United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday made surprise visits to 13 locations across Dhaka, including hospitals, educational institutions and government residential quarters to assess the quality of public services, cleanliness and overall management. Starting at 9:10am, the prime minister visited different areas of Dhaka until 1:41pm, speaking to officials and examining cleanliness, service quality and overall management at various facilities, said his Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. He first visited Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital in Uttara, followed by Rajuk Uttara Model College and Mirpur Cantonment Public School and College. He then visited the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh at Mirpur, Paikpara Staff Quarters and Government Bangla College. The prime minister later inspected Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital at Agargaon. He also visited his old college Dhaka Residential Model College, where he addressed students and urged them to help build a clean Bangladesh and plant more trees. Tarique subsequently visited Dhanmondi Government Boys' High School, Kalabagan Staff Quarters and Azimpur Government Officers' and Employees' Residential Quarters. Expressing dissatisfaction with poor cleanliness and management at several locations, the prime minister gave the authorities concerned two weeks to improve cleanliness at the Azimpur government quarters. Earlier, during his visit to Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, he gave the authorities seven days to improve the hospital's environment and cleanliness arrangements. During his visit to Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, Tarique found Associate Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam smoking in his untidy room. He immediately instructed the hospital chairman to take action against the doctor, who was subsequently suspended him. The prime minister also visited a footpath freed from hawkers at Mirpur-10. Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton was present during the visit. Throughout the surprise inspections, Tarique spoke to officials, students and members of the public, stressing the need for responsible action by the authorities concerned to improve public services, maintain cleanliness and protect public health.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday expressed strong dissatisfaction over the unhygienic environment at the Azimpur Government Officers’ and Employees’ Residential Quarters in the capital and gave the authorities two weeks to improve cleanliness and ensure a liveable environment. He issued the directive during a surprise visit to the residential area, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. During the visit, the prime minister inspected the residential area, walkways and overall surroundings. He questioned the authorities about the lack of cleanliness and expressed dissatisfaction with the maintenance and cleaning arrangements. Tarique instructed the authorities concerned to ensure visible improvements in the overall cleanliness of the quarters within two weeks. Residents of the quarters raised various complaints with the prime minister about the unhygienic environment and the law and order situation in the area. They sought effective measures to improve the  environment and ensure security. The prime minister listened to their complaints and asked the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to resolve the problems. During the visit, Tarique also exchanged greetings with children living in the quarters. State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam and Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam were present.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday visited Dhaka Residential Model College in the capital where he studied and urged students to play an active role in building the country by keeping it clean and green.  During the visit to the college at Mohammadpur where he studied, the prime minister spoke to students, calling on them to take responsibility for keeping their homes, educational institutions and surroundings clean and raising awareness among others. Tarique said everyone, particularly the younger generation, must work together to make the country clean and liveable, as the government alone could not achieve this goal. Referring to the 2024 mass uprising, the prime minister asked the students whether it has  been achieved by any single political party. “You made the 2024 movement successful through the mass uprising. Was it done by a single party? Everyone worked together, didn’t they?” he said. Tarique said the collective efforts of young people have  already proved that they could bring about major changes.  However, he said, their responsibility did not end with taking part in a movement as they must also contribute to rebuilding the country and creating a better Bangladesh. Expressing concern over air pollution in Dhaka, Tarique said the capital’s air is  becoming increasingly polluted, exposing people, particularly children, to various health risks.  He stressed the need to plant more trees to help address the situation. The prime minister said the government has already taken initiatives to make the country clean and green, but those efforts could not fully succeed without the active participation of young people. Tarique urged students to take responsibility for keeping the country clean and planting more trees. “You are the future of this country. I have two requests to you: keep the country clean and plant more trees. This is your country, and its responsibility also rests with you,” he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged young people to take the lead in preventing dengue, protecting the environment and keeping the country clean and green, saying efforts to build a clean and healthier Bangladesh for future generations must begin now. “You will run this country in the future. So, we must start working now to build a beautiful, clean and healthy Bangladesh for the next generation,” he said. The prime minister made the call while addressing members of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) and Scouts during a visit to Mirpur Bangla College in the capital. Tarique said Bangladesh is a densely populated country, particularly in Dhaka, where keeping the city clean is a major challenge. However, the prime minister said, it is possible through collective efforts. He said young people should not limit their cleanliness activities to organised programmes