Health and Family Welfare Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain handed over crests to the former members and addressed the programme as chief guest.

He said newspapers can make significant contributions to the development of the nation by disseminating correct information to the people.

The minister urged the newspapers and other mass media to project development activities of the government along with objective criticism.

DU Vice-Chancellor Professor S M A Faiz said university correspondents have been playing a great role in maintaining a congenial atmosphere on the campus.

Pro-vice-chancellor Professor A F M Yusuf Haider, Chairman of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan, Director General of the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) Dr Rezwan Hossain Siddiqi and General Secretary of the National Press Club Shawkat Mahmood also spoke on the occasion.

DUJA President Sahabul Haq Sabu chaired the programme while General Secretary Muhammad Zakaria conducted it.

Ex-DUJA members, who once served different newspapers and agencies as Dhaka University correspondents, passed a happy day along with the family members by reminiscing about their past days.A raffle draw was also held at the programme.