- Prothom Alo
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Prothom Alo/ প্রথম আলো Type Daily newspaper Format Broadsheet Owner Transcom Group Publisher Matiur Rahman Editor Matiur Rahman Founded 4 November 1998 Language Bengali Headquarters CA Bhaban
100 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue
Kawran Bazar
Dhaka
BangladeshCirculation 400,000 (at January 2009)[1] Official website www.prothom-alo.com Prothom Alo (Bengali: প্রথম আলো Prothom Alo "First Light") is a major daily newspaper in Bangladesh, published from Dhaka in the Bengali language.
Contents
History
Prothom Alo was founded on 4 November 1998. As at January 2009, it had an average circulation of 435,000.[1] It has distinguished itself by its investigations of acid attacks and violence against women, pushing for tougher laws against the sale of acid, and for being the first Bangladeshi newspaper to report on the training of militants at Islamic schools (or madrasas).[2] Prothom Alo helped to popularise Mathematics in Bangladesh. It organized Mathematics Olympiad for the first time in Bangladesh in 2003. It is one of the main sponsors and the main organizer of Bangladesh Mathematics Olympiad.[3]
Supplements
- ছুটির দিনে Chuṭir dine ("On the day off") - Saturday featured supplement, covering important and successful stories of Bangladesh in their cover story every week. A section called "special essay" covers interesting news of famous journals of outside world. কার্যকারণ Karjokaron ("Causal relation") is the section where scientific explanation of various activities are described. ঘর মন জানালা Ghor mon janala is the place for readers to share personal experience about different aspects of their life. Mehtab Khanom, a professor of Psychology from Dhaka University runs the section মনের জানালা Moner janala ("Window of the mind") to provide tips for various psychological situations given by the audience. Musician and astrologer Kausar Ahmed Chowdhury regularly contributes আপনার রাশি Apnar rashi ("Your sign of the zodiac") for explaining fortunes of the readers in satirical way.,[4] It also circulates regular quiz competition for the audience.
The current Editor in-charge of this 24 page supplement is Iqbal hossain chowdhury. - স্টেডিয়াম Sṭeḍiam ("Stadium") - Sunday supplement on sports
- বিজ্ঞান প্রজন্ম Biggên projonmo ("Science Generation") - Sunday supplement on science
- রস + আলো Rôsh + alo ("Humor + Light") - Monday humor-related magazine
- নকশা Nôksha ("Sketch") - Tuesday supplement on lifestyle
- বন্ধুসভা ("Friend's meeting)- Published on monday as a writing and uniting stage of young geneartion
- স্বাস্থ্য কুশল Shastho kushôl ("Health and well-being") - Wednesday supplement on health
- আনন্দ Ananda ("Happiness") - Thursday supplement
- অন্য আলো Onno alo ("Different light") - Friday supplement
- প্রজন্ম ডট কম 'jghjProjonmo ḍôṭ kôm ("Generation.com") - Friday supplement on information technology
Prothom Alo publishes a special edition every year at Eid ul-Fitr. This feature, called প্রথম আলো ঈদ সংখ্যা Prothom Alo Eid Shôngkha (Prothom Alo Eid edition), includes fiction, historical articles and photos.[5] It costs 120 Taka.
Editors
Matiur Rahman is the current and the first editor of the newspaper. He received the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts in 2005[6]
He is regarded[by whom?] as one of the most influential and secular journalists in Bangladesh, with a profound background in media, journalism and human development activities.
Regular columnists
Noted columnists regularly write columns for Prothom Alo. Writer and columnist Muhammad Zafar Iqbal regularly contributes his column "Shadashidhe Kotha".[citation needed] Another writer and Deputy Editor of Prothom Alo Anisul Hoque regularly contributeS his satirical column "GodyoCartoon". Other regular columnists include ABM Musa, Syed Abul Maqsud, Abul Momen, Abul Hayat, and Abu Ahmed.[citation needed]
Threats
Prothom Alo faced various protests by Islamic organizations and fundamentalists. A threat was given after Prothom Alo opposed unregistered religious institution called Kowmi Madrassa and accused them for organizing crimes and provide combat training to their students.[citation needed] Religious leaders urged to stop circulation in Chittagong as well.[citation needed] A similar protests and demand for banning the paper again came from them after a cartoon was published in Alpin. A subsequent order was given from the government to ban the supplement for an indefinite period of time after rallies were held by pan-national Islamic group Hizb ut Tahrir.[7]
Drive against Acid Violence
In 2000, the newspaper established the Prothom Alo Aid Fund to help people who are victims of attacks with acid, which frequently cause disfigurement. As of 2005, the fund had raised $140,000 and provided services for 140 people.[8]
See also
References
- ^ a b Published rates. Prothom Alo.
- ^ Prothom Alo Editor Gets Magsaysay Award. Voice of America. 2005-08-01.
- ^ "Bangladesh IMO team 2007". Bangladesh Mathematics Olympiad Committee. http://www.matholympiad.org.bd/. Retrieved 2007-09-28.
- ^ "পাহাড়ে বিভীষিকা". Chutir Dine, Prothom Alo. 2007-06-16. pp. 3–16.
- ^ Waheed, Karim (2006-10-20). "Readers' delight: Special publications on Eid". The Daily Star. http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/10/20/d610201401108.htm.
- ^ WHEN MEDIA TAKES A STAND FOR SOCIAL CHANGE: THE EXPEERIENCE OF PROTHOM ALO IN BANGLADESH. Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. 2005-09-02.
- ^ "Prothom Alo ordered to suspend 'Alpin' publication". The Independent. 2007-09-25. http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=57840. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
- ^ Rahman, Matiur. "2005 Ramon Magsaysay Awards: WHEN MEDIA TAKES A STAND FOR SOCIAL CHANGE: THE EXPEERIENCE OF PROTHOM ALO IN BANGLADESH". http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Lecture/LectureRahmanMat.htm.
External links
Categories:- Newspapers published in Bangladesh
- Bengali-language newspapers
- Publications established in 1998
- ছুটির দিনে Chuṭir dine ("On the day off") - Saturday featured supplement, covering important and successful stories of Bangladesh in their cover story every week. A section called "special essay" covers interesting news of famous journals of outside world. কার্যকারণ Karjokaron ("Causal relation") is the section where scientific explanation of various activities are described. ঘর মন জানালা Ghor mon janala is the place for readers to share personal experience about different aspects of their life. Mehtab Khanom, a professor of Psychology from Dhaka University runs the section মনের জানালা Moner janala ("Window of the mind") to provide tips for various psychological situations given by the audience. Musician and astrologer Kausar Ahmed Chowdhury regularly contributes আপনার রাশি Apnar rashi ("Your sign of the zodiac") for explaining fortunes of the readers in satirical way.,[4] It also circulates regular quiz competition for the audience.
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