Date: August 13, 2025

Venue: Meherpur Sadar Upazila

With the support of the Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF) and under the implementation of Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, the 14th Phase Education Scholarship Program for meritorious yet underprivileged students was successfully conducted in Meherpur Sadar Upazila.

The event was supervised by Mr. A.K.M. Abdus Salam, Monitoring Advisor, Bangladesh NGO Foundation, who visited three secondary schools — Amjhupi Secondary School, Amjhupi Girls’ Secondary School, and Chandbil CMC Secondary School.

A total of 33 students from these institutions received scholarships of BDT 6,000 each, amounting to BDT 198,000 (One Lakh Ninety-Eight Thousand Taka) in total.

During the visit, the head teachers, assistant teachers, Subah’s Executive Director Mr. Moin-Ul-Alam, project coordinator, and the scholarship recipients were present.

The Monitoring Advisor expressed satisfaction with the project’s implementation and commended Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha for its contribution to education and youth development.

 Venue: Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha Office

Funding Partner: Bangladesh NGO Foundation
Implemented by: Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha

A scholarship distribution ceremony was held under the initiative of Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, funded by the Bangladesh NGO Foundation, to support underprivileged and meritorious students in continuing their education.

The event was chaired by Mr. Munshi Jahangir Jinnat, while the Chief Guest was Mr. Md. Anisur Rahman, Upazila Social Welfare Officer, Meherpur Sadar. Among other distinguished guests, Munshi A.H.M. Rashedul Haque, Assistant Professor of Meherpur Government College, was present.

A total of 33 students received educational scholarships, with each recipient receiving 6,000 BDT under this project. The students, along with their parents or guardians, attended the ceremony and expressed their gratitude.

Mr. Moin-ul-Alam, Executive Director of Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, delivered the welcome speech, highlighting the organization’s commitment to educational development and social progress.

The event was smoothly conducted by Mr. Arif Hossain, Program Officer of the organization.

 On November 1, the National Convention of Bangladesh Nodi Bachao Andolon (Save the Rivers Movement) was held at the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Auditorium in Dhaka.

This year, the movement presented 17 key demands aimed at ensuring the protection and restoration of rivers across the country. Representatives from every district, along with members of various renowned NGOs, attended the event and shared their commitment to the cause.

The theme of this year’s convention was “Political Commitment is Essential to Save Our Rivers.” In keeping with the theme, central representatives from all major political parties were invited as special guests.

During their speeches, the distinguished guests highlighted the ongoing initiatives to protect rivers and pledged to prioritize river conservation in their upcoming election manifestos.

The rally echoed a powerful message:
“Let the rivers flow freely — free from encroachment and pollution!
Saving our rivers means saving our nation!”

 On the occasion of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2025, Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha (Subah Social Development Organization) organized a discussion meeting titled “Actions to Prevent Lead Pollution.”

With the slogan “Stop Lead Pollution, Boost Children’s Intelligence,” the event focused on what lead pollution is, how it continuously contaminates our environment, and its harmful effects on human health — especially on children’s physical and mental development. Participants also discussed practical steps that individuals and communities can take to prevent lead contamination.

The discussion further emphasized the importance of public awareness and explored ways to educate communities about the severe dangers of lead exposure and motivate them to take preventive actions.

The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Munshi Jahangir Zinnat, Honorable Chairman of Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha; Mr. Moin-ul-Alam, Executive Director; Ms. Lubna Yasmin, Admin Officer; and Ms. Fauzia Sultana, Project Coordinator.
Other members and invited guests were also present at the event.

 On behalf of Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, a banner was presented to the Amjhupi Union Parishad to promote social awareness on the importance of obtaining birth certificates.

The initiative aims to encourage citizens, especially parents and guardians, to ensure timely birth registration for their children — an essential step in securing legal identity, access to education, healthcare, and various government services.

Through this awareness campaign, Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha continues its commitment to advancing community awareness, strengthening social responsibility, and supporting the government’s efforts in achieving 100% birth registration coverage.

 

Date: November 20, 2019

Venue: Subah Training Center

A discussion meeting titled “Engaging Men and Boys to Prevent Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Children” was organized by Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha in collaboration with BRAC.

The event brought together members of the civil society to exchange views on how men and adolescent boys can play an active role in preventing gender-based violence and promoting equality within the community.

Mr. Shah Momin, Upazila Executive Officer of Meherpur Sadar, attended the program as the Chief Guest. He emphasized the importance of awareness and collective responsibility in building a violence-free and gender-sensitive society.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from all participants to continue working together to promote respect, safety, and equal rights for women and children at every level of society.

