Asef Bari
CEO, Bari Home Care
New York

Lion Asef Bari is one of the successful sons of Bangladesh who have become able to get established in the USA with dignity. Popularly known as Tutul, Asef Bari who hails from Rangpur, is one of the important leaders of world lionism movement. He is the President of Bangladeshi American Lions Club (District-20-R-2) in New York.
Lion Asef Bari who believes in serving people, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ‘Bari Home Care’ lincensed in the USA. He is the president of Rangpur Zilla Samity in New York and adviser of North Bengal Foundation in New York.
Lion Asef Bari was born on in a respectable family in Bangladesh. After completing his SSC and HSC from Cantonment Public School and College and graduation from Dhaka City College, Asef Bari went to the USA to pursue higher education. He completed Bachelor degree (BBA) in 1994 from Oklahoma State University in the USA.
In the USA, Asef Bari not only laid emphasis on his own development and establishment, he has also been working for the development of the Bangladeshi community here. Even he has created opportunities for the members of Bangladeshi community to earn from his business by which he is involved in serving people.

‘Bari Home Care’ established by Asef Bari is a healthcare firm which is run under a new program named the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) of the health department in New York. The firm has created opportunities for people to earn from home under the program. It is an easy method. Bari Home Care does all works for the members. ‘Medicaid’ will bear all expenses of the services provided to near ones. In such way, one can earn 55000 US dollar. Bari Home Care provides HHA training to its members. It also offers job of ‘caregiver’. It is mentionable that no certificate is required to get the job. Bari Home Care provides services under HHA, PCA and CDPAP programs of the health department in New York.

The philosophy of Bari Home Care is ‘Care for the loved ones with income opportunity’.
Lion Asef Bari has become an icon among Bangladeshis in the USA for his welfare initiatives which has got wide coverage in local media. Bari Home Care’s significant spot humanitarian service is ‘Cuneral Service’. The firm has been providing services for long to ailing, physically disabled old people in New York. The sincerity and efficiency of the employees of the firm is beyond question. In the coronavirus pandemic, Bari Home Care has extended its helping hands for the care of the people in the community.
Bari Home Care has set a rare example by bearing the costs of those who have died of coronavirus. Asef Bari Tutul said, “We believe in the motto that people are for people. When the relatives of those who have died of coronavirus were struggling to bear the costs of funerals, we provided money for the funerals. We have done this on humanitarian grounds.”
Urging the affluent section of the community to come forward, Asef Bari said, “We have to remain free from stress and keep our morale high during the coronavirus pandemic. We have to obey health rules and take care to boost immunity.”
Everyone should come forward to serve people, Asef Bari reckons.

Dr. Sezan Mahmud
A Luminary and Celebrated Physician-Scientist,
Writer, Lyricist and Filmmaker.

Dr. Sezan Mahmud a versatile, multi-talented and world-class leader in public health and medical academia. He is a celebrated and nationally awarded writer, lyricist and columnist of Bengali language. Officially known as Dr. Saleh Mahmudur Rahman, is one of the Bangladeshi immigrants for whom Bangladesh can feel proud for his notable works both as a medical scientist and as a writer. He received his M.B.B.S (M.D.) degree in medicine from Sir Salimullah Medical College, M.P.H degree from Harvard University School of Public Health and a Ph.D. degree from the UAB School of Public Health, Birmingham. He also has completed his IDF training fellowship in Endocrinology at Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School.
He now works as the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion and Professor of Medicine at the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medici e, Orlando, Florida. He is among few Bangladeshi who have received scholarships at the Harvard University for higher education. He is the first Asian who has received American Public Health Association Early Career Award, International Diabetes Federation Short Training Fellowship Award at Harvard Medical School and many other outstanding student and faculty awards from top institutions in the USA and in the world. He has been accorded with excellence in civil learning award for his extraordinary contribution and success in teaching and training and listed as top notable Bangladeshi-American along with many dignitaries. This recognition and achievement are not only made Sezan Mahmud proud but also put Bangladesh up high in recognitions. The University of Central Florida is the largest university in the USA with more than 70 thousand students. The standard of education and research system at the university is very high. There are 13,500 faculties in the university. In the university, 99 under graduate, 89 masters, 31 graduate doctorate, 30 professional doctorate and 3 specialized degree programs have been running. Bangladeshi-origin talented professor Sezan Mahmud is among the leaders in one of the best medical colleges where he is directing multiple programs. He has received numerous multi-million-dollar grants for research from the National Institute of Health.

Dr. Sezan Mahmud is a celebrated writer, lyricists, columnist and filmmaker. Sezan Mahmud published his debut novel “AgniBalak” (AwMœevjK) in 2009, well received by eminent writers and critics of contemporary Bengali literature. His book on the true, untold stories of Naval Commandos in the Liberation war (1971), is considered the very first docu-novel called Operation Jackpot (“Acv‡ikb R¨vKcU”, 1991). This book was translated into English by BBC journalist Sagar Chowdhury and published in Amazon Kindle version. His contribution to popularize the history of liberation war of Bangladesh to youngsters is noteworthy. His juvenile novel based on the liberation war (‘Moner Ghuri Latai’, 1992) was retold in the full-length feature film “Gourob” (‡MŠie) directed by nationally awarded film director Harunor Rashid. His writing has been selected and included by Bangladesh Text Book Board since 1996 in the sixth grade along with the most eminent writers of Bengali literature. Lashkata Ghar, a documentary film on the people called Dom (considered lower cast and untouchable) written and directed by Sezan Mahmud, has received 2014 Honorable Mention Award at the Richmond International Film Festival.
Sezan Mahmud wrote and tuned many popular songs sung by eminent singers of Bangladesh. Total, more than 100 songs are published in TV, radio, CD and other media. Some of his notable songs are Nelson Mandela (Fakir Alamgir), Bangabandhu (Debojit Saha), Kono Ek Sundori Rate (Samina Chowdhury), Ami noi shei Bonolata Sen, and Elomelo Chul (Kanak Chanpa), Amar duchokh diye (Tapan Chowdhury), Tobu bhalobashi amader Dhaka (Fakir Alamgir and others).
Sezan Mahmud is extremely prolific writer both in literature and scientific world. He has published so far 30 books in Bengali, more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, scientific essays and continuing writing at the current moment. His critically acclaimed novel is forthcoming in English from a worldwide publisher from United Kingdom in 2020. He is married to another notable Physician, scientist and actor Dr. Trishna Mahmud, they have two sons-Tishian Mahmud and Renoa Mahmud.

Dr. Nina Ahmad, Phd Auditor General Pennsylvania

She was supposed to be a doctor. She was also admitted to Dhaka Medical College. But she did not stay in the country as she got a scholarship from the United States. She moved to America at the age of 21. She holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1990, she has a Fellowship from Jefferson University in Molecular Genetics and Medicine specializes in digital advertising. She gained a wide reputation as a research scientist but she has earned more fame through making an important position in the mainstream American politics by winning election one after another. This luminary is Dr. Nina Ahmed, a daughter of Mymensingh, Bangladesh.
Dr. Nina Ahmed has recently won the election for the post ‘Auditor General’ in Pennsylvania, USA by five lakh votes. Her victory is not only for Bangladeshis, but for all Bengali speaking people in the world. She made history in the mainstream American politics by becoming the first Bangladeshi woman to hold the post of Auditor General. For the first time in the long 233-year history of mainstream American politics, a Bangladeshi and a non-white were fortunate enough to be elected for the post. Never before has a white candidate been defeated. The Democratic primary vote was held on June 2. Dr. Nina got about 465,000 votes. She defeated her main rival with a margin of 60,000 votes.
Dr. Nina Ahmed held an important position in the Barack Obama government in 2014. She was an advisor to the Asia-America Affairs Commission. The Pacific Islands were also covered by the commission.

She became the Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia City in 2015. As a result, she became active in politics. Nina Ahmed expanded her political activities in the state. She actively worked in other states as a leader of the Democratic Party. In 2018, she contested for the state’s lieutenant governor post. Knowing that her victory is decided, the opposition candidate has become able to change the constituency through the courts. For this reason, Dr. Nina Ahmed became a non-constituency candidate. As a result, she had to face defeat. But this Bangladeshi American intensified her activities. As a result, she has become undisputed leader of Bangladeshis in America through the election in 2020.
Bangladeshi American Dr. Nina Ahmed’s husband Ahsan Nasrullah was born in Bangladesh who is now a prominent businessman in Philadelphia. When her husband got success in business, Nina Ahmed engaged herself in politics quitting her job. She will campaign for Vice President Joe Biden’s front in the US next election. As a professional, she has worked as a scientist at Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson Medical College.
Dr. Nina Ahmed is not only a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry as a politician or a professional but also a researcher. She has done a lot of research on welfare thinking of American life. She personally has a deep affection for Bengali language literature as well as literature of other languages. While living in Bangladesh, meritorious and handsome student Nina Ahmed participated in the Lux Beauty contest and became a ‘runner up’. She also practiced beauty in the midst of her busy political life. She thinks that awareness to beauty inspires people to their work.
Dr. Nina Ahmed is personally very modest and friendly. Her popularity in the Bangladesh community is skyrocketing because, she always thinks of the welfare of Bangladeshi people. In the midst of hundreds of activities, she used to take part different programs organized by Bangladeshis and highlight the importance of Bengali culture there. She always reminds the new generation of boys and girls about Bangladeshi which is their roots.

Dr. Nina Ahmed feels proud of the current development trend in Bangladesh. She is hopeful that Bangladesh will become a humanitarian state by overcoming all crises and partisan mentality. The improvement of law and order will be established in the country gradually.

Dr. Nina Ahmed thinks, this election is a proof that the people of Pennsylvania want a change. She is committed to restructuring the state’s economy, police service and judiciary. This Bangladeshi-American woman is also revered as an anti-apartheid leader. Everyone believes that Dr. Nina Ahmed will be able to strengthen her position in the USA mainstream politics in future.

Lora Chowdhury An Experienced Lawyer, Sidley, Dallas

Lora Chowdhury, now a First Generation Bangladeshi-born American lawyer, is an important associate of SIDLEY, a commercial law firm. In addition to the Bangladesh community in Dallas, her reputation as a young lawyer has already spread to other communities. Prior to joining SIDLEY, she has served duties as Judicial Law Clerk for Honorable David Hittner of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas from 2017 to 2019.

Hardworking and self-confident Lora Chowdhury obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Economics in 2014 from University of Texas, Austin and a bachelor degree in Law in 2017 from Vanderbilt University Law School. She has completed her secondary education from Cedar Hill High School in 2011. She is a member of the Dallas South Asian Bar Association. She is an experienced lawyer in Commercial Litigation and Disputes. Lora Chowdhury, a skilled and smart lawyer, practices at the US District Court, E.D. of Texas and the US District Court of SD of Texas. Her father’s name is Masud Chowdhury. He is a famous businessman. Her sister Lira Chowdhury is a physician by profession.
Lawyer Lora Chowdhury is working as a conscientious advocate locally, domestically and internationally to assist for the development and providing education to the underprivileged children. She has been performing this duty with utmost devotion since January 2010. This humanitarian lawyer plays an important role in arranging international conference program; she also plays a leading role in raising funds for the needy and helpless children. As a result of her positive planning and action, the children who deprived of access to legal opportunities are getting those opportunities.

Lora Chowdhury has undertaken many programs for the education of poor children and to increase awareness about rights among them. She thinks that poverty makes people helpless and deprives the children to get education. For this reason, she puts emphasis on the involvement of mothers in cottage industries and other activities to make them self-reliant. She conducts various seminars to raise awareness about the curse of poverty. She took part as a guest speaker at Yale University’s International Conference on Child Rights and Philosophy. She has taken various initiatives to create ‘hope’ in children with the power of knowledge and the significance of higher education nationally and internationally including at the local level. She is associated with the American Heart Association. As its spokesperson, she advises to make women health conscious and health sustainable.
Lora Chowdhury finds joy and happiness in working with children. She works at local, national and international level. She helps disadvantaged children to get valuable education. She believes that education is a big factor for the growth of a man. Her involvement in these activities is appreciated nationally and internationally. She also serves as an international spokesperson for the tutoring organization Distressed Children & Infants International (DCI). Her whole family including her father is involved with DCI.

She tries to spread passion and thirst for knowledge among children. Lora Chowdhury has launched a scholarship program to benefit young girls involved in DCI programs.

She spends her time working in developing countries and orphanages. She hopes that though they are helpless and miserable but every child will come forward to fulfill their dreams by using self-motivation and opportunity.

Lora Chowdhury is a visionary lawyer and political activist. She dreams of becoming a “female member of Congress” in a great state like Texas. Lora is a very energetic and hardworking woman. In 2011, Lora was empowered with a crown and a certificate as Miss Teen Texas International 2011 for spreading the power of knowledge to children around the world. As Lora herself believes, education is truly the key to success. She thinks that the education inspires others to improve their faith and values. She is a leading woman in this field. This energetic lawyer is working to eliminate poverty and transform every child into a force by spreading the light of knowledge.
She also likes to spend time and eat together with orphaned and destitute children in the orphanage. Last Ramadan, she had Iftar with the children of DCI Sun Child Home Orphanage, spent time with them and encouraged them as well.

Lora Chowdhury has founded the Learning Creators Future Scholarship Program under DCI to provide opportunities and resources for post-secondary education to indigent and underprivileged children in Third World countries. By educating children around the world about the power of knowledge and the beauty of their own dreams, she is working extremely hard to inspire children around the world. Through Learning Creatures Future, she has provided more than 30 scholarships besides training at the DCI Orphanage at Mohammadpur in Dhaka, where she has set up a library network for girls. As a result of her initiative, many indigent and helpless children have got the opportunity to establish themselves in the society by acquiring knowledge.
This initiative of lawyer Lora Chowdhury has not only her proud but also Bangladesh. Even though she is a first generation American but she loves Bangladesh very much.

UPDATE: Starting in 2024, films vying for a Best Picture nomination will need to meet new standards set by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Per a press release, the movie must meet two of the four following standards requirements: on-screen representation, themes, and narratives; creative leadership and project team; industry access and opportunities; and audience development.

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Celebrities Discuss Diversity in Hollywood

AMPAS

Panels called “Academy Dialogue: It Starts with Us” will also be available to members and the public to foster conversations “on the systemic changes that need to occur in areas such as casting, screenwriting, producing, directing, financing and green-lighting of movies in order to afford opportunities to women and people of color and to help create a new narrative for recovery.”

The Academy also passed a resolution enacting maximum term limits for its governors. Starting with the 2020-2021 board term, those on the Board of Governors can serve for up to two, three-year terms, consecutive or non-consecutive, followed by a two-year hiatus after which eligibility renews for up to two additional three-year terms, for a lifetime maximum of 12 years.

Prior to this, governors were allowed to serve three consecutive three-year terms with a one-year hiatus and no lifetime maximum.

Kylian Mbappe scored a fine winning goal as France began their Nations League campaign with victory in Sweden.

Antoine Griezmann was off target with a late penalty after Anthony Martial was fouled in the box by Victor Lindelof.

World champions France host Croatia, who lost 4-1 to Portugal on Saturday,in Group A3 on Tuesday (19:45 BST).

Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, Wolves midfielder Diogo Jota and Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix had all netted to put the European champions 3-0 up.

Bruno Petkovic pulled a goal back in injury-time, but there was still time for Andre Silva to grab a fourth for the hosts in Lisbon, who were without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cheap steroids can save the lives of patients who are critically ill with Covid-19, studies show.

The findings confirm the results of an earlier trial, which has already led to steroids being used widely for Covid patients in intensive care.

The new results, published in JAMA, show eight lives would be saved for every 100 patients treated.

The researchers said the findings were impressive, but stressed steroids were not a coronavirus cure.

• What progress are we making on treatments?

In June, the UK’s Recovery trial found the first drug – a steroid called dexamethasone – that could save the lives of people with severe Covid.

The latest study brings together all clinical trials involving steroids on coronavirus patients around the world.

It confirms dexamethasone works and that another steroid, hydrocortisone, is equally effective.

“At the beginning of the year, at times it felt almost hopeless knowing that we had no specific treatments,” said Prof Anthony Gordon, from Imperial College London.

“It was a very worrying time, yet less than six months later we’ve found clear, reliable evidence in high quality clinical trials of how we can tackle this devastating disease.”

The results on 1,703 critically ill patients showed:

• 40% died when given only standard treatment
• 32% died when given steroids

The studies were on only the sickest hospital patients. Most people recover having only experienced mild symptoms.

• RISK AT WORK: How exposed is your job?
• VIRUS FATIGUE: Is it time to move on?
• THE R NUMBER: What it means and why it matters
• COMPARING COUNTRIES: The pitfalls of doing so
• RECOVERY: How long does it take to get better?

Steroids calm down inflammation and the immune system, which is why they are already used in conditions like arthritis and asthma, as well as in some severe infections.

The drugs are not thought to be helpful in the early stages of a coronavirus infection – when symptoms include a cough, fever or a sudden loss of taste or smell.

But as the disease develops, the immune system can go into overdrive, damaging the lungs and other organs.

It is this stage of Covid that steroids are thought to help with.

“At the point at which you reach for an oxygen cylinder for a patient with Covid, you probably should be reaching for the prescription for corticosteroids,” said Prof Martin Landray, from the University of Oxford.

“These results are instantly useable; they are widely available, cheap, well-understood drugs that reduce mortality.”

Doctors are already using dexamethasone after the results earlier in the year, but the hope is that having the choice of different drugs will increase access to the treatment around the world.

The drugs can either be swallowed as tablets or given via intravenous drip.

The research so far has focused on low doses of steroids. There is no evidence that higher doses would be more effective.

New guidelines for doctors are expected to be released by the World Health Organization.

In the UK, NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “Just as we did with dexamethasone, the NHS will now take immediate action to ensure that patients who could benefit from treatment with hydrocortisone do so, adding a further weapon in the armoury in the worldwide fight against Covid-19.”