Prothom Alo's women listen and speak to editor

The evening was repelete with love and wisdom. They were the female workers of Prothom Alo. The editor of the leading newspaper, Matiur Rahman, spent an evening with all its female workers who shared their experiences and their journey in Prothom Alo over the years.

The editor listened to their dreams, new ideas, achievements and proposals for better performance. The slogan of the event was, “Think equal, Be smart, Innovate change.”

Hosted by feature editor Shumana Sharmin, the event took place at CA Bhaban in Karwan Bazar on 25 February.

There are as many as 63 female workers in Prothom Alo including female journalists.

Terming women as ‘equal partners’ with the journey of Prothom Alo, the editor dedicated the event and day to all women, mothers and sisters.

In his speech, the editor shared his experiences, the contribution of his mother and five sisters in his life. He time recited the poem ‘Biddhasta Nilima’.

The female workers shared their experiences in life, in Prothom Alo and their expectations to the editor.

Senior reporter Sheikh Sabiha Alam spoke about her experience in covering the Chawkbazar tragedy in which scores of people were burnt to death recently.

She said she went to the spot immediately when she came to know about the fire around 12:00am. There she found families and relatives of the victims looking for their loved ones. She accompanied them to different hospitals. The experience was ‘challenging’, she said.

Prothom Alo’s consultant (news) Qurratul Ain Tahmina said, everyone regardless of their gender -- male or female -- has to prove their skill in this competitive world.

She also said, female workers should speak up at once if they are ever mistreated by their male colleague only for being ‘women’.

Tahmina expressed her hope that there would be the day when there will be no need to arrange a separate event for women.

Ador Rahman from entertainment section shared her experience at Cannes Film Festival.

Many journalists from other countries were surprised to know that she went to cover the festival alone, she said. Ador expressed her joy to get such opportunity from Prothom Alo.

In the second phase of the event the editor motivated the workers and assured them about solving the issues raised by some of the workers.

The event was interspered with songs by the particpants. Chandrima Poddar of the advertisment department sang 'Alo Amar Alo Ogo' , Farjana Liakat of the English section sang 'Ei Sundor Sornali Shondhay', And Sabiha Alam sang a Tagore song.

The event ended with a chorus of a patriotic song.

The editor handed out roses, books and notebooks to everyone at the end.