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| Iqbal Bahar Choudhury Chief, Bangla Service | Iqbal first joined VOA Bangla in 1973 as broadcaster and later managing editor before becoming service chief in 1994. He has interviewed major Bangladeshi political leaders, including the founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and President Ziaur Rahman. He has also received several awards for his work, namely the VOA Gold Medal Award (2002), Medjid Al Makky National Award in Pakistan for Best TV Newscaster (1968), and for special contributions in the field of Bangla culture and journalism. Iqbal has become a household name for his poetry reciation, having released four popular CD's of poetry recitation and music. |
| Roquia Haider Managing Editor | As VOA's "Sportscaster in Sari", Roquia loves sports and politics, landing interviews with top cricket players and politicians. In two decades of service, Roquia has won many awards for her coverage, particularly on the Olympics and Child Labor. She also contributes to VOA Urdu, Hindi, Afghanistan and Persian for special events. Prior to VOA, Roquia was a popular radio and television personality in Bangladesh. Roquia is also involved in community development, for which she received the US Presidential Volunteer Award. However her greatest achievement as a reporter was interviewing Mother Teresa. And in her personal life, being the mother of four loving and accomplished children. |
| Anis Ahmed Broadcaster | A relatively new face to VOA Bangla, Anis has worked hard to make a meaningful contribution in a short time. Anis has produced several award-winning programs including the “50th Anniversary of the Language Movement in Bangladesh” and “Democracy in Bangladesh: Problems & Prospects.” His primary coverage focus is on global and South Asian affairs for Interviews and Hello Washington and he is also a Web Editor. Prior to VOA, Anis worked as a broadcast journalist with BBC London for seven years and as a lecturer at London University, the Institute of Linguists and the University of Chittagong and Dhaka, respectively. Anis's first job in radio was for the popular Dhaka childrens program, Khelaghar, in the 1960s. |
| Asim P. Chakrabarti Broadcaster | As an avid student of history, AC's work with VOA Bangla enables him to narrate living history on a daily basis. Prior to VOA, AC worked in academia, as both student and teacher, where he completed extensive postgraduate work, including several MA degrees and a PhD. in History at major learning institutions in India and the US. He is also an avid thespian appearing in various theatrical productions in the US and India and writes detective novels in Bangla, three of which were published in Bangladesh and India. |
| Shameem Chawdhury Broadcaster | Since joining the staff in 2002, Shameem has produced several in-depth investigative series such as the seven-part “Street Children of Bangladesh.” Her work for Interviews includes conversations with Bangla cultural icons, namely the influential Bangla linguist, Bhasha Matin and the renowned painter, Rafiqunnabi. Prior to joining VOA, Shameem worked as a presenter for Bangla-TV's flagship program “Good Morning Britain" and with BBC-London for 17 years. Shameem began her career in broadcasting as a student at Dhaka University and later focused her postgraduate work in Bangla literature and language. Shameem is former Editor of the Bangla quarterly, Ongikar, and continues to write short stories. |
| Delores A. Davis Producer | Delores first joined VOA in 1987, as an administrative assistant and later became interested in radio production, eventually transitioning to a full-time producer for VOA Bangla. In support of the broadcast, Delores has broadened her horizons with regard to the Bangla language, culture and South Asians in general. She primarily enjoys the thrill in directing live broadcasts, particularly the popular weekly callin show “Hello Washington” and the recent roundtable discussion on the US presidential election. |
| Masuma Khatun Broadcaster | Masuma has acquired many "firsts" during her three decade career at VOA Bangla: first female full-time Bangla staffer, first female newsreader, editor, shift-editor and managing editor (acting). Masuma also hosted the popular weekly feature program “Women’s World” for 23 years. Prior to joining VOA, Masuma was a pioneer for Bangladesh Television from its founding in 1965 as a host, covering major events such as the 1971 war, Sk Mujib’s release from jail and a visit by Indian PM Indira Gandhi. Masuma also founded, produces and hosts "Bangla Bhalobashi," a Bangla cultural program which airs weekly in the DC metropolitan area. |
| Dilara Hashem Broadcaster | Dilara began her broadcasting career as a student in Dhaka University and played an integral role in the very first VOA Bangla broadcast from Dhaka. Her two long-running feature programs, “Songs of the People, Songs of Soil” a folk/country series and “Life in America” were very popular. Prior to VOA, Dilara worked as a broadcaster with Radio Dhaka, Central News Organization in Karachi and BBC. Dilara’s chief passion is writing Bangla novels, poems and plays. Her major works have earned critical acclaim and awards including the prized Bangla Academy Award for Literature (1976), the Annannya Literature Award (1998) and the Sarojini Naidu Gold Medal for Literature (2004). She holds an MA in English Literature from Dhaka University. |
| Ahsanul Huq Broadcaster | Ahsan works primarily as a television producer for the weekly VOA Bangla television program, Washington Barta, which airs every Friday on the popular TV affiliate, NTV. He is also very active in producing VOA Bangla radio programs and considers radio broadcasting his passion. Prior to joining VOA Bangla, Ahsan was based in London working for BBC Bangla. He was also news chief at a London based TV channel for nearly two years. Ahsan graduated from Dhaka University with a degree in English Literature and studied Indian film at SOAS, London University. Music and sports are his favorite hobbies. |
| Shegoftah Nasreen Queen Broadcaster | Shegoftah began her broadcasting career with VOA Bangla as a university student. Since then, she has has reported on many important news events. In addition, Shegoftah is also a Web Editor for the VOA Bangla web page earning a Superior Accomplishment Award. She also received the prestigious Silver Medal Award in 2006 for her unique contributions to Bangla language broadcasting and reporting. Shegoftah co-hosted the popular show Mitali (Letters from Listeners) for many years. Prior to joining VOA, Shegoftah was a Legislative Assistant to the Chairman of Ways and Means Committee, Maryland State Legislature. She also serves on the Board for Samhati, a Bangladeshi women’s organization. Shegoftah earned her BA in Economics from Trinity College and an MBA at American Univerisity. |
| Ziaur Syed Rahman Broadcaster | Syed Ziaur Rahman has covered many international events, including U.N. sessions; presented a wide variety of radio programs; and conducted in-depth interviews with important personalities in Bangladesh and the United States in the quarter century that he has worked for VOA Bangla. He has also received many awards, including the Superior Honor Award, Meritorious Honor Award, and program excellence awards. Syed began his career as a newspaper journalist in 1955. Before coming to VOA, he worked for several Bangla daily and weekly newspapers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. |
| Kabiruddin Sarkar Broadcaster | Kabir has been a staple of VOA Bangla broadcasts for over two decades. Prior to joining VOA, Kabir enjoyed a successful career in radio and television broadcasting in Bangladesh and Pakistan, where he received the National Television Award for Best News Anchor and voted Best Newscaster of Bangladesh by the popular Bengali newsweekly 'jae jae deen.' An arts graduate from Karachi University, Kabir also pursued a successful acting career, landing lead roles in major films besides Bangledeshi film legends as Kabori, Suchanda and Sujata. |
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Washington Barta
