Joy Bangla Concert has returned this year after a break of two years due to the pandemic. As young music lovers are celebrating the return of the biggest live music event in the country today, Radwan Mujib Siddiq, grandson of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and trustee of Centre for Research and Information (CRI), joined them at Dhaka’s Army Stadium. A minute's silence was observed at the stadium to pay homage to the victims of yesterday’s blast in a Gulistan building. The concert began with condolences for the people killed and injured in the blast. Young Bangla, a youth platform of the CRI, is organizing the concert for the seventh time. Radwan Mujib’s work mainly revolves around empowering youths in Bangladesh.

A new episode of Young Bangla’s ongoing interactive session “Let’s Talk” where university students and youths from different walks of life get a chance to speak to policymakers – to lend out their concerns and aspirations centering the social safety net schemes amid global headwinds – is set to be streamed on Facebook this Friday at 9 pm.  The participants and panelists discussed students’ participation, combating drug addiction, ways of improving interdepartmental coordination, meeting consumer demands, competency to deal with the pandemic in the future, women’s safety in public places, road safety, roles and responsibilities of the ministry of public administration, coordination between different local government agencies and many more. Held on February 15, 2023, Young Bangla organized its 43rd episode of “Let’s Talk”, tilted ‘Social Safety and Security’, at the University of Rajshahi – bringing in a diverse group of policymakers, experts and students. In addition to Young Bangla, the country’s largest youth platform, a number of private television channels will also stream the 30-minute event. At the event, policymakers, experts, students and others youths of Rajshahi had an interactive discussion and idea-sharing session. The session focused on contemporary issues, especially on the government initiatives to ensure social safety and security. Read more: CRI's 'Let's Talk': Speakers back govt initiatives to shore up energy security Farhad Hossain MP, State Minister for Public Administration; Khadizatul Anwar MP; Professor Dr. Golam Shabbir Sattar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Rajshahi; and Dr Sakia Haque, Joy Bangla Youth Award winner 2018 and Founder of Travelettes of Bangladesh, participated as panelists on this “Let’s Talk” event. More than 250 students from the University of Rajshahi, Varendra University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi College, and others took part in the event and directly discussed, asked questions, and shared their opinion with the panelists. State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said, “It is our job to deliver all government services ensuring public safety through efficient public administration. “We strive to develop our officials in such a way that they have a service-minded attitude. So that they can serve everyone equally and better,” he said. He also added that the government wants the youths to come forward with their talents and skills to build a smart Bangladesh. “They should take the opportunities to avail government facilities and services, i.e., getting government funds, loans, and training and prove themselves in the competitive market,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring law and order for safety, including zero-tolerance against terrorism and violence against women. We have taken several steps to protect women’s rights and empower them, including legal support for victims of violence, and skills training and financial support for women’s economic empowerment.” In response to a question relating to ongoing inflation due to the pandemic and different international conflicts, he added that Bangladesh is doing better than many countries and is on the development track. He added that the prime minister emphasizes on food security to deal with inflation. “We have sufficient fertilizer, seeds, and pesticides. Positive thinking, approach and activities can help us to overcome such challenges and to create a smart Bangladesh.” Khadizatul Anwar MP said, “Reporting is important to prevent intimate personal violence. The government can only act against such crimes when it receives reports. Women must break the silence and raise their voices against intimate personal violence.” “They must seek help from the government to stop such violence as the government has introduced several initiatives to protect women from such heinous crimes. Women can also talk to family and friends and seek support to prevent this. Women leaders and celebrities can speak up about this issue and share their experiences to raise awareness among general people.” She added that youths should come forward to ensure social safety and security.

Speakers at a discussion have opined that measures taken by the government to shore up the economy in the face of the ongoing energy crisis will stand the country in good stead in the future. They appealed for time to see the results of the initiatives. The speakers made the remarks at the 'Let's Talk' programme organised by the Centre for Research and Information (CRI) on Thursday when the Russia-Ukraine war pushed the global energy situation into a turmoil with Europe is shutting down lights and cold water for baths.

