Staff Correspondent

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Wednesday inaugurated 'Prantik Kanthaswar' (Marginal Voice), a new media cell of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), aimed at highlighting the grassroots struggles, successes, and socio-economic contributions of marginal communities on a national scale.

Inaugurating the platform as the chief guest at the Ansar and VDP headquarters, the minister described 'Prantik Kanthaswar' as an effective bridge to connect the public with the government's development agenda and the welfare-oriented activities of the force.

Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, Director General of the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, presided over the inauguration ceremony, while State Minister for Railways, Road Transport and Highways Habibur Rashid, MP, attended as the special guest.

Addressing the event, the information minister emphasized that the massive workforce of the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP should not be confined within traditional operational frameworks. Instead, they must be integrated into technology-driven, dynamic workflows that align with changing global realities. He noted that bringing the force's nearly six million members under digital platforms will allow their skills, capabilities, and positive contributions to be projected more effectively at the national level, adding that 'Prantik Kanthaswar' is a timely and visionary initiative that will play a critical role in highlighting the contributions of individuals working tirelessly for the welfare of the country.

State Minister Habibur Rashid remarked that the launch marks a modern, dynamic, and effective transformation of the public relations activities of the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP. He stated that the platform will serve as a reliable source for disseminating true, accurate, and verified information, thereby solidifying the force's role as a trusted partner of the government in ensuring social security and properly showcasing institutional innovations before the public.

In his presidential address, Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud said that the immense manpower of the Ansar and VDP can be utilized to implement the government's socio-economic development goals more systematically.

He explained that the online platform would bring forward grassroots realities, success stories, and life struggles of marginal people that often go unnoticed or uncovered by mainstream media, while also playing a crucial role in countering rumors and fake news. By raising public awareness and strengthening fact-based communication, the platform aims to deepen the relationship of trust between the general public and state institutions.

The event was also attended by Additional Director General of the force Brigadier General Mamunur Rashid, deputy directors general, and other senior officials.

Officials expressed optimism that the journey of 'Prantik Kanthaswar' will open a new horizon in making the information flow of the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP more transparent, modern, and citizen-centric.