Journalist Rafiqul Islam Montu, the pioneer of coastal journalism, was the first to receive the title of "Coastal Friend" in recognition of his special contribution to the media covering the entire coast in Bangladesh. On Monday (September 4) afternoon, the special memorial of the honor with the title of "Coastal Friend" was handed over to him by the MP of Lakshmipur-4 (Ramgati-Kamalnagar) constituency and the chief guest of the event, Abdullah Al Mamun. The Ramgati-Kamalnagar Online Activist Forum presented the honor at a program held in Bibirhat, Ramgati. Journalist Rafiqul Islam Montu's home is in the coastal district of Barguna. He has previously received about 15 other national and international awards. At the program, journalist Rafiqul Islam Montu and local MP Abdullah Al Mamun, freedom fighters and 10 others were given special memorials in recognition of their contributions to various fields of society. Chaired by the forum's vice-president Md. Belal and moderated by Saif Rashed, the speakers included Ramgati Upazila Freedom Fighter Commander Hasan Mahmud Ferdous, UP Chairman Tauhidul Islam Sumon, District Council member Mujahidul Islam Didar, community worker Khaled Amin Rashed, teacher Kamal Uddin Osman, expatriate businessman Haji Nazim Uddin, businessman Riaz Uddin, Dhaka University students Hasan Ibn Abdul Qayyum and Masud Sumon, among others.
Journalist Rafiqul Islam Montu's field of work covers 16 districts along the entire coast of Bangladesh. Throughout the year, he visits marginal coastal towns and brings news on various topics including the lives of endangered people, problems, prospects, climate change, environmental conditions, development-underdevelopment, citizen services, education-culture, etc., which he publishes in the media.
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