 Dainik Mathabhanga, November 28, 2019, 

Staff Reporter: An assembly for persons with disabilities was held in Chuadanga. With the slogan “Let’s build an inclusive society together — a safe shelter against gender-based violence, child marriage, and social irregularities”, the event was organized by Protyasha Social Development Organization with the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation, funded by UKAid.

The event took place on Wednesday at 9 AM at the open stage of the District Shilpakala Academy. It began with a cultural program, followed by the national anthem, flag hoisting, and the release of balloons to inaugurate the assembly.

Protyasha Social Development Organization’s Executive Director Billal Hossain presided over the discussion. The Holy Qur’an was recited by Abdul Karim. The chief guest was Deputy Commissioner Nazrul Islam Sarkar, who emphasized that no nation can develop by leaving behind people with special needs. He said every individual is equal and that extra attention must be paid to ensure facilities for people with disabilities, especially in education. He encouraged schools to include children with disabilities alongside others and called for creating employment opportunities for them through training, instead of promoting dependency through begging.

Special guest Dr. ASM Maruf Hasan, Civil Surgeon of Chuadanga, announced that one bed in every ward of the Chuadanga Sadar Hospital would be reserved for people with disabilities and promised that all their medical expenses would be waived.

Mayor Obaidur Rahman Chowdhury Jipu pledged to include all persons with disabilities in the municipal disability allowance program and to make Chuadanga a disability-friendly city. He also committed to prioritizing services for people with disabilities.

Other special guests and speakers included:

• Santosh Kumar Nath, Deputy Director, Department of Social Services
• Nikhil Ranjan Chakraborty, District Education Officer
• Mostafizur Rahman, District Primary Education Officer
• Masum Ahmed, Deputy Director, Department of Youth Development
• Abdul Awal, Deputy Director, Department of Women Affairs
• Dipak Kumar Saha, Deputy Director, Family Planning
• Masudur Rahman, Inspector (Operations), Sadar Police Station
• Khairul Islam, District Disability Affairs Officer

Representatives from various institutions and organizations also spoke, including:

• Kamruzzaman, Manager, Standard Bank Ltd.
• Nuruzzaman, Vice President, Islami Bank Ltd.
• Abdul Latif, Division Officer, Minister Hi-Tech Park Ltd. and MyOne Electronics
• SM Israfil Hossain, Former Principal, Chuadanga Govt. Women’s College
• Abdus Salam Biplob, Chairman, Chitla Union Parishad
• Ali Hossain Jowardar, Chairman, Begumpur Union Parishad
• Anwar Hossain, Head Teacher, Hijolgari Secondary School
• Sainul Hossain Biswas, Head Teacher, Suhrawardy Smarani Vidyapith
• Zahir Rayhan, Deputy Director, Wave Foundation
• Ilias Hossain, Executive Director, Palli Unnayan Sangstha
• Sahed Hasan Halim, Legal Coordinator, Atmobishwas
• Saidur Rahman Lipu, Executive Director, Grameen Samaj Unnayan Sangstha
• Kamruzzaman, Executive Director, Compact Foundation
• Moinul Islam, Executive Director, Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha
• Abed-ud-Doula, Executive Director, WARP

Persons with disabilities who spoke included Zahidul Islam, Taslima Khatun, Jannatul Ferdous, Sultan Badsha, and Suravi Sultana.

Saidur Rahman, Coordinator of Protyasha, delivered the welcome speech, and the event was conducted by Yunus Ali, Project Coordinator of Protyasha’s PRPD project.

In the third segment of the event, chaired again by Billal Hossain, there were discussions on:

• The Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act 2013 by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Yah Iya Khan
• Facilities for people with disabilities by Santosh Kumar Nath
• Health services and employment by Khairul Islam

The event was supported by:

• Rajin Salman, Program Officer, PRPD Project
• Rubina Khatun, Project Accountant
• Sajedul Islam, Saidur Rahman Rana, and Abdur Rahman, Field Volunteers

 

Meherpur, 14 June 2026: In observance of World No Tobacco Day 2026, a public awareness leaflet distribution campaign was organized in Meherpur to encourage people to reject tobacco and nicotine addiction.

The campaign was jointly organized by Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA), and WBB Trust. The event took place at 11:30 AM in front of the Meherpur Bar Association Building and within the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office.

The campaign was held under the global theme:

“Unmask the Appeal: Exposing the Tactics of Tobacco and Nicotine Products.”

Speaking at the event, Mr. Abu Abid, Executive Member of the Meherpur District NGO Association and Executive Director of SPHR, highlighted the harmful impact of tobacco use and called for stronger public awareness to protect future generations from nicotine addiction.

