His childhood and teenage years were spent amid the bustle of Thakurgaon town. The town’s central Boro Math field sits right beside his own home, and its lanes, markets, neighborhoods and streets are all long familiar to him. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is now heading to that very town as president for the first time. His arrival has put all of Thakurgaon in a festive mood.
Ahead of the president’s visit, gates are being erected in some places and lighting installed in others. Administrative officials and staff have grown busier, and political leaders and activists are also occupied with preparations. Municipal workers are working day and night to clean up and spruce up the town. Thakurgaon residents are ready to welcome their favorite son as president for the first time in his hometown. Anticipation of his arrival can be felt everywhere. Alongside the administrative preparations, there is heightened curiosity and excitement among ordinary people.
After taking office as president, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is set to travel to his home district of Thakurgaon on an official visit this coming Sunday and Monday. The state visit has generated widespread interest and emotion among both the administration and the general public.
To some in Thakurgaon, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is a familiar face in national politics; to others, he is a longtime political leader. Still others know him as “Alamgir Sir” — one of their own from his hometown. For the people of Thakurgaon, his return to his roots after taking office as president is therefore not just a state visit; it is a moment of pride, joy, love and emotion.
According to the itinerary signed by the president’s protocol officer, Abul Kalam Md. Lutfar Rahman, the president will depart for Thakurgaon by helicopter at 10 a.m. Sunday, the first day of the visit. He is scheduled to land at Thakurgaon Mohammad Ali Stadium ground at 11:40 a.m. He will then go to the district circuit house, where he will receive a guard of honor.
The president will then visit the family cemetery in the town’s Senuapara to pay respects at the graves of his father, former minister the late Mirza Ruhul Amin (Chokha Mia), and his mother, Fatema Begum.
After visiting the graves, he will go to his residence in the town’s Kalibari area. Following lunch and rest there, he will attend a reception organized by the citizens’ committee at Thakurgaon Government Boys’ High School’s large field in the afternoon. Preparations are underway for people from various walks of life across the district to attend the event.
After the reception, the president will return to his residence for courtesy meetings with dignitaries, relatives and locals. He is scheduled to spend the night there.
On the second day of the visit, the president will lay the foundation stone for the proposed “Thakurgaon University” in the Jamalpur area of the sadar upazila, beside the Thakurgaon-Pirganj road. He will then return to his residence for lunch and rest, before heading to the circuit house to depart for Dhaka by helicopter.
Security has been tightened across the district for the president’s visit. Members of the Special Security Force (SSF), the President’s Guard Regiment (PGR) and various intelligence agencies are working on the ground. Additional security measures have been put in place at potential visit sites, travel routes and key locations.
Dr. Abu Md. Khairul Kabir, convener of the president’s reception committee, said, “He is not just the president; he is a son of our Thakurgaon. After a long time, he is returning to his own people while holding the country’s highest constitutional office. This is a moment of great pride and emotion for us. We want the people of Thakurgaon to welcome him with love and respect.”
Thakurgaon district BNP president, Mirza Faisal Amin, said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s first visit to his home district of Thakurgaon as president is a matter of joy, pride and emotion for the people of the district. He said Alamgir has a long-standing personal bond with the people of Thakurgaon, and that widespread enthusiasm has emerged among people of all classes across the district over the president’s visit.
Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Mohammad Rafiqul Haque said the district administration has made all necessary preparations for the president’s two-day visit on September 6 and 7. Work is underway in coordination with relevant offices, agencies and law enforcement to ensure every program of the visit goes smoothly and successfully.
Thakurgaon Superintendent of Police (SP) Md. Belal Hossain said the highest level of security has been arranged in Thakurgaon for the president’s two-day visit. Every program of the visit, along with travel routes and key locations, has been brought under security coverage.
He said an adequate number of law enforcement personnel have been deployed in these areas alongside overall situation monitoring. Along with ensuring the president’s security, maintaining normal movement for ordinary people and overall law and order is also being given due importance. Security plans are being implemented in coordination with all relevant forces and intelligence agencies.