Staff Correspondent :
The biggest religious festival of the Sanatan (Hindu) community, Sharadiya Durga
Puja, has been celebrated in Narayanganj in a joyful and peaceful atmosphere.
From the very beginning of idol-making to the final days of the festival, District
Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia won hearts across the district
by personally visiting several Puja Mandaps (worship venues) to ensure security
and overall preparations.
Leaders of the Hindu community described the DC’s actions as unprecedented,
saying they had never seen such proactive involvement from a district
administrator before.
On the ground, it was observed that from the very first day of the festival, DC
Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia visited remote Puja Mandaps across the district. On
the opening day, he traveled about 50 kilometers from the district town to Atlapur
Bazar Mahashmashan Kalibari Puja Mandap in the Bhola Union of Rupganj
upazila. His presence there delighted worshippers. The Mandap is located in a
border area between Kaliganj (Gazipur) on one side and Palash (Narsingdi) on the
other making it a place that senior Narayanganj officials rarely visit.
On the following day (Maha Saptami), he attended the Sri Sri Brahma Temple in
Char Shrirampur, a riverside area on the banks of the Brahmaputra River under
Musapur Union in Bandar upazila. Although the temple was built during the
Pakistan period, no district commissioner had ever visited it before. Because it is a
remote river island area with a small population, it is often overlooked.
Occasionally, the Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Jasim Uddin
accompanied the DC on these visits.
Following the peaceful completion of the festival, leaders of the Hindu community
highly praised DC Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia.
Shankar Saha, president of the Nitaiganj Business Association, said, “The district
commissioner’s effort to ensure a joyous and harmonious Durga Puja celebration
was exceptional. People who have a DC like him are truly fortunate. He has
devoted himself to the welfare of others.”
Shikhon Sarkar Shipon, general secretary of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan
Parishad’s Narayanganj District Chapter, said, “The government had promised the
highest level of security for Durga Puja across the country, and I believe
Narayanganj saw that implemented most effectively. The DC is deeply committed
to promoting equality among all communities and ensuring interfaith harmony.
Even during the final immersion ceremonies, senior officials personally monitored
and supervised every site.”
Shankar Dey, president of the same organization, added, “The district
commissioner and the superintendent of police played a truly commendable role in
making this year’s Durga Puja a success.”
At the request of local organizers, the DC arranged a new immersion site at Ghat
No. 5, extending the old jetty at Ghat No. 3 from 100 feet to 250 feet in length. A
total of 43 idols were immersed there this year. The district administration even
built a large stage at the site.
During the immersion, personnel from the police, army, Ansar, BGB, RAB, Coast
Guard, intelligence agencies, fire service, and BIWTC were all on duty. As a
result, the immersion ceremony turned into a true festival of unity and harmony.
