United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said the interim government aims to build a healthy society, adding that the July Charter has been prepared to uphold the spirit of the mass uprising. “You are the mirror of society. By looking at you, we can understand whether everything is in order,” Prof Yunus said while exchanging Christmas greetings with representatives of the Christian community at the State Guest House Jamuna, that is doubling up as the CA's official residence. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, he said that alongside the upcoming parliamentary election, a referendum will also be held. Through the referendum on the July Charter, the country will move one step forward, he said, adding that the next parliament will adopt reform measures based on the people’s verdict in the referendum. Prof Yunus called upon religious leaders to help raise public awareness about the forthcoming election and referendum. Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain, Archbishop of Catholic Christians in Bangladesh Bejoy N D'Cruze, President of the National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh Bishop Philip P Adhikary, Trustee of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust Dr Benedict Alo D’Rozario, President of the National Council of Churches in Bangladesh Christopher Adhikari, and other prominent Christian leaders were present. Christian leaders highlighted Prof Yunus’s global reputation and his role in improving the country’s economic and overall situation. They expressed hope that the upcoming election would be free and fair under his leadership, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Archbishop Bejoy N D’Cruze described Jesus Christ as a universal figure and said that inspired by Christ’s ideals of forgiveness and service to humanity, millions of people around the world, including in Bangladesh, are celebrating Christmas with joy and enthusiasm. Extending Christmas greetings to the Chief Adviser, he said, “After the July mass uprising, the people have kept their trust in you to rebuild Bangladesh anew. You are carrying out that responsibility with great dedication. We pray that your efforts will succeed through a beautiful and peaceful election.” Leaders of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust also thanked the interim government for granting Tk 2.5 crore to the trust on the occasion of Christmas. They said the grant is being distributed in three phases among 800 churches across the country. Later, Prof Yunus cut a cake with representatives of the Christian community to mark the Christmas celebration.

A new graffiti from the Subodh series has surfaced on the Agargaon Air Force wall, marking the latest intervention by the anonymous street artist HOBEKI?. The reappearance has drawn attention not only for its timing but also for its location, which holds particular significance in the history of the series. Subodh was last seen on 5 August 2024 at the Dhaka University Metro Station. His first known appearance in Agargaon dates back to 2017, making the area a historically resonant site within HOBEKI?’s evolving body of work. The return to Agargaon appears deliberate, reconnecting the present moment with the origins of the character. In this latest mural, Subodh is reimagined as a soldier of art rather than war. Instead of a rifle, he carries paintbrushes and spray cans—tools of creation replacing instruments of violence.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui on Tuesday morning paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing a wreath at ‘Simanta Gaurab’ at the BGB Headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka. On the occasion, a smartly turned-out contingent of BGB presented a guard of honour in tribute to the fallen heroes. Earlier, as part of the Victory Day programmes, the national flag was formally hoisted at sunrise at the BGB Headquarters in Pilkhana and at all BGB regions, institutions, sectors, battalions and units across the country. At dawn, the BGB Director General also placed a wreath-at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar.

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Tuesday paid tribute to the martyred police members of the Liberation War on the occasion of the Victory Day at the Rajarbagh Police Lines memorial. They placed wreaths at the memorial at around 8:00am. The Home Adviser was the first to lay a wreath. Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Md Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury was present at the time. Later, IGP Baharul Alam, on behalf of the Bangladesh Police, paid floral tribute to the fallen police members. DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali also paid homage. Leaders of the Bangladesh Police Service Association and Bangladesh Police Women Network (BPWN) paid tribute at the memorial afterwards.

