Jatiya Press Club
Fuel price hike to benefit “looters”: BNP
BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday alleged that fuel prices have been raised to benefit the “looters of the ruling party”.
“They (govt) have raised the prices of diesel and kerosene which’ll push up the fares of bus and trucks, and the prices of everything, including all commodities,” he said.
Read:BNP extends support to transport strike
Speaking at a human-chain programme, the BNP leader voiced concern that the farmers will be hit hard as their production costs will go up due to the diesel price hike.
"They (AL leaders) are indulging in plundering by hiking commodity prices, diesel prices and electricity tariffs repeatedly. Those involved directly in looting will benefit from increased fuel prices,” he alleged.
Jatiyatabadi Textile Engineers’ Association of Bangladesh arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the growing price hike of daily essentials.
Khorsu, a BNP standing committee member, said the diesel price has been increased by Tk 15 per litre and this money will be taken from the pockets of ordinary people.
He alleged that the government has been hiking the prices of all commodities and the tariffs of utility services one after another as it has no accountability to people. “They (AL leaders) are making money through plundering and siphoning it off abroad.”
Khosru, a former commerce minister, said those who are responsible for controlling commodity prices are now looting public money.
He said the government has repeatedly increased the power tariffs to make the pockets of ruling party men heavier who run the quick rental power plants. "These power plants are getting money even without producing electricity as per a deal with the government. Not only that, the government has made such a law that no case can be filed in this connection.”
Read:AL-backed syndicates behind price hike, alleges BNP
The BNP leader said there is no alternative to waging a united movement to free the country from the grasp of Awami League.
On Wednesday, the government raised the prices of diesel and kerosene at the retail level. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) said the petroleum prices have been readjusted against the backdrop of the price hike of petroleum on the international market.
Meanwhile, the price of private operators' liquified petroleum gas (LPG) was also increased to Tk 1,313 per 12-kg container from Tk 1259 with effect from Thursday (Nov 4) at the retail level.
Journo S. M. Shawkat Hossain dies
Senior reporter of ‘Bangladesher Khobor’ S. M. Shawkat Hossain (Shawkat Reza) has passed away. He was 50.
Reza, also a member of the Jatiya Press Club, suffered a stroke and breathed his last at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital at 9 pm on Wednesday.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, relatives, colleagues and well-wishers.
READ: Veteran journalist Hamiduzzaman Robi no more
The journalist was buried at Baitul Aman Jame Mosque on Mirpur Mazar Road Thursday afternoon.
Jatiya Press Club President Farida Yasmin and General Secretary Ilias Khan expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Shawkat Hossain.
Glory resonates as JPC going to step into 68
The Jatiya Press Club (JPC), the house of journalists, is going to step into its 68 years on Wednesday with a glorious history.
After a hiatus of one year caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the JPC passionately called as the ‘Second Home’ by its members, has been celebrating the big moment with various programmes since October 6 maintaining health safety protocols.
A mini-marathon programme with the participation of the club members will be held in the early morning on Wednesday while the cultural function and annual dinner will be held on Friday as the 67th founding anniversary day of the club coincides with the holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi.
The Jatiya Press Club started its journey in Dhaka on October 20, 1954. Besides being a meeting place for journalists, it provides a forum for political, social and cultural groups and individuals for holding press briefings and seminars.
Also read: JPC Table Tennis: Mahbub Reza earns double crown
On the occasion of its anniversary, JPC president Farida Yasmin said they could not arrange elaborate programmes to celebrate the 66th founding anniversary of the club due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have had a miserable time over the last two years due to the pandemic. Our children have gotten fed up with staying indoors for a long time. The children and spouses of our members have been eagerly waiting to join the founding anniversary programmes. As the Covid situation is relatively better, we’ve decided to mark the event this time with various programmes,” she said.
Farida said they want to turn the JPC into a more dignified institution so that it can help the journalists enhance their professional skills.
Earlier on October 4, JPC joint general secretary Mainul Alam announced a two-week programme to celebrate the event.
The programmes began on October 6 with a meeting remembering 34 club members who died over the last one year.
Also read: Tarique’s videoconferencing at JPC unlawful: Farida Yasmin
As part of the programmes, an eye camp was held on October 7 on the club premises, followed by Shishu Ananda Mela on October 8 and 9, chess competition on October 10 and 11 and spades trump competition on October 13 and 14, Ludo competition for female members on October 14, table tennis on October 16 and 17.
Jatiya Press Club sports festival begins
A sports festival began Sunday with chess competition at the Abdus Salam Hall of the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) to mark the 67th founding anniversary of the club.
JPC President Farida Yesmin inaugurated the competition in the morning amid the great enthusiasm of the club members.
JPC Senior Vice-President Hasan Hafiz, Joint Secretary Ashraf Ali, Treasurer Shahed Chowdhury; EC members Kazi Rownak Hossain, Banu Ranjan Chakraborthy and Baktier Rana were also present.
JPC EC member and convener of the sports subcommittee Shahnaj Siddiqui Soma conducted the Walton-sponsored programme.
