Minister Zahid seeks unity, warns against social divisions

GHORAGHAT, DINAJPUR, July 18: Social Welfare Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Friday urged people to maintain social harmony and avoid divisions, warning that internal rifts could lead to serious consequences.

"Do not create divisions. Otherwise, like in the tale of Behula and Lakhindar, disaster may enter through those cracks," he said while addressing a programme organised by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Ghoraghat, Dinajpur.

The programme, held at the upazila auditorium, was organised under the government's agricultural incentive scheme and the nationwide tree plantation campaign, "250 million trees in five years." Farmers and institutions received free tree saplings, summer vegetable seeds and chemical fertilisers.

The minister said tree plantation is not only important for environmental protection but also for ensuring a safer future for coming generations. He added that the government is supporting farmers to boost agricultural production, strengthen food security and protect the environment.

He also stressed the importance of unity and communal harmony, saying the country can progress only through mutual respect and cooperation.

Under the programme, 190 farmers received six saplings each�"five from the Agriculture Office and one from Bismillah Nursery�"along with one bag of chemical fertiliser as part of the first two phases of the distribution among 1,300 beneficiaries.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rubana Tanzin, Upazila Agriculture Officer Rafiquzzaman, ASP (Circle) Anam Niamat Ullah, Upazila BNP President Shah Mohammad Shamim Hossain Chowdhury and municipal BNP President Abdus Sattar Milon also spoke at the event.

Earlier in the day, the minister inaugurated a road in Champatali under Ward No. 1 of the municipality and launched a programme to distribute rechargeable fans among 277 children under the North Bengal Child Development Project.

He also presented a crest to Jahangir Alam, proprietor of Bismillah Nursery, in recognition of the nursery's performance as the best nursery in the area.