5,895 students receive Bishwo Shahitto Kendro reading awards in Ctg
Girls made up the majority of the awardees, with 4,143 receiving awards, while 1,752 boys were recognised.
A total of 5,895 students from 101 schools in Chattogram have been recognised for their performance in Bishwo Shahitto Kendro's yearlong school-level book reading programme.
The awards were handed out at a daylong ceremony organised by Bishwo Shahitto Kendro with support from Grameenphone at the GEC Convention Centre in Chattogram today (28 August).
Of the award recipients, 4,616 students received awards in the Shubhechha category, 1,150 in the Abhinandan category, and 129 were recognised as Best Readers.
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Girls made up the majority of the awardees, with 4,143 receiving awards, while 1,752 boys were recognised.
Speaking at the event, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Md Zahidul Islam Mia urged students to read books not only to gain knowledge but also to develop their values and humanity.
"Books connect us with our past and future. We have to read books to awaken our humanity," he said.
"Reading alone is not enough. We have to properly understand books and embrace their lessons and values. We must prepare ourselves as capable and humane citizens and work for the country in the future," he added.
Md Billal Hossain Khan, joint secretary (administration) at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and director of the Nationwide Mobile Library Project, congratulated the students and said there was no alternative to reading for becoming enlightened individuals.
Parveen Mahmud, the first woman president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh and a trustee of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, encouraged students to know themselves, dream, and work persistently to fulfill those dreams.
Architect and former vice-chancellor of Stamford University Professor Muhammad Ali Naqi, also a trustee of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, said reading enables people to learn about the history, heritage, and culture of different parts of the world.
Mohammad Minhaj Ul Alam, regional head of Grameenphone in Chattogram, said the company has been supporting Bishwo Shahitto Kendro's reading initiative for nearly two decades to promote intellectual and human development among young people.
"Young people are the future. For the past two decades, Grameenphone has been a partner in this initiative of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro aimed at building an enlightened generation," he said.
The programme introduced an online awareness course titled Online Safety Fundamentals for students.
The course aims to provide children and parents with basic knowledge about safe, responsible, and conscious internet use.
An Online Safety Corner was also set up at the venue to provide parents and teachers with information on children's online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
