Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Board of Directors Chairman Anwar Aldin has rewarded the winners participating the annual DRU Children and Juvenile Cultural Festival organized by DRU today. Photo: BSS

Dhaka, Oct 31, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Board of Directors Chairman Anwar Aldin today urged parents not to give mobile phones to their children.

He made the call  while addressing as the chief guest the DRU Children and Juvenile Cultural Festival organized by Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

He said excessive mobile phone addiction is hindering children’s mental development, making them less creative. 

“If children are kept engaged in various cultural activities instead of mobile phones, their intellect will flourish,” he added.

The BSS Chairman noted that children are the future of the nation, and nurturing their talents today will benefit tomorrow’s Bangladesh.

DRU President Abu Saleh Akon chaired the event while General Secretary Mynul Hasan Sohel delivered the welcome address. DRU former President Mursalin Nomani and current vice-president Gazi Anwar Hossain, spoke on the occasion, among others.

DRU Cultural Secretary Md. Emdadul Haque Khan moderated the event while Organizing Secretary Abdul Hai Tuhin, Office Secretary Rafique Rafi, Women Affairs Secretary Rozina Rozy, Publicity and Publication Secretary Mizan Chowdhury, Sports Secretary Md. Mojibur Rahman, Hospitality Secretary Mohammad Salim Ullah (Mezbah), and executive members Md. Junaid Hossain, Akhtaruzzaman, Aminul Haque Bhuiyan, and Md. Salim Ullah were present, among others.

The annual DRU Children and Juvenile Cultural Festival was held from 9 a.m. at the unity’s Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium. 

Over a hundred children of DRU members took part in the day-long event. Participants competed in drawing, music, and recitation, divided into A, B, and C categories, with 27 winners receiving awards.

Judges for the drawing category included Daily Ittefaq Senior Artist Abhijit Chowdhury, Dhaka University Fine Arts Faculty Assistant Professor Kamal Uddin, and painter Shayla Akter.

In the music category, the judges were Jagannath University’s Music Department Chairperson and Associate Professor Dr. Anima Roy, and Bangladesh Betar and Television singer and music director Alam Mahmud.

Recitation judges included elocutionists Rezina Wali Lina, Fayzul Alam Pappu, and Bangladesh Shishu Academy recitation trainer Rupshree Chakraborty.

Winners are Drawing (A Category): 1st Hossain Rizvan Rausif, 2nd Arabi Al Abid, 3rd Fatema Tasnim, (B Category): 1st Hossain Rajvin Raunaf, 2nd Mehjuba Ibnat Simla, 3rd Sandiha Jahan Diba, (C Category): 1st Jawad Khan, 2nd Marzuka Zaynab, 3rd Adwitiya Punya, Music (A Category): 1st Muyantira Rahman Sanaya, 2nd Jawad Inam Sanan, 3rd Arundhati Kar Galpo, (B Category): 1st Tasnuva Mehrin Tanisha, 2nd Aratrika Das Briddhi, 3rd Wajiha Mahbub Shaira, (C Category): 1st Jerin Ferdous Pangkti, 2nd Radita Jahan Nuva, 3rd Maksuda Rukaiya, Recitation (A Category): 1st Arundhati Kar Galpo, 2nd Tahsin Haque Anika, 3rd Suhayla Zaima, (B Category): 1st Sandhiya Jahan Diba, Hossain Rajvin Raunaf, Ainun Nahar Aksa, (C Category): 1st Jerin Ferdous Pangkti, 2nd Anan Mustafiz and 3rd Marzuka Zaynab.