United News of Bangladesh

A festive atmosphere has filled remote Ulashi village in Jashore's Sharsha upazila where residents have been eagerly waiting since morning for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Young and old alike have gathered along both banks of  Ulashi Canal. Many are carrying spades and traditional bamboo hats, while others are standing in rows along the roadside for a glimpse of the Prime Minister. Some people were seen waiting with marigold flowers to welcome the Prime Minister. Soon after arriving in Jashore, Tarique is set to begin his first programme of the day by inaugurating the re-excavation of Ulashi-Jadunathpur Canal. The nearly four-kilometre canal which connects with the Betna River was first excavated in 1976 under the initiative of former president Ziaur Rahman. Centenarian Barik Mondol, a resident of Ulashi, was present at the original canal excavation ceremony in 1976. He has come again today, recalling that historic occasion. "Ziaur Rahman arrived by helicopter and landed on the school field. He then walked to the canal, dug the soil himself with a spade and placed it in a basket," Barik said. "The President then lifted the basket onto the head of my brother, Karim Box Mondol, who was a union parishad member. He even wore my brother's traditional bamboo hat," he added. Barik also recalled the huge gathering that day. "Later, local people, along with members of different government agencies, joined the excavation work. Several hundred people worked voluntarily without any payment. They were given only bread and molasses for lunch. People joined the work simply out of their love for the President," he said. Octogenarian Shahdat Hossain also recalled that he had dug the canal alongside Ziaur Rahman 50 years ago. "I am here today to see Ziaur Rahman's son, Tarique Rahman, and witness the re-excavation of the canal, which has become almost dead," he said. Local shopkeeper Imran Ali said he had heard that Ziaur Rahman excavated the canal nearly five decades ago. "We're very happy that now his son is coming to re-excavate the canal. We're eagerly waiting to welcome the Prime Minister," he said. Local farmer Andur Rob said the canal has become almost useless due to years of neglect. "It has created serious irrigation problems. Re-excavation of the canal will greatly benefit the people of this area," he said. Rob said the villagers are overjoyed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is coming here to launch the project. The historic plaque marking Ziaur Rahman's inauguration of the project still stands at the site. It has been cleaned ahead of the Prime Minister's visit. Another plaque on the monument commemorates the formal inauguration of the project by President Ziaur Rahman on April 30, 1977.

The re-excavation of a seven-kilometre canal from Kalitala Bridge to Hapania Bazar in Barshail union of Sadar upazila was inaugurated on Saturday at a cost of Tk 98.74 lakh (9.874 million). Member of Parliament for Naogaon Sadar constituency Zahidul Islam Dholu formally opened the work by unveiling a plaque and digging soil with a spade at the site. Later, he addressed a views-exchange meeting held at Tentulia College ground as the chief guest. List of canal encroachers being prepared: State Minister In his speech, the lawmaker said former President Ziaur Rahman had famously initiated canal excavation programmes across the country through voluntary efforts to boost agricultural production. After a long time, President Zia's worthy successor Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has again taken up such initiatives nationwide, he said. He added that the canal in Naogaon is being re-excavated after nearly 20 years, which will benefit thousands of farmers in Barshail, Hapania and Chakgouri unions by enabling easier and low-cost irrigation for crop production, including vegetables and paddy. Barshail Union BNP President Sanowar Hossain Pintu presided over the programme. Among others, BNP leaders including Khairur Alam Golden, Bayezid Hossain Palash, Aminul Haque Belal, Dewan Mostaq Ahmed Raza, Al Kafi Tuhin, Didarul Haque Ratan, Masud Haidar Tipu and Ruhul Amin Mukta were present. The project is being implemented by the National Development Programme (NDP) with support from Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF).

The launch of a canal re-excavation programme by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dinajpur on Monday stirred memories of a similar initiative taken nearly five decades ago by his father, former president Ziaur Rahman. Residents of Balrampur village in Kaharol upazila said Tarique Rahman appeared to be following the path of the BNP founder by personally joining the excavation work with a spade. About five decades ago, Ziaur Rahman took part in canal excavation work by cutting soil with a spade alongside hundreds of villagers of different ages. Accompanied by ministers and BNP leaders, Tarique Rahman personally began the re-excavation of the Sahapara canal by cutting soil with a spade at Balrampur Sahapara in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur around 12:27pm. By cutting the first soil from the canal, he formally launched the nationwide programme, marking the start of similar activities across the country. Several thousand local people enthusiastically watched as the head of government dug the canal himself, following in the footsteps of his late father. Sixty-five-year-old resident Halima Khatun of Balrampur village said the programme reminded many people of the earlier initiative led by Ziaur Rahman. “Just like his father, he is taking part in canal digging. President Ziaur Rahman used to join canal excavation programmes with ordinary people through voluntary work,” she added. Sahapara canal in Balrampur now looks more like uneven piles of soil than a flowing canal, as much of the water has dried up over the years. During the monsoon, water flow through the canal remains limited, often leading to waterlogging in nearby areas. A local resident, Amjad Hossain, said the canal has long been a source of hardship for people in the area.