DHAKA, Feb 12, 2025 (BSS) - The World Radio Day-2025, a day to celebrate radio as a vital source of local news, will be observed in the country as elsewhere across the globe tomorrow highlighting the importance of radio for reaching information and entertainment to the people.

This year's theme of the day is 'Radio and Climate Change'.

Proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO Member States and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as International Day of the United Nations, February 13 became World Radio Day (WRD), according to the website of UNESCO.

On the eve of the day, Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus today issued a message greeting all concerned, including officers, employees, technicians and audience of the Bangladesh Betar and wishing all programmes of the day a success.

The Chief Adviser, in his message, said that Bangladesh Betar launched its journey on December 16, 1939 under the name 'Dhaka Dhoni Bistar Kendra'.

Noting that that Bangladesh Betar is the country's oldest electronic media, he said since its inception, the Bangladesh Betar has been playing an impeccable role in the overall development of the country, including improving the quality of life of the people, alleviating poverty, increasing literacy rate, expanding education, empowering women, reducing infant and maternal mortality rates, and showcasing the country's history and heritage before the world.

Working as the second front in the Great War of Liberation, the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra played a unique role in the struggle for independence in 1971, said Dr Yunus.

Throughout the liberation war, Bangladesh Betar had inspired and motivated the people of this country, including the freedom fighters, he added.

The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh Betar is working as a supporting force to the interim government formed through the mass uprising of students, workers and the public to build a new Bangladesh free from discrimination.

"I wish the overall success of all the programmes undertaken on the occasion of 'World Radio Day-2025'," he added.