ABG Foundation provides Tk 20 lakh to four journalists, families

The Anvir Bashundhara Group (ABG) Foundation has provided a total of Tk 20 lakh to support the treatment of two ailing journalists and the families of two deceased journalists working in the Bangladesh Secretariat beat.

The financial assistance was provided on Friday at the annual general meeting of the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) 2026 at the BIAM Auditorium in New Eskaton, Dhaka.

Cheques of Tk 5 lakh each were handed over to the four journalists and their families. The families of deceased journalists Harun Ar Rashid Talukder and Humayun Kabir Khokon received Tk 5 lakh each, while Tk 5 lakh each was provided for the treatment of ailing journalists Rakib Uddin and Amanur Rahman.

Representing the ABG Foundation at the event were Md Imrul Hasan, DMD and Head of A&F, EWPD and BCDL; Mohammad Hossain Arzu, Head of Division (R&D), ABG Bashundhara; and Md Sajedul Karim, General Manager, Geology and Mining, ABG Foundation.

Md Touhid Harun, son of deceased journalist Harun Ar Rashid Talukder of Dainik Inqilab, received the cheque on behalf of his family.

After receiving the cheque, Touhid Harun said, “My father had been suffering from kidney problems for a long time. He was ill.

“Anvir Bashundhara Group Foundation has stood by us. I thank them.”

He added, “I hope they will continue to stand by journalists in this way.”

Sharmeen Sultana Rina, wife of deceased journalist Humayun Kabir Khokon, Chief Reporter of Dainik Amader Shomoy, received the Tk 5 lakh cheque on behalf of her family.

Mentioning that the Bashundhara Group had supported her family after the death of her husband, she said they were deeply grateful for the assistance.

“My husband died of Covid. The Bashundhara Group stood by us at that time as well. Today, when they gave me this cheque again, it was extremely necessary for us. Our life is now shrouded in darkness. At this moment, this is a great support for us,” Sharmeen Sultana Rina said.

Meanwhile, Nasrin Jahan, wife of journalist Rakib Uddin of Dainik Sangbad, received the Tk 5 lakh cheque on behalf of her husband.

“I sincerely thank the ABG Group for supporting my ailing husband,” she said.

Journalist Amanur Rahman of Dainik Naya Diganta also received Tk 5 lakh for his medical treatment.

Welcoming the initiative, Amanur Rahman said, “We welcome this initiative of Anvir Bashundhara Group Foundation. May Allah accept their efforts and dedication.”

He also thanked the foundation on behalf of journalists' families for standing beside ailing journalists and expressed hope that they would continue to support journalists in the future.

Speaking on behalf of ABG Group, Md Imrul Hasan, DMD and Head of A&F, EWPD and BCDL, said journalists present a reflection of a transparent society and help envision a better society.

“Journalists present a reflection of a transparent society. Through them, we dream of building a better society. But when the person holding the pen faces financial hardship while writing about that dream, they may not always be able to fully express their thoughts. Therefore, journalists need financial stability,” he said.

Imrul Hasan said ABG Group has always stood beside journalists and that the ABG Foundation carries out various assistance programmes for people from different professions and sections of society across the country.

He also highlighted the contribution of Sayem Sobhan Anvir, Chairman of Anvir Bashundhara Group, to various humanitarian activities of the ABG Foundation.

“We consider ourselves fortunate to be able to stand beside and support journalists,” Imrul Hasan said.

BSRF President Masudul Haque thanked the Anvir Bashundhara Group (ABG) Foundation for extending support to the four journalists and their families.

He said the BSRF-ABG Media Award would be introduced with support from ABG.

The award initiative, announced at the event, will be jointly organised by BSRF and the ABG Foundation to encourage quality and responsible journalism. It will recognise investigative, public-interest and positive reporting in various fields of journalism, with ABG Foundation serving as the sponsor.

BSRF General Secretary Obaidullah Badal moderated the programme. Founding President Syed Shahnewaz Karim, founding General Secretary Nurul Alam Shaheen, former presidents Shyamol Sarkar and Tapan Biswas, and former General Secretary Siddiqur Rahman spoke about the organisation's activities during its founding and subsequent periods.

General Secretary Obaidullah Badal and Finance Secretary Mahmud Akash presented the annual report and financial report respectively.

The ABG Foundation has undertaken various initiatives for disadvantaged and underprivileged people, including food assistance, support for orphans and madrasa students, assistance to journalists and their families, and support for talented students.

The foundation has also organised Sehri and Iftar programmes for orphans and underprivileged children in different parts of the country during Ramadan, distributed food among disadvantaged and orphaned people, and supported talented Bangladeshi students participating in international competitions.

As part of its humanitarian assistance, the foundation has now extended support to four journalists and their families working in the Bangladesh Secretariat beat, providing a total of Tk 20 lakh at a time of financial and medical hardship.

SOURCE : Banglanews24