United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday spent some cheerful moments with children at a day-care centre in the “Bhumi Bhaban” in the capital after inaugurating the three-day “Land Service Fair-2026.” After the inauguration programme, the Prime Minister visited the “Shishu Dibajotno Kendra” (day-care centre) on the ground floor of the building, run under the supervision of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. The inauguration ceremony of the fair was held on the 2nd floor. Seeing the Prime Minister, the children became excited and rushed towards him, surrounding him with joy and laughter. Some reached out for handshakes, some pulled him towards their toys, while others eagerly showed him drawings they had made. The day-care centre was filled with the sound of toys, cheerful laughter and the excited voices of children. Breaking through a tight layer of security, the Prime Minister spent 18 minutes with the children from around 11:30am, as if briefly stepping into a world of carefree childhood filled only with laughter and happiness. Tiny feet ran around the rooms, turning the space into a lively world of innocence and joy. The Prime Minister looked at the children attentively, smiling warmly and praising their efforts. At times, he gently patted their heads, and at others, he laughed openly at their innocent words. Some children called him “uncle”, while others called him “mama” as they came forward to talk to him. In their pure affection and excitement, it seemed the Prime Minister was reminded of his own childhood days of running freely, playing with friends and simple joys. A cake-cutting ceremony was arranged later, adding to the children’s excitement. Tarique Rahman joined the children around the cake and cut it together with them. The room filled with applause and laughter. Some children fed cake to the Prime Minister with their small hands, while he too, lovingly shared cake with them. Later, talking to UNB, Women and Children Affairs Minister AZM Zahid Hossain said the children were overjoyed to see the Prime Minister and expressed their happiness by gathering around him. He said Tarique Rahman also personally handed out chocolates, toffees, lollipops and gift bags to the children. While distributing chocolates and sweets, Zahid said, the Prime Minister repeatedly asked if any child had been left out. He said a cake was kept there from earlier. “Looking at the cake, the Prime Minister asked the children whose birthday it was. Several children excitedly replied, “Mine, uncle, mine!” The Prime Minister then told them, “Today is the birthday of all of you. Come, let’s cut the cake together.”  

A delegation of Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) on Sunday visited critically injured physician Dr Nasir Ahmad, who is undergoing treatment in the ICU at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) after reportedly being attacked at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital. The delegation visited the hospital following special directives from ZRF President and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the foundation’s Vice President Dr Zubaida Rahman. Led by ZRF Executive Director Prof Dr Farhad Halim Doner, the delegation went to DMCH around 5pm, inquired about the treatment of the injured doctor and spoke with his family members. They assured all-out support for Dr Nasir’s treatment and demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the attack through legal measures. Speaking at the hospital, Prof Dr Farhad Halim Donar said violence against doctors has reached an alarming level. “A doctor is also a human being, someone’s brother or sister. But people tend to forget that. When a patient recovers, it is said to be by the grace of Allah, but if a patient dies, all blame is placed on the doctor,” he said. He said the government has already taken various initiatives to ensure the safety of physicians at workplaces, including a decision to deploy Ansar personnel at every upazila and health centre. “However, increasing security alone will not solve the problem. There must also be a change in people’s mindset,” he added.  

