At 91, a yogurt seller from Chapainawabganj’s Bholahat upazila, Ziaul Haque, may have missed out on formal education himself, but he has been a beacon of learning for hundreds in his community. Living in Chamamusribhuja village, Ziaul has dedicated his life to social welfare, significantly impacting the lives of those around him through education and various community services. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to bettering the lives of others, Ziaul was awarded the ‘Ekushey Padak,’ the country’s second-highest civilian honor, this year in the social service category. A testament to his dedication, Ziaul has been a familiar face in his community, selling yogurt for over six decades. Read: BSCIC officials’ training on salt iodization underway in Cox’s Bazar The Cultural Affairs Ministry announced the award on February 13, placing Ziaul in the esteemed company of other notable awardees. His contributions have previously earned him accolades, including the ‘Shada Moner Manush’ award in 2006. Upon receiving the news, an elated Ziaul expressed his joy and humility, seeing the recognition as a motivation to continue his social work. Despite the challenges of poverty that cut his own educational journey short after class five, Ziaul turned his circumstances into a mission to support the educational aspirations of others in his community. He has been particularly supportive of financially disadvantaged but talented students, offering books and academic materials funded by his yogurt sales. In 1969, Ziaul established a home library now boasting around 14,000 books, from novels to educational texts, which he offers free to local students. His generosity extends beyond education; he has provided housing for the homeless, dug wells for clean drinking water, and donated winter clothing and Qurans to madrasa students. Reflecting on his contributions, Ziaul finds deep satisfaction in the educational opportunities he has been able to provide, valuing the progress of local children over his own educational setbacks. His efforts have kept many children in school, a legacy he is proud to leave behind. Read: Scholastic student wins global coding competition Ziaul's family, along with the entire district, celebrates this well-deserved recognition. Local journalist Rubel Ahmed and many others in Bholahat commend Ziaul’s spirit and integrity, acknowledging the profound impact of his library and philanthropy on the community’s youth and educators alike. Ziaul Haque’s story is a powerful reminder of the difference one individual can make in the lives of many.

A parliamentary standing committee on Tuesday recommended the government for allocating 10 acres of land in Purbachal as Dhaka University showed reluctance to receive the 52-acre site there on the outskirts of Dhaka city for its 2nd campus. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Cultural Affairs Ministry, in its 29th meeting, made the suggestion for allocating the land against the ministry from the proposed DU 2nd campus site in Purbachal. The meeting was held in the Parliament Bhaban with its chairperson Simeen Hussain (Rimi) in the chair, said a press release. The parliamentary body also asked the ministry to send a synopsis to the Prime Minister for allocating the 10 acres of land against the Cultural Affairs Ministry. The committee recommended the ministry to undertake a project to nominate experienced persons or institutions for translation of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam's immortal literary collection “Nazrul Rachnabali” from English language into various languages. The committee suggested the cultural affairs ministry to open Shilpakala academy in every upazilas and arrange weeklong district-level open cultural competitions in December. The parliamentary panel reviewed the implementation progress of its decisions taken in the previous meetings. Committee members state minister for cultural affairs KM Khalid and Kazi Keramat Ali attended the meeting.

The grateful nation is set to observe the Amar Ekushey -- the Language Martyrs Day (Shaheed Day) and the International Mother Language Day -- on Sunday, marking the supreme of sacrifice of the language heroes for upholding the right to speak their mother tongue Bangla.

Twenty-one eminent personalities will get the country’s second highest civilian award, the Ekushey Padak, this year in recognition of their contributions to various fields.

After six months of closure due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the government has decided to reopen all museums and heritage sites under the Department of Archaeology on a limited scale from Wednesday.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Sunday launched a month-long programme marking the month of mourning when the country lost Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.

The Cultural Affairs Ministry on Wednesday announced to provide financial help to 5,000 artists who were left without earning sources amid the nationwide shutdown to prevent transmission of coronavirus.

Md Abdul Mannan Ilias, additional secretary to the Cultural Affairs Ministry, will act as the director general at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) as additional duty as the contractual appointment of Liaquat Ali Lucky ended on Friday.   The ministry issued a notice in this regard on Thursday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday distributed the prestigious Ekushey Padak-2020 among 20 eminent personalities and an organisation in recognition of their contributions to various fields.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will distribute on Thursday the coveted Ekushey Padak-2020 among 20 eminent personalities and an organisation in recognition of their contributions to various fields.