The gala night at the city's Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre witnessed the presence of a galaxy of personalities representing all spectra of the society.

Participation of enlightened personalities from both home and abroad, including microcredit guru Prof Muhammad Yunus, former president of the Philippines Fidel Ramos, journalist Kuldip Nayar and a host of other dignitaries, made the 15th anniversary celebration of The Daily Star a remarkable one.

The newspaper that began its journey back in 1991 with a firm commitment to uphold "people's right to know" shared the joy of its success with hundreds of well-wishers, patrons, politicians, members of the cabinet, social and economic leaders, and other successful entrepreneurs.

The celebration commenced with the inauguration of a photo exhibition in the evening.

Prof Yunus presented the keynote speech at the Plenary Hall of the venue. Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam delivered the welcome address while Chairperson of the Mediaworld, the owning company of the daily, Rokia A Rahman made the closing remarks.

The 15th anniversary celebration programme also featured a laser show depicting the making of a newspaper, classical dance by cultural troupe Nrityanchal, and Pot Gaan, a special folk song accompanied by a pictorial presentation of what is being sung.

The Pot Gaan by Rupantar was one of the night's special attractions as its dual effect of audio and visual accentuated the issue of press freedom.

On the occasion of the anniversary, The Daily Star is also bringing out 312 pages of supplements in six instalments, the first one of which--"Celebrating Bangladesh"--came out yesterday.

The other supplements are "Trends" to be published on February 7, "Our Cities" on February 10, "Sports" on February 13, "Investment" on February 16, and "Bangladesh and the World" on February 19.

Ministers, lawmakers and politicians
M Morshed Khan, Moudud Ahmed, Nazmul Huda, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Anwar Hossain Monju, Abdullah Al Noman, Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, Mirza Abbas, Sadek Hossain Khoka, Dr Kamal Hossain, Abdul Jalil, Lutfozzaman Babar, Obaidul Kader, Faruq Khan, Asaduzzaman Noor, Manjurul Ahsan Khan, Mujahidul Islam Selim, Hasanul Hoq Inu, Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, Rahmat Ali, Abdul Mannan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Mahi B Chowdhury.

Diplomats
Veena Sikri, Anwar Chowdhury, and the envoys of Japan, the Netherlands, the Philippines and Turkey.

Industrialists and business leaders
Manzur Elahi, Rouf Chowdhury, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Annisul Huq, Indranil Sengupta , Gitiara Safia Chowdhury, AK Azad, Nasir A Chowdhury, Sayeeful Islam, Samson H Chowdury.

Current and former government officials
Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Salehuddin Ahmed, Hemayetuddin, Khairuzzaman Chowdhury, Fakhruddin Ahmed, Mujibul Haq, Dr Farashuddin, Alamgir Farook Chowdhury, Farooq Sobhan.

Judges and lawyers
Dr M Zahir, Amir-Ul Islam, Rokanuddin Mahmud.

Journalists
Obaidul Haque, Ataus Samad, Matiur Rahman, Kazi Shahed Ahmed, Reazuddin Ahmed, Hassan Shahriar, Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Farid Hossain, Kuldip Nayar, Kunda Dixit, Raj Chengappa, Pana Javiraj, N Ram, HK Dua, Hameed Haroon.

Players
Habibul Bashar, Arif Hossain Joy, Diego Cruciani.

Cultural figures
Ramendu Majumder, Aly Zaker, Ataur Rahman, Alamgir, Runa Laila, Shishir Bhattacharya, Tarek and Catherine Masud.

Teachers and Civil society
Prof Rehman Sobhan, Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Prof Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, Badiul Alam Majumder, Prof Muntassir Mamun, Hashem Khan, Hamida Hossain, Ayesha Khanam, Khushi Kabir, Jafarullah Chowdhury, Dr SL Sen, Mustafizur Rahman, Rasheda Kabir Chowdhury, Dr Quazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed, Nuruddin M Kamal, Dr Toufiq Ali, Mirza Azizul Islam, AAMS Arefin Siddique.