United News of Bangladesh

Farmers in Godkhali of Jhikargacha upazila, Jashore, renowned as the flower capital of the country, are making final preparations for the upcoming Pahela Falgun (first day of spring as per Bengali calendar), Valentine’s Day, and International Mother Language Day. With these major events approaching, farmers are diligently tending to their flower plants, anticipating a rise in prices and hoping for significant profits. Across the vast fields of Godkhali, Navaron, and Panisara unions, an array of vibrant flowers can be seen. Farmers in the region are cultivating at least 13 different varieties, including roses, gerberas, gladiolus, tuberoses, marigolds, lilies, gypsy flowers, and chrysanthemums, on a commercial scale. Flowers worth Tk 100 crore expected to be sold in Jashore this season On Thursday morning, a visit to the wholesale flower market in Godkhali revealed a bustling scene, with farmers lining the Jashore-Benapole highway from the early hours to sell their flowers. A sudden rise in temperature has led to an abundant bloom, resulting in a market surplus. While prices of gladiolus, tuberoses, gerbera, chrysanthemums, and marigolds have slightly dropped, the price of roses has surged. Over just two days, the price of roses has nearly doubled. Previously sold for Tk 5 each, roses were priced at Tk 8-10 per flower on Thursday. Traders estimate that flowers worth at least TK 100 crore will be sold during the three-day period surrounding these festivities. On the day, the market prices were as follows: Roses: Tk 8-10 per flowerGerberas: Tk 8-10 per flowerTuberoses: Tk 8-10 per stickGypsy bundles: TK 40-50Marigolds: Tk 300-400 per thousandGladiolus: Tk 8-12 per flower (depending on colour)Chrysanthemums: TK 3-5 per flowerWith the demand increasing, flower prices are expected to rise further. Flower farmer Palash Hossain, who cultivated roses on 10 katha of land, expressed optimism, saying, “Just two days ago, the price of roses was Tk 5. Today, it has risen to Tk 8-10. I expect the price to go up even more in the coming days.” Jashore florists expect Tk 100 crore flower sales despite weather setbacks Similarly, gerbera farmer Sohan Hossain, who has cultivated flowers on two bighas of land, reported strong returns. “This year, I have received good prices. Gerberas are currently selling at Tk 10-12 each. As Valentine’s Day approaches, prices are expected to increase further, ensuring a profitable season.” Shakil Hossain, a flower trader from Kushtia, spoke about the growing demand. “I have purchased flowers worth around Tk 15,000, focusing mainly on roses. Compared to previous years, I anticipate making a higher profit.” Abu Zafar, General Secretary of the Godkhali Flower Growers and Traders Association, highlighted the seasonal boom. “Flowers are sold year-round, but the highest demand is seen during Pahela Falgun, Valentine’s Day, and International Mother Language Day. With these events approaching, the flower market is thriving. Prices are on the rise, and all stakeholders, including farmers and traders, are pleased. We expect sales to reach Tk 100 crore.” Godkhali in Jhikargachha, Jashore, has nearly 600 hectares of land dedicated to flower cultivation, supporting around 6,000 farmers. As the peak season unfolds, the thriving flower industry continues to contribute significantly to the region’s economy, bringing prosperity to thousands of growers and traders.    

