Social welfare minister urges religious harmony, distributes aid to needy people
Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain today called upon the people from all walk of life to come forward to build a discrimination free, harmonious Bangladesh where people irrespective of their faiths could live peacefully.
“Everyone must maintain religious harmony in their respective areas and live together peacefully and all must work unitedly to build a discrimination-free and humane Bangladesh,” he said.
“This will reduce distances among people and make it easier for everyone to live peacefully in a harmonious environment,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a views-exchange and assistance distribution event at the Nawabganj Upazila Parishad premises here this noon.
Regarding the upcoming Durga Puja, the minister said, “Everyone must come forward with a spirit of cooperation to ensure that the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja is celebrated in a joyous, peaceful and festive environment.”
He called on all to maintain religious harmony and tolerance and stay vigilant so that no untoward incident could happen.
Dr. Zahid also reiterated government’s commitment to standing beside the deprived people of society, saying it remained as one of the key responsibilities of the current government.
“The current government is providing services to ensure the welfare of all through various initiatives,” he said.
He reaffirmed that the government assistance programmes to improve the living standards of persons with disabilities, financially disadvantaged meritorious students and people suffering from complex diseases would continue.
Under the SACP-RAINS project, vegetable seeds, 10 kilograms of fertilizer and netting were distributed free of cost to each of 1,080 farmers in Nawabganj Upazila at the event to encourage farmers in cultivating vegetables and boosting agricultural production.
Cheques for one-time financial assistance ranging from Tk 20,000 to Tk 100,000 were distributed among 32 persons with disabilities, 72 poor meritorious students and 65 disadvantaged, helpless, sick, disabled and homeless people under the Social Welfare ministry.
Besides, cheques for one-time financial assistance of Tk 100,000 each were distributed among 48 poor patients suffering from cancer, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, paralysis, heart disease, thalassemia and leukaemia.
In addition, various types of sports equipment were handed over to representatives of different educational institutions and clubs from allocations of the Ministry of Sports.
Dr. Zahid expressed hope that such assistance to farmers and encouraging the young generation to participate in sports would help building a prosperous society.
Nawabganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Bidhan Kanti Haldar presided over the event.
Upazila BNP President Md. Tariqul Islam, General Secretary Md. Iqbal Hossain, Upazila Social Services Officer Shubhra Prakash Chakraborty, Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Md. Zahidul Islam, Women and Children Affairs Officer Ms. Fahmida Islam, and leaders of the Hindu community, among others, were present on the occasion.