Read: Sports Festival of Jatiya Press Club begins
Thirty-two players are taking part in the five-round Swiss League based two-day competition.
After the first two rounds on the first day, four players – Mohammad Rahim Uddin, Tapon Biwas, Nizamul Haque Bipul and Shahzad Mahmud Saifuddin – are dominating the meet, securing full two points each.
Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain followed the leaders with 1.5 points.
The remaining three rounds of the meet will be held Monday from 11am at the same venue.
Jatiya Press Club pays tributes to 34 late members
The Jatiya Press Club (JPC) on Wednesday paid tributes to its 34 members who died over the last one year amid the pandemic.
At a memorial meeting, senior journalists and Press Club leaders also recalled the contributions of the 34 club members to the nation and journalism.
Read: Jatiya Press Club gears up to celebrate anniversary
As part of JPC’s two-week programmes to mark its 67th founding anniversary, the meeting remembering its members who died in between October 24, 2020 and October 5, 2021, was organised at an auditorium of the club.
JPC president Farida Yasmin, acting general secretary Mainul Alam, its former president Saiful Alam, ex-general secretary Quamrul Islam Chowdhury, senior journalists Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Abul Kalam Azad, Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, Omar Faruk and some family members of the deceased spoke at the programme.
The 34 JPC members who died over the last one year include Hasan Shahriar, Zahiduzzaman Faruque, AU Fakhruddin, Fakir Abdur Razzaq, Abul Hasnat, Ershadul Haq, Hannan Khan, Khandaker Muniruzzaman, Humayun Sadeque Chowdhury, Khondaker Ataul Haque, Mizanur Rahman Khan, Hilali Wadud Chowdhury, Syed Lutful Haque, Ahmad Akhter, Shaheen Reza Noor, Syed Abul Maksud, Atiar Rahman Atik, AZM Anas, M Nurul Huda, Atiqullah Khan Masud, Kayum Khan Milon, Khondaker Shahdat Hossain, M Rafiqul Alam, Enamul Haque, Syed Shahjahan, Khandaker Fazlur Rahman Feeuri, Shahiduzzaman Khan, Muhiuddin Ahmad, M Ruhul Quddus, Lutfur Rahman Binu, Bazlul Karim, M Abdur Rahim, Golap Munir and Hamiduzzaman Robi.
Speaking at the programme, JPC president Farida Yasmin said it is very painful and tragic that 34 JPC members died in just one year. “They all were our near and dear ones. The death of so many members in a year is a rare and sad chapter in 67 years history of the club.”
She said the club as well as journalism suffered an irreparable loss with the deaths of so many journalists.
“All of them were established journalists and they made huge contributions to their profession and the country. They could have contributed more had they been alive. We recall all of their contributions and pay homage to them.”
Saiful Alam, the editor of the Daily Jugantor, said the JPC should always remember its late members who founded the basis of this organisation and the journalism profession in Bangladesh. “But we easily forget them and hardly remember them, except a few ones.”
He thanked the JPC managing committee for arranging such a programme as it did last year and hoped the future JPC committees will continue it.
“If we can follow the good works and ideals of those who died and move ahead following the examples set by them, and then arranging such programmes will be meaningful,” Saiful observed.
Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul also recalled the role of the 34 late JPC members in enriching the profession and the Club through their works.
“We pay our deep tributes to all the deceased members of the club and express our sympathy to their bereaved family members,” he said.
Speaking at the programme, family members of the deceased thanked the JPC authorities for arranging such a programme.
JPC also arranged a similar programme last year remembering its 18 members died that year.
Jatiya Press Club gears up to celebrate anniversary
The Jatiya Press Club (JPC), passionately called as the ‘Second Home’ by its members, has taken up various programmes to celebrate its 67th founding anniversary after a hiatus of one year due to the pandemic.
JPC acting general secretary Mainul Alam unveiled the two-week programme at a views-exchange meeting with journalists at an auditorium of the club on Monday.
He said the programmes will begin on October 6 with a meeting remembering 34 club members who died over the last one year.
Read: JPC condemns BFIU as it seeks bank account details of 11 journalists
As part of other programmes, Mainul said, an eye camp will be held on October 7 on the club premises, followed by Shishu Ananda Mela on October 8 and 9, chess competition on October 10 and 11, an air-gun shooting competition on October 12 and spades trump competition on October 13 and 14.
Besides, he said, Ludo competition for female members will take place on October 14, table tennis on October 16 and 17 and mini-marathon in the early morning of October 20 and a cultural function on the same day in the evening.
The participants of Shishu Ananda Mela and sports competitions will have to ensure their entries into the competitions by October 6.
Speaking at the programme, JPC President Farida Yasmin said they could not arrange elaborate programmes last year, rather than arranging a memorial meeting, to celebrate the 66th founding anniversary of the club due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have had a miserable time over the last two years due to the pandemic. Our children have gotten fed up with staying at home for a long time. The children and spouses of our members are eagerly waiting to join the founding anniversary programmes. As the Covid situation is relatively better, we’ve decided to mark the event this time with various programmes,” she said.
The JPC president said they will arrange all the programmes maintaining social distancing and health safety rules as the virus is yet to be eliminated.
