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Star pledges for youths

Celebrates its 21st anniversary

Staff Correspondent
The Daily Star yesterday celebrated its 21st anniversary with a pledge to promote the country's youth and be a part of their endeavours in taking Bangladesh to new heights.
In a colourful ceremony at the capital's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, the English daily shared its joy of success with its readers, writers, well-wishers and patrons.
“More than 70 per cent of the country's population is below 40,” Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of the daily, told the gathering. “This makes us perhaps the youngest population of the world.” If the future belongs to youth, then the future of Bangladesh also belongs to its youth; and therefore The Daily Star has decided to be with the young people of the country and promote what they are doing, he mentioned.
The programme was organised around the slogan, "41 years of independence, 21 years of independent journalism.”
Since the beginning of its journey in 1991, the newspaper has been committed to taking the level of journalism to new heights. Though the odyssey has been rough, the effort has been worthwhile.
At yesterday's ceremony, The Daily Star editor introduced before the guests 16 young leaders striving to inspire others and bring about changes in their respective sectors.
The group included, among others, a social worker, entrepreneur, visual artist, mountaineer, youth activist, bright students.
"Bangladeshi art can take us to a global platform that other things cannot,”
observed Nazia Andaleeb Preema, a visual artist.
More focus is given on feeding the underprivileged children instead of on their long-term development and growth, said Korvi Rakshand, founder of JAAGO Foundation. The youth-based non-government organisation works to educate disadvantaged children.
"I want to open English medium schools in all the districts for deprived children," he mentioned.
Wasfia Nazreen, a woman mountaineer, said the world treats Bangladesh with apathy and cold glances, which she wants to change by climbing the highest summits of the seven continents, thus taking the country's name to the peaks.
Ivy Huq Russell, a social entrepreneur and founder of the women's healthcare website maya.com.bd, meanwhile, wants to bring about a change in women's healthcare and give access to information through her website.
Sharmeen Akter, a brilliant Dhaka University student of
biochemistry, has braved poverty and other odds to reach her present position. She told the guests at the reception that she wants to promote scientific research in the country, which she believes is the key to solving many problems.
Ejaz Ahmed, who graduated from Harvard University and returned home to found Bangladesh Youth Leadership Centre, said he had created the organisation to instil leadership in the young and inspire a new generation of leaders.
The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam urged the young people to follow in the footsteps of the youth who had joined the 1971 Liberation War, "not by waging a war, but by building the country."
Earlier, Rokia Afzal Rahman, chairperson of Media World, the owner organisation of the daily, welcomed everyone and sought their assistance in the days ahead.
A seven-minute mime show and a brief cultural programme were also staged at the ceremony.