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.