“My father wanted to marry me off after I passed intermediate, but I did not accept it. Having completed my education, I am today serving as an asset to the country through my own merit. So my appeal to you [students] is that you study with dedication and establish yourselves.” Dhaka deputy commissioner (DC) Ms Farida Khanom said this at 5pm on August 2 in Dhaka’s Dohar upazila. Speaking as chief guest at several programmes, the DC highlighted the importance of women’s education and social empowerment.
At the event, organised by the Dohar upazila administration, bicycles were distributed among 50 meritorious students from various schools in Dohar upazila. Scientific equipment was also distributed to 10 educational institutions, funded by the upazila parishad, to encourage science education, while sewing machines were distributed to 14 destitute and needy women who had applied for support through the “Hello DC App.”
Speaking as chief guest at the event, chaired by upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) Md Maidul Islam, the deputy commissioner further said such initiatives by the upazila administration would make young students more focused and motivated in their studies. She said the administration is always ready to protect the environment and build an education-friendly atmosphere.
At the event, Dohar’s UNO Md Maidul Islam noted that Ms Farida Khanom is the first woman deputy commissioner in Dhaka’s 400-year-rich history. Later, as part of the “Clean School Green School” programme, saplings of various tree species were distributed among more than 200 female students. To strengthen the cleanliness drive, nine dustbins for waste management were distributed to three educational institutions in the upazila.
Additionally, under the “Green Dohar” initiative, the deputy commissioner inaugurated “Krishna Kanan,” planting Krishnachura tree saplings at Kulchhari in Bilashpur union. After the visit, she inspected Moinot Ghat, one of Dohar’s tourist spots, and gave the upazila nirbahi officer necessary directives on improving the overall environment and maintaining order there.
Also present were Dohar upazila assistant commissioner (land) Tasfiq Sibgatullah, health officer Dr Md Rabiul Islam, livestock officer Dr Shamim Hossain, OC Abu Bakkar Siddique, Dhaka district Jubo Dal vice-president Abul Hashem Bepari, Dohar upazila BNP president Nazrul Islam Mecher, general secretary Masud Parvez, municipality BNP president S M Quddus, along with various local administration officials, teachers and students from different educational institutions, and local dignitaries.