The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the country's main stock market, witnessed a drop in the prices of most companies for the second consecutive day, following a rise before the Durga Puja closure. While the DSE experienced some recovery on Tuesday, driven by gains in bank shares, the broader market continued to struggle. The Shariah-based DSES index rose by 3.78 points to close at 1,195.35, but the main DSEX index dropped 7.57 points to 5,365.96, and the DS30 special index, which tracks blue-chip stocks, fell by 5.79 points to 1,963.72. Overall, the prices of 252 companies declined, while 96 advanced, and 52 remained unchanged. BSEC Chairman urges stakeholder cooperation for stock market reforms On Monday, the DSEX had plunged by 48.51 points, the DSES index dropped by 14.29 points, and the DS30 index fell by 15 points, marking a sharp downturn that continued into Tuesday’s trading session. In terms of trading volume, shares and units worth Tk 318 crore were traded on the DSE on Tuesday, down by Tk 32 crore from Monday’s turnover of Tk 350.73 crore. Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) saw a minor decline, with its CASPI index slipping by 0.31 points to 15,047.65. A total of 185 companies participated in the CSE, with 42 seeing price increases, 111 experiencing declines, and 32 remaining unchanged. The CSE's trading volume also dropped to Tk 8.30 crore on Tuesday, compared to Tk 9.39 crore the previous day.

The interim government has assured the international community that the government is committed to upholding the secular and inclusive identity of the people of Bangladesh. "The government of Bangladesh considers it a responsibility to ensure the safety of all citizens, especially members of religious minorities, in Bangladesh," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a media release on Monday. Reiterating the secular and inclusive values ​​of Bangladesh, the Hindu community of Bangladesh celebrated its biggest festival, Durga Puja, in a joyful atmosphere, the ministry said. On the occasion of Durga Puja, more than 32,000 puja mandapas were set up across Bangladesh, where Hindu women, men and children paid respect to the goddess. This 10-day long festival ended on Sunday evening in a cordial atmosphere across Bangladesh. Bangladesh a bright example of communal harmony: Foreign Affairs Adviser The government congratulated all the Hindus for celebrating Durga Puja in a festive atmosphere with full faith in all the steps taken by the government ignoring any kind of provocation and propaganda, said the ministry. In the wake of a few incidents across the country in the last week, the government immediately took strict measures. So far, 11 cases have been filed and 17 people arrested in connection with these incidents. Communal harmony and peaceful coexistence is the eternal identity of Bangladesh which unites all, said the government. The government of Bangladesh firmly believes that every person, regardless of his or her religion or belief, has the right to practice his or her religious activities without any hindrance, according to the ministry.

Government offices, courts, banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions resumed on Monday after a 4-day holiday. The government had earlier declared a holiday on Thursday (October 10) through an executive order in observance of Durga Puja. With the addition of a one-day extended Durga Puja holiday and two regular weekend days, people enjoyed a 4-day break. Read: Offices resume after Eid vacation; new office timing from today Usually, there is only one public holiday for Bijoya Dashami. However, this year the interim government declared an additional holiday on the day of Saptami (Thursday), giving employees a 4-day break, including Friday and Saturday. Meanwhile, schools and colleges will remain closed for nine days due to Durga Puja, Fateha-i-Yazdaham, Laxmi Puja, and Prabarana Purnima. When combined with the weekend, the total break will extend to 11 days.

