A festive mood has gripped Thakurgaon as President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir prepares to visit his home district for the first time since taking office.

The two-day visit, beginning Sunday, has brought a fresh sense of excitement to the district, with roads being repainted, dividers decorated and public places cleaned and beautified ahead of the President’s arrival.

For many residents, however, the visit is about more than ceremony. It has also raised fresh hopes that the President will draw attention to the district’s long-standing development needs, particularly in education, healthcare, communications and infrastructure.

The President will be visiting Thakurgaon through September 6-7. Important roads and establishments in the town have been decorated for the occasion, while preparations for a civic reception are in their final stages.

At the big field of Thakurgaon Government Boys’ High School, workers have completed construction of the stage for the reception after working day and night. Necessary materials were brought from Dhaka for the construction.

Road dividers have been repainted, street lights repaired and roadside areas cleaned. Painting work has continued at night to complete the preparations on time.

Azmat Rana, a resident of Road Kazipara, said the President’s visit was a matter of pride for the people of Thakurgaon.

“President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is a son of our district. He is coming here for the first time as President, and that is a matter of great joy and pride for us. The city is being decorated to welcome him and a festive atmosphere has been created among the people,” he said.

For businessman Zahir Islam, the visit has also highlighted the need for further development.

“The face of the city is changing a lot on the occasion of the President’s arrival. Roads are being cleaned, while dividers and various structures are being painted. We want his visit to be more than a celebration. We hope it will also bring attention to the development of Thakurgaon,” he said.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected President by members of parliament on August 20. As a son of Thakurgaon, his election was celebrated across the district, and his first visit as President has added to the excitement.

Locals say they hope the visit will lead to fresh initiatives to address some of the district’s long-standing problems.

They are particularly looking for greater attention to education, healthcare, roads and communications, infrastructure and employment opportunities for young people.

Student Ayesha Akhter said, “We are proud that the President is from our district. We also have high expectations from him. We hope he will help expand educational opportunities, create opportunities for higher education and generate employment for young people.”

Locals also recalled Mirza Fakhrul’s role as Local Government Minister, saying several major development initiatives were taken during his tenure, including the establishment of Thakurgaon University, Thakurgaon Medical College and Hospital and the airport.

They said work on some of these projects is still continuing, while further development of healthcare and communication facilities remains necessary.

“Many problems have remained unresolved for a long time. We hope the President will pay attention to these issues and take steps to address them,” said a local resident.

A reception for their President

To make the President’s first visit memorable, a civic reception has been organised at the initiative of local civil society members.

The organisers said people from different sections of society, regardless of political affiliation, are expected to join the reception.

Dr Abu Md Khairul Kabir, convener of the Civic Reception Committee, said preparations were progressing rapidly.

“There is great joy and excitement among the people of Thakurgaon over the President’s first visit. We have arranged the reception through the initiative of civil society. We hope lakhs of people will join, regardless of their political affiliation,” he said.

For many residents, the President’s election is being seen as a source of pride for the district.

Obaidullah Masud, a local resident, said the visit was a historic moment for Thakurgaon as well as the wider region.

“Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir becoming President and coming to his own district for the first time as President is a historic moment for us. People in Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Dinajpur are also excited about his visit,” he said.

He said many people felt that the President’s election represented the recognition of an individual who had come through a long political journey.

“People feel that Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has not only become President, but that ordinary people have found representation through him. He has emerged from a long political struggle and has led various movements for the rights of the people,” Masud said.

Tight security

Meanwhile, security has been tightened across Thakurgaon ahead of the visit.

Surveillance has been increased on important roads, at key establishments and around the venues. Law enforcement agencies have been placed on alert, while members of the Special Security Force assigned to the President’s security have already arrived in the district and begun preparations.

Thakurgaon Superintendent of Police Md Belal Hossain said security measures were being strengthened from September 5.

“Work has started to strengthen security on various roads and important places in the district ahead of the President’s visit on September 6 and 7. We are taking full security measures from today. Maximum security will be ensured at the venue, along the roads used by the President and in surrounding areas,” he said.

Two-day itinerary

The President will arrive in Thakurgaon by helicopter on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Citizens’ Committee, he will receive a guard of honour at the Circuit House before visiting his father’s grave at Senua graveyard in the town. He will then go to his home before joining the civic reception at the big field of Thakurgaon Government Boys’ High School at 3pm.

The following day, September 7, the President will lay the foundation stone of the Thakurgaon University building at Jamalpur, about 15 kilometres from the town along the Thakurgaon-Pirganj road.

Thakurgaon University Vice-Chancellor Dr Israfil Shaheen said a limited number of guests would attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony.

Mirza Faisal Amin, the President’s younger brother and district BNP president, said the reception would be organised by civil society members.

“The President is now a neutral person. Everyone has been advised to be careful not to display the BNP or paddy sheaf symbol in any way,” he said.

As Thakurgaon puts the final touches to its streets and public spaces, the President’s visit is being viewed by many not only as a moment of celebration, but also as an opportunity to renew demands for the development of the district.

For the people of Thakurgaon, the arrival of one of their own in the country’s highest constitutional office has brought both pride and expectation.