but also take initiatives on their own and encourage their friends, relatives and neighbours to keep their surroundings clean. Highlighting the close link between cleanliness and public health, the prime minister said people are more likely to remain healthy when their homes and surroundings are clean, while an unhygienic environment increased the risk of various diseases. “If so many people fall ill, it will be difficult to arrange enough doctors and medicines to treat everyone. So, our first task is to keep people healthy. And to keep people healthy, we must keep the environment clean,” he said. Stressing the importance of cleanliness in preventing dengue, Tarique said many people are infected with the disease every year and some die from it. “Destroying mosquito breeding grounds and keeping homes and their surroundings clean are among the most effective ways to prevent dengue,” he said. The prime minister said the government is placing special emphasis on conducting cleanliness drives every Saturday until November as part of its dengue prevention efforts. He urged people to keep the areas around their homes, schools, colleges, workplaces and other institutions clean, particularly by ensuring that water did not accumulate anywhere. Tarique also called for an end to the practice of dumping waste on roads, in canals, rivers and other water bodies, saying accumulated rubbish pollute the environment and created favourable conditions for the spread of germs and mosquito breeding. Urging BNCC and Scouts members to raise public awareness, he said they should try to explain the importance of cleanliness to anyone found throwing rubbish on the street and help them dispose of it in designated places if necessary. “Remember, you are working not just for yourselves but for the benefit of everyone,” the prime minister said. Expressing concern over Dhaka’s air pollution, Tarique said the capital often ranked among the world’s most polluted cities, which he described as embarrassing. He said protecting the environment required planting more trees as well as other measures. Recalling his past tree-planting initiatives, the prime minister said around 80,000 neem saplings have been planted in Dhaka alone in 2004-05 through an organisation established in his father’s name. Addressing the students, he said they should surpass his efforts by planting even more trees. “Now you have to go beyond me. You will plant more trees. InshaAllah, you can do it.” The prime minister also recalled the history of neem trees on Saudi Arabia’s Arafat plain. He said the area had once been almost treeless before then-President Ziaur Rahman sent neem saplings there. Neem was selected on the advice of Bangladeshi scientists because it was suitable for Saudi Arabia’s climate, he said, adding that the trees later spread across the area and became known as “Zia trees”. Citing Japan as an example of cleanliness, Tarique said its streets have very little rubbish, partly because people have developed the habit of not littering, rather than relying solely on cleaning services. He stressed the need to keep rivers, canals and other water bodies clean and prevent water and environmental pollution. “People should stop throwing plastic bottles, polythene bags, food packets and other waste indiscriminately.” The prime minister said collective efforts by BNCC and Scouts members and other citizens could help build a better Bangladesh. “The future belongs to you. You will run this country,” he said. Tarique visited Mirpur Bangla College as part of his surprise visits to hospitals and educational institutions to assess the dengue situation and cleanliness activities.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged students and young people to play an active role in preventing dengue by keeping their homes, educational institutions and surroundings clean, saying the fight against the disease cannot depend on government efforts alone. “Prevention is the best way to fight dengue, and for that, we must keep our surroundings clean. I need your help in this effort,” he said. The prime minister made the call while speaking to members of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) and Scouts during a visit to Rajuk Uttara Model College to observe cleanliness activities aimed at preventing dengue, said his Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. He said the country could make significant progress in preventing dengue and protecting the environment if more young people took responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean. The prime minister made surprise visits to hospitals, educational institutions and government buildings in the capital to assess the dengue situation, healthcare services and cleanliness activities, said Hasan Shiplu. Kuwait-Maitree Hospital given 7 days to improve cleanliness Earlier in the day, Tarique visited Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, also known as Kuwait-Maitree Hospital, where he spoke to patients receiving treatment and enquired about the services being provided to them. He also inspected different departments, including the intensive care unit (ICU) and operating theatres. Expressing dissatisfaction with the hospital’s overall management and cleanliness, the prime minister gave the authorities seven days to improve the hospital environment and cleanliness arrangements. He later visited Rajuk Uttara Model College, where he spoke to teachers, students, BNCC members and Scouts. He enquired about the institution’s cleanliness activities and discussed the role students could play in preventing dengue. Tarique said dengue infections usually rise during this period of the year, particularly through November, with many people falling ill and some dying from the disease every year. Referring to Dhaka’s cleanliness challenges, he said the capital was a vast city with a population of more than 2.5 crore. Although city corporation cleaners work regularly, their capacity is limited, making public participation essential, the prime minister said. “So, whether you are members of the Scouts, Girl Guides or the Red Crescent, or not, you are all citizens of this country. You are the future of the country. You must also take responsibility for keeping your homes, schools, neighbourhoods and surroundings clean,” he said. The prime minister stressed the need to build social awareness to discourage people from dumping waste indiscriminately. He said people should be encouraged to act responsibly whenever someone throws rubbish outside designated places. Tarique said initiatives had been taken to install