Read: Jatiya Press Club announces 67th anniversary programmes
She said 34 JPC members died over the last one year since October 11. “So, we’re passing through a very painful and sad time. But we’ve to move ahead amid such a bad time.”
Farida said the media sector has been growing through a crisis period like all other sectors, but the situation is improving and media outlets are trying to stay afloat overcoming all the difficulties.
She said they want to turn the JPC into a more dignified institution so that it can help the journalists enhance their professional skills.
The JPC president said they have already held various programmes, including seminars, to develop the skills of journalists.
She said they will celebrate Bangabandhu's birth centenary and the golden jubilee of independence in a grand manner in December, the month of victory.
MoU with Press Club of India
Farida said the Jatiya Press Club and the Press Club of India, Delhi have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase mutual cooperation among the journalists of the two neighbouring countries.
Read:Farida Yasmin becomes first female President of Jatiya Press Club
As per the MoU, she said, JPC members will be able to use the facilities of the Press Club of India while their members can use all the JPC facilities during their visits.
Besides, the JPC president said, various reciprocal programmes will be taken to enhance the cooperation between the members of the two clubs.
She said both the clubs will jointly organise training and various other programmes for enhancing the professional efficiency of journalists.
Jatiya Press Club announces 67th anniversary programmes
The Jatiya Press Club (JPC) will observe its 67th founding anniversary on October 20 after a gap of one year due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The two-week programmes will begin on October 6 with a remembrance meeting for the late club members, who died in the last one year.
An eye camp will be held on October 7 at the club premises, followed by Shishu Ananda Mela on October 8 and 9, chess competition on October 10 and 11, an airgun shooting on October 12, spade trump on October 13 and 14.
Ludo competition for female members will take place on October 14, table tennis on October 16 and 17 and mini marathon on October 20 in the early morning and a cultural function on the same day in the evening.
Participants of Shishu Ananda Mela and sports competitions will have to make their entry into the competitions by October 6.
JPC condemns BFIU as it seeks bank account details of 11 journalists
The Jatiya Press Club (JPC) on Wednesday strongly denounced Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) for seeking bank account details of 11 journalist leaders, and said it has tarnished the image of the journalist community.
In an emergency meeting, the JPC managing committee demanded the BFIU immediately withdraw such a “disgraceful decision”, said a press release signed by JPC Joint Secretary Mainul Alam.
“Under the existing law, allegations against an individual can be investigated. But there’re enough reasons to consider it a motivated decision since the letters were issued in the names of the elected top leaders of all organisations of only a particular profession (seeking their account details),” said the JPC meeting.
Read: JPC strongly condemns Israeli brutality, airstrike targeting media houses
Voicing surprise over the BFIU move, the meeting said, “The image of the journalist community has been tarnished with the seeking of bank account details of its leaders in a wholesale manner. Even a national institution like the Jatiya Press Club has been put into question in an unprecedented way.”
It also said the elected journalist leaders have been publicly humiliated and their social status has been tarnished.
The BFIU of the Bangladesh Bank issued letters to the commercial banks asking for details of bank accounts of 11 journalist leaders last week.
Senior photojournalist Lutfur Rahman Binu passes away
Veteran photojournalist Lutfur Rahman Binu died of cardiac arrest in Dhaka on Monday. He was 66.
Family sources said Lutfur Rahman fell sick at his Khilgaon residence in the morning and breathed his last around 12 noon on the way to Dhanmondi Ibne Sina Hospital.
Read:Senior journalist Ruhul Quddus no more
The photojpurnalist, also a member of the Jatiya Press Club, is survived by his wife, a son, a daughter and a host of relatives and well-wishers.
Lutfur Rahman, who was a senior photojournalist of Daily Inqilab, also worked as a personal photographer of former Prime Minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia.
Read:Simon Dring died in his ETV poloshirt, shares partner in emotional Fb post
He will be buried at their family graveyard after Asr prayers after a Namaz-e-janaza at a local mosque.
Jatiya Press Club president Farida Yasmin and general secretary Elias Khan expressed deep shock at his death.
Senior journalist Ruhul Quddus no more
Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, a veteran journalist and senior member of the Jatiya Press Club (JPC), died from Covid-19 Wednesday.
The 66-year-old passed away at Suhrawardy Hospital and left behind his wife and two sons.
Ruhul last worked as a senior sub-editor at Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and went to retirement four years ago.
He was also the founding secretary-general of the Bangladesh-South Africa Friendship Association and a producer and host of Bangladesh Television (BTV) programmes.
READ: Ex-IGP AYBI Siddiqui passes away
After graduating from Rajshahi University, he joined weekly Pabna Barta in 1980 as a journalist. Later, he worked for different media outlets including Dainik Bangla, and BSS.
Ruhul was laid to rest at his family graveyard in Pabna's Bera Thursday.
JPC President Farida Yasmin and General Secretary Elias Khan expressed deep shock at the death of the senior journalist.
READ: EX-MP Khurram Khan dies of Covid-19
The JPC leaders conveyed deep sympathy to his bereaved family and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul, said JPC Joint Secretary Mainul Alam in a message.