THE Daily Star organised a programme with a slogan '40th anniversary of independence and 20th anniversary of independent journalism' in the port city on Sunday on the occasion of the publication of the newspaper from Chittagong.

A Mezban (traditional feast) was arranged followed by a cultural function at 'The King of Chittagong' in the port city.

Hundreds of people, including newspaper hawkers and well-wishers of the daily, enjoyed the event.

The programme started with the drum beat by Babul Jaladas, son of the Ekushey award winner famous drum player Binoy Banshi and his troupe, enthralling the audience.

Channel I 'Shera Kantha' Chaiti Mutsuddi performed a patriotic song 'Shab kwata janala khuley dao na' followed by three local songs.

Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, spoke at the function.

Prothom Alo Resident Editor Abul Momen and The Daily Star Chittagong bureau chiefAKM Raisul Huq Bahar were present on the occasion.

Later, local singer Sanjit Acharjee performed his own composed song 'Dawat dilam Chatgaon aaiberlai'. With beautiful verses and melody in his song, Sanjit described the traditional places and food items of Chittagong. Then he presented another famous local song 'Ore pal uraiya dile sampan gurguraya chale'.

Kanta Nandi, a noted singer, rendered three local songs in her compassionate tone 'Ore Karnaphuli', 'Karnaphulir sampanwala' and 'Jadi sundar ekkhan.'

The last session of the event was raffle draw. Forty hawkers got awards. Of them, 30 got cycles and 10 got mobile phone sets. Mahfuz Anam and other guests distributed prizes among the winners.