dustbins at different locations across the capital, but many were being stolen. Saplings planted by Dhaka North and South city corporations are also being stolen from various places, he added. The prime minister called upon citizens to become more aware and responsible to prevent such acts. Tarique urges students to plant trees on birthdays PM Tarique advised students to plant at least one tree every year on their own birthdays and those of family members to help protect the environment. “Try to plant a tree on your birthday, your siblings’ birthdays or your grandparents’ birthdays. It can be at your home, school or village home. As the trees grow, you will grow too,” he said. Speaking about rising temperatures and the loss of greenery in Dhaka, Tarique recalled that the capital once had more trees and open spaces, but many of these had given way to multi-storey buildings. The prime minister observed that the decline in greenery had made the city feel hotter. “The more trees we have, the more freely we will be able to breathe. I really like the gentle rustling of leaves. If we all plant trees together, we can also reduce the city’s temperature to some extent,” he said. During the interaction, Tarique stressed the need for young people to participate actively in dengue prevention, cleanliness and efforts to make the city greener. He said public awareness and collective efforts, alongside government initiatives, were essential to building a clean and liveable city. Tarique asked the students whether they would help keep their schools, homes, neighbourhoods and surrounding areas clean, receiving a positive response from them. The prime minister is also supposed to visit Dhaka Medical College Hospital and various hospitals and educational institutions under Dhaka North and South city corporations, Shiplu said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday urged people from all walks of life to come forward to protect the environment and forests, calling Dhaka’s persistent air pollution a matter of shame for the country. Speaking at a meeting to review the progress and implementation of activities of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, he also stressed the need for greater public awareness and collective efforts to build a liveable Bangladesh for future generations. The Prime Minister urged government officials to take initiatives beyond their assigned duties to protect the environment and forests. The meeting, held at the ministry’s conference room, decided to identify and preserve the country’s mother trees within the next six months. It also directed the authorities to ensure regular care of planted trees, monitor their survival through field visits, and explore ways to expand afforestation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Noting that people have limited access to places where they can spend time in nature, Tarique Rahman stressed the need to increase such spaces and encourage people to develop rooftop and school gardens, as well as gardens in different buildings. He said public awareness is essential alongside government initiatives to protect the environment, adding that greater awareness will make the work easier. The Prime Minister also stressed the need for separate public awareness plans to support the implementation of decisions and programmes for environmental and forest conservation. Expressing concern over Dhaka’s air pollution, he said the capital has been ranking first or second among the world’s most polluted cities for many years. “This is a matter of shame for the country. Everyone must take responsibility from their respective positions to change the situation,” Tarique Rahman said.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday urged every family and every person to spend at least 30 minutes to an hour on two days a week cleaning their homes and surroundings to stop mosquitoes from breeding and help prevent dengue. “My appeal to you today is this: let every person and every family spend at least 30 minutes to an hour, at least twice a week, cleaning their homes, surroundings and nearby roads to prevent dengue mosquitoes from breeding,” he said. The Prime Minister made the call in a video message to the nation posted on his Facebook page.He also called upon people to join hands with the government to tackle dengue by removing stagnant water and cleaning up waste where Aedes mosquitoes breed. “Let us all try together. If we work together, we can certainly save many lives from the curse of dengue in the coming days,” Tarique Rahman said. He said people had united to achieve independence in 1971, to overthrow autocracy in 1990 and to make the mass uprising of 2024 successful. “If we could achieve all these things together, why cannot we contribute a little each and take part in solving the country’s other problems?” the Prime Minister asked. He said people of different ages are falling ill and dying from dengue, adding that those who have lost loved ones understood the pain of such a loss. Tarique Rahman said collective efforts could help prevent many families from suffering the same tragedy. He said around 2.5 crore students study at schools, colleges and universities across the country.In addition, the Prime Minister said nearly 40 lakh members of organisations such as the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC), Scouts, Girl Guides and the Red Crescent and Red Cross could contribute to the effort. He said students and members of these organisations have been trying for about a month to clean up rubbish and waste across districts and upazilas every Saturday. Tarique Rahman said Aedes mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, including in corners of homes, along roads and in places where waste accumulates and allows water to collect. He noted that a dengue vaccine has been developed but said studies have shown that it is not very effective in treating the disease. The most effective way to prevent dengue, the Prime Minister said, is to remove stagnant water and clean up waste where mosquitoes could breed. He said a government can succeed when it works with people to address the country’s problems.“My government wants to work with all the people of the country to solve our problems. Solving the country’s problems means solving the problems of you, me and all of us,” Tarique Rahman said. He urged everyone to take part in the effort, expressing hope that collective action will help save many lives from dengue.