Pledge to promote honest journalism

Former adviser to the caretaker government Rokia Afzal Rahman, Prof Anisuzzaman, Matia Chowdhury and Selina Hossain cut a cake at a programme marking the 10th anniversary of Shaptahik 2000, a weekly magazine, at its office in the city yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Different political, cultural and social activists including educationists, artists, journalists and host of wellwishers of the weekly gathered at its office at New Eskaton in the city to celebrate the occasion.

Former adviser to caretaker government and Media World Chairperson Rokia Afzal Rahman and Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam along with others inaugurated the programme by cutting a cake.

"We are proud of Shaptahik 2000, and hope it will continue to speak for people and country," said Rokia Afzal.

Remembering the founder editor of the weekly Shahadat Chowdhury, all the guests and participants expressed their hope that it would play a greater role as the mirror of the society through its transparency, objectivity and sincerity.

The magazine is doing what Shahadat cited at its inception that it would be committed to society and work as a catalyst, said Prof Serajul Islam.

Shaptahik 2000 would be a pioneer in establishing the ideology of honest journalism, said Dr Anisuzzaman.

Former adviser to caretaker government CM Shafi Sami hoped that the weekly would continue its role in establishing social values and upholding democracy.

"Shaptahik 2000 has brought some issues related to national interest courageously, but it is not wise to cut the head off to get rid of headache," said Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon.

GM Kader hoped that the weekly would help establish people's rights while former army chief Mahbubur Rahman expected that challenges of the new millennium would be reflected in the magazine.

Political leaders Matia Chowdhury, Suranjit Sen Gupta, Anwarul Kabir Talukder, Haider Akbar Khan Rano, Sadeque Hossain Khoka, Prof Abu Syed, Tofail Ahmed and Mujaheedul Islam Selim, Power and Energy Adviser Tapan Chowdhury, Educationist Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, Artists Hashem Khan, Rafiqun Nabi, rights activists Rokeya Kabir, Abul Barak Alvi, Habibul Alam Bir Protik and Shahidullah Khan Badal were present.

Conducted by Abdun Noor Tushar, the inaugural function was also attended by acting Editor of Shaptahik 2000 Golam Mortoja, Editor of the Sangbad Bazlur Rahman, Managing Director of Channel i Faridur Reza Sagor, litterateurs Selina Hossain, Shawkat Mahmud, Shawkat Ali, Amirul Islam, Makit Haider, Suvash Singha Roy, Abdus Shakur, Anisul Haque, Poet Nirmalendu Gun, journalists Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Abul Moksud, J E Mamun, Munni Saha and Supan Roy, sports personalities Zobera Rahman Linu, Shafikul Islam Manik, Salam Morshed, Entrepreneur Hossain Al Masum, cultural activists Shomi Kaisar, Shahidul Alam, Fakir Alamgir, Afsana Mimi, Ayub Bachchu, Dr Mohit Kamal, Pijush Banerjee and relatives of Shahadat.

The programme was rounded off with a cultural function.