Mr. Moin Ul Alam, Executive Director of Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, also addressed the gathering. He emphasized that tobacco companies should no longer be allowed to mislead society through attractive marketing and deceptive promotional strategies. He urged everyone to work together to prevent tobacco addiction and build a healthier community.

Participants from different walks of life expressed their commitment to living tobacco-free lives. They pledged that they would never smoke themselves and would actively encourage others to stay away from smoking and all forms of tobacco use.

Following the awareness session and human chain, volunteers distributed informational leaflets among pedestrians, visitors, and local residents. The leaflets highlighted the health risks of tobacco and nicotine products while encouraging people to adopt healthier lifestyles.

The campaign reaffirmed the commitment of local organizations and community leaders to creating a tobacco-free society through awareness, education, and collective action.

 Meherpur, Bangladesh | 31 May 2026

To mark World No Tobacco Day 2026, the Meherpur District Administration organized a rally and discussion meeting to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and promote a tobacco-free society.

The program was presided over by the Civil Surgeon of Meherpur and was attended by Ms. Shilpi Rani Roy, Deputy Commissioner of Meherpur, as the Chief Guest.

The event began with an awareness rally, where government officials, healthcare professionals, representatives of various organizations, students, and members of the public participated enthusiastically. Carrying banners and placards, participants delivered a strong message against tobacco use and highlighted the importance of protecting public health.

Following the rally, a discussion meeting was held where speakers emphasized the devastating health, social, and economic consequences of tobacco consumption. They stressed that tobacco-related diseases continue to claim millions of lives worldwide each year and called for stronger public awareness, stricter enforcement of tobacco control laws, and greater community involvement in tobacco prevention efforts.

Chief Guest Ms. Shilpi Rani Roy underscored the importance of collective action in reducing tobacco use and encouraged citizens, particularly young people, to stay away from tobacco and nicotine products. She highlighted the need for continued awareness campaigns and cooperation among government agencies, healthcare institutions, educational organizations, and civil society to build a healthier and tobacco-free Bangladesh.

The Civil Surgeon also emphasized the critical role of preventive healthcare, public education, and community engagement in reducing tobacco-related illnesses and improving overall public health.

The observance of World No Tobacco Day 2026 in Meherpur reflected the district’s commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and strengthening public awareness against the dangers of tobacco. The organizers expressed hope that such initiatives would inspire more people to make informed choices and contribute to a healthier future for the community.

 Meherpur, 7 March 2026:

A delegation from the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance’s Meherpur member organization, Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, met today with the newly elected Member of Parliament of Meherpur-1 constituency, Maulana Tajuddin Khan.

During the meeting, the delegation requested the honorable Member of Parliament to present the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 in the National Parliament as soon as possible and to ensure its passage as law.

The representatives emphasized that strengthening tobacco control laws is essential to protect public health and safeguard future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco. They expressed hope that the honorable MP would recognize the importance of this issue and play an active role in ensuring that the amendment is quickly presented and passed in Parliament.

The delegation also highlighted the importance of collective efforts and increased public awareness to build a tobacco-free society.

Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, along with the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance, has been working for a long time to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and to advocate for effective tobacco control policies.

They expressed hope that with the cooperation of the government and the joint efforts of all stakeholders, Bangladesh can move closer to becoming a tobacco-free country.

 On February 25, we [Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA)] had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Moin-ul-Alam, Executive Director of Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, a member organization of the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) from Meherpur district. His visit provided a valuable opportunity to discuss some of the pressing challenges related to tobacco control in the region.

One of the key issues highlighted during the discussion was the growing aggression of tobacco cultivation in Meherpur. Despite increasing awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco, its cultivation continues to expand, driven largely by the influence and incentives offered by tobacco companies. This expansion not only poses serious public health risks but also affects agricultural sustainability and food security.

We also discussed the ongoing violations of laws by tobacco companies. These include unethical practices in promoting tobacco farming, lack of transparency, and failure to comply with existing regulations. Such activities undermine national efforts to reduce tobacco consumption and protect vulnerable communities, particularly farmers who are often misled or economically pressured into tobacco cultivation.

Another important topic of discussion was the Tobacco Control Ordinance and its implementation. Strengthening the enforcement of this ordinance is crucial to ensuring that tobacco control measures are effective. Both parties emphasized the need for stronger monitoring, policy enforcement, and collaboration among stakeholders to address these challenges.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue working together to combat tobacco-related issues in Meherpur and beyond. Through collective efforts, advocacy, and awareness, we hope to create a healthier and more sustainable future free from the harms of tobacco.