AS Mahmud remembered

Speakers at a memorial meeting yesterday paid tribute to media personality AS Mahmud, saying that he played a vital role in the expansion of the mass media, particularly the electronic media, in the country.
AS Mahmud Smrity Sangsad organised the meeting at the Bengal Gallery in the city to mark the 5th death anniversary of AS Mahmud, founding publisher of The Daily Star and founding chairman of the Ekushey Television.
Speaking as the chief guest, Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith, a close friend of Mahmud, said, "Since his boyhood, Mahmud always tried to do something innovative and challenging. The Daily Star, the leading English daily, and ETV, the first private channel in the country, are perfect examples of his innovative ideas."
The minister also proposed the Smrity Sangsad publish a memorial book on the life and works of AS Mahmud.
He also underscored the need to continue the training system for journalists, which was initiated by AS Mahmud to make them more efficient.
Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam, Nawajesh Ali Khan, head of programme, ATN Bangla, and Nilufar Yasmin, wife of AS Mahmud, also spoke at the meeting chaired by Prof Dr Mustafa Nurul Islam.