DHAKA, March 9, 2023 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said COVID-19 pandemic couldn't force the government to stop providing national film awards for encouraging the artistes and to flourish the industry.
 
"National Film Award was provided amid COVID-19 pandemic even in 2020 when only 25 to 26 films were released for encouraging the artistes and to flourish the industry as per the advice of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said.
 
The minister said these while presiding over the National Film Award distribution function organised by his ministry at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre in city's Agargaon.
 
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the function as the chief guest and handed over the awards among the winners of different categories of films which were released in 2021.
 
Paying glowing tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasan said Bangabandhu not only established the independent state, but also devoted to the development of art and culture of Bangalees.
 
He said Bangabandhu, realising the impact of films on society, had tabled a bill in the provincial assembly for the establishment of Film Development Corporation (FDC) in 1957 and in continuation to that, the FDC was founded. The films had played a pivotal role in the independence movement, the great Liberation War and in building the nation after independence, he added.
 
He said Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has formed film artistes' welfare trust and formed a loan fund of Taka 1,000 crore to build and reconstruct Cineplex and cinema halls. The country's film industry has moved and achieved many awards in the world, said Hasan.
 
The minister hoped that the talented artistes would move the industry in future.
 
Focusing on the country's ongoing development, he said Bangladesh became 35th largest economy in the world after 14 years under the charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from its 60th position just in 2009. And the position of the country is 31st in purchasing power parity, he added.
 
He said Pakistan now sighs and praises the role of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in their parliament. This is the significance of Bangabandhu's creation of the country and the significance of Bangabandhu's daughter's is to run the state, said Hasan.
 
Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Ministry Affairs Hasanul Haaque Inu addressed the function as special guest while Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker gave welcome address.