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PM Sheikh Hasina Extends Pahela Baishakh Greetings
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued a message today, extending greetings to the nation on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year 1431, to be celebrated tomorrow. In her message, she emphasized that Pahela Baishakh holds significance as the universal festival marking the beginning of Bengali New Year. It symbolizes harmony and serves as a unifying celebration for Bengalis worldwide.
Sheikh Hasina urged everyone, regardless of religion or caste, to embrace the new year with joy, leaving behind the sorrows and setbacks of the past. She highlighted that Pahela Baishakh embodies the essence of Bengali identity and heritage, reflecting the cultural richness of the Bangalees.
During the Pakistan period, Sheikh Hasina recalled, Bengalis faced attempts to suppress their traditions and culture by the colonial power. However, they resisted these efforts with determination, ultimately joining the struggle for liberation under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The prime minister emphasized that the fusion of culture and politics during the liberation struggle paved the way for the emergence of independent Bangladesh. She noted with pride that the traditional Mangal Shovajatra has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage, symbolizing the resilience and spirit of the Bangalee nation.
Sheikh Hasina expressed confidence that following this path would lead Bangalees to excel on the global stage. She asserted that the achievements and progress of Bangalee heroes would endure through the ages, showcasing the indomitable spirit of the Bengali nation.
The premier underscored the lifelong commitment of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to uphold ideologies such as secularism, liberalism, nationalism, and democracy, which are integral to Bangladesh’s identity. She hoped that the spirit of Pahela Baishakh would inspire the nation to combat militancy, fundamentalism, extremism, and anti-liberation forces, striving towards a society free from hunger and poverty, and realizing the vision of a golden Bangladesh envisioned by Bangabandhu.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
