Cinebuzz Times UK & Europe editor was honoured with UK Bangla Reporters Unity UKBRU Award 2023 for making an outstanding contribution to journalism in a ceremony held on 28 July at an East London venue. Apart from Cinebuzz Times editor Ansar Ahmed Ullah is also the UK Correspondent for Bangladesh’s Daily Star, Special Correspondent for GBnews24.com, Contributing Editor for Shottobani, Advisor to Bisshobanglanews24.com, Advisor to online TV NL24, ex-Member of London Bangla Press Club and ex-president of UK Bangla Reporters Unity (2021-2022) and regularly contributes to Bangla Mirror, Bangla Post, British Bengali News, Jagannath Times and other news outlets.
In the 1980s, he jointly edited the Federation of Bangladeshi Youth Organisations news bulletin Jubo Barta. In 1984 he contributed towards a magazine called Shurjomukhi for children & youth published by Khelaghor, a children’s organisation. From 1987 to 1989, he also contributed to Restora, a journal of Bangali restaurant workers published by the Bangalee Restaurant and Hotel Workers Project. In 1994 he jointly edited the ‘Shadinata’ pamphlet. In 2004 he researched on ‘Exploring Banglatown and the Bengali East End’ walking guide published by Tower Hamlets Council. In 2008 he was a joint editor of the book Three Generations of Bengalis in Britain, documenting Bengali activism and creative activity in the UK.
In addition, Ansar Ahmed Ullah has written articles on the search for Lascars (2013), ‘Unsung Heroes of Bangladesh’s Independence Movement’ (2015), ‘Teachers notes: 3 generations of Bengalis in Britain’ (2006), jointly edited Bengalis in London’s East End’ (2010), Commemorating Altab Ali Day (2012), Our Struggle, Our Freedom (2018) and Brick Lane 1978: The Turning Point (2022).
Bangladesh High Commissioner in London, Saida Muna Tasneem, was present as the chief guest at the UKBRU Media Award 2022/2023. Saida Muna Tasneem assured that the London-based Bangladesh High Commission will support journalists in social activities, including training.
Chairman of UK Bangla Reporters Unity Matiar Chowdhury presided and general secretary Sajidur Rahman and Happy Sharmin jointly conducted the event. Other guests who graced the occasion were London Borough of Newham Council Chair Speaker Rahima Rahman, London Borough of Redbridge Mayor Jyotsna Islam, London Borough of Camden Mayor Najma Rahman, London Borough of Tower Hamlet Council’s Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar, Bangladesh High Commission Minister (Press) Ashequn Nabi Chowdhury and UK Bangla Reporters Unity Founder President Muhammad Shahed Rahman.
Other UKBRU Media Award 2022/2023 awardees were the late Ajay Paul, Shottobani News Editor Nilufa Yesmin Hasan and Channel S Television Head of News Kamal H Mehdi. At the same event, UKBRU Best Reporters of the Year 2021 was awarded to ATN Bangla UK Manchester correspondent Aminul Haque Oyes and Jagannath Times Contributing Reporter, Managing Editor of Brit Bangla Guardian Muhammad Saleh Ahmed.
Late Ajay Paul’s award was accepted by his wife, Deepa Paul and son Deepayan Paul. Kamal Mehdi, Nilufa Yesmin Hasan and Ansar Ahmed Ullah accepted the awards in person and expressed their gratitude by accepting the award. Apart from awarding the awards, the guests also unveiled the cover of the July/2023 issue of the Journal of UK Bangla Reporters Unity.