With Valentine's Day 2025 just around the corner, businesses across Bangladesh are unveiling exciting deals to help couples celebrate in style. From romantic dining experiences to luxury getaways and exclusive shopping discounts, here’s a roundup of the best offers to make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable.  Best Deals to Celebrate Valentine Day in Bangladesh in 2025 . Couple Dinners BRAC Bank is offering Buy One Get One Free (BOGO) dinner offers at top hotels and restaurants including Amari Dhaka, The Westin Dhaka, InterContinental Dhaka, and Le Méridien Dhaka.  Besides this, popular hotels like Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, Sheraton Dhaka, and Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan offer curated Valentine’s menus and live music in a romantic setting with a cozy ambiance. In Chattogram, premium hotels also provide fine dining experiences. Hotel Sarina in Banani, Dhaka, offers a buffet dinner starting from BDT 5,000, with lunch and breakfast at BDT 4,000 and BDT 3,500, respectively. Their "Lovers Nest – Poolside Private Canopy" features a seven-course dinner for BDT 20,000 per couple. The "Swim & Feast" package, starting at BDT 1,581++, includes pool access and a gourmet meal. With themed décor in red, white, and pink, Hotel Sarina promises a romantic celebration. Read more: How Can Singles Celebrate Valentine's Day Cheerfully? Day/ Nightcation  For an extended celebration, Hotel 71 in Dhaka offers luxury stays at discounted rates. Couples can book a Deluxe Double Room for BDT 4,500 (original price BDT 7,200) or a Royal Suite for BDT 5,000 (original price BDT 12,000), saving up to 59%. Direct bookings include complimentary buffet breakfast, evening high tea, early check-in, and late checkout. Exclusive Valentine’s stay packages include one-night and two-night stay options. A one-night stay in a Premium Room costs BDT 23,500, while an Executive Room is BDT 21,000. These include breakfast, special lunch and dinner, a Valentine’s cake, a movie by the infinity pool, access to the swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and steam room, plus a 30-minute full-body massage. Two-night packages cost BDT 41,500 for a Premium Room and BDT 36,000 for an Executive Room with the same benefits.

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the special man in your life? A meaningful gift can reflect your love and thoughtfulness, showing just how much he means to you. Whether it’s a token of affection that resonates with his personality or a gesture steeped in cultural traditions, the right gift speaks volumes about your care and understanding. Top Valentine’s Day Gifts for Bangladeshi Men . Here’s a curated list of Valentine’s Day gift ideas tailored for Bangladeshi men—combining thoughtfulness, personality, and a touch of cultural essence to make him feel truly cherished. Traditional Panjabi or Stylish Suit A classic, stylish panjabi is unbeatable in winning a Bangladeshi man’s heart. Tailored or handwoven, a well-chosen panjabi grants sophistication to his style, adding an elegance. Panajabis possess a versatile appeal, which makes them perfect for festivals, weddings, or casual outings. Read More: Best Men's Wear Clothing Brands in Bangladesh Shades of black, white, deep maroon, and toned-down bottle green would be great choices as they compliment masculinity while rejoicing in simplistic artistry. Packing it with a stylish pair of sunglasses or a matching scarf will make it a complete combo. However, if your partner is fond of formal wear like suits, then you can gift him a readymade or tailor-made suit. Several popular brands like Richmen, Cats Eye, Freeland, etc. sell quality suits in Bangladesh. Don't forget to check the fabric quality while choosing the suit. A nice shirt and tie can complement the outfit with style and elegance. Read more: How to Choose the Best Fabric for Your Suit Homemade Food Freshly cooked food prepared with care has always been an instant mood-booster. Pick a food he is obsessed over, add a personal touch to it, and offer it as fresh as it can be. Confident culinarians can venture through their definitions of a special dish and serve it for a candlelit dinner at home or a picnic while enjoying the scenic beauty around. Fragrance You can turn a man’s day into a treat by gifting a bottle of his favourite cologne or perfume. Knowing their tastes in fragrances or brands will help you narrow your options. You can also opt for premium celebrated variations from popular brands. To make a bolder statement, you can order a customized blend of sophisticated and refreshing notes based on your preferences. Read more: How to find right perfume, body spray for you

