Khulna:Khulna City Corporation (KCC) has provided Tk 7.70 lakh in grants to 77 Durga Puja mandaps across the city to support the celebrations of the Hindu community's largest religious festival.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, KCC Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju handed over the grants to representatives of the temple committees at a function held at Shaheed Altaf Auditorium in Nagar Bhaban on Saturday afternoon. Each mandap received Tk 10,000.
During the event, Manju expressed hope that Durga Puja would be celebrated peacefully and festively across the country. He emphasized the harmonious coexistence of people of different faiths in Bangladesh, highlighting the country's non-communal spirit. He also warned that the government would take strict action against terrorism, drug-related offenses, and other criminal activities.
The function was presided over by KCC Chief Executive Officer Rajib Ahmed, with Chief Engineer Mashiuzzaman Khan delivering the welcome address. Other notable speakers included KCC Secretary Md Reza Rashid, Khulna Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner Muhammad Shahnewaz Khaled, Additional Deputy Commissioner Irufa Sultana, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust trustee Engineer Satyendranath Dutta, Metropolitan Puja Udjapan Parishad General Secretary Prashanta Kumar Kundu, and Puja Front Vice-President Ujjal Kumar Saha.
The grants were distributed among 77 mandaps across the city's 31 wards, supporting the community's efforts to celebrate Durga Puja.