The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dhaka Ahsania Mission has been honoured with Corporate Social Responsibility Award-2007 of Bankers' Forum. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed handed over this award to Dhaka Ahsania Mission President Kazi Rafiqul Alam at a ceremony held at the CIRDAP Auditorium on April 26.

Presided over by Bankers Forum President MA Khaleq, Bangladesh Association of Bankers Chairman Md Nazrul Islam Mazumder was present as special guest on the occasion.

Dhaka Ahsania Mission President Kazi Rafiqul Alam, Dutch- Bangla Bank Managing Director Md Yeasin Ali, Pubali Bank Managing Director Helal Ahmed Chowdhury, Standard Chartered Bank CEO Osman Morad and Islamia Eye Hospital Managing Director ASM Kamaluddin spoke on the occasion. Bankers' Forum Secretary General Armanul Habib delivered the address of welcome at the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said, bank and corporate sector would have to come forward to perform social responsibility, profit should not be their main concern, they would also have to work for the poor people. He mentioned that in Britain there is a separate minister for social responsibility. In India also there are separate guidelines for the central bank regarding social responsibility which are ensured in big corporate houses and corporations. In Bangladesh it is not possible to implement this by mere order. He urged the bank and financial institutions to perform their social responsibility.

Dhaka Ahsania Mission President Kazi Rafiqul Alam said, only a few out of 30 banks have come forward to perform social development. But the corporate bodies are not doing anything significant in the field of social obligation. He said, "We want to work jointly." He urged the concerned authorities to come forward in this direction.

Bankers Forum has given Award to six organisations in the year 2006-07 in recognition to their contributions in the field of social activities. The award winning organisations were Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Dutch Bangla Bank, Pubali Bank, Islamia Eye Hospital, Dhaka Bank, Standard Chartered Bank.