DHAKA, March 10, 2026 (BSS) - Journalist Mohammad Abdul Bashir, popularly known as Bashir Jamal, has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of the Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust on a contractual basis. The information was disclosed in a notification issued today by the Ministry of Public Administration. The notification was signed by Deputy Secretary Md. Golam Rabbani of the Contract and Foreign Recruitment Branch. According to the notification, Bashir Jamal has been appointed for a period of one year from the date of joining, in accordance with Section 10(2) of the Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust Act, 2014. The appointment will take effect after he severs his professional ties with other institutions and organisations. The notification also stated that other terms and conditions of the appointment will be determined through a contract, and the order has been issued in the public interest. Before this appointment, Mohammad Abdul Bashir served as a Special Correspondent of the daily Amar Desh. During his journalism career, he also worked with several leading national dailies, including Manab Zamin, Bangladesh Pratidin, Manabkantha, and Protidiner Bangladesh. In addition to his professional work in journalism, he served as the Senior Assistant Secretary General of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and previously held the position of Vice-President of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ). Academically, Bashir Jamal earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Political Science from Dhaka University.

RANGPUR, March 10, 2026 (BSS) - Officials and experts at a discussion here today called for coordinated efforts from all stakeholders to tackle natural disasters and reduce the loss of lives and property. The call came at a discussion held at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner's Office, organised by the district administration under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, marking National Disaster Preparedness Day 2026. Earlier in the morning, a colourful rally was brought out in the city streets. A mock drill on emergency response during earthquake and fire incidents was also conducted on the District Collectorate Bhaban premises by the Rangpur Fire Service and Civil Defence. Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan attended the discussion as the chief guest, while Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Ramiz Alam chaired the event. District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Golam Kibria delivered the welcome speech. Among others, Rangpur Superintendent of Police Md Marufat Hussaine and Deputy Assistant Director of Rangpur Fire Service and Civil Defence Station Md Badsha Masud Alam spoke as special guests. In his speech, the deputy commissioner said the main objective of National Disaster Preparedness Day is to raise public awareness, strengthen preparedness and take effective measures to minimise disaster-related losses. He said although natural disasters such as river erosion, drought, floods, lightning and earthquakes cannot be prevented, their impacts can be reduced through proper planning and the use of modern technology. He also noted that man-made disasters, including gas explosions and fires, can largely be prevented through public awareness and caution. Highlighting government initiatives, he said around 4,000 disaster shelters have been built across the country and about 76,000 volunteers are engaged in disaster management activities. Preparations are carried out in a coordinated manner down to the union level before and during disasters. He urged the administration, law enforcement agencies, youth and the general public to work together to effectively face disasters. In his closing remarks, the additional deputy commissioner emphasised the importance of sharing accurate and verified information after disasters instead of spreading rumours. Government officials, members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, journalists, NGO representatives and students attended the programme.