Dipu Moni, Palak, Toab Khan, among 11 to be honoured with ‘bbarta gold medal’ Tuesday

bbarta24.net, a popular news portal of the country, will honour eleven eminent personalities with gold medals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their own fields on Tuesday.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu will hand over the “2nd bbarta award” at a ceremony at the National Public Library in the capital at 3:00 pm on Tuesday.

Since the beginning of its journey bbarta did not limit itself only in publishing news. As a socially responsible online media house bbarta has taken many significant initiatives to make difference in the society. ‘bbarta gold medal’ is yet another humble effort which has been introduced to recognise eminent personalities who made enormous contribution in their own arenas.

The list of awardees includes Dr Dipu Moni (Politics),  Zunaid Ahmed Palak (ICT), Mahabub Ara Begum Gini (Indomitable Woman), Md Abdur Razzaq (Successful Entrepreneur), Toab Khan (Journalism), MA Goni (Organiser of Liberation War from abroad), Iftekharuzzaman  (Economics), Sumaiya Binte Mahtab (Research) Syed Hasan Imam and Laila Hasan (Art and Culture), and Mabia Akhter Simanta (Sports). bbarta24.net will accolade these 11renowned personalities in ten categories in a ceremony this year.

Dr Dipu Moni, former foreign minister, will be honoured with ‘bbarta Gold Medal’ this year in recognition of her outstanding contributions in politics.
 
Dipu Moni is a popular politician who served as the 16th foreign minister of Bangladesh from 2009 to 2013. She was appointed the first female foreign minister in 6 January 2009 after a landslide victory for the Awami League-led Grand Alliance in 29 December 2008.

Moni is a daughter of MA Wadud, who was a founding member of the Bangladesh Awami League. She is mother of one son and one daughter. Dipu Moni passed HSC from Holy Cross College, Dhaka. She studied MBBS at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and LLB at Bangladesh National University. She later studied at Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and at the University of London.

Moni was the secretary for Women’s Affairs and a member of the sub‐committee on foreign affairs of the Bangladesh Awami League before her induction to the cabinet. She represented Chandpur‐3 as a Member of Parliament. She worked for women’s rights and entitlements, health legislation, health policy and management, health financing, strategic planning, and health and human rights under the constitution and law in Bangladesh’s economic and social development programmes and foreign policy issues of the region and globally.

Zunaid Ahmed Palak, state minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT), won the award for his outstanding contributions in ICT sector in the country.

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, who has already been able to make a positive impact among the young people, was born at Singra upazila in Natore on May 17, 1980.

World Economic Forum nominated the state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak as the Young Global Leader 2016.The forum has announced the name of Zunaid Ahmed Palak and other most distinguished leaders under the age of 40 in the world. The World Economic Forum nominated Palak as one of the 12 leaders in the South Asia region.

Palak is the second Bangladeshi who has been nominated as Young Leader. He got nomination from Bangladesh Awami League for the national election held in 2008 and was elected by a huge margin at the age of 28 years. He was the youngest Member of the Parliament (MP) in the ninth parliament. He became a member of the Executive Committee of central Awarmi League in 2012 at the age of 32 years. In the national election held on 5 January 2014, he contested in a participatory election and elected Member of Parliament for second consecutive term with overwhelming support from the people of his constituency. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina included him in her Cabinet and he was sworn in as a Minister of State on 12 January 2014 at the age of 33 years and 8 months. He is the youngest member of the Cabinet.

 Palak is the youngest child of his parents. His father late Faiz Uddin Ahmed was a farmer and mother Zamila Ahmed was a housewife. His father was an active political activist inspired by the ideology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Being a General Secretary of the Singra upazila unit of Bangladesh Awami League, he played an important role as one of the organisers of the great war of independence in the Chalan beel area. He saw how his father mingled with people and reach out help people when anyone is in trouble. After hearing tales of Bangabandhu from his father, Palak at an early age, kept the father of the nation in his thoughts.

After ending his primary education Zunaid Ahmed Palak was admitted into Singra Damdama Pilot School and College. In his childhood, it was his regular activities to gather the local children and arrange football, cricket and volleyball matches. He passed SSC in 1995 securing first division with star marks and letter marks in five papers and HSC examination from the Rajshahi Govt College in 1997 securing first division with letter marks in two papers.
 He obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Political Science and LLB from the National University of Bangladesh. Later on, he successfully completed a Capstone Course from the National Defense College (NDC) in Dhaka. Then, he started his career as a professional lawyer in the Natore District Judge's Court and now he is member of the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association.

