Four top pickle makers from across the country received accolades at the "19th Pran National Pickle Competition"'s finale in Dhaka on Friday, according to a press release.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni handed over the awards as chief guest while Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, CEO and chairman of PRAN RFL Group, Uzma Chowdhury, director (corporate finance), Eleash Mridah, managing director of PRAN Group and Israrul Haque, executive director of Channel i, among others, were present at the function.
Nowrin Ahsan of Dhaka won the "Pickle of the Year", as well as the best pickle in sour category, while Sayeda Asma of Jessore won in sweet category, Abida Sultana of Barisal won in hot category and Farzana Afrin of Dhaka won in mixed category.
Nowrin received Tk2 lakh as prize money, while first placed winners were awarded with Tk50,000 each, winners of second places with a washing machine each and winners of third places with a microwave oven each. A 10-member panel judged the winners of the competition.
Addressing the program, Dr Dipu Moni said, “Pickle is a part of our tradition. The women of the country have been making pickle for long time. But they never consider it as a commercial item. This pickle competition is working as a platform for the women to move forward.”
Ahsan Khan Chowdhury said, “PRAN is running its activities with the country’s general people especially women and farmers. PRAN is entering to world market after processing the farmer’s crops and becoming popular to the world as PRAN (heart) of Bangladesh. PRAN group is working relentlessly regarding women empowerment. We have been organizing the event for last 19 years to show the respect to the activities of country’s women folk.”
The award giving ceremony was followed by a cultural function where singer Salma and artists of Shurer Dhara participated.
In addition, a daylong "Achar Utsab" was also held at the program premises.