Congratulations to Mission Save Bangladesh, founded by Tajdin Hassan, Imran Kadir, and Adnan Imtiaz Halim, on winning the prestigious Joy Bangla Youth Award for their tireless efforts during the pandemic, setting an example for the rest of the country to follow.
The initiative, which raised close to $200,000, helped over 100,000 underprivileged people in numerous ways, from providing them with groceries, to offering financial support to micro and small business owners, to disinfecting public places and houses, and distributing hand sanitizers and personal protective equipment.
During the pandemic, which has brought about immense suffering to so many people across the nation, it is extremely heartening to see the youth of the nation take matters into their own hands to help those most in need. They deserve and have earned this award, and the adulation that comes with it.
Indeed, such actions offer a stark contrast to the stories of misappropriation, neglect, corruption, and dishonesty from individuals and groups who have held extremely lofty positions in society, and perhaps offers a glimpse of hope that, despite the setbacks we face due to these nefarious parties, our future generation is ready to lead the nation free from such immorality.
For now, what is important is to continue to encourage our youth, and offer them all the assistance they may require. Too often in Bangladesh, ideas from the younger population are squashed when they are conceived.
This must change, and we must build a positive, enabling environment where the leaders of tomorrow are allowed to dream and come up with ideas. Holding back the potential of the youth will only hold the country back, and that is something nobody wants.