National
Nation Celebrates Buddha Purnima, President, PM Extend Greetings to Buddhist Community
Buddha Purnima, the most significant religious festival for the Buddhist community, is being observed today across the country with great enthusiasm.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended their greetings to the Buddhist community and all citizens in separate messages on this auspicious occasion.
President Shahabuddin highlighted that Buddha Purnima commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and great passing away (Mahaparinirvana) of Gautama Buddha. He emphasized that Buddha dedicated his life to the welfare of humanity, advocating for a peaceful and prosperous world. The President noted that Buddha’s teachings of equity and friendship are crucial for establishing global peace and harmony.
He remarked that the ideals and philosophy of Buddha are vital for fostering peace in society, eliminating unrest and intolerance, and preventing moral degradation. He praised Bangladesh as a country of communal harmony where people of all religions celebrate their festivals with grandeur, reflecting a longstanding tradition of mutual respect and unity.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, stated that Gautama Buddha preached non-violence, friendship, and compassion, overcoming greed, hatred, and lust for the welfare of mankind. She stressed the importance of adhering to Buddha’s teachings in today’s world to curb violence, uphold values, and build a peaceful society.
The Prime Minister noted that people of all religions in Bangladesh have practiced their faiths in a festive, free, and undisturbed environment for ages. She affirmed that the constitution guarantees equal rights for all religions and castes, underscoring the belief that “Religion is for individuals while festivals are for all.”
She reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the dignity and secure lives of all communities, highlighting the Buddhist community’s active participation in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. The Prime Minister expressed hope that everyone would contribute to making Bangladesh a peaceful country by embracing Buddha’s ideals.
The day is observed as a public holiday. On this occasion, newspapers will publish articles, while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television (BTV), and private TV channels will broadcast special programs highlighting the significance of the day.
Celebrations include the lighting of lamps, hoisting of national and religious flags atop monasteries, and chanting sacred verses from the Tripitaka. Buddhist devotees are expected to offer various gifts, including fruits, flowers, and candles, to statues of Lord Buddha throughout the day.
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.
