Shahidul Islam Mintu
Contents
Childhood
Shahidul Islam Mintu[1], more commonly referred to as 'Mintu', was born and spent his childhood years in Rajbari, Bangladesh. His large household consisted of: two sisters, a brother, his two parents, his cousins, his aunt, and his uncle. From a young age, Mintu was highly invested in his studies and showed passion for writing. He often spent his free time reading newspapers and books to gain knowledge on topics of interest, such as politics and world history. Aside from reading, he participated in debates, was a long-time captain of his school's Boy Scouts, and of course, thoroughly enjoyed writing. Mintu was always encouraged to strive and work hard, as he grew up in a business-focused family. Even as a child, he worked hard to reflect these values, and would always be the top student- if not, second, in his class. Mintu was also active in his community, participating in drama and poetry events and contributing poetry of his own to the local newspaper.
Education
Mintu graduated from Rajbari Government Highschool with a first-divison SSC (Secondary School Certificate). He then graduated from Rajbari Government College, earning a first-division HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate). He also won the Champion trophy each year during Cultural Week. Following this, he got admitted to the University of Dhaka, the top university in Bangladesh and a Western Oxford institution recognised globally. He decided to enroll in the Department of Sociology[2], because he was deeply committed to strengthening society. Mintu achieved a BSS (Bachelor of Social Science) as well as an MSC (Master of Social Science).[3] Some years later, he moved to Canada, where he continued his education. He first completed a Documentary Making course at the Canadian Screening Society. After, he completed a Professional Development and Training in Journalism course at Seneca College[4] in Toronto, Canada. Later, he completed a Social Service Work course at the Canadian Business College[5] in Toronto, Canada. Most recently, Mintu completed a Fundamentals of Digital Marketing course at Google in 2020.
Career
Mintu began his career in journalism when working for Daily Aajker Kagoj and Khoborer Kagoj as a reporter. Then at Bangla Bazaar as the Entertainment Page Editor and later as the Local News Page Editor.[6] While he was working at Bangla Bazaar, he established Nandonik Telefilm, a media production house, through which he produced many dramas[7] and documentaries, his most popular production being a film called Devdas[8], which was also the first beta-formatted film in Bangladesh. During this time, he was also elected as President of the Bangladesh Cultural Reporters Organization. After immigrating to Canada in 2004, he started an online newspaper named The Bengali Times[9] in 2008, which soon became the most popular online Bengali newspaper in Canada. Four years later, in 2012, he established a (print) newspaper called The Weekly Bangla Mail[10], which became the largest circulated Bengali newspaper in Canada. Also since 2012, he has been the founder and managing director of Click Art BD, an outsourcing company.[11] From 2014-2017, he was the director of the Beaches-East York riding of the Conservative Party of Canada.[12]In 2016, he launched NRB TV[13], Canada's first 24-hour Bengali TV channel. NRB TV has since been Mintu's most thriving project. In 2018, he launched another media creation: Bangla Radio[14], the first 24-hour Bangla radio channel in North America. Since 2015, Mintu has held the Annual Bangladesh Festival[15], a festival which celebrates Bengali culture and honours members of the community. The Bangladesh Festival garners a great audience of 5000 visitors.[16] Lastly, since 2017, Shahidul has been the director of the BBCC (Bangladesh Business Chamber of Commerce).[17]
Community Involvement
Mintu has been involved with various charity and non-profit organizations in Canada. He is the advisor of the Greater Faridpur Association of Canada.[18] He is also the director of Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services (BCS).[19] Furthermore, he is the General Secretary of the Dhaka University Forum of Canada.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Mintu has achieved a number of honourable awards and recognitions. In Bangladesh, he received: the Bangladesh Cultural Reporter's Award (2003), the Bangladesh Film Journalist Award (2004), the Television Reporter's Award (2004), and many more. In Canada, Mintu received the honourable Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada award twice (2012 and 2018).[20] In addition, he received the Heritage Media Award in 2016.[21] He received the Canada 150-Year Celebration award from the Ministry of Immigration in 2017. NRB TV has been declared to be the best community TV channel in Canada.[22]
External Links
-Shahidul Islam Mintu's Official Website
-Shahidul Mintu's Facebook Profile
-Shahidul Mintu's Facebook Page
-Shahidul Mintu's Instagram Profile
-Shahidul Mintu's Twitter Page
References
- ↑ http://www.shahidulmintu.com/
- ↑ http://dusa-bd.com/search_res.php
- ↑ http://dusa-bd.com/search_res.php
- ↑ https://www.senecacollege.ca/home.html
- ↑ https://canadianbusinesscollege.com/
- ↑ https://www.beachmetro.com/2015/03/24/serving-torontos-bangla-readers/
- ↑ http://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/09/02/d50902140588.htm
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l04pau6g2s8&t=4171s
- ↑ http://www.thebengalitimes.com/
- ↑ http://www.thebanglamail.com/
- ↑ https://clickartbd.ca/
- ↑ https://www.banglanews24.com/business/article/32825/Bangladeshi-Shahidul-Beaches-East-York-Association-director
- ↑ http://www.thenrb.tv/
- ↑ https://banglaradio.ca/
- ↑ http://bangladeshfestival.ca/team
- ↑ https://shomporko.ca/english/5th-bangladesh-festival-held-amidst-great-merrymaking-in-toronto/
- ↑ https://www.prothomalo.com/durporobash/article/980869/%e0%a6%b6%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%96-%e0%a6%b9%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b8%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%a8%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%95%e0%a7%87-%e0%a6%b8%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%ae%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%95-%e0%a6%b8%e0%a6%ae%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%ae%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a8%e0%a6%a8%e0%a6%be-%e0%a6%a6%e0%a6%bf%e0%a7%9f%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%9b%e0%a7%87-%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%b8%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%b8%e0%a6%bf
- ↑ http://greaterfaridpur.ca/our-team.html
- ↑ https://www.bangladeshi.ca/board-members
- ↑ https://www.sources.com/Releases/NR1780.htm
- ↑ https://indiablooms.com/world-details/USN/9361/heritage-beyond-borders-showcasing-the-multicultural-face-of-canada.html
- ↑ http://nepmcc.ca/151217/_MG_6560.jpg
