Mymensingh:State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury, MP, has emphasized the importance of ensuring security at Puja mandaps, maintaining law and order, and upholding communal harmony for the peaceful celebration of Sharadiya Durga Puja. His remarks were made as the chief guest at a preparatory meeting in the Nandail Upazila Parishad auditorium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state minister urged everyone to play a responsible role in maintaining religious harmony and mutual goodwill during the festival. He highlighted government initiatives aimed at economic empowerment, including providing women with Tk 2,500 per month through Family Cards to help them become self-reliant, a measure fulfilling election pledges made after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office.
The Family Cards will be distributed free of charge, and Yasser Khan Choudhury encouraged people to report any demands for payment in receiving them. Additionally, the state minister underscored the distribution of sewing machines to extremely poor women, which is intended to foster self-employment and support their families. This initiative aims to enable women to earn an income, build savings, and develop small businesses, thereby creating more employment opportunities.
Earlier, at a programme held in the upazila administration's conference room, the state minister participated in distributing wheelchairs to persons with disabilities and sewing machines to extremely poor women. He called for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation and continuity of public welfare programs.
The meeting and distribution ceremony were chaired by Nandail Upazila Nirbahi Officer Fatema Jannat, with attendance from officials of the upazila administration and BNP leaders. The UNO welcomed the minister with a tree sapling on his arrival at the Upazila Parishad.