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DHAKA: Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md Abdus Salam on Thursday inaugurated a low-cost “Five-Taka Puja Shopping” organised by Bidyanondo Foundation at Ramna Kali Temple in the capital ahead of Durga Puja.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration on October 15, Abdus Salam said improving people’s living standards and ensuring economic well-being, rather than seeking power, should be the main priority.
He called on all to support the government in addressing the country’s ongoing economic challenges, creating employment and improving people’s livelihoods.
Praising Bidyanondo Foundation for standing beside poor, distressed and homeless people for years, the DSCC administrator said its initiatives, including offering a dozen eggs for Tk 1 and sarees and other essential goods for Tk 5, enabled people to receive assistance while preserving their dignity.
He thanked the organisers for extending the benefits of the programme to low-income people, including DSCC sanitation workers and members of the Hindu community.
Referring to the country’s economic and political situation, Abdus Salam said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had taken charge of a fragile economy that would require time to recover from longstanding difficulties.
The prevailing situation in the Middle East had added to the challenges facing the domestic economy, he said, urging everyone to respond to the difficult circumstances with patience, tolerance and prudence rather than exploit the situation.
He warned that low-income and middle-class people suffer the most from political instability. He called on political and social organisations to act responsibly and avoid programmes that could cause economic losses to the country and its people.
The administrator said the elected government should be given the opportunity to work for its five-year term, adding that people would express their verdict through votes at the end of the period.
Emphasising religious harmony and equal rights, Abdus Salam said every citizen enjoys equal rights regardless of religion or ethnicity.
“Religion belongs to individuals, but the state belongs to everyone,” he said, echoing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s message.
He urged all to work together for the country’s overall development instead of engaging in unnecessary politics over poor people or religious communities.
He also called for vigilance and restraint to ensure that the achievements secured through 17 years of prolonged and bloody struggle were not undermined.
Extending his greetings to all on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja, Abdus Salam said the DSCC had taken all necessary measures to ensure peaceful and smooth celebrations at 168 puja mandaps across its jurisdiction. Party leaders and activists had also been given the necessary instructions, he added.
He expressed hope that people would celebrate their respective religious festivals and renew their commitment to moving the country forward.