Durga Puja, the most significant religious festival for the Bengali Hindu community, ends today with the immersion of Goddess Durga’s idols in water bodies across Bangladesh. In Dhaka, thousands of devotees are expected to gather along the banks of the Buriganga River to witness the emotional farewell to the goddess. Idols from various temples and neighborhoods across the city will be transported to the river on decorated trucks. The immersion ritual is the final act of the festival, symbolizing the return of Durga to her celestial abode. It is a moment of both celebration and sorrow for devotees. A highlight of the final day is the ‘Sindur Khela’ ceremony, where women adorn each other with vermilion, symbolizing the strength of the goddess. Read: All set for Durga Puja to conclude peacefully through immersion of idols As thousands of people gather to watch the idols' immersion, the event serves as a reminder of the enduring cultural and spiritual significance of Durga Puja, a festival that brings together the community in a shared expression of faith and devotion.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday urged the country’s people to work together to create an environment where any religious community can celebrate their festivals smoothly without the need for protection from law enforcement agencies. He, however, thanked the law enforcement agencies, including the police and army, for their sincere efforts in ensuring a successful and joyous celebration of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community. The Chief Adviser made the remarks while addressing a programme at Dhakeshwari National Temple. He visited the temple in Old Dhaka and exchanged greetings with members of the Hindu community on the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja. “We have created a scope for you to celebrate the puja festival with the support of the law enforcement agencies. We’ll all work together so that we do not need to do it (celebration of puja with the protection of law enforcers) anymore in the future,” Dr Yunus told the devotees. He said the government and all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, made sincere efforts to ensure a smooth celebration of Durga Puja without any untoward incidents. The Chief Adviser said all state forces, including the police, army, RAB, and Ansar, flawlessly discharged their duties despite various challenges. “It’s a tough task, but they executed it impeccably. They demonstrated that success can be achieved when everyone works together in unity. I thank them for carrying out such a tough duty during the holidays.” He also said, “We remind ourselves that arranging our joyous festivals with the help of the army, police and RAB is our failure. It’s not normal. We’re accepting this failure for now. This is our failure that we couldn’t build society in a way where a section of society can celebrate its festivals joyfully with all.” Dr Yunus said the nation does not want a society where people must celebrate their festivals with the assistance of law enforcers. “A segment of society should be able to celebrate its festivals alongside everyone else, with support from others. That’s how it should be. But we haven’t achieved that.” In this reality, he noted that students, along with the masses and workers, initiated a revolution, sacrificing their lives with the dream of building a new Bangladesh and creating opportunities for all. Dr Yunus exchanges greetings with Hindu community at Dhakeswari Temple “We want to materialise this dream. We don’t want it to remain in just words... We aim to build a Bangladesh where all our citizens can enjoy equal rights,” said Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Yunus. The Chief Adviser said a wave of festivity has swept across the country on the occasion of Durga Puja, coinciding with the opportunity for citizens to enjoy four consecutive days of holidays. He said not only the Sanatan practitioners but everyone has been celebrating the occasion with joy and enthusiasm. Regarding the formation of six commissions to implement state reforms, Dr Yunus said these reforms are essential to eliminate all the elements that people find objectionable. “This will ensure that your sons and daughters can move freely, express their opinions, and participate in any event with full rights.” He said the current government is committed to building a Bangladesh where everyone, irrespective of their caste or creed, can enjoy equal rights, security, and the confidence to move freely across the country. “This will empower them to pursue their dreams and actively work towards realising those aspirations.” “It’s possible to build that Bangladesh. It may seem like we’re discussing an imaginary Bangladesh, and indeed it feels like a matter of imagination since it doesn’t practically exist. However, it is possible to turn this dream into reality. The student-led mass upsurge has created this possibility,” Dr Yunus said.  He said it is not possible to build a new Bangladesh merely by talking without purpose as in the past. “We need to break free from this futile habit. We must identify the new elements needed for a new Bangladesh and work to establish them.” The Chief Adviser noted that while they have established some commissions for reforms, these commissions alone will not be sufficient to bring about change in the country. He said the commissions have been established to consolidate the nation's dreams into a single vision. “We’re now filled with great dreams following the student-led revolution. These dreams need a clear outline, as we are stating our intentions to amend the constitution, reform the Election Commission and the electoral system, among other things,” Dr Yunus said. Through the revolution, he said, the nation emerged from a society where all rights were concentrated in the hands of a small group, leaving the majority deprived of their rights. The Chief Adviser said everyone’s rights must be established by the state to ensure that no one is deprived of their rights and justice again. “Those who will snatch these rights must face punishment. This was the dream of the revolution. To bring this dream into a structured framework, the commissions have been formed. They will consult with all stakeholders and provide us with an outline within three months.” Dr Yunus urged everyone not to miss the opportunity to build their envisioned Bangladesh. “A great chance has arisen to reform or change this country. Don’t let it slip away. If this opportunity is lost, we may never be able to reform the state. The students and the people have given us a lamp of Alauddin (a magic lamp) in our hands. We can do whatever we desire,” he said. He also urged the people not to limit themselves to small dreams but to aspire for a bigger vision. “Be prepared to build a truly new Bangladesh and support it (reform efforts), and declare loudly that we want it (new Bangladesh),” he said.     

