From Sadarghat to the Chandpur Confluence: 1,150 Friends Gather on a Launch for Bondhushava's 28th Anniversary

A day-long gathering of friendship took place on the river on Friday. A total of 1,150 active members, alumni, well-wishers, Prothom Alo staff and representatives of partner organisations from 86 Bondhushava chapters across the country took part in 'Eso Mili Jolodharay 2.0', the celebration of the 28th founding anniversary of Prothom Alo Bondhushava. Under the slogan 'Bondhutte Gori Swapno' (Building Dreams in Friendship), the day-long programme was held on the Sadarghat-Chandpur confluence-Sadarghat river route from the capital.

Friends were scheduled to reach the designated launch by seven in the morning, but members of different Bondhushava chapters arrived from midnight. Volunteers from the national council and Dhaka metropolitan chapter had been on the launch preparing gift bags and other arrangements, and other friends joined them in that work. The work continued all night, and by dawn the Prince Awlad-7 launch was full to the brim, turning into a grand gathering of friendship.

The programme was formally opened at 10am with the national anthem sung in chorus. The two conveners of the event, national council adviser Ashikuzzaman Ovi and joint secretary Saymon Chowdhury, delivered greeting speeches.

In the session hosted by general secretary Saimum Mousumi, Prothom Alo managing editor Anisul Haque delivered a greeting speech. He said Prothom Alo has only one agenda, the victory of Bangladesh, and that Prothom Alo Bondhushava is an organisation of good, which does not stop after one good deed but keeps doing one good work after another throughout life.

Also speaking were Prothom Alo chief digital business officer Jabed Sultan, chief security manager Major (retd) Sajjadul Kabir, human resources head Shamim Khan, administration head A.B.M. Khairul Kabir, Pallab Mohaimen of the information technology department and national council executive president Farhad Hossain Mallik. Fahim Rahman, a director of event partner Probashi Palli Group, said they were delighted to stand beside Bondhushava's joyful event and want to remain beside Bondhushava in future too.

Mahmuda Muhsina Bushra, joint secretary of the national council, conducted a special session on mental health at the event. National council president Zafar Sadik also addressed the friends.

Later, 40 Bondhushava chapters were honoured as best chapters in four categories. In the 'Sohomormitar Eid' category, the best were Brahmanbaria, Satkhira, Dinajpur, Sherpur, Patiya, Chattogram, Bhairab, Jamalpur, Thakurgaon and Qatar Bondhushava. In the 'Tree Plantation' category, the best were Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Mymensingh, Pabna, Sylhet, Noakhali, Koyra, Daffodil International University, Bagerhat and Kishoreganj Bondhushava, with Sylhet Bondhushava on that list.

On the basis of year-long work, the 'Best 10 of the Year' were Khulna, Daffodil International University, Gopalganj Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Jamalpur, Bhairab, Noakhali, Sylhet, Chattogram and Rangpur Bondhushava. In the 'Ekti Bhalo Kaj' programme marking Prothom Alo's founding anniversary, the best were Rauzan, Jamalpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, Murarichand College, Rangpur, Savar, Thakurgaon, Manikganj and Saidpur Bondhushava.

After the lunch break, a cultural programme was held. There were also a fun games show and a raffle draw.

Probashi Palli Group was the event's associate partner. The partners included Skin Cafe as beauty partner, Nescafe as hot beverage partner, Savoy as ice cream partner, Fresh as drinks partner, Max Group as T-shirt partner, Fillup as gift partner, Chorki as entertainment partner, Star News as television and media partner, Bass Network as internet partner, Public Health Foundation Bangladesh as health partner and Care Nutrition Limited as chocolate partner.