The nation is celebrating Victory Day, the most joyous occasion marking the birth of the country, on Tuesday with elaborate programmes in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice of the martyrs. On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered, bringing to an end a bloody nine-month-long war. The government has taken extensive programmes to celebrate the day which began with a 31-gun salute in Dhaka. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar, marking the Great Victory Day. He laid the wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at around 6:56 am. After placing the wreath, the Chief Adviser stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memories of the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation in 1971. A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion. The Chief Justice, Advisers of the interim government, Chiefs of the three services, freedom fighters, diplomats, and senior civil and military officials, among others, were present on the occasion. The programmes include placing wreaths at the monuments to pay homage to martyrs, hoisting of the national flags, parachuting with the highest number of national flags, cultural events, arrangement of recitation, essay writing and painting competitions on the Liberation War for children and acrobatic show. Besides, 54 paratroopers will perform a flag-bearing skydive to mark 54 years of the country's independence which is expected to set a Guinness World Record, according to a PID handout. On Victory Day, the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force will conduct separate fly-past exercises at the Old Airport in Tejgaon, Dhaka from 11 am. Along with the government, different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations have chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the day. Bangladeshis will celebrate the day at home and abroad. Families of the war heroes, wounded freedom fighters and other distinguished freedom fighters will also pay their tributes. Foreign diplomats, political and social organisations as well as the general people will also lay wreaths in honour of the martyrs. The national flag has been hoisted at all government, semi-government, autonomous, private and important buildings. The main streets and roundabouts in Dhaka and other cities have been adorned with national flags. Newspapers have published special supplements highlighting the significance of the day. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, and Bangladesh Sishu Academy, will organise discussions, cultural programmes, drawing competitions, essay writing contests, sports events, and screenings of Liberation War-related documentaries. Victory fairs showcasing local and indigenous crafts have been organised in all districts and upazilas throughout the country. Bangladesh embassies abroad will also organise programmes to highlight the significance of the day. The Bangladesh Postal Service will issue a commemorative postage stamp on this occasion. Religious institutions will arrange special prayers and services for the peace and progress of the country. Special meals will be served at orphanages, old age homes, hospitals, jails, government children's homes, and similar institutions. CA Prof Yunus pays tributes to Liberation War martyrs  All children's parks and museums in the country will be open to public without entry fees and Liberation War-based films will be screened at cinemas cost free. On the eve of Victory Day, the President and the Chief Adviser have issued separate messages highlighting the significance of the day. President Mohammed Shahabuddin said, “On this very day in 1971, we attained our long-cherished freedom and sovereignty through a nine-month-long, bloodied Liberation War.” President Shahabuddin also paid his deepest respect to the valiant martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the war, the wounded freedom fighters, the mothers and sisters who lost their dignity, the families of the martyrs and all the courageous people who dedicated their efforts to the cause of independence. “The aim of the Liberation War was not confined merely to political independence; one of its fundamental objectives was to establish economic emancipation and social justice. Yet even after five decades, our people have not achieved complete political and socio-economic freedom. In this context, the student-led mass uprising of 2024 has rekindled hope for building a just Bangladesh, free from discrimination and corruption,” President Shahabuddin said. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said, “Through immense sacrifice and the bloodshed of countless martyrs, we secured our independent national identity and our red-and-green flag.” He paid deepest respect to the brave martyrs who laid down their lives during the Liberation War and throughout the long struggle for independence. “Through the July Uprising, we have once again gained the opportunity to establish a democratic system free from discrimination, corruption, and tyranny. The extensive reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government to build a well-governed and progressive Bangladesh are now advancing towards successful completion, with the collective participation of our citizens,” he added. The Chief Adviser urged the people of the country to work together to build a safe, happy, and beautiful Bangladesh for the new generation, fulfilling the promise of the hard-earned independence. On this occasion, he extended his warmest greetings to all Bangladeshis living at home and abroad.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar, marking the Great Victory Day. He laid the wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at around 6:56 am. After placing the wreath, the Chief Adviser stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memories of the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation in 1971. A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute on the occasion. Prof Yunus later signed the visitors’ book kept at the memorial. The Chief Justice, Advisers of the interim government, Chiefs of the three services, freedom fighters, diplomats, and senior civil and military officials, among others, were present on the occasion. The nation is celebrating Victory Day today, the most joyous occasion marking the birth of the country, with elaborate programmes in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice of the martyrs. On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered, bringing to an end a bloody nine-month-long war. The programmes include placing wreaths at the monuments to pay homage to martyrs, hoisting of the national flags, parachuting with the highest number of national flags, cultural events, arrangement of recitation, essay writing and painting competitions on the Liberation War for children and acrobatic show.

