Salema: Speakers at a fruit festival today called for planting more fruit trees and emphasized the importance of families consuming adequate amounts of locally-produced fruits to reduce disease and maintain good health. They highlighted that fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, contributing to overall health and potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the speakers also discussed the nutritional value of fruits, the benefits of consuming locally produced fruits, and the importance of planting saplings of fruit, timber, and medicinal plants. These observations were made during the inaugural function of 'Fruit Festival and Tree Gift-2025' at Salema Girls' High School.
The students who participated in the festival were delighted to see a wide variety of local fruits and learn about their nutritional values. The school authorities organized the festival with the aim of introducing young students to nutritious local fruits and raising awareness about the significance of tree planting to maintain a green and habitable environment amid a changing climate.
The event was attended by Swattik Shah Al Maruf, the President of the school managing committee and a noted literary and cultural figure, as the chief guest, with Headmaster Md Mokbul Hossain presiding. Special guests included former managing committee President Shah Mohammad Selim, committee member Mahmud Kamal, Headmaster of Rangpur Adarsha School Md Rahamat Alam, and senior journalist Md Mamun Islam.
The chief guest emphasized that promoting the production and consumption of local fruits, along with tree plantation, is essential for building a healthy and talented nation and improving the environment to meet the population's nutritional needs. He expressed hope that fruit festivals and tree plantation campaigns would become an annual tradition in the school and across educational institutions nationwide.
During the event, ninth graders Rokaiya Akter and Umme Ayman Bibi Muna delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the nutritional value of local fruits and comparing them with high-priced foreign fruits. The festival showcased twenty-seven varieties of local fruits, and 400 saplings of fruit, timber, and medicinal plants were distributed among the students.