Leaders of the Hindu community informed Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday that this year’s Durga Puja will see celebrations in more than 1,000 additional mandaps compared to last year.
They said preparations are progressing rapidly across the country as the chief adviser inquired about the arrangements for the biggest religious festival of Bangladesh’s Hindu population.
Present at the meeting, held this afternoon at the State Guest House Jamuna, were Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Vice Chairman Tapan Chandra Majumder, along with Puja Udjapan committee leaders and temple heads.
Community representatives noted that the interim government is providing extensive assistance for this year’s celebrations. They expressed special appreciation for the religious affairs adviser and ministry officials for maintaining close contact and visiting temples regularly, read a press release.
The administration is offering maximum support to ensure a festive atmosphere, and we believe Durga Puja will be held smoothly nationwide, as in previous years, they stated.
The leaders also extended an invitation to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to visit the mandaps during the festival. Responding warmly, he said, “Though I always wish to meet you, opportunities are rare. I’m delighted to have this occasion to meet you directly during Puja.”
During the discussion, Mohanagar Puja Udjapan Committee President Jayanta Kumar Deb conveyed gratitude to the Chief Adviser for approving land in Khilkhet, through the Railways Ministry, to establish a permanent Durga temple.
Calling the move “historic,” he also praised the government’s decision to declare a two-day public holiday for Durga Puja.
Among those present were Hindu Kalyan Trust Secretary Devendra Nath Uran, Ramakrishna Math and Mission Principal Swami Purnaananda Moharaj, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP) President Basudeb Dhar, Jatiya Hindu Samaj Sanskar Samiti President Professor Hirendranath Biswas, Shri Shri Geeta Hari Sangha Deb Mandir President Biman Bihari Talukder, Hindu-Baudhha-Christian Kalyan Front Secretary General SN Torun Dey, Puja Udjapan Front Convener Aporna Roy Das, Shri Shri Siddheshwari Kali Mandir General Secretary Narayan Chandra Dutta, and Siddheshwari Sarbojanin Puja Parishad General Secretary Pranita Sarker, among others.
