United News of Bangladesh

Bangladeshi well-being advocate Murad Ansary has been honoured as the Asia regional winner at the prestigious 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. Ansary, the founder of Psycure, a digital platform dedicated to mental health and emotional well-being, has been recognised for his efforts in making mental health services more accessible and affordable across the region, said a media release on Wednesday. His contributions have had a profound impact, particularly in addressing psychological challenges among young people. The selection process for the awards was rigorous, with over 800 applications reviewed by a panel of 54 Pan-Commonwealth adjudicators. From this competitive field, Ansary emerged as the top regional winner for Asia, surpassing strong contenders such as Keyaan Shah from India, Putri Humairah Binti Monashofian Putra from Malaysia, and Smriti Bhaya from India. Under his leadership, Psycure has provided direct counselling services to more than 3,000 individuals while also training 12,000 young people on mental health awareness. Saudi Arabia sets minimum age at 15 for Hajj pilgrims in 2025 His work aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, reinforcing the importance of mental health support in sustainable development. This year’s Commonwealth Youth Awards finalists represent a diverse range of social entrepreneurs, climate advocates, and community health champions from across various Commonwealth regions. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, praised the young leaders for their dedication and impact, stating: “Across our 56 nations, we see young leaders tackling poverty, fighting for climate justice, advocating for education, and bringing hope to communities in need. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow – they are leaders right now.” The awards ceremony was held at Marlborough House, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, with senior government officials, youth leaders, and development partners in attendance. The event celebrated the outstanding contributions of young changemakers and reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting youth-led initiatives. The Commonwealth Youth Awards, delivered through the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), acknowledge individuals aged 15 to 29 who are making a tangible difference in their communities. For over five decades, the CYP has been instrumental in amplifying the voices of young people, empowering them to drive meaningful change on both local and global scales.