The Khulna Divisional Journalists Forum held 'Fruit Festival 2025' at the Capital Market Journalists' Forum (CMJF) auditorium in the capital. Promoting local fruit and raising health awareness were the main messages of the festival.

The festival, held on Saturday, 12 July, was chaired by forum president Touhidur Islam Mintu. Poet Hasan Hafiz, president of the National Press Club and editor of Kaler Kantho, was the chief guest.

The organisers said the festival had added a new dimension to health awareness and the promotion of local produce, and expressed hope that such events would continue. Mangoes, pineapples, hog plums, bananas, latkan, dragon fruit, jackfruit and other local and seasonal fruit were served.

The guests said such events play an important role in spreading the nutritional value and taste of the country's traditional fruit among the public.

National Press Club president Hasan Hafiz said Khulna is part of the country's heritage. An international natural asset like the Sundarbans lies in the region, and Khulna plays an important role in the economy, he said.

Former information minister Didar Bakht said that if the power of journalists' pens could be harnessed, the country could become self-sufficient in food. Economic development is possible through fruit preservation and exports, he said. "Khulna Division is a huge basket of potential that must be used. The region has fallen behind for lack of leadership from Khulna. We ourselves must come forward to fill this gap."

Amar Desh deputy editor Sultan Mahmud Badal said everyone must come forward shoulder to shoulder for Khulna's development.

Forum president Touhidur Islam Mintu said seasonal fruit is a unique gift of nature that works like a natural protective vaccine, helping our bodies resist disease. "Today's fruit festival is built around this idea. It is not limited to fruit; it is also a get-together that builds harmony and bonds among journalists," he said.

Those who spoke as special guests included former state minister for information Syed Didar Bakht; former Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) president Mursalin Nomani and its current general secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel; CMJF president Golam Samdani; journalist Amirul Islam Kagoji; Dhaka Medical College principal Professor Dr Md Kamrul Alam; and Khulna Division Development Council president Dr Saiful Alam. The event was conducted by forum general secretary Nasir Ahmed Rasel.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.