President lays foundation stone for Thakurgaon University

Thakurgaon Correspondent

Putting an end to a long-standing expectation, His Excellency the President, Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, laid the foundation stone for Thakurgaon University.

Yesterday, Monday, at 11:20 am, he laid the foundation stone at the designated site of the proposed university beside the Thakurgaon-Pirganj road in the Jamalpur area of the Sadar upazila. This marked another step forward in the process of opening the doors of higher education in this northern region. Locals hope that once the university is established, opportunities for higher education will increase for students from Thakurgaon and the surrounding districts.

This was the President’s first official visit to his home district of Thakurgaon since taking office. He laid the foundation stone for the university on the second day of his two-day visit. Earlier, President Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had arrived in Thakurgaon on a two-day official visit at noon. The helicopter carrying him landed at Thakurgaon’s Shaheed Mohammad Ali Stadium. He was then welcomed according to state protocol and given a guard of honour at the Circuit House.

After the formalities at the Circuit House, the President visited the graves of his parents and prayed for the salvation of their souls. In the afternoon, he attended a civic reception held at the large field of Thakurgaon Government Boys’ High School.

Referring to the long-standing expectations of the people, the President said the district has been largely neglected and that he would try to do something for the people of Thakurgaon. He also said that work on establishing a medical college and university in the district had already begun, and that work was ongoing to open an airport as well.

The President said employment must be created for people’s development, that new institutions need to be built to eliminate unemployment, and he urged young people to become self-reliant by using their own skills rather than only chasing jobs. He also called on everyone to come forward to build a drug-free society.

On the country’s political situation, the President said the country must move forward through dialogue and understanding rather than conflict and violence. He urged everyone to remain conscious that the democracy achieved through so much sacrifice must not be lost again.

A festive mood has prevailed across Thakurgaon centring on the President’s visit. The city’s main roads, various intersections, and important structures have been decorated. Security has been tightened along the President’s travel route and at programme venues, with several layers of security established at the venue and other key points.

Meanwhile, yesterday, Monday morning, a discussion meeting was held between the President and members of the executive council of the Thakurgaon Press Club at the President’s residence.

At the meeting, the President said a free and responsible media is essential for building democracy, good governance, and a justice-based society and state. He urged mofussil (rural/regional) journalists to faithfully and appropriately highlight the voices of grassroots and marginalised people.

At the meeting, journalist leaders from Thakurgaon raised various difficulties and demands of mofussil journalists with the President. These included expansion of the Thakurgaon Press Club building, adequate fund allocation from the Journalists’ Welfare Trust for local journalists persecuted under the fascist government, and the formation of a wage board for journalists.

In response to the journalists’ demands, the President assured them that he would speak with the relevant authorities to address their difficulties and demands. He also urged journalists to remain united in carrying out their professional duties.

Present on the occasion were the President’s Press Secretary, Mr. Sarwar Alam; the President of Thakurgaon Press Club, Mr. Lutfor Rahman Mithu; General Secretary Mr. Tanvir Hasan Tanu; concerned government officials; and other representatives of the Press Club’s executive council.