The flower growers and traders of Jashore’s Jhikargaccha upazila, one of the largest flower markets of Bangladesh, expect to sell flowers worth Tk 70 crore in the month of February as flower is a must-have in the celebration Pahela Falgun, Valentines’ Day and observance of Amar Ekushey. Flower growers are passing a busy day in nurturing their flowers ahead of the three events in the country. They also hope that that they will be able to sell flowers worth Tk 100 crore ahead of Pahela Falgun and Valentines’ Day on February 14, International Mother Language Day on February 21, Bangabandhu’s Birth Anniversary on March 17, Independence Day on March 26 Pahela Baishakh on April 14. Gadkhali and Panisara areas of Jhikargachha upazila have taken a colorful look with flowers everywhere where the farmers are nurturing their flowers to catch the markets. Read: Best Valentine's Day Destinations: 10 Stunning Resorts Around Dhaka   Different species of flowers including rose, jarbera, gladiolus, tube-rose, marigold, lilium, gypsy, chandramallika are cultivated in Jashore. Pervez, a flower grower of Syedpara in the upazila, said he brought five bighas of land under marigold cultivation and two bighas under tube-rose cultivation. “Now I am spending busy time nurturing my flowers as I have to catch the flower markets. I also used vitamins and pesticides in my flower garden to keep these free from pest attack,” he said. Qurban Ali, another flower grower of Panisara village, said “I have brought over two bighas of land under rose cultivation. The demand for roses increased on Valentine's Day. There are new buds on the rose plants now. I am spraying vitamins so that they are not damaged. The price of flowers will increase before Valentine's Day, I hope.” Already one stick of rose is being sold at Tk 25-30 per piece at retail level, he said. At retail level, Jerbera is being sold at Tk 8-10 per piece, rose at Tk 15-16 per piece, gladiolus at Tk 15-17 per piece, tube-rose at Tk 12, 1000 pieces merigold at Tk 200-250, gypsy Tk 10 per piece, 100 pieces chandramallika at Tk 500, china rose at Tk 25-26 per piece, but the price of flowers will increase three times ahead of the festivals, he said. Read more: A festival of flowers in Chattogram

Are you planning to surprise your beloved with a special trip on this Valentine’s day? A day out or short vacation at a scenic resort can make this day special for couples. Let's delve into some beautiful resorts near Dhaka. Top 10 Resorts Near Dhaka for Valentine's Day Celebration Joleswori Resort, Gazipur Located in the Faugan village of Rajendrapur in Gazipur district, Joleswori Resort sprawls over about 100 bighas of lush greenery. The resort features three well-furnished buildings, swimming pools, restaurants, and expansive playgrounds for guests to enjoy. The couple's day-long package is priced at BDT 6,000 on weekdays. During holidays like weekends and government holidays, the price is slightly higher at BDT 6,500. Additionally, the room rent for an overnight stay ranges from BDT 8,000 to BDT 9,000, depending on the standard of accommodation. Read more: 8 Best Winter Travel destinations in Bangladesh Reach Rajendrapur Bazar via Rajendrapur Crossroads, then proceed towards Faugan Bazar. You shall find the resort driving a short distance ahead. Chuti Resort, Gazipur Situated near Bhawal National Park in Gazipur, the popular Chuti Resort spans an area of about 50 bighas. The resort boasts sports zones, swimming pools, restaurants, and camping sites. 

The season of love is approaching as we step into February. Valentine’s Day comes every year as a reminder of love and affection. While there are lavish and extravagant ways to make the day memorable, there are less expensive ways to make the day as special as it is. Let’s look at some creative Valentine’s Day gift ideas that won’t leave a dent in your pocket.  11 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas without Breaking Your Bank Make a Core Memory  Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to do something that you’ll remember for a long time, like making a core memory. For example, plan out a hike or go for a boat ride that doesn’t cost much. The thrill and exhilaration of exploring add to sharing a candid moment with each other. Besides, what’s better than traveling and exploring with your partner?  Write a Love Letter or a Poem  Whether it's Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved” or Shelley’s creations, letters and poems have been a constant medium of expressing love for generations. With Valentine’s Day approaching, now is a better time than ever to start writing a love letter or poem for your loved one. It’s a great way to show your effort in a non-materialistic way. And if you need some help, there’s always ChatGPT to the rescue.  Read more: Valentine’s Day Bucket List: Romantic Ideas for Couples DIY Card and Gifts  Are you good with arts and crafts? Even if you’re not, trying your hand at DIY cards and gifts can be a great Valentine’s Day gift to your loved one. It’s also cost-effective considering you’ll hardly need anything other than a few cuts of paper, scissors, and some pens to make the design. Let your creativity and imagination be the guide. But if you want to be more precise, there are tons of DIY gift card tutorials on YouTube that you can follow.  A Photobook of Memories  In an increasingly digital world where photos are stashed in galleries and drives, be old-fashioned and curate a photobook filled with precious memories. Select pictures of some of your best moments together and print them out to create a photobook. It’s a great way to show your sincerity and effort to make the day special.  A Candlelight Dinner at Home Who said romantic dinners are too expensive? Create a romantic ambiance at your home with a candlelight dinner setup. You can either cook the main course at home or order something. It’ll be significantly cheaper than what you’d normally pay for a candlelight dine-out. Plus the effort of creating a beautiful atmosphere would make the whole thing even more special.  Read more: 10 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Wife

