Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain has called upon everyone to work together in unity to rebuild the country, ensure development, and consolidate democracy on the occasion of the Bengali New Year.
“After overcoming 16 years of misrule, there is no alternative to collective effort to move Bangladesh forward,” the mayor said as chief guest at a farewell to the old year and welcome to the new year ceremony at the CRB Shirishtala area on Monday afternoon.
The event was organised by the New Year Celebration Council, Chattogram, and chaired by Railway Officers’ Club General Secretary Fazlur Rahman. Chattogram-9 MP Md. Abu Sufian attended as special guest.
The mayor urged greater consciousness about preserving traditions, culture, and the environment, highlighting the importance of trees as humans’ best friends that provide oxygen and maintain environmental balance. He described the approximately 125-year-old historic Shirish tree as a valuable asset of the city.
Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic, the mayor noted that people had to spend huge amounts of money for oxygen, yet nature provides this life-saving element for free every day. “Therefore, protecting the environment and trees is everyone’s moral duty,” he said.
He also recalled that when there was an initiative to build a hospital in the CRB area, local residents protested for a long time and protected the area, calling it a shining example of environmental awareness among Chattogram residents.
Although the land is under railway authority, city residents have a collective responsibility to preserve it, the mayor said, calling on everyone to come forward to build a clean, green, healthy, and safe city.
Addressing the new generation, he stressed the importance of teaching them about the traditions of Bengali months and the six seasons. “Patriotism does not develop without familiarity with culture and history,” he said.
The event was attended by political leaders, freedom fighters, journalists, and people from various professions, including Chattogram Metropolitan BNP former General Secretary Ekramul Karim, Railway Eastern Zone General Manager Md. Subaktagin, and leaders of various social and cultural organisations.