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday visited Dhakeswari Temple  in Old Dhaka to exchange greetings with the Hindu community on the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, the largest Hindu religious festival in Bangladesh.                                                           He extended his greetings to the country’s all members of the Hindu community. Prof Yunus congratulates Nobel Peace Prize 2024 laureates Nihon Hidankyo Earlier, Prof Yunus said Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. "Durga Puja is not only a festival of the Hindu community… it has now become a festival for all. The destruction of evil forces and the worship of truth and beauty are the main features of the festival," he said in a message on the occasion of Durga Puja. Reset Button: Prof Yunus didn't mean wiping out Bangladesh's proud history of 1971 Prof Yunus said the constitution of the country guarantees equal rights to the people of all religions and castes.  "This country belongs to all of us. This country is a safe home to all irrespective of caste and religion," he said. He wished for peace, wellbeing and prosperity of all the citizens of Bangladesh. The government has said that law enforcement agencies are sincerely focusing on the security concerns shared by the Hindu community.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Mainul Islam stated that action has been taken in response to all unpleasant incidents centring the Hindu community's largest festival, Durga Puja, this year in the country. Durga Puja is being celebrated at over 32,000 puja mandaps nationwide, and the police have responded to each isolated incident, he noted. The IGP made these remarks to journalists after visiting the Banani Pujamandap in the capital on Friday night. So far, 11 cases and 24 general diaries (GDs) have been filed concerning 35 untoward incidents, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals. Police on high alert to prevent rumors during Durga Puja Celebrations: IGP The IGP stated that this year's Durga Puja posed significant challenges, with many expressing concerns about the celebrations. "We assured you of a peaceful Puja, and it is now being celebrated with great grandeur," he said. He emphasized that the constitution upholds the right of individuals of all faiths to practice their religion. Aside from a few criminals, the people of Bangladesh are generally peaceful, and the police are committed to supporting law-abiding citizens while ensuring that those who engage in criminal behavior are held accountable. Later, the IGP visited the Durga Puja Mandaps in Bashundhara and Uttara, where he exchanged greetings with worshippers.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain has said the responsibility to protect and enhance the country's image lies with people of all religions because the country belongs to everyone. The adviser said this while visiting the Banani Puja Mandap in Dhaka on the occasion of Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community. "We are like a family. Our constitutional rights are equal for all. We must be cautious and responsible to ensure that the country's image is not tarnished,” Khalid said. "All kinds of security measures have been taken to ensure that the Durga Puja festival goes smoothly. Necessary instructions have been given to the police, Ansar-VDP, Army, Navy, and Air Force for ensuring security. Additionally, a control room has been set up at the Ministry of Religious Affairs. “If any miscreant comes to attack puja mandaps or vandalize the idols, they must be apprehended and handed over to the law enforcement authorities. The government will ensure the highest punishment for these miscreants according to the prevailing laws,” added the adviser. "We are still self-centered. We cannot make space for others in our hearts. We need to broaden our hearts and expand our perspectives. We must enhance mutual harmony and unity,” the adviser also said. "Previous governments generally allocated Tk 2 crore for assisting puja mandaps during Durga Puja. But this year, the current government has allocated Tk 4 crore. The government has taken all possible measures to ensure that the Sanatan religion followers can celebrate the Sharadiya Durga Puja festival with religious solemnity and enthusiasm,” he also said. Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dr Mohammad Abdul Momen, Secretary of Religious Affairs Md. A.H. Hamid Zomadder, General Secretary of Gulshan Banani Puja Foundation Asim Kumar Joardar, and leaders of the Puja Celebration Committee were present at the time, among others.

Awami League greeted people of the country on the occasion of Sharadio Durga Puja. In its verified Facebook post on Thursday, Awami League said, “It is our belief that communal harmony will be reawakened in Bangladesh by breaking through the darkness.”

Bangladesh has so far exported 479 metric tonnes (MT) of hilsa to India marking Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community, through Benapole land port. The export started through the country's largest land port with 54.460 MT on September 26, and India has so far received 479 tonnes over the past 13 days. The government set a price of $10 equivalent to Tk 1, 180 for per kilogram of hilsa. Visiting local Benapole Fishery Market, this correspondent found per kilogram of hilsa weighing under one Kg was selling at TK 1, 300 and the Hilsa weighing over one Kg at Tk 1800-2000, Tk 600 to 800 more per kg compared to the export price. Read: 410 metric tons of hilsa exported to India via Benapole Land Port Asked about the low price of the exported hilsa, Mahbubur Rahman, an official at Fisheries Inspection and Quality Control Centre of Benapole land port, said the circular on hilsa export dates back a few years but now the export price of hilsa may be adjusted in line with the domestic market price. Masudur Rahman, revenue official at the Check-post Cargo Section of the land port, said seven trucks entered India carrying 22 MT of hilsa on Wednesday night. Read more: Bangladesh missing hilsa export target to India for Durga Puja since 2019 With this, India received 479MT of hilsa from Bangladesh through Benapole land port in 10 consignments since September 26, he said.