Mahabub Ara Begum Gini will be honoured with bbarta gold medal in 'Indomitable Woman' category. Mahbuba Ara is the prominent woman personality in the country. She is keeping her footprint as a successful politician. Her personality defined her politics. She is very popular among the people of Gaibandha as the leader of common people. She has strong faith in the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Mahbub Ara Gini has been appointed as the whip on the 10th parliament on September 3, 2014. She is the only female whip. She is the leader of the soil and people of Gaibandha. She was born on 1 August 1961 in Gaibandha district. Gini is the daughter of Abdul Mannan and Salma Khatun. She got married to famous sculptor Shah Mainul Islam Shilto.

She is also prominent as a sportsperson at the national level. Gini was the National League Champion in lawn tennis in 1980. She represented Bangladesh in the second South Asian Games in 1985 and is the member of Bangladesh’s first women’s cricket team. She completed MSS from Dhaka University in Social Welfare and Research Institute.

Toab Khan, advisory editor of the Daily Janakantha, will be honoured for his outstanding contribution to journalism. Khan was the press secretary to Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman just after Bangladesh’s independence.

Toab Khan received Ekushey Padak. The University of Dhaka conferred Ataus Samad memorial trust lifetime achievement award to the renowned journalist for his outstanding contribution to journalism in Bangladesh.

Born on April 24, 1934 in Satkhira, Khan embarked upon a career in journalism in 1955 and became the news editor of Daily Sangbad in 1961.
He switched to Daily Pakistan three years later and was made editor of the government-run Dainik Bangla in 1972.
He also worked as the press secretary to military dictator HM Ershad and Shahabuddin Ahmed, the acting president during the 1990-1991 tenure of the interim government.

Khan was the first principal information officer and director general of Press Institute of Bangladesh.

Veteran actor couple Hasan Imam and Laila Hasan will be honoured with this year’s ‘bbarta Gold Medal’ in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the cultural arena.

Syed Hasan Imam is an actor, film director, television director and cultural personality in Bangladesh. He was born on July 27, 1935. Imam is well respected for his contribution to the clandestine Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, the Radio Station run by the Bangladesh government in exile in India during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

Imam’s father died when he was two years old. He passed matriculation exam from Bardhawan Town School. He then graduated from Bardhawan Raj College.

Imam started his film career with the film Dharapat (1961).  He went on to act in films like Raja Elo Shohorey, Shiit Bikel, Janajani, Ujala, Kagojer Nouka, Anarkoli, Ghuddi and Sareng Bou. He debuted in direction with the film Lalon Fakir (1972).

Renowned choreographer-dancer Laila Hasan was the presenter of the TV show "Rumjhum" on Bangladesh Television during 1980-85. Among today's well-known performers, Eshita, Tarin, Srabonti, Riya and Richi were her students on the show.

Hasan has acted on theater, television plays and films. Her performances in productions like "Kankabotir Ghatey", Raktokarobi", "Chhuti", "Mayar Khela", "Raja Rani", "Tasher Desh", "Swargo Hotey Bidaye", "Shyamol Matir Dhoratoley", "Neel Darpan", "Dutta", "Keranir Jiban", "Taming of the Shrew" and "Nakshi Kanthar Math". Her TV plays include "Mon Poboner Nao","Kajol Rekha", "Bhelua Shundari", "Mahua", "Rani Bhabanir Path", "Ratnadwip" and Pashapashi" and "Ashcharjo Ek Raater Galpo". Her acted films are 'Gharey Bairey', 'Feluda' (2007), 'Tintoretto-er Jishu' and 'Ei Tho Prem' and 'Moner Manush'.

She founded the dance organization named 'Nataraj' in 1990. And in 1996 Nataraj started theatre, stage drama with Nayeem Hasan Suja. Laila Hasan work in Nataraj as the President and Nayeem Hasan Suja is the Secretary General. Laila Hasan is a lifetime member of Bangla Academy and West Bengal Dance Federation. She is also a member of Asiatic Society and President of Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Shangstha.

Hasan has published two books Hridoye Bajey Nupur (1996) on dance and "Mohonrupey" on aesthetics.

Laila Hasan has also earned praise for her social activism as well. Hasan has been tirelessly organising events, encouraging people and actively participating in cultural movements over the years.

As an artiste, Laila Hasan has remained dedicated to the arts -- dance, choreography, theatre, TV and more. But many would term her as a "bold organiser and cultural activist."