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday directed officials to take steps to promote Bangladesh’s culture and heritage among the younger generation and encourage children to read books. “Our culture is thousands of years old, but we may not be presenting it properly to our younger generation,” he said during a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Tarique said technology is drawing young people towards foreign cultures and exposing them to new things, but this should not lead them to forget their own culture. “We need to think about how to present our culture and heritage more effectively to the younger generation,” he added. He also stressed the need to build reading habits among children. The Prime Minister asked officials to consider using mobile libraries to bring books to children and arrange reading circles and book-reading competitions. The prime minister visited the ministry as part of his regular programme and discussed its ongoing activities and future plans. Officials briefed him on programmes planned for the Lalon festival, Nazrul Year and a winter cultural festival scheduled from December to May. The winter festival is planned to feature circus, folk culture, boat races, kite festivals, horse racing, puppet shows and other cultural events, including programmes for people with special needs. Representatives of the July Museum, Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh National Museum, Bangla Academy, National Book Centre and other agencies under the ministry also presented their activities and future plans. Tarique asked officials to take steps to make the Shilpakala academies more active. Addressing the officials, he said everyone had skills and should work to the best of their ability. “If we all make our best efforts, we can build at least some of the country we want to see. We have an opportunity to do something for the country, and we should make use of it,” the prime minister said. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Cultural Affairs Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and relevant officials attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday met three inspiring individuals who have set remarkable examples in society through their dedication to education, overcoming physical challenges and planting trees. The three are Nayla Sharaf, a BUET graduate who chose to teach at a primary school, Md Altaf Hossain, who established a school despite having no hands, and Rezaul Kibria Babul, who has planted thousands of trees on his own initiative. They met the prime minister at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat and became emotional at the opportunity to meet him, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. Tarique listened attentively to their life struggles and initiatives for public welfare, praised their contributions and assured them of necessary support. “People like you are greatly needed to build the country. Nation-building will become easier if everyone comes forward like you,” he said. Nayla Sharaf completed her studies at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and joined the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) as an assistant engineer. She later worked as an officer at Janata Bank. Despite qualifying for the 34th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, she chose not to join a government job and instead pursued teaching. For the past seven years, she has been teaching at Panchananpur Government Primary School in Netrokona. She also develops teaching materials and digital content to make learning easier, particularly for disadvantaged children. Another person who met the prime minister was Md Altaf Hossain of Narsingdi, who was born without both hands. He learned to write with his feet and established Protiba Dukhu Mia Kindergarten School in Panchdona, Narsingdi, in 2007. Using his savings and money from the sale of ancestral land, he built the school, which now has 145 students and 10 teachers. He continues to write with his feet and manages various school activities despite his physical challenges. After hearing his story, the prime minister assured him of support to construct a new school building. Rezaul Kibria Babul of Charfasson in Bhola has also set an example through his long-standing efforts to plant trees. Alongside his work as a mosque imam, he has spent nearly three decades planting thousands of trees along roads with his own money and labour. After selling ancestral property to establish a nursery, he began planting saplings grown there in different areas. Many of the trees have now grown large enough to provide shade for passers-by. The prime minister praised all three for their efforts, saying individual initiatives for the welfare of society and the country play an important role and can inspire others to undertake similar work. He encouraged them to continue their activities and assured them of support.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday inspected a mobile laboratory used to test food samples as part of efforts to strengthen food safety monitoring and combat food adulteration. The prime minister inspected the mobile laboratory van before entering his office at the Secretariat in the morning, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.. He went inside the van, stationed beneath the Prime Minister’s Office at the Cabinet Division, and observed the process of collecting and testing food samples. Officials briefed him on the laboratory’s operations. They informed the prime minister that food sample testing and monitoring have been intensified in all 64 districts as part of anti-adulteration drives. Mobile laboratories are being used to support these activities. At present, food sample testing and monitoring through mobile laboratories are being conducted in eight metropolitan areas. The programme is planned to be expanded gradually to all 64 districts. The activities are carried out separately through mobile courts led by executive magistrates and under the supervision of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority. The authority is also working to introduce 72 mobile laboratory vans under its capacity-building project for the 2026–27 fiscal year. The vans also feature facilities to raise public awareness of food safety. Monitors installed on their exteriors screen videos containing food safety awareness messages. Food Minister Afroza Khanam, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, State Minister for Food Abdul Bari, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, Public Administration Secretary Kamruzzaman Chowdhury and senior officials of the Food Ministry were present during the inspection.