Special Correspondent: The National Press Club on Friday turned into a vibrant hub of festivity as it hosted a grand Fruit Festival and Musical Evening, featuring an impressive display of indigenous fruits and performances of patriotic songs.

The day-long event was marked by the exhibition and tasting of 42 varieties of local fruits, drawing enthusiastic participation from club members and their families. The festival was formally inaugurated with the performance of the National Press Club’s theme song, “Press Club Amader Second Home” (“The Press Club is Our Second Home”), setting a festive tone for the celebrations.

The fruit exhibition showcased a rich assortment of seasonal and indigenous fruits, including Amrapali and Fazli mangoes, jackfruit, pineapple, banana, star fruit, guava, litchi, wood apple, blackberry, dragon fruit, lotkon, amloki, amra, watermelons, melons, palm fruit, country dates, almonds and several other native delicacies.

The cultural segment featured patriotic and popular songs performed by renowned vocalists Tamanna Haque, Shahriar Rafat, Mimi Alauddin and Babu, captivating the audience throughout the programme.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan inaugurated the event as the chief guest. The opening ceremony was presided over by National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, while General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan delivered the welcome address.

The programme was conducted by Kader Gani Chowdhury, a member of the club’s Management Committee and Convener of the Special Events and Hospitality Sub-Committee.

Among those present were National Press Club Treasurer Bakhtiar Rana; Management Committee members Kazi Rawnak Hossain, Syed Abdal Ahmed, AKM Mohsin, Masumur Rahman Khalili, Shahnaz Begum Poly and Mohammad Momin Hossain, along with senior members of the club and their family members.

The colourful celebration highlighted the country’s rich agricultural heritage while fostering camaraderie among journalists and media professionals in an atmosphere of culture, music and national pride.