Vehicular movement will remain stop on the Dhaka–Aminbazar–Savar Road from early Monday (December 16) as the nation prepares to pay homage at the National Memorial in Savar on the occasion of Victory Day. The movement of buses, trucks, covered vans, microbuses, cars, CNG-run autorickshaws and other vehicles will be restricted on the Gabtoli–Aminbazar Bridge–Savar Road, from 3:00am to 9:30am, according to a public notice signed by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sajjad Ali. The President, Chief Adviser, Chief Justice, advisers of various ministries, foreign diplomats, senior government officials, and representatives of different organisations will travel to the National Memorial to offer floral tributes at daybreak during the period on the day, the public notice says. DMP requested drivers and passengers to use the following alternative routes instead of Dhaka-Aminbazar- Savar routes as follows: Vehicles heading to various destinations via Savar from Gabtoli will have to use Dhaka Airport Road, then Abdullahpur Crossing, and proceed through Ashulia. Vehicles leaving Dhaka from Kalyanpur and Technical crossings have to turn right at Technical Crossing and travel through Mirpur-1 and Diabari Crossing. Dhaka-bound vehicles from Aricha via Aminbazar have to turn left at Nabinagar Bazar and travel through Ashulia. Dhaka-bound vehicles from Tangail have to use the Kaliakair–Gazipur Chourasta–Tongi route. DMP urged citizens to follow police instructions and cooperate during the Victory Day programmes.

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair will definitely be held and on time, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Sunday. Speaking at a discussion titled 'What Kind of Book Fair We Want' at the National Press Club, he said that although some coordination might be needed due to the current situation, it would not be a major issue. The Bangla Academy, he added, would consult publishers and the Ministry of Culture to reach a decision acceptable to all. He said the book fair should be a place where books of all genres and by all authors are available. “Readers should have the freedom to choose the books they want. No one can be forced. Only when a reader can take the book of his choice will that book enrich his knowledge,” he added. Criticizing a “special class of broker publishers and writers” during the previous government, Shafiqul said many had earned crores of taka by publishing and selling books in the name of the Sheikh family. “People were forced to buy books about what someone did while sitting by a pond in Tungipara. These have not enriched knowledge,” he said, alleging that one journalist sold books worth Tk 11 crore in this manner. For the past 15 years, he added, such practices have distorted the purpose of the book fair. The press secretary said this year’s fair should reflect diversity, where people can find books on history, science, politics, literature, and poetry — a fair that celebrates life and knowledge. He stressed that there should be no discrimination in publishing, selling, or reading books. Shafiqul expressed hope that this year’s book fair would be “even more beautiful.” The discussion was presided over by Sayeed Bari, president of the Anti-Discrimination Creative Book Publishers Association. Among others, National Poetry Council President Mohan Raihan, veteran journalist Gaziul Hasan Khan, writer-researcher Faiz Alam, journalist-writer Sirajul Islam Qadir, senior publisher Gafur Hossain, Kazi Zahirul Islam Bulbul, and students Fatema Akhtar (Begum Badrunnesa Govt College) and Daheka Anjum Sadia (AIUB) spoke at the event. At the programme, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam also unveiled the covers of 17 new books.

A delegation of Buddhist religious leaders exchanged greetings with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at State Guest House Jamuna on the occasion of Prabarana Purnima on Sunday. The Buddhist leaders highlighted the spiritual significance of Prabarana Purnima and extended greetings and felicitations to the Chief Adviser. They also invited him to visit Buddhist monasteries. The delegation expressed special gratitude to the Chief Adviser for allocating land in Uttara, Dhaka, for Buddhist cremation rites. The allocation of land for a cremation ground within 10 days of informing the interim government is unprecedented, said the Buddhist leaders.

The five-day Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the minority Hindu community, ends today with the immersion of the idol of Goddess Durga across Bangladesh, including the capital. Devotees thronged puja mandaps on the last day of the festival, Bijoya Dashami, offering flowers to the goddess Durga and seeking her blessings. Puja mandaps across the country were placed with beautiful idols, showcasing the goddess in all her glory. Bijoya Dashami is a special ceremony of reaffirming peace and good relations among people.