Dhaka: Country’s first automation-based private satellite television station International Television Channel Ltd (NTV) celebrated its ninth anniversary on 3 July 2013.

With the slogan ‘Somoyer Sathe Agamir Pothe’ meaning ‘heading towards the future with time’, holding Bangla language and culture close to heart, Al-haj Mohammad Mosaddak Ali on 3 July 2003 formed NTV.

The television channel celebrated its tenth anniversary with much pomp and grandeur.

Noted socialites, political leaders, sports figures and cultural figures attended the anniversary as honourable guests and some of the guests addressed the audience.

Eminent personnel of the country and cultural bodies came to the NTV office with garland marking the day.

Chairman and Managing Director of NTV Al-haj Mohammad Mosaddak Ali along with the guests inaugurated the event by cutting a spectacular cake to celebrate the occasion. And he addressed the audience.

Among others, noted Awami League leaders Sayed Ashraful Islam, Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Muhammad Hasan Mahmud, Asaduzzaman Noor, BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, MK Anwar (now deceased), Jasad leader Hasanul Haq Inu, Jatiya Party leader Ruhul Amin Howlader, eminent lawyer of the country Barrister Rafiq ul Haque, the then Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University AAMS Arefin Siddique, Chairman of ATN Bangla and ATN Group of Companies Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman, writer and film producer Faridur Reza Sagar, and film actress Moushumi addressed the occasion.

Citing NTV is the people’s television, Al-haj Mohammad Mosaddak Ali said, ‘NTV is the television of mass people of the country. We always try to produce our programmes and news keeping in mind people’s interest. From the wee hours the audiences have been giving their suggestions to improve our programme quality and we are taking them cordially. I hope our audiences will continue giving such suggestions for our betterment in future.

Sayed Ashraful Islam said, ‘NTV has unique quality in their programmes. There are so many television stations in our country but NTV has made their own place.’

Mirza Fakhrul Islam said, ‘Democracy becomes strong when the mass media become free. I hope NTV will work to uphold the country’s democracy.