India’s government on Friday withdrew its appeal to citizens to mark Valentine’s Day next week not as a celebration of romance but as “Cow Hug Day” to better promote Hindu values. The appeal had attracted widespread criticism from political rivals and on social media. A terse statement issued by the government-run Animal Welfare Board of India said the appeal issued Wednesday “stands withdrawn.” Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, a political analyst, said the call to hug cows had been “absolutely crazy, defying logic.” “The decision to withdraw the government appeal was to prevent the politics of Hindutva (Hindu nationalism) from being ridiculed in the face of severe criticism from all quarters,” he said. Also read: Indian government asks people to hug cows on Valentine's Day Young, educated Indians typically spend Valentine’s Day crowding parks and restaurants, exchanging gifts and holding parties. The Animal Welfare Board had said Wednesday that “hugging cows will bring emotional richness and increase individual and collective happiness.” Devout Hindus, who worship cows as holy, say the Western holiday goes against traditional Indian values. In recent years, Hindu hard-liners have raided shops selling Valentine’s Day items, burned cards and gifts, and chased hand-holding couples out of restaurants and parks, insisting that the day promotes promiscuity. Hindu nationalist groups such as Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal say such raids help reassert a Hindu identity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has been pushing a Hindu agenda, seeking the religion’s supremacy in a secular nation known for its diversity. Hindus comprise nearly 80% of the nearly 1.4 billion people. Muslims account for 14%, while Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains account for most of the remaining 6%. The cow has long been embedded in the Hindu psyche and is deeply respected by many, much like one’s mother. Most states in India have banned cow slaughter.  

The season of love is upon us again this year. It feels like love is definitely in the air as the cold sultry winter makes way for the warm and charming spring. Every year, different brands and hotels come up with exciting offers to make Valentine’s day memorable for the lovebirds. Here’s a list of offers, deals, and discounts in Bangladesh for Valentine’s Day 2023.  Exciting Offers and Deals to Celebrate Valentine’s 2023 in Bangladesh We’ve decided to break down all the deals and discounts into several categories for your ease. Head over to the one you’re most excited about, or go through them all to find out what works best for you.  Dine Out and Staycations  Every year, a gross chunk of deals and offers are found in different upscale hotels and eateries across Dhaka. This year is also no different. Here are a few offers we’re most excited about.  Amari Dhaka  Amari Dhaka is offering a luxurious staycation experience complete with a buffet for two on the occasion of Valentine’s day. The rate for their deluxe double starts at 12,223 BDT and goes up to 19,223 with the buffet perk included. You can also avail candlelight dinner or high tea experience if you’re not willing to stay the night. Candlelight dinner will cost around 6,499 BDT, whereas the high tea will set you back at 1,450 BDT. Read More: 10 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Wife Best Western Plus Maple Leaf  Best Western Hotel is also offering Valentine’s getaway experience complete with a candlelight dinner for 14,000 BDT. You can also avail of this candlelight dinner and their grand buffet for 5000 and 3400 BDT respectively. Hotel Sarina Dhaka  Hotel Sarina also offers a host of amenities with their lunch and dinner buffet. Their 7-course couple dinner will set you back 5000 BDT. They also have a staycation offer with complimentary breakfast and lunch for 12,000 BDT.  Dhaka Regency  Dhaka Regency is hosting Valentine’s on the Skyline with their signature Grill on the Skyline restaurant. The dinner event offers it all, from live BBQ, enchanting music, cake, and photo frames. This offer is valid on a first-come, first-served basis and will only apply to the first 50 couples. This luxury BBQ dinner will set you back around 8,585 BDT.  Read More: With Ekushey, Pahela Falgun and Valentine’s Day in Feb, Jashore flower farmers eye huge sales Intercontinental Dhaka  This year, Intercontinental Dhaka has brought their Valentine's theme to three of their signature restaurants. The Elements, Amber Room, and the Aquadeck. The cost of a candlelight dinner at each restaurant is around 15,000 BDT.  Le Meridien Le Meridien has also introduced a six-course dinner set meal for couples on Valentine’s day. Their grand buffet will set the diners back at 8500 BDT, whereas the six-course poolside candlelight dinner will range from 16,000 to 19500 BDT.  Several other restaurants and hotels like Izakaya, Hongbao, and Thai Emerald will also announce their Valentine’s day offers soon. Read More: How Can Singles Celebrate Valentine's Day Cheerfully?

