A total of Tk 6,49,348 was found upon opening the donation boxes at the Akhrabari of Baul Emperor Fakir Lalon Shah in Kumarkhali of Kushtia.
The two iron donation chests, located inside the shrine and on its veranda, were opened around 10:30am on Saturday. Counting was completed at noon in the presence of administrative officials, Lalon Academy representatives, journalists and members of the public.
Unlike previous occasions, when the boxes were opened under the supervision of the local administration and Lalon Academy authorities, the process was conducted publicly this time.
According to officials, the donation boxes at Lalon Akhrabari are generally opened twice a year, once in October and again following Lalon Shah’s death anniversary, locally known as Tirodhan Dibos.
Offerings and donations from devotees are counted and deposited into a designated Lalon Academy fund.
In October last year, the boxes yielded Tk4,92,264, while Tk9,22,242 was collected following the Lalon Memorial Festival.
This October’s collection was Tk1,57,084 higher than the corresponding period last year.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) and Lalon Memorial Festival Finance Sub-Committee Convener Zakir Hossain, Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Mehedi Hasan Rifat and Kumarkhali Assistant Commissioner (Land) Navid Sarwar attended the counting alongside other officials and Lalon Academy members.
Navid Sarwar said the donation boxes were opened in the presence of journalists to ensure transparency.
He confirmed that collections had increased compared with the previous corresponding period.
The administration has taken custody of the counted money, which will be deposited into the Lalon Academy fund on Sunday, he added.
