By the grace of Almighty Allah, along with the prayers of my colleagues and friends, I have been fortunate enough to receive over two dozen honors, including 11 national-level awards related to professional journalism. However, the recognition I received on Friday, January 10, is something I will cherish for a lifetime.

That evening, at the Engineers’ Institution Hall in Dhaka’s Ramna, I was awarded a “Lifetime Achievement Award in Investigative Journalism” by The Times of Dhaka. The event was meticulously organized, with the hall packed to capacity. A musical performance by a band in the final segment drew additional crowds outside the venue as well.

The dais was naturally occupied by an array of dignitaries, including a prominent political figure as the chief guest. However, I felt a polite objection to sitting alongside politically affiliated leaders while touting the ideals of “neutral journalism.” Therefore, I convinced the organizers to let me take a seat on a couch in the audience, alongside a few other journalists.

The program began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome speech by The Times of Dhaka’s Editor, Al Baru Mustakim Nibir. As performers sang two patriotic songs from below the dais, the hall’s atmosphere transformed entirely. The rhythmic clapping and chants of “Bangladesh, Bangladesh” by the audience and guests reverberated across the room, creating an electrifying ambiance. From the outset, it was evident that participants in the revolutionary movements of 2024 were enthusiastically involved.

Amid the special guests’ speeches, revolutionary songs from the 2024 movement were performed intermittently by street artists—both male and female vocalists delivering soulful renditions of a few lines here and there. This dynamic combination kept the event far from monotonous, maintaining a continuous wave of enthusiasm from start to finish.

In the midst of journalism’s ongoing challenges and struggles, an unexpected moment occurred. Following the chief guest’s speech, the host announced my name for the Lifetime Achievement Award in Investigative Journalism. Immediately, the event chair, Al Baru Mustakim Nibir, rushed to the microphone with an extraordinary request. He said, “To honor the risks of journalism and to pay tribute to an honest journalist, I humbly request everyone to stand and applaud—our chief guest, special guests, and all attendees alike.”

Awkwardly glancing forward, I was both overwhelmed and humbled. To my astonishment, every dignitary on the dais—leaders, bureaucrats, expatriates, and human rights activists—rose in unison. Hundreds of audience members and even the two technicians operating the sound system stood as well. Until I finished my brief response after accepting the award, I did not see a single person take their seat. This collective gesture left me deeply emotional.

While I felt embarrassed by the personal attention, I was immensely delighted to witness the symbolic respect for journalism. Thank you, The Times of Dhaka, and much love to dear Nibir.