Environmental organisation Aranya marked its 10th founding anniversary with an honours ceremony in Kurigram. The colourful event was held at 3pm on Saturday at the Bangladesh Probin Hitoishi Sangha hall in the College Mor area of the town.
Held under the slogan “Plant a tree each, save health and environment,” the event opened with a welcome address by Hasan Rana, president of the organisation’s Kurigram Sadar upazila unit.
The organisation’s founding president, Abdur Sobahan Jewel, adviser Nur Amin, and other leaders then spoke. Speakers highlighted Aranya’s various service activities in environmental protection, tree planting and social development over the past decade.
In the event’s second segment, five distinguished individuals were presented with honour mementos in recognition of their special contributions to society, culture and journalism.
Among the honourees, Bhupati Bhushan Barma, director of the Bangladesh Bhawaiya Academy and a noted figure in Bhawaiya music, received his memento from Zahid and Jewel. Md Monnaf Ali, a Samakal correspondent, received his memento for outstanding contribution to journalism from Abu Zobayed and Munni.
Also honoured were Rajarhat upazila social services officer S M Habibur Rahman, who received his memento from Ashiq and Galib, and Rana Mia of the Bamonchhara Village Protection Society, who received his from Mosharraf and Sohag. Organisation adviser Nur Amin was also honoured.
Representatives of the Bangladesh Probin Hitoishi Sangha Kurigram district unit were present at the event, along with the organisation’s Altab Uddin, local dignitaries, environmental activists, organisation members and journalists.
The event closed with the cutting of a cake to mark Aranya’s 10th founding anniversary, followed by a cultural programme that brought the day-long celebration to an end.