Asif Iqbal and his ‘Love for Chattogram’

'Love for Chattogram', an initiative of some established artistes and business personalities of Chattogram, recently provided medical equipment to several hospitals in the port city. They provided oxygen cylinders, PPE and masks to the frontline fighters serving in the medical profession in the district. 

Director of Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of IFAB (Chattogram Chapter) S M Abu Tayyab, along with renowned businessmen Abul Bashar, Consulate General of Russia (Chattogram) Architect Ashik Imran and others handed over the equipment to the hospital authorities in Chattogram Club, recently.

Asif Iqbal, a renowned lyricist, along with several of his friends from different professional backgrounds around the world, are funding the charitable project. "We are currently providing medical equipment to three hospitals – Chattogram General Hospital, Ma O Shishu Hospital and CMP Bidyananda Hospiatal," said Asif Iqbal. "We are talking to the authorities of two more hospitals here to provide the same."

The recently released Noya Chatgaiya Gaan by Gaanchill Music, was a unique initiative, launched in order to support and supplement the benevolent cause. Asif Iqbal penned all the songs for the album, while Naquib Khan, Shahabaz Khan Pilu and Ahmed Razeeb composed the numbers. Renowned singers Naquib Khan, Tapan Chowdhury, Kumar Bishwajit, Shahabaz Khan Pilu, Samina Chowdhury, Partha Barua, Robi Chowdhury, Neelaraaj and Salma have lent their voices to the album.

"We are indebted to Chattogram in many regards," said Asif Iqbal. "It is our time to give back to the city. We have taken the initiative to inspire others, so that they can help the people in distress during these critical times." He also led another artistic charitable initiative, called Esho Shobai, recently. 125 artistes, corporate personnel and theatre activists collaborated for that project, during the initial stages of the pandemic. 

"The album's songs, written and presented in the conventional Chittagonian language, aims to intensify the collaborations and bonds among the artistes of Chattogram, and highlight different aspects of the port city as well," concluded Asif Iqbal.