Bangladesh Prepares for Durga Puja with Extra Holiday and High Security
Dhaka, Bangladesh is gearing up to celebrate Durga Puja, the largest Hindu festival in the country, from October 9 to 13. This year, the celebrations will be held in 32,666 pavilions across the nation, with heightened security measures in place due to recent tensions.
Extra Holiday Announced
The Bangladesh government has announced an additional one-day public holiday for Durga Puja, following demands from a minority alliance. Traditionally, there was only one holiday, but this year, there will be two public holidays, combined with the weekend, resulting in a total of four days off. Abul Kalam Azad, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the interim government, confirmed this decision.
Security Measures and Government Support
In light of recent attacks on minority communities, including Hindus, the government has promised compensation for those affected. The interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has assured that all law enforcement agencies, including the army and police, are prepared to ensure a peaceful celebration. Joyanta Kumar Deb, President of the Mohanagar Sarbojaneen Puja Committee, expressed hope for a peaceful festival.
Government’s Commitment to Minority Communities
Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant, Mahfuj Alam, emphasized the government’s support for minority communities and its willingness to address their demands. The government aims to provide legal assistance and welfare support to those affected by recent violence.
Call for Unity
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has called for unity among all communities, urging people to see each other as human beings rather than through religious identities. He stressed the importance of ensuring rights for all citizens.
Doubts Revealed
Bangladesh -: Bangladesh is a country located to the east of India. It shares cultural and historical ties with India, and many people there celebrate similar festivals.
Durga Puja -: Durga Puja is a Hindu festival that celebrates the goddess Durga. It is a major festival in India and Bangladesh, especially among Bengali communities.
Extra Holiday -: An extra holiday means an additional day off from work or school. In this context, it means people in Bangladesh will have more time to celebrate Durga Puja.
High Security -: High security means that there will be more police and safety measures in place. This is to ensure that everyone can celebrate the festival safely without any trouble.
Tensions -: Tensions refer to situations where there might be disagreements or conflicts. In this case, it means there have been some recent issues that could affect the festival.
Minority Communities -: Minority communities are groups of people who are smaller in number compared to the main population. In Bangladesh, this often refers to religious or ethnic groups that are not the majority.
Muhammad Yunus -: Muhammad Yunus is a well-known person from Bangladesh. He is famous for his work in helping poor people through microfinance and has won a Nobel Peace Prize.
Interim Government -: An interim government is a temporary government set up to manage a country until a new government is elected or established. It helps maintain order during transitions.