Dhaka Bureau Chief: The Bangladesh Chapter of the Asian Journalists and Human Rights Activists Forum (AJHRAF) organized a significant program on 16 December to mark Victory Day, featuring a discussion, the presentation of the AJHRAF International Excellence Award 2025, the unveiling of a colorful souvenir, and a cultural show. The event was held on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, at 5:00 pm at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel (Padma Hall), Dhaka.
The program was chaired by M.M. Iqbal (Alamgir), President of AJHRAF Bangladesh Chapter. Syed Didar Bakht, former State Minister for Information and Culture of the Government of Bangladesh, inaugurated it. The Chief Guest was Justice Siddiqur Rahman Mia (Retd.), a former Justice of the Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court. Special Guests included A.F.M. Solaiman Chowdhury, former Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration; Alhaj Nuruddin Ahmed, Director of NTV; Tasik Ahmed, Adviser (Program and Broadcast), ATN Bangla; and Professor Dr. Hamida Khanam, Professor at the University of Dhaka. Journalist Lion Mithu Dhar Chowdhury conducted the event.
In his speech, the inaugurator said Victory Day is a symbol of the nation’s pride, self-respect, and independent identity. He noted that the victory achieved through the sacrifice of millions of martyrs in the 1971 Liberation War carries the timeless message of justice, humanity, and human rights. He praised AJHRAF’s initiatives in courageous journalism and human rights promotion, expressing hope that these programs would further strengthen the spirit of the Liberation War and inspire positive change in society.
The Chief Guest said he was delighted to learn that AJHRAF had organized a discussion, an award ceremony, and a souvenir unveiling to mark Victory Day. On 16 December, he paid deep tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War, the martyred intellectuals, and all fearless individuals whose sacrifices made independence possible.
At the ceremony, a posthumous honor was bestowed upon the eminent journalist Gias Kamal Chowdhury for his outstanding contributions to journalism. AJHRAF International Excellence Awards were also presented to individuals for notable contributions in various fields, including:
- Engineer Md. Rezaul Karim, Chairman, Bangladesh Power Development Board (Power Sector)
- Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, Director General, Department of Fisheries (Fisheries Sector)
- Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardi, Bir Bikrom, SBP, OSP, BSP, NDC, PSC (Service to the country and Humanitarian Work)
- Ferdaus Ara, Ferdaus Wahid, Alom Ara Minu (music)
- Masud Ahmed, former Senior Secretary (literature)
- Md. Habibur Rahman, Managing Director, Standard Bank PLC (banking)
- Alhaj Nuruddin Ahmed (journalism)
- Tasnova Mahbub Salam, Managing Director, Ekushey Television (media)
- Najmun Nesa Piary (literature and culture)
- Ayub Bhuiyan, General Secretary, National Press Club (journalism)
- Rokeya Haider, former head, VOA Bangla (journalism)
- Professor Dr. Hamida Khanam (education and social service)
- Anis Khan (Switzerland), Shamsul Islam Selim (UK), Mizanur Rahman (USA), Riaz Saeed (Italy) (foreign remittance contributions)
- Engineer Inayetur Rahman, former Supervising Engineer, Roads and Highways Department (social service)
- Iftekhar Hossain (Hong Kong, China) (yarn industry)
- Rotarian Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu (Social service and Human rights protection in Hong Kong, China, and Bangladesh)
- Mohammad Arifur Rahman, (expansion of export-oriented commercial agriculture)
- Mahbubur Rahman (Austria), Habibur Rahman Helal (Germany), Abdul Qadir Chowdhury (Murad) (UK), Mainul Hossain Sohel, General Secretary, Dhaka Reporters Unity (journalism)
- Mehedi Ali, former Director, FBCCI (business and trade in Bangladesh)
- Advocate Md. Saidul Haque Sayeed, Founder Chairman, Human Rights Review Society (human rights advocacy and social justice)
- Nurul Amin, Executive Chief, Human Rights Voice Bangladesh (human rights activism)
- Humayun Kabir Patwary (Canada), (social service and foreign remittance)
- A.N.M. Tarikul Islam (sports)
- Lion Romana Afroza Rimjhim, (culinary arts)
- Dr. M. Yasin Ali (healthcare)
The program concluded with prayers seeking forgiveness for the souls of those martyred in the Liberation War, followed by a one-minute silence in their honor.