Press Release
12 October, 2026, 09:40 pm
Last modified: 12 October, 2026, 09:41 pm
Faruk Mehedi, Managing Editor of Kaler Kantho, received the Mahatma Gandhi Goodwill Award for promoting Gandhi's ideals and philosophy of non-violence.
Guests presented the honour to journalist and writer Faruk Mehedi at a discussion and award ceremony organised by the Gandhi Ashram Trust at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka yesterday (11 October), marking Gandhi's 157th birth anniversary, according to the press release.
The programme highlighted Gandhi's life and ideals and sought to spread his message of non-violence. Against a backdrop of growing violence, conflict and division worldwide, it stressed the continuing relevance of his philosophy of peace, harmony and fraternity.
His call for mutual respect and understanding among people, regardless of religion or background, continues to inspire those working for peace.
Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in the history of the Indian subcontinent, was born on 2 October, which the UN designates as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Speaking as the chief guest, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said, "Mahatma Gandhi was a pioneer of peace and harmony. His ideals inspire us. Following the student-led mass uprising, people's expectations of us are much higher. We must strengthen harmony and goodwill in the country. We must build a new Bangladesh with everyone's participation."
Special Guest Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon said the Gandhi Ashram was in Noakhali's Sonaimuri and that, as an elected representative of the area, he considered himself its guardian.
"We want to develop a tourism circuit around the Gandhi Ashram in the future. We also want to spread Mahatma Gandhi's message of non-violence. His legacy lives on, and his ideals of non-violence are an example for us to follow," he said.
Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pawan Badhe said building a humane society required cultivating peace, compassion, and harmony, not division and conflict. Gandhi's life and work reminded us of that enduring truth, he added.
Accepting the award, Faruk said, "Receiving an award is always a joy. I have been given the Mahatma Gandhi Goodwill Award in the name of an international figure who spent his life promoting non-violence and non-sectarian values. I consider this one of the most memorable days of my life."
He added, "Alongside my work in business journalism, I have long tried to follow Mahatma Gandhi's ideals. Through my involvement with the Gandhi Ashram Trust, I have also worked to promote those ideals. My documentary on his life and work, 'Shantir Agradoot', is one of my significant contributions in this regard. I am grateful to those concerned for selecting me for this award."
Jiban Kanai Das, Chairman of the Gandhi Ashram Trust Board of Trustees and a retired major, chaired the ceremony.
Barrister ABM Hamidul Mezbah presented a paper, while Gandhi Ashram Trust CEO and Director Raha Nabakumar moderated the programme.