Five luminaries awarded ‘Bishwa Bangali Puraskar’

Five eminent personalities from Bangladesh and India's West Bengal were awarded with "Bishwa Bangali Puraskar 2019" yesterday, for their extraordinary contributions in their respective fields.

They are: Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury, professor emeritus of Dhaka University; Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, founder of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro; Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay, a noted historian of India; Parthasarathi Basu, a popular Indian poet; and Tapadhir Bhattacharjee, former vice-chancellor of Assam University.

Bishwa Bangali Sangha (Bibas), a Dhaka-based social organisation, conferred the awards -- introduced for the first time this year -- at a ceremony held at Prof Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium of DU.

Mozib Mohammad, coordinator of Bibas, said the luminaries have guided people of both Bengals towards excellence, and their knowledge have enlightened the society.

"The award is a small effort to honour their vast contributions to the society and people," he added.

Sharing his feelings, Prof Serajul said cooperation and exchange of views among the people of both Bangladesh and West Bengal have to increase, for their own development.

"About 30 crore Bangalees live across the world, but all of them are not going through a good situation. Cooperation is a must to change their current status," said Prof Serajul.

In his speech, Subhas Chandra said youths will have to come forward to enrich and flourish Bangla language, and the main role in this regard has to be played by the people of Bangladesh.

A cultural programme, poetry recitation, music and dance, was also held on the occasion.