Calling upon the country’s people to take a vow to rebuild the nation, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday said his government does not merely want to dream, but aims to formulate and implement plans to improve the lives of people. “From today, let our only mission be nation-building and state reconstruction. Let this be our commitment,” he said while addressing a rally after inaugurating the re-excavation of historic Khorddo Khal canal in Shahrasti upazila of Chandpur. The Prime Minister said the government wants to take realistic and effective plans and called upon people from all walks of life to work together to move Bangladesh forward and rebuild the state through collective efforts. “Our goal is one and our purpose is one. We do not just want to dream; we want to implement plans that will benefit the country’s people, move the nation forward and change people’s fate,” he said. Referring to the canal re-excavation programme, Tarique said the initiative had originally been started 48 years ago by his late father and former president Ziaur Rahman. “Let us all pledge to move the country forward.” Quoting from the Holy Quran, the Prime Minister said Allah helps those who help themselves. “If this canal is not excavated, our farmer brothers will not get water. Once the canal is re-excavated, they will benefit,” he said. Tarique said Bangladesh could become a dignified nation in the world if the country’s 20 crore people work together hand in hand. “If 40 crore hands of 20 crore people work together, Insha’Allah, we will be able to build Bangladesh into a respected state in the world,” he said. The Prime Minister also said his government would gradually implement the promises made to people before the election. “BNP always tries to fulfil the commitments it makes to people whenever it is in office,” he said. Stating that the people of Bangladesh are the source of BNP’s strength, Tarique said, “As long as people stand beside us and support us, our work for the country will continue.”  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday inaugurated the re-excavation work of historic Khorddo Khal (canal) in Shahrasti upazila of Chandpur, 48 years after his late father excavated it. After travelling by road from Dhaka, the Prime Minister reached the canal re-excavation site at Uyaruk Bazar in Tamta South Union around 2:40pm pm and formally launched the programme by unveiling a plaque. Later, Tarique stepped down beside the canal and cut soil with a spade to mark the beginning of the work. He later planted a tree on the bank of the canal. Khorddo Khal was originally excavated in 1978 under the initiative of former president Ziaur Rahman. After 48 years, the canal is being re-excavated under the initiative of his son, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. After inaugurating the canal work, the Prime Minister went to a nearby stage where thousands of leaders, activists and supporters standing on both sides of the canal welcomed him with loud applause. The Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the re-excavation work of the ‘Bishwo Khal’ (canal) near Ghosher Hat in Kumarduli village under Shahmahmudpur Union of Chandpur Sadar upazila. He is also scheduled to plant trees along the bank of the canal. Bishwo Khal is a long canal stretching from the Dakatia River through Ghosher Hat up to the border area of Matlab South. The Prime Minister will then take a break for Zohr prayers and lunch at the Circuit House. He will address a public rally at Chandpur Government College ground and distribute Family Cards. Tarique, also the Chairman of ruling BNP, is scheduled to attend an organisational views-exchange meeting with the party’s local leaders and activists at Chandpur Club at 5pm before returning to Dhaka.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday announced that a new administrative division would be formed in the name of Cumilla. He made the announcement at a roadside rally at Lakshmipur Bazar in Barura upazila amid repeated slogans from party leaders and activists demanding Cumilla Division. “If a division named ‘Cumilla’ is the demand of the people of this region, Insha’Allah, it will be implemented. A BNP government will fulfil all public demands gradually,” Tarique said. He said also said the government would discuss with the education ministry soon the issue of establishing an agricultural university in Cumilla. Agriculture Minister Amin Ur Rashid Yasin raised the demands for Cumilla Division and an agricultural university on behalf of the people of the district during the rally.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman joined a roadside rally at Lakshmipur Bazar ground in Barura upazila of Cumilla on Saturday while travelling to Chandpur on his first visit to the district as head of government. The Prime Minister arrived at the rally venue around 1:20 pm. As he stepped onto the stage, leaders and activists welcomed him with loud applause and cheers. Tarique waved to the crowd in response to their greetings. His Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said, “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is going to Chandpur. On the way, he is taking part in this roadside rally and will deliver a brief speech here.” Party leaders, activists and supporters started gathering at Lakshmipur Bazar ground from around 9am in small processions carrying banners and festoons. By 10:30am, the roadside rally turned into a large gathering with the presence of thousands of leaders and activists. Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka for Chandpur by road from his Gulshan residence at around 8:45am. During the Chandpur visit, he is scheduled to inaugurate the re-excavation work of two canals, address a public rally at Chandpur Government College ground, distribute Family Cards and attend an organisational meeting with local BNP leaders and activists. This is Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Chandpur as Prime Minister and his first trip to the district in 22 years. He last visited Chandpur in 2004 when he served as Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has extended support to two orphan brothers of Sirajganj after a media report highlighted their struggle for survival following the deaths of both parents. The report, published recently, drew attention to the plight of nine-year-old Raihan and his seven-year-old brother Rohan, who lost their father in early childhood and their mother four months ago. Since then, the two children have been living in hardship with their elderly maternal grandparents at Ekdala village under Ratankandi union of Sadar upazila in Sirajganj. After the report came to his attention, the Prime Minister, also chief patron of Amra BNP Poribar, instructed his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon to ensure necessary support for the children. As part of the initiative, a delegation from Amra BNP Poribar, led by its Member Secretary Mokhsedul Momin Mithun, visited the family’s home on Friday afternoon. During the visit, the delegation spoke with family members and conveyed the Prime Minister’s message of sympathy and support. The organisation also initiated assistance for the children’s daily food, education, medical care and safe housing. On behalf of the Prime Minister, the delegation announced a one-time education grant as well as a monthly scholarship to help continue their studies. Several local political and social leaders were present during the visit, including lawmaker Selim Reza. Family members said financial hardship had forced the children to stop attending school, and they had been living in a dilapidated tin-shed house with their grandparents – Azizur Rahman and Maleka Begum. The support extended by the Prime Minister has brought fresh hope to the two brothers, they said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit Chandpur on Saturday to attend a series of programmes, including inauguration of canal re-excavation works and party events. According to the schedule shared by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, Tarique Rahman will leave his residence in Dhaka by road at 8:30am for the district. At around 11:30am, he will address a roadside rally at Lakshmipur Bazar in Barura upazila of Cumilla. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the re-excavation work of the Khordda Canal at Waruk Bazar under Tamta South Union in Shahrashti upazila of Chandpur at 12:30pm. He is scheduled to inaugurate the re-excavation of another canal — Bishwo Canal — near Ghosher Haat in Kumardugi village under Shah Mahmudpur Union of Chandpur Sadar upazila at 1:45pm. Tarique Rahman will take a short break at the Chandpur Circuit House at around 2:30pm. After the break, he will attend a “Family Card” distribution programme at the Chandpur Government College ground at 3:30pm. Later, the Prime Minister will join an organisational meeting of the district BNP at Chandpur Club around 5pm. He is expected to return to Dhaka by road at 6:30pm after wrapping up the day-long visit. This will be his first visit to Chandpur since assuming office as Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday joined a doa mahfil for Begum Jebunnesa, mother of Social Welfare, and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, who died last week. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique Rahman attended the doa mahfil held after Asr prayers at Gulshan Azad Mosque in the capital. The Prime Minister also joined a munajat seeking eternal peace and forgiveness for the departed soul of the minister’s mother, he said. Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, along with relatives and well-wishers, also attended the doa mahfil. Begum Jebunnesa died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the capital on May 7 at the age of 83. In a condolence message issued on the day of her death, the Prime Minister expressed deep shock and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members, relatives and well-wishers.

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) is underway with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. The meeting began on Wednesday morning at the Public Administration Conference Room of the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat, according to a release from the Prime Minister’s Press Wing. LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, among other committee members, are present at the meeting. Officials concerned also have attended the meeting to place and discuss various development project proposals.