Six exceptional individuals were honoured with the ‘M-Rise Hero’ award at a grand ceremony held at a city hotel on Thursday. One of Bangladesh's leading conglomerates, Abul Khair Group, has honoured six exceptional individuals with the "M-Rise Hero" award for their relentless efforts in bringing positive changes to society despite numerous challenges, says a press release.
The winners were honoured at the grand "M-Rise Gala Night" held on Thursday, at InterContinental Dhaka.
The event featured documentary shows based on the heroes' lives, hero reveals, and cultural performances.
Popular megastar Shakib Khan handed over the honorary crests to the winners, symbolically connecting reel-life heroism with real-life change makers. Sheikh Shabab Ahmed, Group Head of Corporate Affairs and Legal at Abul Khair Group, was also present at the event.
In the inaugural edition of M-Rise, to Chattogram-based tech innovator Joy Barua Lablu, who has created affordable bionic hands and opened new possibilities for many people. Md. Rostom Ali from Cox's Bazar was recognized for supporting neglected elderly people and orphaned children through the "Ma-Baba Foundation." Animal welfare activist Md. Abdul Kaiyum from Dhaka was honoured for his long-standing work in rescuing and treating stray animals.
Additionally, Md. Rizwan from Chattogram received recognition for his "Education for One Taka" initiative, which supports underprivileged children with educational opportunities. Mariam from Cox's Bazar was honoured for empowering coastal women economically through seaweed farming. Meanwhile, Prosenjit Kumar Saha was recognized for his "Ucchash" initiative, which works on education, skill development, and health awareness.
Some of the award recipients also shared their feelings and thanked Abul Khair Group for encouraging social initiatives through such a unique platform.
Expressing his feelings while handing over the awards, Shakib Khan said, "I am truly proud to honor these real-life heroes. The people who are silently working for society deserve this recognition. Their achievements are not only personal accomplishments, but also an inspiration for the entire nation. Platforms like M-Rise bring forward those individuals who create real change beyond the spotlight. I believe such initiatives will inspire younger generations to become more socially responsible and compassionate."
Expressing his enthusiasm for recognizing true heroes, Sheikh Shabab Ahmed, Group Head of Corporate Affairs and Legal at Abul Khair Group, said, "The journey of Abul Khair Group itself is an inspiring story. From humble beginnings, the organization has grown into one of the country's leading conglomerates. Beyond business success, Abul Khair Group has always worked for the betterment of society and people. The M-Rise initiative was born from that very vision."
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