Bangladesh Announces Extra Holidays for Durga Puja
In a recent announcement, the Bangladesh government has decided to extend the holidays for the Durga Puja celebration. Abul Kalam Azad, Deputy Press Secretary to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, shared that this year, there will be two public holidays for Durga Puja, in addition to the weekend, making it a total of four days off.
Bangladesh, with a Hindu population of about 9%, has recently experienced unrest following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina in August. The decision for additional holidays came after an 8-point demand from the minority community.
Azad mentioned that the extra holiday will be implemented through an executive order. The government also plans to compensate those affected by recent attacks on minority communities.
Residents of Dhaka are hopeful for peaceful celebrations, with law enforcement agencies ensuring safety. Coordination is evident at various levels, with army chiefs communicating security measures down to regional levels.
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus emphasized unity in a public statement, urging people to see each other as human beings beyond religious identities.
Doubts Revealed
Bangladesh -: Bangladesh is a country located to the east of India. It shares cultural and historical ties with India, and its capital is Dhaka.
Durga Puja -: Durga Puja is a major Hindu festival celebrated in honor of the goddess Durga. It is especially popular in West Bengal and Bangladesh, where people celebrate with music, dance, and elaborate decorations.
Sheikh Hasina -: Sheikh Hasina is a prominent political leader in Bangladesh. She has served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and is known for her leadership in the Awami League party.
Deputy Press Secretary -: A Deputy Press Secretary is a government official who helps communicate information to the public and the media. In this context, Abul Kalam Azad is the person sharing news about the extra holidays.
Executive order -: An executive order is a directive issued by a government leader or official to manage operations of the government. It is a way to make decisions quickly without going through the usual legislative process.
Chief Advisor -: A Chief Advisor is a senior official who provides guidance and advice to the government. Muhammad Yunus, in this context, is calling for unity among people of different religions.
Muhammad Yunus -: Muhammad Yunus is a well-known Bangladeshi social entrepreneur and economist. He is famous for founding the Grameen Bank and pioneering the concepts of microcredit and microfinance.