Wishing on his birthday, the Centre for Research and Information (CRI) on early Wednesday said Sajeeb Wazed Joy has become a voice of the youth in Bangladesh's policy reform circles. "He is now helping policymakers make Bangladesh a knowledge-driven economy and deal with the challenges of the 4IR," CRI said. Describing Joy as a visionary and strategist, CRI wished him a very happy birthday. On this day in 1971, Sajeeb Wazed was born in Dhaka, amidst a furious War for Liberation of Bangladesh. Joy's father was a nuclear scientist and his mother Sheikh Hasina is the prime minister of Bangladesh. His grandparents were killed in August 1975, and young Sajeeb would be barred from entering Bangladesh by a military regime. Read: Sajeeb Wazed to hand over Joy Bangla Youth Award to young masters Tuesday He then did his schooling in India and moved to America to pursue his computer science undergraduate and public policy graduate studies at the University of Texas and Harvard University respectively. In his 30s, he became an advocate for democracy in Bangladesh when an unelected military-backed regime ruled over Bangladesh in 2007. He helped restore a politically elected government. He would start advocating for a new progressive tech-advanced Bangladesh. Sajeeb became the ICT affairs advisor to Bangladesh's Prime Minister. He is regarded as the mastermind of the Digital Bangladesh initiative, which would accelerate e-governance and transform the country's IT industry in 15 years.

Bangladesh has shown one can be a "responsible player" on the global stage focusing on the most vulnerable to ensure equitable growth, says Radwan Mujib Siddiq. Radwan, a trustee of the Centre for Research & Information (CRI), made the observation in the editorial note of the sixth issue of WhiteBoard, the country's first policy-based magazine. “At a time when many countries are turning their backs on people fleeing wars and persecution, Bangladesh is sheltering over a million people (Rohingyas) who’re unable to return to their homeland,” he said. Paying tribute to the Liberation War heroes, he writes, “As we remember those who led Bangladesh to victory 50 years ago, it is time to firmly fix our gaze on the future. Beyond the impressive gains in economic and human development, what does Bangladesh want to be known for? Read: Time to challenge what we know: Radwan Mujib "What are the hallmarks of the Bangladesh model, and are they being clearly articulated at home and abroad?” said Radwan, grandson of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The strategy consultant and youth advocate said in this WhiteBoard issue, they look at how focusing on the most vulnerable has paid dividends for Bangladesh, and how it can continue to shape policymaking for the next five decades and beyond. In the sixth issue, Binayek Sen takes an in-depth look at Bangladesh’s performance as a poverty reducing country in comparison to other top performers such as India, China and Vietnam.

