BPF's SC#13:Manik Mia Study Circle: Quest for Freedom & Democracy: Lec-4:Ahmed Javed Chowdhury Ronie
Channel: Ahmed Javed Ronie
Date: 15/10/2023

With great pleasure and enthusiasm, we extend this invitation to you for an exceptional educational opportunity - the "Banglar Pathshala Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Study Circle."

Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia was a pioneer of independent journalism in Bangladesh (the former East Pakistan period), and his contributions to the field have been widely recognized both nationally and internationally. His commitment to journalistic ethics and principles, as well as his dedication to promoting democracy and human rights, made him a true leader in the profession. It is fitting that we celebrate his legacy and the impact of Daily Ittefaq on the media landscape in Bangladesh and beyond.

In collaboration with the esteemed Daily Ittefaq, the Bangla Pathshala Foundation is proud to announce the commencement of "BPF’s Study Circle #13: Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia - Exploring Freedom and Democracy." This unique four-month course is designed to delve into the life, work, and visionary ideas of Mr. Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia, the pioneer and founder of Daily Ittefaq.

Renowned scholars, journalists, and experts will conduct insightful sessions on various subjects related to Manik Mia's contributions and the socio-political landscape during his time. The classes will be held online every Saturday from 4 PM to 8 PM, starting from September 23, 2023, until December 2023.

The topics covered during this course will include Mr. Manik Mia's life and work, his concept of democracy, and his significant book discussing 20 years of Pakistani politics, and his influential role in shaping the socio-political dynamics of Bangladesh.

We have limited seats available, and registration is open until September 22, 2023. The registration fee for this remarkable learning experience is a nominal amount of BDT 99/-. To secure your spot, simply register online at bpathshala.org

Dear Distinguished Participants:

We trust this message finds you in excellent health and high spirits. We trust you had the opportunity to engage with Mr. Mahfuz Anam's thought-provoking discussion on "Twenty Years of Pakistani Politics (by Manik Mia)" and were inspired by his unwavering commitment to freedom of speech and youth empowerment, encapsulated in "Twenty Years of Pakistani Politics." As we transition from the successful completion of Class 3 and prepare to embark on the journey into Class 4, we extend our heartfelt invitation to you for the upcoming event scheduled for tomorrow, October 14, at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

I extend this invitation with a sense of humility, acknowledging my dual role as both the discussant and the inviter. If circumstances allowed, I would gladly pass this honor to another, but for now, I take this role with a bit of embarrassment. This sense of obligation to say something about Manik Mia stems from the influence of Manik Mia's writings, which have profoundly impacted my journey. Over the past two years, in collaboration with my esteemed colleagues, Sushmita and Nirjhor, we have dedicated ourselves to crafting the syllabus/lecture plan for the Manik Mia Study Circle. I must express my gratitude to Mrs. Tasmima Hossain, a mentor and a mother-like figure, whose invaluable support and guidance have been instrumental since the inception of this idea. The study circle focuses on the remarkable journalist Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia, who is also her revered father-in-law.

Allow me to share a personal sentiment regarding the Daily Ittefaq, a publication deeply cherished by my father. Through his fondness for this newspaper, I was introduced to luminaries such as Manik Mia, Bangabandhu, Dr. Kamal Hossain, and Tajuddin Ahmad through this Ittefaq. Memories of those days spent with my father, listening to his captivating narratives about the Liberation War and The political landscape of the 60s, remain vivid. Back in the 80s, our school textbooks lacked our nation's historical narrative, prompting me to question why my father's stories were absent from our curriculum.

Regrettably, I cannot bring back my beloved father, nor can I engage in conversations with Manik Mia, Bangabandhu, or others in this lifetime. As I move forward, my means of connecting with them involve delving into their writings and absorbing the recollections shared by their family members and close friends. 

Therefore, rather than delivering a lecture, I propose an interactive session where we can collectively share our emotions and insights about Manik Mia. Join us for this exchange of thoughts on October 14, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.