Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has stated that this year’s Durga Puja will be held in an even safer, smoother, and more festive environment compared to last year.
The adviser shared this information while briefing journalists after inspecting the Ramna Kali Temple in the capital on Wednesday.
The adviser mentioned that the number of puja pavilions has been increased this year compared to last year. Additionally, the government grant has been raised by Tk1 crore compared to last year.
He said that last year, a grant of Tk4 crore was provided by the government for the Durga Puja pavilions. This year, it has been increased to Tk5 crore. Even then, if there is any further need for organising the Durga Puja smoothly and beautifully, it will be met by the government, the adviser assured.
He further added that during the 15-year tenure of the previous Awami League government, Tk2 crore was granted for Durga Puja each year.
Noting that there are no threats in connection with Durga Puja, the home adviser stated that a large number of law enforcement personnel are being deployed to ensure the celebration proceeds without disruption. Moreover, the peaceful and festive observance of the puja requires the full cooperation of religious and political leaders, devotees, visitors, puja celebration committees, and the general public.
He mentioned that an application (app) has been launched to monitor all puja activities. With the help of this app, if any incident occurs, information about it will immediately reach law enforcement agencies and the government. In short, puja activities will be monitored 24 hours a day, every day.
The adviser further said that Durga Puja is a religious festival. Not only Hindus but people of other religions also come to see the puja. Therefore, everyone must work together to preserve its sanctity.
Present at the briefing were President of Ramna Kali Temple Aparna Roy Das, General Secretary Milton Boidya, General Secretary of Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front SM Tarun Dey, General Secretary of Bangladesh Puja Celebration Front Samir Bose, and others.