Abul Khair Group, one of the leading conglomerates in Bangladesh, has honoured six exceptional individuals with the “M-Rise Hero” award for their relentless efforts in driving positive social transformation despite significant challenges.
The accolades were presented during the grand “M-Rise Gala Night” held on Thursday, at the InterContinental Dhaka. The event featured documentary showcases detailing the lives of the heroes, official reveals, and cultural performances.
Popular megastar Shakib Khan handed over the honorary crests to the winners, symbolically bridging the gap between reel-life heroism and real-life change-makers, in the presence of Sheikh Shabab Ahmed, Group Head of Corporate Affairs and Legal at Abul Khair Group.
In this inaugural edition of M-Rise, the honours were conferred upon Joy Barua Lablu, a Chattogram-based tech innovator who developed affordable bionic hands, and Md Rostom Ali from Cox’s Bazar, who was recognised for supporting neglected elderly individuals 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, while Md Rizwan from Chattogram received recognition for his “Education for One Taka” initiative, which provides opportunities for underprivileged children.
Additionally, Mariam from Cox’s Bazar was celebrated for economically empowering coastal women through seaweed farming, and Prosenjit Kumar Saha was recognised for his “Ucchash” initiative, which focuses on education, skill development, and health awareness.
Inspiring a new generation of heroes
During the ceremony, Shakib Khan expressed his pride in honouring these “real-life heroes,” stating that those working silently for society deserve such recognition as an inspiration for the entire nation.
He noted that platforms like M-Rise help bring individuals who create real change into the spotlight and suggested that such initiatives will encourage younger generations to become more socially responsible and compassionate.
Sheikh Shabab Ahmed highlighted the vision behind the initiative, noting that the Abul Khair Group has grown from humble beginnings into a leading conglomerate and has always prioritised the betterment of society beyond its business success.
He added that the M-Rise initiative was born specifically from that core vision of social contribution.
Reflecting on his work, award recipient Joy Barua Lablu stated that technology should be about making lives easier and better, noting that seeing the smiles on people’s faces inspires his innovation.
Md Rostom Ali expressed his gratitude to the Abul Khair Group for the recognition, hoping the initiative would encourage more citizens across the country to come forward and support humanitarian causes.
A sustainable platform for social change
The organisers of the M-Rise platform emphasised that the programme is intended as more than just an award ceremony; it serves as a dedicated platform to spread stories of positive change across the country.
They further confirmed that similar initiatives to highlight those contributing significantly to society will continue in the future. The gala was attended by a diverse audience, including senior officials of the Abul Khair Group, members of the press, and more than a hundred content creators.
Through this initiative, the group aims to ensure that the achievements of those working beyond the spotlight are acknowledged as national inspirations.
