US Ambassador Dan W Mozena expressed his firm belief that the ruling and opposition parties in Bangladesh would reach an understanding to end the political crisis well ahead of the next general election, as he visualizes a better future of the people under demo-cracy.

“Bangladesh is, must be, should be and will be a democracy. Bangladesh has had experienced other forms of governments but they did not have much success. This country can only be a democracy,” he categorically said.

The US envoy stressed that the two sides in the political divide must reach an agreement to end the political standoff because if democracy is not establis-hed through elections participated by all, foreign investment in Bangladesh would be severely affected despite having plentiful of potential for this country’s economic growth.

Mozena made the remarks during exchange of views while visiting East West Media Group Limited of Bashundhara Group Monday. Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan welcomed the American diplomat with bouquet at the conference room of the EWMGL.

EWMGL chairman Mustafa Kamal Mohiuddin, daily sun acting editor Amir Hossain, Daily Kaler Kantha editor Imdadul Huq Milan, Bangladesh Pratidin editor Naeem Nizam and web portal banglanews24.com editor-in-chief Alamgir Hossain were among others present at the exchange-of-views meeting.

The four editors presented Mozena crests on behalf of their respective newspapers.

Senior journalists of the four news media and EWMGL officials were also present at the function.

In response to a question about the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh over the process of holding the next general election, the US envoy hoped the political parties would reach an agreement in this regard and start dialogue any day for this.

“To have a meaningful electoral process there must have participation of the major players,” the US diplomat said.

In response to a question about relationship between Bangladesh and the United States, Mozena emphatically said the ties between the two countries are “excellent”. And he is pleased with the progress in advancing the bilateral relationship of the two countries since his appointment as ambassador to Bangladesh.

He said some of his dreams as an ambassador to Bangladesh have come true. The visit of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Bangladesh and the signing of partnership dialogue between Bangladesh and the USA are two of his dreams.

“But I like to do more,” the ambassador said, holding out assurances of cooperation in realizing the potential of Bangladesh to grow as a middle-income country.

Regarding Nobel laureate Professor Yunus and Grameen Bank issue Mozena said ‘friends have issues’ and this issue did not affect the relationship of Bangladesh and the USA.

The USA has expressed deep concern about the Grameen bank as it has very much support to the philosophy that is manifest in the Brameen Bank. The USA wants to see the unique governing system of Grameen Bank preserved and the new managing director of the bank is beyond reproach, Mozena added.

About the proposed Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (TICFA), he said it’s a very simple treaty meant for identifying the obstacles before increasing trade and how to remove these obstacles.

The US government has agreed in this regard. Now Bangladesh itself should decide if it is good or bad, he added.

Praising Bangladesh as a blessed country the US envoy said he had traveled many places of the country and saw the blessings it possesses and expressed the hope to visit all the sixty four districts of the country.

He eulogized people of Bangladesh as exceptional, energetic, generous and real entrepreneurs and predicted that Bangladesh would be a middle-income country soon and “is the next Asian Tiger”.

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan in his welcome speech said the ambassador’s people-to-people diplomacy is making the relationship between the two countries and its people more intimate.

“The US ambassador has proved to be a real friend to Bangladesh and its people. His endevour and dedication will contribute greatly towards flourishing the bilateral relationship between the USA and Bangladesh,” he said.

One of the major objectives behind establishing the East West Media Group Limited was to create a media platform which is free, fair and unbiased. EWMGL is determined to speak for people and work sincerely for strengthening democratic institutions, he told the function.

“Where the significance of a free and effective press lies is in the practice of democracy in a developing country,” the Bashundhara Group chairman said.

EWMGL chairman Mustafa Kamal Mohiuddin briefed about the four media outlets of the biggest media group of the country.

“We do highlight human rights issues, women empowerment, food security and other related issues keenly necessary for creating awareness among Bangladesh people. Besides, we are keenly observing and keep on highlighting on our newspapers the financing issues of Padma Bridge by the World Bank as well as management-restructuring issues of the Grameen Bank,” he said.

He urged both the US and Bangladesh governments to work together to resolve the Padma Bridge issue and go ahead.

He also highly appreciated US government’s support in eliminating terrorist activities in the country.

Mohammad Abu Tayeb, Media Adviser, Bashundhara Group, moderated the exchange-of-views meeting.

Golam Mehrab, International Affairs Adviser of Bashundhara Group, also addressed the function.

Brigadier (Retd) Sheikh Ahmed Muktadir, senior executive director of EWMGL, was also present at the programme.

The US ambassador went round the offices of the four media outlets of EWMGL.

Sahara Group wants to work in cooperation with Banshundhara Group and other developers in Bangladesh without getting into competition with anyone.

