Date: December 2, 2024

The Bangladesh NGO Foundation Day 2024 was celebrated in Meherpur with great enthusiasm and dignity. Alongside the government, both national and international NGOs continue to play a vital role in the welfare and development of the country.

The event was organized jointly by the Meherpur District Administration and affiliated partner organizations of the Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF). A discussion meeting was held on Monday at the District Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Center, Meherpur.

The program was presided over by Mr. Md. Mosharraf Hossain, President of the Meherpur District NGO Association. The Chief Guest of the event was Mr. Tarikul Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Meherpur. Special Guests included Mr. A.J.M. Sirajum Munir, Deputy Director of the Islamic Foundation, Meherpur, and Mr. Monirul Islam, District Representative of BRAC, Meherpur.

The event was conducted by Mr. Abu Zafar, Executive Director of Sandhani Organization, while the welcome address was delivered by Mr. Moin-Ul-Alam, Executive Director of Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, representing the Bangladesh NGO Foundation in Meherpur District.

Other speakers included Mr. Murad Hossain, Development Worker (MAUK), and Mr. Golam Kibria, Executive Director of Polli Jonounnayan Kollayan Songstha, Meherpur. Among the beneficiaries who shared their experiences were Ms. Mahima Khatun, Ms. Shamiara Khatun, Ms. Sufia Khatun, and Mr. Hasnat Ali.

Earlier in the day, a colorful rally was brought out from the District Commissioner’s Office premises led by Mr. Tarikul Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General). The rally paraded through the main streets of Meherpur and concluded at the Islamic Foundation premises.

The event was attended by NGO leaders, officials, employees, beneficiaries, and people from various walks of life, all joining together to celebrate the spirit of social service and collective development.

 

Date: November 19, 2024

The Quarterly Meeting of the Tobacco Control Taskforce Committee was held in Meherpur Sadar Upazila under the chairmanship of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

Representatives from the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance and other organizations working in the field of tobacco control attended the meeting. Representing Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, Mr. Moin-Ul-Alam, Executive Director, participated in the discussion.

The meeting focused on reviewing the progress of implementing the Tobacco Control Act, addressing the challenges faced at the local level, and strengthening joint efforts to ensure effective enforcement of tobacco control initiatives.

Through active participation in such coordination meetings, Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha reaffirms its commitment to promoting a tobacco-free society and safeguarding public health in Bangladesh.

 

Date: November 5, 2024

The District Monthly Coordination Meeting of the Department of Women Affairs, Chuadanga was held on this date.

Representatives from various organizations, including Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, attended the meeting to discuss program progress, coordination strategies, and future action plans for strengthening women’s development initiatives across the district.

 

 Date: October 15, 2024
 Venue: National Press Club, Dhaka
 Event Type: Press Conference
 Topic: Solutions to Traffic Congestion
 Organized by: Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust (WBB Trust)

 Event Summary

On October 15, 2024, a press conference was held at the National Press Club, Dhaka, to discuss effective strategies and urgent actions needed to relieve the nation from the curse of traffic congestion. The event was organized by Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust (WBB Trust), a renowned organization known for its advocacy on sustainable urban planning and public health.

 Objectives of the Conference

The primary objectives of the conference were to:

• Raise awareness about the devastating impacts of traffic congestion on public health, economy, and the environment.
• Advocate for sustainable and people-friendly transport policies.
• Encourage government and community-based solutions to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
• Promote the use of public transport, walking, and cycling as healthier and more efficient alternatives.

 Key Discussion Points

During the event, speakers and experts highlighted:

• The increasing burden of urban traffic congestion in Dhaka and other major cities.
• Health hazards due to prolonged exposure to traffic pollution.
• Economic losses due to time wastage and fuel consumption.
• The need for integrated urban planning that prioritizes pedestrians and public transport.
• Success stories from other countries that have reduced traffic congestion through sustainable initiatives.

 Call to Action

WBB Trust urged all stakeholders, including:

• Government authorities to revise transport policies.
• Urban planners to design people-centric cities.
• Citizens to support and adopt sustainable commuting habits.

They emphasized that solving traffic congestion is not just a policy issue, but a collective social responsibility.

 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.

 Date: August 14, 2024

Venue: Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Meherpur

A meeting of the District Taskforce Committee on Tobacco Control was held in Meherpur, chaired by Ms. Sifat Mehnaz, Deputy Commissioner of Meherpur.

During the meeting, participants discussed strategies to strengthen the implementation of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act and emphasized the importance of community-level awareness.

A one-year action plan was adopted to carry out public awareness activities aimed at reducing tobacco use and promoting a tobacco-free environment across the district.

 

Date: 11 July 2024
Location: Meherpur Sadar Upazila Parishad

A monthly NGO coordination meeting was held on 11th July 2024 under the chairmanship of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Meherpur Sadar Upazila.

The meeting was attended by various NGO representatives active in the region, including Mr. Moin-ul-Alam, the Chief Executive of Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha. His presence highlighted the organization’s ongoing commitment to collaborative development and community empowerment through coordinated efforts with the local administration and other non-governmental organizations.

The coordination meeting focused on evaluating current projects, enhancing transparency, and improving cooperation between government and NGO initiatives for the betterment of the local population.

Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha remains committed to working hand-in-hand with the government and local bodies to uplift vulnerable communities and ensure sustainable development across the region.

 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

 

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, October 10, 2017, Yesterday, Monday, was National Tobacco-Free Day. On this occasion, a discussion meeting was held in the training room of Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, located in Meherpur Sadar Upazila.

The meeting was presided over by Moin Ul Alam, Executive Director of Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha. The chief guest was Rafiqul Alam, President of CAB Meherpur District Branch and General Secretary of Meherpur Press Club. Special guest was SM Abdul Kuddus, BLP Project Coordinator of the organization.

In his speech, the chief guest urged the government to allocate surcharge funds for health development and tobacco control.

The event was jointly organized by Subah Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, Amjhupi, Meherpur, and the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance.