The seventh edition of the TV reality show Ispahani Mirzapore Banglabid was inaugurated on Saturday with the aim of inspiring the younger generation to practise the Bengali language and promote its rich cultural heritage.

With the slogan "Rise Fully in Bengali", the country's leading tea brand, Ispahani Mirzapore, has been organising the competition since 2017 to encourage the use of pure Bengali among young people, organisers said at a press conference in the city.

Students from classes VI to X are eligible to participate in the competition. Those selected through auditions in the country's eight divisional cities and Cumilla will compete in the studio round. The competition, comprising 21 episodes, will be aired on Channel i.

The judging panel includes linguist and Dhaka University Bangla Department Professor Tariq Manzoor, novelist Anisul Haque and media personality Tropa Majumdar.

Registration for the seventh edition opened on June 27 and will continue until July 30.

The champion, first runner-up and second runner-up will receive merit scholarships worth Tk 1.0 million, Tk 300,000 and Tk 200,000 respectively. The top 10 contestants will also receive laptops, books and bookcases.

The grand finale of this year's competition will be held on January 1, 2027.

Former Bangla Academy Director General Professor Monsur Musa attended the inauguration as the chief guest.

Speaking at the event, he said the competition has helped people, especially students, better understand and appreciate the Bengali language.

Ispahani Group Directors Zahida Ispahani and Mirza Ahmed Ispahani were present at the press conference, along with Channel i Managing Director Faridur Reza Sagar and Ispahani Tea Ltd General Manager Omar Hannan.

Addressing the event, Omar Hannan said Ispahani Mirzapore Banglabid has grown into the country's largest reality show of its kind, which is a matter of pride for the organisers. He said the programme provides an opportunity to travel across Bangladesh, meet talented students and bring the best participants to Dhaka, describing the experience as "a beautiful journey."

Students can register for this year's competition by visiting www.banglabid.com.bd.

nsrafsanju@gmail.com