The desire was expressed by Subrata Roy Sahara, chairman of the Indian business conglomerate Sahara Group, during his courtesy call on Bashundhara Group Chairman shahalam at Rupashai Bangla Hotel in Dhaka on Friday.

At their meeting the Bashundhara Group Chairman, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, a renowned industrialist, said large-scale investment through Sahara Group is possible if cooperation is extended by the Government and the private entrepreneurs.

“The housing requirements of the people of the country would be largely met if good and renowned developers join the country’s housing sector,” he added.

The Sahara Group Chairman eagerly heard about the experiences gleaned from different housing projects of Bashundhara Group. At the time, discussions were held on various fields of mutual cooperation.

Assuring his cooperation in land purchase and other matters the Bashundhara Group Chairman said that common people would be benefited if housing projects’ marketing is done officially.

Stating that he feels an urge from the core of heart for doing something for development of the people of Bangladesh, Subrata Roy Sahara said, “Not only in housing, Sahara Group wants to be a partner in development of Bangladesh. Specially, Sahara wants to work for supplying safe water to the arsenic problem-stricken people.”

Appreciating the imposing Bashundhara City, the Sahara Group chief said Bashundhara Group has set an example of such a big shopping mall in a small country. “Due to the growth of innumerable shopping malls in India their demand is declining there,” he said.

Citing the example of the world’s 17th-largest and Asia’s largest shopping mall, the Bashundhara Group Chairman said to this 20-lakh-square-foot mall over one lakh people come for shopping everyday. Bashundhara Residential Area is also a big venture in the country’s housing sector, the chairman pointed out.

When Subrata Sahara mentioned high price of land in Bangladesh, the Bashundhara Group Chairman clarified that the land price is higher in some specific areas, but in other areas the price of land is comparatively low.

The Bashundhara Group Chairman thanked the Sahara Group Chairman for visiting Bangladesh and assured Sahara Group of all possible help in the efforts for development of the country. The Sahara Group Chairman invited the Bashundhara Group Chairman to visit India.

Present at the meeting were, among others, Subrata Bhattacharya, Head of Strategic Management Group of Sahara Group, Rajeeb Chakravarty, Head of Corporate Communication Division of Sahara Group, Col. Khandaker

Abdul Wahed (Retd), Executive Director of Bashundhara Group, and high officials of both the establishments.

Bashundhara Group (BG) Chairman Shahalam said BASIC Bank is playing an important role in poverty alleviation and accelerating the country’s economic growth.

The BG Chairman shahalam made the remarks while addressing as special guest the inauguration of the 48th branch of BASIC Bank Limited at Bashundhara Residential Area in the city on Wednesday.
shahalam bashundhara group also hailed the role of the bank’s board of directors for accelerating the bank’s popularity and expanding service coverage by opening more branches.

Sheikh Abdul Hye Bachchu, Chairman of BASIC Bank and former MP, formally inaugurated the branch. BASIC Bank Limited opened the new branch at Bashundhara Residential Area to take banking services to the doorsteps of more people.

Mostafa Kamal Mohi- uddin, Chairman of East West Media Group, Jahangir Akhand Selim, Member of Board of Directors of BASIC Bank, Subhashish Basu, Sakhawat Hussain, Md Anwarul Islam, FCMA, were present as special guests at the inaugural function, presided over by Kazi Fakhrul Islam, managing director of the bank.

Sheikh Manjur Morshed, Additional Managing Director of the bank and other entrepreneurs and local businessmen were also present on the occasion.

Sheikh Abdul Hye Bachchu said people consider BASIC Bank as safe as it is wholly owned by the government. As a result, deposits with the bank have increased. He also said the standard of service of BASIC Bank is higher than other banks.

Kazi Fakhrul Islam said his bank gives priority to large industrial or commercial institutions, SMEs, agriculture, women entrepreneurs while extending loans.

“We also finance export, import, industries and commerce” he added.

DHAKA: Country‘s top-ranking industrialist and Bashundhara Group Chairman Shahalam has expressed his deep condolence at the death of eminent writer Humayun Ahmed.

In his message, he consoled the distressed family members of the noted film-maker and sought salvation of his departed soul.

Earlier,the first Namaz-e- Janaza of the eminent soap-opera maker was held at Muslim Center in Jamaica after Jumma prayer (NY time).

Among others, the relatives and family members of the noted writer, Bangladesh‘s permanent representative to the United Nations, Dr AK Abdul Momen and Bangladeshi and Bangladesh Ambassador to US Akramul Qader joined the gathering.

Meanwhile, more than 5000 expatriates, including 1000 Bangladeshi women attended the prayer.