 In 1958 when the then Pakistani government banned Tagore songs, she along with other activists took a stand against it. She also participated in the Mass Upsurge of 1969; was one of the organisers, news presenters and artistes of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra; has worked with renowned cultural organisations of the country like Shammilito Sangskritik Jote, Udichi, Khelaghar and much more.

Born into a family of cultural enthusiasts in 1946, Laila Hasan completed her MA in Philosophy from Dhaka University in 1970.

Hasan had her basic dance lessons from Manibardhan Mahashay in Brahmanbaria. Later, she took lessons from Ajit Sanyal, Babu Ram Singh, GA Mannan and Shamar Bhattacharya of Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA). Among her acclaimed choreographies are "Chi-trangada", "Shyama", “Shapmochon", "Chan-dalika", "Runner" and "Moder Gorob Moder Asha". She has been honoured with BACHSHASH Award (2001) and Kazi Mahbub Ullah Begum Zebunnessa Trust Award (2001) for her contribution to dance. The dancer was honoured with an Ekushey Padak (2010).
Mabia Akhter Simanta won the bbarta award in sports category. Mabia is the first female weightlifter from Bangladesh who won the gold medal in the women’s 63kg weight class at the 2016 South Asian Games in India.

She has numerous accolades to her name with a number of medals in weightlifting. She was born in Madaripur on October 7, 1999.
 The 16-year old beat competitors from Sri Lanka and Nepal in the 63kg class in Guwahati, India. She lifted a total of 149 kgs combining the snatch (67 kgs) and the clean and jerk (82 kgs) at Bhogeswari Phukanani Indoor Stadium.

MA Gani was honoured with “bbarta gold medal” in as organiser of Liberation War from abroad. The veteran politician is now serving as All- European Awami League General Secretary.

In 1954, Sher-e-Bangla Abul Kashem Fazlul Huq, Shaheed Suhrawardy, along with Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman went to Chittagong for the campaign of the United Front the election. MA Gani first introduced with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Since then, holding the ideology of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, MA Gani has been working hard to follow the instructions of Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana.


Capital market expert Iftekhar-uz-Zaman will be awarded bbarta gold medal in 'Economics'.

Iftikhar-uz-zaman has joined as Managing Director of Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) on 04 February 2016. He started his career as senior officer in ICB on 04 October, 1983 and served different position in the same organization.

Then he joined in Janata Bank Ltd as deputy managing director. Before his promotion to the position of managing director he acted as deputy managing director in ICB.  Iftikhar-uz-zaman received professional training from both at home and abroad. Iftikhar completed Honours and Masters in statistics from Rajshahi University.


Sania Binte Mahtab will be awarded gold medal in 'Research' category. She is a lecturer in the water resources engineering department of BUET. Sania is currently doing PhD at McGill University in Canada on water resources management engineering.

Sania is the daughter of renowned industrialist late Kazi Mahtab Uddin Ahmed.

It is mentionable that, Abdur Razzaq, one of the leading business personalities and treated as a man behind the revaluation in manufacturing of medical devices in Bangladesh, r received ‘bbarta award’ on Saturday.

 Abdur Razzaq received the award on Saturday as he could not be able to attend the programme due to his business dealings in USA.

Professor Mojib Uddin Ahmed of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality of Dhaka University and also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB)  handed over the award to Abdur Razzaq at the office of bbarta24.net at Karwan Bazar in the capital on Saturday. Bani Yasmin Hasi, editor of bbarta24.net, was also present.

Abdur Razzaq has been recognised as Commercially Important Person (CIP) for his outstanding contribution to the large Industry (Manufacturing) of Bangladesh.

The JMI Group is one of the leading and most diversified global conglomerates in Bangladesh. The company was established in April 1999, having offices in all major cities, employing over 5000+ employees and dedicated to bringing the highest quality products and services to our customers.

Md. Abdur Razzaq was born in 1963 at a village Azizpur under Sanbag Upazila of Noakhali District. He accomplished his Masters in Economics from Chittagong University. His business is evolving centering on a sole motto - to serve the humanity; He wants to build a Mini Bangladesh in every country of the world and keeping this dream in mind he has visited more than 80 countries around the world.

Mr. Razzaq is very talented and having innovative personality that made JMI Group which is one of the most promising business conglomerates. JMI Syringes & Medical Devices Ltd., the flagship company of JMI Group and started its journey in 1999. Mr. Razzaq struggled a lot to achieve name, fame and honor in his sector. JMI Group has joint ventured business with Japan, United Kingdom, People's Republic of Korea and Thailand.

bbarta/KF