Bashundhara Group to extend medical, other supports to newspaper hawkers

Ignoring severe cold, rain or storm, the news of the country reaches the hands of the people every day before the sunrise. But none wants to know who perform this task continuously. They do not get anyone beside them during any crisis. They are none but hawkers--- one of the protagonists of the newspaper.

Bashundhara Group, one of the leading business conglomerates of the country, has promised to stand by the heroes working behind the media. 

Bashundhara will stay beside more than 15,000 newspaper hawkers of the country in any need, including accident and illness.

Bashundhara Group Managing Director (MD) Sayem Sobhan Anvir made the announcement at a view exchange meeting held at his residence in Bashundhara Residential Area of ​​the capital Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier, leaders of newspaper hawkers, agents and transport association raised their problems to Sayem Sobhan Anvir.

The Managing Director of Bashundhara Group handed over donations to the leaders of Dhaka Newspaper Hawkers' Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, Newspaper Hawkers' Welfare Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, Newspaper Distributors' Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, Bangladesh Newspaper Agent Association and Bangladesh Newspaper Transport Association.

Making a pledge to stay beside the newspaper agents and hawkers and workers, Anvir said, "Bashundhara Group will stay beside the newspaper workers and hawkers in any need, including medical assistance. In case of death of a newspaper hawker, the family will receive a grant of Tk 1 lakh. This grant will continue as long as Bashundhara Group exists."

Addressing the hawkers, he said "Every one of you is like a member of my family. Facing all impediments and ignoring rains and storms, you hand over the newspaper to the people. So, you will find me by your side in case of any need."

Hearing this announcement, the happiness of hawkers’ leaders Abdus Salam, Hanif Mia, Mohammad Rafiq and Abed Ali beggared description.

"Now it seems that there is someone for us. Bashundhara Group will stand beside us in case of any emergency. May Allah bless Managing Director of Bashundhara Group and his family members. All the hawkers are very happy with the initiative.”

Terming the announcement time-befitting, Mohammad Abdul Mannan, President of Dhaka Newspaper Hawkers' Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, said, “None in the history of the country's newspapers had ever stood by the hawkers prior to Bashundhara Group. Sayem Sobhan Anvir  has taken a place in the minds of over 15,000 hawkers by his announcement today."

Abu Bakar Siddique, general secretary of the Bangladesh Newspaper Agent Association, said "Agents and hawkers are not evaluated for their works. Hawkers do not get any assistance even if anyone faces accident or becomes sick during work. Even if a hawker dies while working, no one stands by his family. So, hawkers across the country are now very happy with this announcement which will immensely encourage hawkers to deliver better performance.” 

Akhter Hossain Rintu, president of Bangladesh Newspaper Transport Association, said "In this present context, Bashundhara Group has become a true friend of the newspaper hawkers. On the other hand, hawkers  are ready to stand beside the largest business conglomerate.”

Imdadul Haque Milan, Director of East West Media Group Limited and eminent writer, Mohammad Golam, Chief Coordinator to Bashundhara Group Managing Director and Billal Hossain Montu, head of circulation of the daily Bangladesh Pratidin, were present on the occasion.

SOURCE : Daily Sun