Popular singers Rumana Islam Kanak Chapa and Baby Nazneen received nomination letters from BNP today to contest the 11th parliamentary elections.

Rumana Islam Kanak Chapa got nomination to vie from Sirajganj-1 constituency while Baby Nazneen will contest for the seat of Nilphamari-4.  

BNP began handing out the party’s nomination to chosen candidates this afternoon.

It has so far picked 90 candidates against 53 constituencies in Barishal, Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions to contest the 11th parliamentary election slated to be held on December 30.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam handed the nomination letters to chosen candidates at the party’s Gulshan office.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will contest for Bogura-6 and Bogura-7 constituencies in the upcoming general election.

HOW MANY CANDIDATES DID AL PICK?

Yesterday, Awami League handed out nomination letters to 248 aspirants picking around 50 new faces to run for the upcoming parliamentary polls and dropping 38 MPs.

The party said it has kept some 70 seats for allies including Jatiya Party, the main opposition in the current parliament. The final decision may come today.

WHEN IS THE ELECTION?

Election Commission has revised polls schedule, deferring the 11th general election by a week to December 30 – a decision taken on November 12.

The authorities have fixed November 28 as the deadline for filing nomination papers, December 2 for scrutiny and December 9 last date of withdrawal.

The move came following demands from several opposition political parties.

Each year, a range of programmes are organised to commemorate the Month of Victory, and this year is no different. To celebrate Victory Day, an open-air concert has been scheduled in the capital, featuring James alongside some of the country's most renowned artistes.

On Tuesday, December 10, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury, BNP's Joint Secretary General, shared details about this upcoming event during a press conference titled "Bangladesh Comes First", held at Uday Tower in Gulshan. He emphasised that the concert aims to spotlight the rich heritage of Bangladeshi music and culture.

This year, BNP has taken the initiative to celebrate Victory Day universally. To free the nation from foreign cultural aggression and familiarise the younger generation with the country's history and culture, Bangladeshi songs and culture will be showcased at this concert on December 16 at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital.

Speaking to the media about James' much-anticipated performance, Robin Thakur shared, "After a significant hiatus, James Bhai is set to return to the open-air concert scene in the country. This month, he will headline several concerts nationwide, culminating as the grand finale act of the Victory Day concert."

The event will also feature an impressive lineup of celebrated artistes, including Baby Nazneen, Kanak Chapa, Monir Khan, Pritom, Imran, Kona, and a vibrant group of folk performers, promising an evening of diverse musical experiences.

Another highlight of the event will be the captivating performance by Baby Nazneen, who returns to the stage after nearly 15 years. 

Having endured political adversity that compelled her to leave Bangladesh and reside in the United States, her absence has been deeply felt in the country's cultural scene. This emotional homecoming elevates Baby Nazneen as the central attraction of this year's Victory Day concert.

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Additionally, several bands, including Different Touch, Ark, and Rafa, will participate in the event. The concert will begin at 3 PM on December 16 and continue until 11 PM. BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has invited the younger generation to attend this concert.

The interim government has announced a bold restructuring of the 15-member trustee board of the Bangladesh Artistes' Welfare Trust, marking a significant move to strengthen support for the country's creative community. 

In an official gazette released today (September 15) by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the new trustee board members will serve a three-year term, playing a crucial role in shaping policies to benefit the nation's artistes.

The reshuffle comes in the wake of political shifts, signalling that changes in the cultural landscape are also on the agenda. Drawing on the authority granted under Section 6 of the Bangladesh Artistes' Welfare Trust Act 2001, the government has revamped the leadership to bring fresh energy to the trust's operations.

The newly formed board will see the Ministry of Cultural Affairs adviser serve as chairman, with the ministry's secretary stepping into the role of vice-chairman. The managing director of the trust has been named the board's member-secretary.

Among the 12 board members, four standout figures from the entertainment industry have been appointed: Renowned singer Kanak Chapa, activist-researcher and playwright-actor Samina Luthfa, acclaimed director Ashfaque Nipun, and actress Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed.

The board also boasts other prominent figures, including the director generals of Bangla Academy and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, as well as joint secretaries from the finance and information ministries. Other key appointments include poet Nahid Hasan, writer and educator Tuhin Wadud, and poets Imtiaz Mahmud, and Syed Jamil.

The Bangladesh Artistes' Welfare Trust has long been dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged artistes, approving and implementing projects that support their welfare. 

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In a heartwarming event that harks back to the golden days of Dhallywood, the evergreen singer Kanak Chapa and the once-beloved heroine Shabnoor have rekindled their beautiful bond. 

Fans across the country have long been aware of the deep and affectionate relationship between Kanak Chapa and Shabnoor. While time may have led them away from the spotlight of singing and acting, the essence of their shared journey lives on. Shabnoor resides in Australia now, while Kanak Chapa in her village home.

A recent trip to Australia, where Kanak Chapa participated in a concert, turned into a heartwarming reunion. The singer found herself as a guest in the house of her beloved friend and co-star, Shabnoor.

Kanak Chapa took to her social media accounts to commemorate the moment, sharing a photo of their joyful reunion. Alongside the image, she eloquently wrote, "Dui Deho Ek Pran" (two bodies one soul), encapsulating the depth of their connection.

They also went live from their Facebook page, where Kanak Chapa and Shabnoor took a delightful trip down memory lane. Kanak Chapa reminisced about the days when Shabnoor's performances breathed life into her soul-stirring melodies on the big screen.

In the live video, Kanak Chapa emotionally shared, "The pain and sadness in my song were portrayed by Shabnoor through her brilliant acting." Their touching exchange resonated with fans and admirers, reigniting their admiration for these two remarkable individuals.

The duo have collaborated on numerous works, including hits like "Shagorer Motoi Govir", "Ekdin Tomake Na Dekhle", "Amar Hridoy Ekta Ayna", "Ek Dike Prithibi", "Premer Tajmahal", and "Tomake Chai", among others.

As part of the annual Victory Month celebrations, an open-air concert, titled "Shobar Agey Bangladesh" (Bangladesh First), has just kicked off in the capital, promising a spectacular evening of music and cultural pride. 

Currently taking place at Manik Mia Avenue, the concert is scheduled to run till 11pm today, bringing together some of the country's most celebrated artistes and performers.

The concert, a key initiative by the BNP, aims to commemorate Victory Day while promoting Bangladeshi music and heritage. Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, joint secretary general of the BNP, highlighted the event's significance during a press conference titled "Bangladesh Comes First," held last Tuesday at Uday Tower in Gulshan. He emphasised the importance of nurturing national identity and countering foreign cultural influences through platforms like this concert.

A major highlight of the evening is the performance by legendary rock icon James, who is making a much-anticipated return to the open-air concert scene in Bangladesh.

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Another standout moment of the event is the return of Baby Nazneen to the Bangladeshi stage after a 15-year hiatus. The beloved singer's absence from the local cultural scene, stemming from political challenges that led her to reside in the United States, has left a void in Bangladeshi music. Her return for this special occasion has been met with widespread excitement, making her performance one of the most anticipated of the evening.

The concert also features a stellar roster of performers, including celebrated artistes like Kanak Chapa, Asif Akbar, Monir Khan, Aleya Begum, Khurshid Alam, Pritom, Xefer, Imran, and Kona. While folk performers will add a vibrant touch to the evening, popular bands such as Different Touch, Ark, and Rafa are also scheduled to take the stage to further energise the audience with their dynamic performances.