On a warm Friday morning, the Bakshiganj Upazila Parishad auditorium in Jamalpur was not just another government venue. It had become a gathering point for hope, gratitude and civic duty. People from surrounding villages and the town itself had come to witness something more than an official ceremony. The programme was organized to mark the assumption of office by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, but it quickly grew into a public engagement marked by practical help. Before the minister arrived, the hall was already busy with local officials, party leaders, journalists, and ordinary citizens waiting for the distribution of support. The day’s agenda included government financial assistance and fire extinguishers for local puja mandaps, the inauguration of Tree Fair 2026, the distribution of tree saplings, and the handover of financial grant checks from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to underprivileged individuals. There were also corrugated iron sheets and checks for disaster-affected families, as well as financial aid for traders whose livelihoods had been disrupted by recent fires. For many of the recipients, these items were not symbolic gestures. A bundle of corrugated iron meant a roof over their heads after a cyclone or flood. A check from the relief fund meant the chance to buy food, medicine, or school supplies. A set of fire extinguishers meant that places of worship could welcome devotees more safely during Durga Puja. The event, in that sense, had the texture of community life, not just politics. But once the minister took his seat as chief guest, it became clear that the most important message of the morning would be addressed to the journalists in the room.
Turning to the media professionals seated before him, Minister Millat made a direct and urgent appeal. He said that certain banned groups are actively engaged in propaganda campaigns against the government on social media platforms. These groups, he argued, are not interested in national development or truth. Instead, they spread false information with the clear aim of destabilising public trust, confusing citizens, and harming the country’s reputation abroad. In such an environment, the minister said, the role of media professionals becomes more important than ever. He urged journalists to step forward out of patriotic responsibility and promote objective reporting. He did not ask for one-sided praise or uncritical loyalty. What he asked for was a commitment to truth and fairness. He asked media workers to verify facts, to resist the pull of viral lies, and to report in a way that safeguards the image of the country and the government. The distinction was subtle but important. Criticism, he seemed to suggest, is always acceptable if it is based on truth, but falsehood is dangerous no matter how cleverly it is packaged. The minister’s words carried a larger message: in an age where a single misleading post can be shared thousands of times before the truth catches up, journalism should be a shield, not a megaphone. By promoting objective news, media professionals can help the public see through disinformation and keep the national conversation grounded in facts. He called on them not to allow the country to be weakened by anonymous messages and manipulated narratives, but instead to use their platforms to build understanding, calm fears, and strengthen democratic accountability without damaging the very institutions that people rely on for stability.
From the issue of disinformation, the minister moved on to the daily struggles of ordinary people. He acknowledged openly that Bangladesh is still facing gas and electricity shortages. He did not pretend that the problem did not exist, nor did he offer unrealistic promises of overnight solutions. Instead, he explained that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is working continuously to address the energy crisis and manage the nation’s resources more effectively. He also reminded the audience that the world is still dealing with the effects of serious conflicts, and that these global conflicts have made energy markets volatile and unpredictable. In such circumstances, he asked citizens to remain patient. That patience, he suggested, is not a surrender to difficulty but a recognition that the government is working under challenging conditions to keep gas flowing, keep lights on, and keep factories operating. He then went on to make a broader point about Bangladesh’s position in the international community. The minister said the government enjoys strong international support, and he cited a notable example. During a visit to the United States, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met President Donald Trump. At that meeting, President Trump praised Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sector, which is not only a major economic engine but also a source of pride for the nation. The minister used this moment to illustrate that Bangladesh is being noticed, respected, and supported by powerful friends around the world. That international support, he argued, can help the country move forward if all citizens remain focused on progress rather than being distracted by misleading propaganda. Energy shortages, economic pressures, and global tensions are real, but so is the resilience of a nation that has learned to face adversity with determination and unity.
After this broad discussion of national development, the minister addressed government officials in a more specific way. With Sharadiya Durga Puja approaching, he called for close coordination between politicians and civil servants to maintain law and order in every locality. His message was simple: the festival should be a time of devotion, celebration, and community harmony, not a source of anxiety. Officials, he suggested, must work together with local representatives to ensure that people of all faiths feel safe as they gather for worship. This requires not just police presence but proactive communication, community engagement, and careful planning. The minister also used the opportunity to reiterate the government’s zero-tolerance policy against illegal drugs. He spoke strongly against drug trafficking and substance abuse, calling them destructive forces that ruin families and steal the future of young people. But he did not stop at the problem. He also pointed to a solution: the need to encourage youth engagement in sports and education. He reminded officials that young people are full of energy, and that energy must be channelled into positive and productive activities. If a young man or woman is busy on the cricket field, in the classroom, or in a skills training programme, there is less room for them to be drawn into dangerous habits. The minister’s message to officials was therefore not only about punishment and control; it was about creating the conditions in which good choices become easier. He wanted politicians and civil servants to close ranks, not out of personal interest, but for the sake of public safety and the safety of every citizen. His speech to the officers was a call for discipline, but also a call for compassion and opportunity.
Before the speeches, there had been action as well. The minister officially inaugurated Tree Fair 2026 on the Bakshiganj Upazila Parishad premises, and in a quiet but symbolic gesture, he planted a sapling on the grounds. That small act carried a message of growth, care for the environment, and hope for the future. The tree fair brought together farmers, nursery owners, environmental enthusiasts, and ordinary families, creating a space where the importance of green cover could be celebrated and encouraged. In a time of global climate anxiety, the fair was a reminder that reforestation and tree planting are among the simplest and most effective ways to protect communities from floods, heat stress and ecological decline. The minister’s participation signalled that environment protection is not a side issue but an essential part of national planning. The ceremonial moment was soon followed by the distribution of aid, perhaps the most eagerly awaited part of the morning. With local officials and leaders beside him, the minister helped hand over financial assistance and fire extinguishers to puja mandaps, allowing worship sites to operate with greater safety. He also distributed financial grant checks from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to those who are underprivileged, and some families received corrugated iron sheets and checks to recover from natural disasters. Traders who had lost goods, stock and livelihoods in recent fires received financial aid as well. For each recipient, the relief was not abstract. It meant the possibility of rebuilding a small shop, repairing a storm-damaged home, or preparing for a festival without fear. The hall was filled with moments of gratitude, from folded hands and quiet blessings to the simple smile of a struggling mother who had received something to carry forward. In that atmosphere, government was not a distant institution; it was present in the form of practical help.
The event also reflected a spirit of political inclusiveness, as local government officials and leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party attended the function. In a country where politics can often divide people, the gathering in Bakshiganj demonstrated that development work can bring leaders together. The minister’s remarks had been filled with calls for collective national effort, and the presence of people from different backgrounds helped to underline that resolve. The issues he raised, disinformation, energy management, disaster relief, law and order, drugs, and youth opportunities, are not the preserve of any single party. They touch the daily life of every citizen. As the programme came to an end, the tree fair remained open, saplings were waiting to be planted, and families began moving back toward their homes, some carrying checks, others carrying corrugated iron sheets. The morning in Bakshiganj was not a grand spectacle. It was something arguably more important: a government listening to its people, a minister speaking truth about challenges, a call for objective journalism, and a reminder that the real strength of a nation lies in its capacity to care for the vulnerable while protecting truth and order. In the days ahead, the speeches may fade, but the message should remain: patience, honesty, coordination, and compassion are the foundations of a resilient country.