Sheikh Hasina Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday asked officials and technical experts of Bangladesh Betar to modernise its transmission activities saying her government would provide them with all kinds of cooperation and support, reports UNB. The Prime Minister was inaugurating the 4-day long Diamond Jubilee (75-years) celebration programmes of Bangladesh Betar at city’s Agargaon area. Bangladesh Betar started its journey on 16th December 1939 as ‘Dhani Bistar Kendra, Dhaka’. Sheikh Hasina mentioned that Bangladesh Betar is playing very important role in broadcasting various programmes and news on development activities, education, agriculture, women empowerment as well as on flourishing culture and tradition of the country. Recalling the great role of Betar in all crucial moments of country’s independence, the Prime Minister said, the patriotic and brave workforce of the organisation stopped airing of programmes protesting ban imposed by the Pakistani Military Janta on broadcasting live Bangabandhu’s 7th March speech at the Racecourse Maidan. However, the pivotal speech was aired the next day, 8th March, 1971 - paving the way for Betar to becoming an inseparable part of the history of the country’s war of independence, she said. The patriotic and brave Betar officials set up Shadhin Bangla Biplobi Betar Kendra following the barbaric attacks of the Pakistani occupying force against the freedom-loving unarmed people on March 25, 1971. During the time, Awami League leader MA Hannan read out the proclamation of the War of Independence given by Bangabandhu, she said. The Prime Minister said various programmes including news, charampatra, Jallader Darbar and patriotic songs served into inspire the brave sons of the soil who had been fighting for the cause of an independent Bangladesh. Mentioning news and programmes of Betar as the main dependable source of information, education and entertainment, she said, tireless workforce of the organisation stood beside the general people during their hard times like storms-cyclones and disasters. Besides, it is the biggest mass medium of the country in flourishing talents of 10 thousand singers, three thousand dancers, 800 presenters, 4 thousand children and 8 hundred crews across the country, she said. The Prime Minister also narrated her personal memories on Bangladesh Betar saying she listened to news and programmes during the war of liberation and said, it was the only source of inspiration to survive for her like millions of confined Bangalees. It is Bangladesh Betar that aired news in details which could not be seen on Television Channels, she said. Sheikh Hasina also mentioned various national and international awards received by Bangladesh Betar in recognition to its contribution and Election of Vice-President of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD). Criticing BNP-Jamat alliance for using Betar as a tool for distorting history of country’s liberation war, Sheikh Hasina said this “evil force” tried to cripple the organization as part of their conspiracy to destroy Bangalee culture and tradition. She said that assuming the office in 2009 the government again transformed Betar as an organization of the people and took various steps to develop it as a modern mass medium. Describing various steps of her government for the development of the traditional organization, the Prime Minister said, a number of regional stations were set up by the Awami League led government while subcontinent’s first rotating antenna was set up in Kabirpur Shortwave transmitting centre. She said various initiatives have been taken to digitalize Bangladesh Betar adding that central news organization and transcription service have been digitalised. Betar is now airing its programmes and news on two new channels through internet while listeners are also hearing Bangladesh Betar through their mobile phones side by side with internet. Besides, she said the government has a plan to install Bangabandhu Satellite within this tenure of her government and added that two channels have been alloted there for Bangladesh Betar. Hasina urged Betar officials to uphold the tradition of the organisation through airing more creative and factual news and said concerned all will have to work on how to make Betar more effective in disaster management. The Prime Minister stressed playing due role of Betar in materializing the goal of the government including poverty alleviation, expansion of rural economy, ensuring of education and health care and women empowerment as well as flourishing country’s culture. The Prime Minister in her address declared that a Separate ” Shamprochar Cadre” will be formed comprising of Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television while effective steps will be taken to solve the issue of promotion of the Officers of Bangladesh Betar. She also announced that the service of the staff artists will be made pensionable and steps will soon be taken to increase honorarium of the artists and performers. With Information Secretary Martuza Ahmed in the chair, the function was also addressed by Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu, Prime Minister’s Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and Chairman of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Information Advocate Rahmat Ullah while Director General of Bangladesh Betar Kazi Aktar Uddin Ahmed gave the welcome address. Earlier, the Prime Minister also handed over awards to family members of late Syed Abdus Shaker, late Belal Mohammed, late Abul Kashem Sandip and Abdullah Al Faruk as well as to Mohammad Aminur Rahman, Mohammad Rashidul Hossain, Mohammad Anwar Hossain Khan, A M Sharfuzzaman, Mohammad Rezaul Karim chowdhury, Kazi Habib Uddin Ahmad for their courageous and heroic contribution in founding Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra in 1971. She also unveiled a first day commemorative postal stamp and an envelope marking the diamond jubilee of Bangladesh Betar.
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