Thakurgaon: Residents of northwestern Thakurgaon today hosted a warm reception for President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as he is on a two-day tour to his hometown, marking his first visit after being elected as the head of the state last month. A large crowd gathered at Boromath in the district town as a civic reception committee organized the rally in his honor, during which he emphasized the importance of communication, industrialization, employment generation, and enhanced educational facilities for the development of Thakurgaon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, President Alamgir highlighted the potential reopening of the Thakurgaon airport, emphasizing its role in facilitating business and trade, provided that economic activities in the area become more vibrant to ensure the airport's functionality and sustainability. He expressed regret over the lack of major factories and industries in the district, which has left many residents jobless.
President Alamgir expressed optimism about attracting investors to establish agro-based industries in the district, noting that the reopening of the airport could improve the communication system and create employment opportunities. He recalled a previous visit by the Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, which was followed by a visit from several school children and teachers to China, and he hoped for further visits from Chinese experts and investors.
He cited the Barendra Multipurpose Development Programme as a significant contributor to agricultural development, creating opportunities for agro-based industries in Thakurgaon. The President also urged local entrepreneurs to collaborate on boosting local investment, assuring them of his support.
As part of his visit, President Alamgir is set to lay the foundation stone of Thakurgaon University tomorrow. He stated that the process of establishing a public university in Thakurgaon is progressing, with land acquired, compensation paid to landowners, and a vice chancellor appointed. Additionally, he announced plans for a medical college, with a selected site and an expected student admission process starting next year.
A sports village and new playgrounds at the upazila and union levels are also in the pipeline. Furthermore, initiatives are underway to construct a modern information complex, a regional office of the National University, a regional cooperative training institute, and a technical training center in the district.
President Alamgir called on the youth to become entrepreneurs and create job opportunities, praising the women who have emerged as entrepreneurs. He also urged the youth to lead a movement against drugs and instructed the district administration and local lawmakers to strive for a drug-free Thakurgaon.
He appealed for a society built on love rather than conflict, confrontation, or revenge, and urged political leaders to avoid conflicts, promoting their ideologies without engaging in disputes. The President expressed hope for establishing a 'politics of reconciliation' in Thakurgaon and emphasized the importance of communal harmony, tolerance, and equal rights.
He expressed personal gratitude to his parents, elders, teachers, and supporters, acknowledging the role of his wife in his political life. He also remembered Shaheed President and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia for her long fight to establish democracy.
President Alamgir arrived in Thakurgaon at around 1 pm today for his two-day visit. The rally was chaired by Dr. Abu Md. Khairul Kabir, with Dr. Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman conducting it. Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, Jatiya Sangsad Whip Md Akhtaruzzaman Mia, and several local political figures also spoke on the occasion.