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Stay alert against all evil forces

PM urges Hindus on Durga Puja

UNB, Dhaka
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday called upon the Hindus to remain alert with the spirit of the key message of Durga Puja against all evil forces in national, social and individual life.
She was addressing a function to convey greetings of Durga Puja to the Hindus at the International Conference Centre (ICC).
This is for the first time that a head of the government formally conveyed puja greetings to the
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Hindus in Bangladesh.
This was a long cherished demand of the Hindus, the function was told by State Minister for Water Resources Goutam Chakraborty, who is also the convenor of Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Kalyan (welfare) Front.
Responding to the demand of the Hindu leaders, the prime minister assured that every year such a function would be held to exchange greetings on the occasion of Durga Puja.
Leaders of different organisations like Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Kalyan (welfare) Front, Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Front, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, and the government patronised Bangladesh Hindu Dharmiyo Kalyan Trust were present in the function.
The leaders presented the prime minister with a bouquet and had group photo session with her.
Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said religious, cul-
tural and social festivals enhance mutual interaction and cordiality among various sections of people.
"This festival will help us to come closer and inspire us to work together for national development," the prime minister told the function.
Conveying her greetings, the prime minister thanked the Hindu community leaders for putting on hold the use of microphone and playing of bands and music during the festival in times of iftar and tarabi prayers by their Muslim brethren.
Listing various development progammes and welfare activities of the government for the Hindus, she said nearly 20,000 puja mandaps have been set up across the country this year breaking all previous records. Steps have also been taken to celebrate Durga Puja peacefully.
She said this year's Durga puja has a different significance as the festival of the Hindus was being celebrated during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting by Muslims.
"Two communities of this country are performing religious rituals at the same time; I hope this will further
enhance mutual cordiality and harmony."
She reiterated that no one in Bangladesh is a minority. "All are citizens of Bangladesh and their destiny linked with this country and its soil."
Goutam Chakraborty thanked the prime minister for the day's function.
"You've created a new history today," he said hoping that all governments in future would follow the tradition that Prime Minster Khaleda Zia introduced.
The minister thanked the government and the Muslims for cooperating in celebration of Durga puja across the country peacefully.
Thanking the prime minister for her effort and initiative, Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad President Maj Gen (retd) CR Dutta invited her to visit puja mandaps.
The event at the ICC would raise the morale of the Hindus, he said.
Mentioning some problems, Dutta said the prime minister is the only person who can solve the problems.