Humayun Ahmed breathed his last in Bellevue Hospital of USA on Thursday night after a nine-month battle against colon cancer.

The body of eminent soap-opera maker is expected to arrive in Dhaka Saturday night or Sunday morning (BD local time).

In an act of benevolence appreciated by leaders of the community, Bashundhara Group Wednesday gave one-million taka in assistance to the tragedy-stricken family of journalist Dinesh Das who was killed in a recent road accident in the capital.
Shahalam, chairman of Bashundhara Group, country’s largest conglomerate, handed over a cheque for the amount to the only child of the journalist in an emotion-charged ambience at a function in the conference room of East West Media Group Limited, a concern of BG, which boasts four frontline media organisations.

The shahalam chairman of bashundhara group handed over the cheque to Dinesh’s daughter, Athoi, in the presence of her mother Lipi Sarkar.

He gave away another cheque for Tk 200,000 in aid to ailing journalism teacher of Dhaka University Anisur Rahman at the function, attended by editors, senior journalists and leaders of the community besides BG officials.

Journalism department teacher Rubayet Ferdous received the cheque on behalf of those working for fundraising for the treatment of the senior teacher critically wounded in a road accident.

Dinesh Das, a senior reporter of Amader Shomoy, was killed in a tragic road accident in the city’s Kakrail area on January 7.

His voice broke and a silence reigned in the house as the BG chief spoke briefly before handing over the cheque to the little orphaned daughter of the journalist. “What we are giving to the family of Dinesh is a little amount, but it will help his family. The death of Dinesh is an irreparable loss to his family,” he said.

The renowned industrialist raised a moot point about journalists’ welfare in their lifetime, too, instead of only posthumous aid to their families.

“To save the family of a journalist, insurance is essential. Journalism is not an easy profession — it is a risky one,” he told the function as the audience applauded his idea.

The BG chair in his speech reiterated his full commitment to carry the treatment cost of Nikhil Bhadra, a journalist of Kaler Kantho who was also injured in a road accident.

Bashundhara Group has already spent Tk 2.5 million for his treatment.

Mr Sobhan said journalists should play their role positively. “Journalists should not nurture vindictiveness. They have to work constructively. Only criticism won’t get anyone anywhere.”

He contemplates doing something far better for the National Press Club, Dhaka Reporters’ Unity and the journalism department of Dhaka University for greater good of the community.

“We are planning to give stipend for meritorious journalism students of the university as the country needs good journalists. The stipend will encourage them to be more serious in studies as well as to become good journalists,” said Mr Sobhan, true to the motif of his business group: ‘For the People, for the Country’.

The BG chair told the function that he did not set sights on the media for business purpose rather the media would play an important role in advancing development as well as for the people’s economic emancipation.

“Without economy we stand nowhere,” reminded the industrialist, whose innovative ideas and energies have lifted Bashundhara Group to an envious status in the business arena not only at home but also beyond the borders.

Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, president of BFUJ, told the meet that Bashundhara Group has taken a praiseworthy initiative. “So, I thank the chairman of this group for their contribution.”

The business house is making immense contribution to the sector of media as they have provided jobs to many journalists and employees.

He hoped that the media in the country would be much more effective and play important role in the country’s progress.

“Though Dinesh was not a journalist of East West Media Group, it has come forward to help his family. So, it proves that it is a great initiative on part of the organisation,” said the leader of the journalist community.

Even, the group is thinking ahead of all to implement the upcoming eighth wage board award for journalists after the declaration comes from the government. “It’s also a very positive initiative by Bashundhara Group,” he said.

National Press Club President Kamaluddin Sabuj said Bashundhara is advancing with their slogan for doing welfare for the country. “Bashundhara is playing a pivotal role in the media sector. I hope they will go on playing their due role in the future.”

DRU President Sakhawat Hossain Badsha also thanked the Shahalam chairman of bashundhara group for his contribution. He said, “Though journalists are playing a good role for the country’s good, many do not know how miserably they lead their life.”

He, however, sought contribution from the chairman for the development of DRU.

In the winding-up speech, editor of daily sun Prof. Syed Anwar Husain said everyone has to leave this world, but if anyone meets with sudden or tragic end, it becomes tough to tolerate for those who are left behind. And it happened to the family of Dinesh.

“So, the contribution of BG chairman to Dinesh’s family is immense. The chairman set an example for others to emulate,” he added.

Present at the function were, among others, Imdadul Haque Milon, editor of Kaler Kantho, Nayeem Nizam, editor of Bangladesh Pratidin, Alamgir Hossain, editor-in-chief of banglanews24.com, Mahbub Morshed Hasan, chief adviser of Bashundhara Group, and Abu Tayeb, media adviser.