To spread the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman among the students, bKash will distribute 20,000 copies of graphic novel 'Mujib' in 500 Bangla and English medium schools across the country this year. The mobile financial service provider has taken this initiative to mark Bangabandhu’s birth centenary and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence. Under the patronisation of bKash, graphic novel ‘Mujib’, published by Center for Research and Information (CRI) based on Bangabandhu's autobiography ‘Oshomapto Attojiboni’ (‘The Unfinished Memoirs’), will be distributed in schools by Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (BSK), an organisation well-known for enlightening minds. Read Bangabandhu Memorial Museum: Witness to History and Tragedy bKash will expand the programme with support of BSK to more schools along with the existing ones after the publication of next editions of the graphic novel. Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, the founder of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, inaugurated the project by handing over the books to the school representatives at BSK Auditorium on Wednesday. Kamal Quadir, Chief Executive Officer of bKash; Arif Khan, trustee of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro and Major General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam (retd), Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer of bKash were present on the occasion. Also read: 8th episode of Mujib Graphic Novel to be unveiled this evening 'Mujib' depicts direct experience of Bangabandhu's childhood, adolescence and social and political activities in a format suitable for both children and adolescents with a vibrant combination of dialogues, stories and illustrations. Graphic novel ‘Mujib’ will give readers of all ages the opportunity to know more about Bangabandhu, the greatest Bengali of all time and the architect of the sovereign Bangladesh. Five sets of the graphic novel which means a total of 40 books will be given to each of the 500 Bangla and English medium schools across the country. As a result, 40 students will get the opportunity to read the book from school library at the same time. Read Schools, colleges likely to remain closed until Eid: Dipu Professor Sayeed said bKash has vested the responsibility on them to spread the biography of the greatest leader of to the children. “Bangabandhu’s vigor, visionary nature, ability to dream big, unwavering devotion to be faithful, extraordinary personality and love for the people are exemplary for us. Bengalis were lucky to have a Sheikh Mujib, without whose thunderous voice, impeccable courage and extraordinary leadership, Bangladesh might have taken another 500 years to become independent,” he said. “bKash’s initiative to spread the book in schools across the country has created an opportunity for students to know more about our father of nation. Let Mujib open the pages of wisdom in our hearts, let Mujib awaken everyone's blood - I have this dream.” Also read: Graphic novel ‘Mujib’ launched in Japanese language  Kamal Quadir, CEO of bKash, said the autobiography written by Bangabandhu, while he was imprisoned, is a historical document for us. “In his memoirs, Bangabandhu presented many important chapters of history very passionately and sincerely. The way he laid the foundation of leadership is exemplary for today's children and teenagers. The graphic novel ‘Mujib’ is a unique initiative to make these exemplary stories more attractive to future generations. bKash is proud to be a partner of this initiative to celebrate the birth centenary of Mujib and the golden jubilee of our independence,” he said. bKash has provided 253,600 books to 3.2 million students from 2,900 educational institutions since 2014 to cultivate the habit of reading books among next generation. Read Bangabandhu would have been proud of Bangladesh’s achievements: Macron In 2020 Book Fair, bKash collected books from visitors, donated from its own fund and distributed all 7,500 books among the underprivileged children through Obhizatrik Foundation. The MFS provider has been offering cashback at book fair for the last eight years to encourage people to buy books. bKash has also been working with Bangla Academy as the key sponsor of Ekushey Book Fair for the last four years. Read Startup Bangladesh Ltd to invest Tk 100 crore for 50 startups marking birth centennial of Bangabandhu and Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh

Tonmoy Ahmed, a coordinator of the Bangladesh Awami League’s research wing Centre for Research and Information (CRI), has become the fellow of the Konrad Adenauer School for Young Politicians (KASYP). “The struggle of our great leader, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for an independent Bangladesh taught me how to connect with the people,” Tonmoy was quoted as saying. Also read:Awami League announces candidates for 27 local body polls Congratulating Tonmoy, Bangladesh Awami League's International Affairs Subcommittee Member Barrister Shah Ali Farhad wrote, "Five years back, I was the first from our party to attend this remarkable fellowship. After Nadia Choudhury and Seema Karim, now Tonmoy is the fourth fellow of KASYP from our party. We are lucky to be part of the extended KAS family." German-based KASYP is a training programme for young political leaders in Asia. It is designed to strengthen political parties in Asia and to develop a cadre of accountable and responsible young political leaders. Also read:Awami League to win by majority, says EIU report The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Political Dialogue Asia introduced Tonmoy, after being selected for the 12th batch of the programme, through its facebook page. Born and brought up in a small city called Palashbari, Gaibandha district of Bangladesh, Tonmoy was a student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, the Facebook post reads. According to the KASYP, over the course of this two-year programme, participants were given the opportunity to learn about the background necessary for the development of mature democracies of local political parties, internal dynamics and its impact on the welfare of their constituencies, exercise of leadership, electoral process and how these can contribute to good governance. Also read:AL's nomination form distribution for 64 municipalities next week By enhancing the skills and competencies of political parties, the program helped create a cadre of political leaders that will make a difference within their political parties and in their respective countries as well, it said.

Radwan Mujib Siddiq, grandson of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has encouraged all to go boldly into the future without forgetting the past as Bangladesh celebrates 50 years of its Independence.

 The popular Joy Bangla Concert will return in 2022 as the celebration is put on a halt this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, said Bangabandhu’s grandson Radwan Mujib Siddiq.

The year 2021 rang in the ‘career workshop’ initiative of Bangladesh Awami League to help youths springboard their career by harnessing the infrastructural development undertaken by the government.