Janmashtami celebrated nationwide
Janmashtami, the celebration of Sri Krishna's birth and one of the major festivals of the Hindu community, was celebrated yesterday in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. The day was a public holiday.
In separate messages, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami.
National dailies published special articles while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes highlighting different aspects of the eventful life of Sri Krishna.
The Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee (MSPC) started a two-day programme at the Dhakeshwari National Temple to mark the festival.
A colourful Janmashtami procession was brought out at 3:00pm from the temple; it ended at Bahadur Shah Park after parading different city streets. Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokan formally inaugurated the Janmashtami procession with MSPC President Shoilendra Majumdar in the chair.
As part of the programme, a discussion and cultural event will be held at Dhakeshwari Temple today.
The birth festival of Sri Krishna was also celebrated through similar programmes in different districts across the country, including Chittagong, Jessore, Narayanganj, Pabna, Sherpur, Barguna, Barisal, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Dinajpur, Khulna, Habiganj, Thakurgaon and Netrakona.
MAINTAIN COMMUNAL HARMONY AT ANY COST
At a reception programme marking Janmashtami, President Abdul Hamid yesterday urged followers of all religions to remain alert against attempts by vested quarters and militants.
“Religion leads people to the path of truth and righteousness, inspires people to work for human welfare… No religion supports militancy, fundamentalism or terrorism,” he said at the programme.
The president asked all to form a strong social resistance “if anyone tries to create anarchy” and maintain communal harmony at any cost.
“Communal harmony is our great tradition … Strengthen the existing harmony to ensure a happy and prosperous Bangladesh for the present and future generations,” the president said.
He said participation of all irrespective of religion and background accelerated victory in all national struggles and movements including the Liberation War.
He urged all to continue the collective endeavour to keep up the trend of national development, being imbued with the spirit of non-communalism, as envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Hindu religious personalities, community leaders, and people from various professions of the community joined the reception.
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