Bangladesh Progressive Alliance of North America (BDPANA) and Bangladesh Association of New England (BANE) have jointly completed two-day long virtual program, a seminar and cultural program, on March 26-27 respectively to commemorate Bangladesh’s golden jubilee of independence.
The seminar on “Bangladesh at Golden Jubilee- Achievements and Challenges” was paneled by a total 9 speakers from different areas of their subject matters illuminating various accomplishments and the remaining challenges in their respective fields of expertise. The speakers were Dr. Khondokar Karim, chair of Accountings at Umass Lowell, Dr. AKM Khyrul Wara of Harvard University, Mizanul Chowdhury of MIT, Dr. Sajed Kaman of Brandeis University, Tanvir Nowaz of BDPANA, Dr. Ehsan Hoque of DCI, journalist Mr. Monir Haider, Mr. Najmul Ahsan, Editor of weekly Porichoy, Dr. Nusrat Rabbee, VP Alladapt.
Dr. Khondokar Karim gave overall review of Bangladesh in last 50 years articulating progresses and failures in areas such as healthcare, economy, education and infrastructure. Dr. Khyrule Wara gave detailed status on the healthcare in which he praised the vaccine programTanvir Nowaz showed Bangladesh's data in economic, labor, education , democracy and human rights areas in compared to regional peers. Mizanul Chowdhury gave a very nice presentation about sceince and technology in Bangladesh. Dr. Sajed Kamal gave details information, progress and deficits in renewable energy area.
Monir Haider talked about the original ideals of Bangladesh and how far it still has to go to fulfill those ideals. Nazmul Ahsan gave detailed picture of current journalistic culture and standard in Bangladesh. Ehsan Hoque gave a motivational talk in humaniterial area, while Nurat Rabbee talked about women empowerment and intellectual killings during liberation war.
The seminar in conclusion recognized all the progress Bangladesh had made but also lamented the lack of progress in corruption, civil liberty, democracy and free speech areas. BDPANA thanked all the participants for their kind attendance and urged all to move Bangladesh forward unitedly.
The seminar was spearheaded by BDPANA general secretary Mr. Tanvir Nowaz and moderated by BDPANA president Mr. Muzzammel Husainy. About 55 people attended the zoom seminar that was also broadcasted via facebook live to a much broader audience.
On the second day on March 27, the organizations presented a cultural program that included popular local musicians and poets, mostly singing patriotics songs uplifting patriotism and national spirits. The cultural event was led by Asif Babu , president of BANE.
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