The Daily Star yesterday celebrated 18 years of its publication through a programme attended by a galaxy of politicians, academics, artistes, businesspersons, media and civil society members.

The newspaper hosted a reception in the city's Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre sharing the joy of its success with hundreds of well-wishers and patrons on the occasion.

Participation by personalities from home and abroad, including incumbent ministers, former advisers to caretaker government, members of the diplomatic corps and incumbent and former bureaucrats, made the celebration a remarkable one.

The newspaper that began its journey back in 1991 with a firm commitment to uphold "people's right to know" also launched its e-paper 'eDailyStar.com', the digital edition of The Daily Star, at the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam said overall Bangladesh is moving forward despite odds since the country's independence.

"Though there are many failures and obstacles yet the country achieved many successes in fields like education, health, private sector and media and we believe the country will move forward," he said.

He also said the newspaper will do journalism giving the country, its people and democracy top priorities.

Speaker of the Parliament Abdul Hamid, Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Awami League (AL) lawmakers Tofail Ahmed and Amir Hossain Amu, Chief Whip Vice Principal Abdus Shahid, Food and Disaster Management Minister Dr Abdur Razzak, Industries Minister Dilip Barua, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Golam Mohammad Quader, AL lawmaker advocate Rahmat Ali, opposition Chief Whip Joynal Abedin Faruk, BNP Standing Committee Member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman and Jatiya Party leader Ziauddin Bablu were among the ministers and lawmakers present at the event.

Among other dignitaries, former Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Prof Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, Prof Rehman Sobhan, former advisers to the caretaker government Maj Gen (retd) Mainul Hossain Chowdhury, ABM Mirza Azizul Islam, advocate Sultana Kamal, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, M Hafizuddin Khan, Geeti Ara Safia Chowdhury and Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Shakhawat Hossain, Public Service Commission Chairman Saadat Hussain, US Charge D'Affaires Geeta Pasi, former chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim, barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, Kazi Shahed Ahmed, Faridur Reza Sagor, Shykh Seraj, Aly Zaker and a good number of academics and glitterati of the art world showed up at the reception.

Besides, a large number of professionals, officials from development agencies and NGO leaders attended the function.

Source: The Daily Star