam made this announcement. Emphasizing the importance of preserving video footage of the July Uprising, the Adviser said, "It is our collective responsibility to preserve the history of this uprising. We must channel the spirit of the July Uprising into our creative work." Drawing a comparison between the July Uprising and a revolution, the Adviser noted that while the uprising bears stories of the fascist ruler's brutality, it also highlights the courage of students and the public. July Uprising Directorate by next month: Adviser Nahid Islam He emphasized the need to bring the stories of the students' bravery to the forefront. The Adviser also thanked the trainees and course administration for their efforts in creating video content on the July Uprising and urged the trainees to apply the knowledge gained from the training in their work. The event was chaired by the Director General of the National Media Institute, Suhfi Zakir Hossain. Other notable speakers included the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Mahbuba Farzana; Course Director Dr. Md. Maruf Nawaz; and the Convener of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry's Search Committee, Md. Al Amin Rakib Tonoy. At the conclusion of the event, Adviser Nahid Islam distributed certificates to the trainees.

A new directorate dedicated to the July Uprising will be set up next month under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, said Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mohammad Nahid Islam Addressing a press briefing at the Rail Bhaban in the capital on Monday, Adviser Nahid Islam outlined the scope of the July Uprising Directorate, saying that it will focus on providing assistance to the families of martyrs, rehabilitating the injured and addressing all matters related to the uprising. On the financial assistance for the martyrs and the wounded, he explained that the government will allocate a total of 637 crore 80 lakh Tk over time for the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. Over Tk 637 crore allocated for families of July-August uprising victims: Nahid Starting next week, a distribution process will begin to provide 232 crore 60 lakh Tk to the families of martyrs and those who were injured in the uprising. Each martyr's family will receive a fixed sum of 10 lakh Tk in savings bonds from this allocation. The remaining 405 crore 20 lakh Tk will be provided in July 2025 for the fiscal year 2025-2026. From this fund, each martyr’s family will be given 20 lakh Tk. Besides, injured individuals will receive financial support in various categories based on the severity of their injuries. Starting from July, a monthly allowance will also be granted to those severely injured during the uprising.

Fifteen staff members, including senior doctors and nurses of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) have been suspended in connection with the killing that occurred near the university's cabin block during the anti-discrimination student movement in July. Proctor Sheikh Farhad confirmed this on Monday saying that an office order signed by Registrar Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam was issued yesterday. He said the suspended staff members were involved in a fight, which had been captured in the video footage. The law enforcement will interrogate them to find out why they did it.The suspended staff include Dr Abu Torab Ali Mim from Cardiology, Dr Riaz Siddiqui Pran from Dermatology and Venereology, and Nitish Roy, a painter at the Hospital Directorate Office. Others include Md Saiful Islam, Kazi Mehedi Hasan, Assistant Dresser Shahidul Islam (Saidul), sweeper Sandeep, respiratory medicine assistant Ujjal Molla, driver Sujan Bishw Sharma, OPD-1 MLSS Fakrul Islam Jony, lab customer care attendant Rubel Rana, senior nurse Shabnam Nurani, and ward MLSS staff Shahadat, Munna Ahmed, and Anowar Hossain. BREB suspends 7 over electrocution of IUT students on picnic bus The office order stated that based on the decision of BSMMU's 94th syndicate meeting, the university suspended doctors, senior staff nurses, and employees involved in the killing near the cabin block during the mass uprising.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has announced a relaxation in the foreign exchange release limit for those requiring medical treatment abroad due to injuries they suffered during the July uprising. The Foreign Exchange Policy Department of the central bank issued a circular in this regard on Tuesday. In the circular, the central bank states, “The limit of $10,000 or equivalent shall stand relaxed on account of treatment abroad for persons injured in the Students-People’s uprising - July 2024 Revolution.” In this context, ADs (Authorised Dealers) may release foreign exchange based on estimation. In addition to the banking channel, international card channels may be used for the transactions, it added. BB to fix single exchange rate for US dollar soon The circular emphasised that all other existing regulations and instructions regarding foreign exchange transactions remain unchanged.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said on Friday that all victims of the July Uprising will receive justice. The Jamaat leader said that his party will always support the families of the victims. He made the remarks during a visit to the home of martyr Abdullah in Bara Anchra village, Benapole Sadar, on Friday afternoon. During the visit, he met with Abdullah's parents, siblings, and relatives, and inquired about their well-being. The Jamaat Amir remarked, "Abdullah is the pride of this area. We are here today because of him. I don't know if we would have had the chance to come here at all if Abdullah had not become a martyr." AL drowned nation in corruption and misrule: Jamaat Ameer "Abdullah was an active participant in the July uprising, and he sacrificed his life to free Bangladesh from fascism. The nation takes pride in his sacrifice today. I hope the entire country will remember him with deep respect and recognize him as a national hero," he added. He further stated that justice will be served for all those who were martyred in the movement. "Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will always stand by these families," he added. Earlier, he attended a party programme of Jamaat-e-Islami at Jashore Town Hall Maidan.

Adviser Mahfuj Alam has said India should unequivocally recognise the July uprising and the student-led democratic struggle in Bangladesh. “This is the first thing to start with. Bypassing the July uprising, the foundation of new Bangladesh will be detrimental to the relationship of both countries,” Mahfuj shared the view in a Facebook post on Wednesday amid the growing tensions in India-Bangladesh relations. “Indophiles, or Indian allies in this part of Bengal, are thinking that things are going to cool down and bypass the July uprising and the fascist's atrocities won't cost them anything. It's a wrong idea. People are watching everything!” he said. Read: BNP demands overseas treatment for critically injured July uprising victims The Indian establishment tried to portray the uprising as something militant, anti-Hindu, and an Islamist takeover. But their propaganda and provocation are failing, he added. “Bangladeshi people are enjoying democratic rights without any ifs and buts after nearly two long decades! Truth has come...the false will be doomed. Forever!” “India should change the Post '75 playbook and realise the new Bangladesh realities. It's not a post-'75-like situation. The July uprising was about a democratic, generational, and responsible struggle. And, this struggle will continue for a long period,” he added. Read more: Palestinian struggle was key inspiration behind July Uprising: Nahid Islam Unlike before, Bangladeshi people are united and dignified and they will fight for their dignity till their death.