Pahela Falgun (first day of spring on Bangla calendar), Shaheed Dibash (International Mother Language Day and Language Martyrs Day), and Valentine’s Day all fall in the month of February and flowers are a must-have for these occasions. Understandably, this month brings smiles to flower farmers and traders across Bangladesh. Flower farmers of Godkhali union under Jhikargacha upazila of Jashore district, one of the largest flower markets of the country, is busy with the hope of selling flowers worth around Tk 300 crore. Godkhali, known as the “flower capital” of the country, has taken on a mesmerizing look with red, blue, yellow, purple and white flowers. This year, local farmers have cultivated various flowers on about 600 hectares of land in Godkhali. Ninety percent people of this village make a living by cultivating flowers. Read More: Peshawar, the city of flowers, becomes epicenter of violence Flowers cultivated in 75 villages of Jhikargacha, 25 kms from Jashore town, include marigolds, roses, gladiolus, gerberas, daisies, gypsies and dahlias. Every year flowers worth around Tk 500 crore are grown in the fields. Flower farmers and traders make huge profits every year in February as demand for flowers increase during the three major events – Pahela Falgun, Valentine’s Day and International Mother Language Day. Abdur Rahim, president of Bangladesh Flower Growers’ Association, said that a lion’s share of roses comes from Jashore’s Godkhali area. Not only roses, other varieties of flowers are also grown here. Read More: ‘Broom flowers’ of Sitakunda hills being exported to Middle East As the weather was favourable this year, farmers are working day and night in the fields – optimistic about big sales, he added. Flower farmer Bablur Rahman said, many wholesalers and retailers from different parts of the country have started thronging the Godkhali market of Jhikargacha. Ismail Hossain, a farmer of Panisara village, said, “Tulips have added a different dimension this year in this flower kingdom. No one imagined that this flower – from cold countries – would bloom here.”

Dhaka has worn a colorful look as festival-loving Bangladeshi people are celebrating the first day of the most anticipated season Basanta (Spring) and globally celebrated Valentine's Day on Monday, all amid the pandemic. Over the past couple of years, people, particularly in Bangladesh, had become used to celebrating a two-day festivity in February, with the 13th being the day of Pohela Falgun and the 14th as Valentine’s Day. However, both the days are being celebrated on February 14, due to the changes made in the Bengali calendar. Falgun is the eleventh month in the Bengali calendar and the first month of the season, Spring, the king of all the six seasons that brings back warm sunshine, budding flowers and dancing of birds. Keeping pace with the rest of the world, Bangladeshis also celebrate Valentine's Day with their beloved ones. Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is an ancient Roman tradition which has been celebrated in European countries for ages. These days it is widely celebrated in Asia, including Bangladesh, thanks to its fast globalisation. Read: Spending Romantic Valentine’s Day at Home? Get Delectable Lunch, Dinner Ideas