State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Mir Shah-e-Alam, celebrated the birthday of Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, on Sunday by organising humanitarian initiatives in Shibganj of Bogura.

At two separate venues, he donated free bicycles among 548 schoolgirls and provided eye-related medical services to underprivileged people.

He distributed pink bicycles among 548 meritorious female students from Shibganj and Mokamtala upazilas of Bogra. In addition, 1,500 students received mugs featuring Zaima Rahman’s photograph.

The programme was organized on Sunday morning at the Shibganj Pilot High School playground. The initiative, arranged to mark the birthday of Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Dr Zubaida Rahman, aimed to promote girls’ education, make commuting to school easier and encourage students to continue their studies.

The organisers expressed hope that the bicycles would reduce transportation difficulties for the students and help improve their regular attendance at school.

At noon on the same day, eye care services and cataract surgery activities were conducted for the second consecutive day at the Aliahat Rokeya-Sattar High School playground in Shibganj. According to the organizers, approximately 4,000 people received services over the two days. On the first day, free eye care services were provided to 2,000 people in Saidpur Union of Mokamtala upazila.

Speaking at the bicycle distribution programme, State Minister Mir Shah-e-Alam said he had also observed Barrister Zaima Rahman’s birthday during the rule of “fascist Hasina.” At that time, various humanitarian and religious activities were organised, including prayer gatherings, food distribution among orphans, medical services and eye care programmes. Similar initiatives had been undertaken this year to support students, he added.

He further said that for the past 20 years, lunch had been distributed among underprivileged people every Friday near the Dewantala shrine, praying for the well-being of the Zia family. He said the purpose of these initiatives was to stand beside people and work for their welfare.

Regarding the bicycle distribution, Mir Shah-e-Alam said promoting girls’ education was the primary objective of the initiative.

“Today’s female students are the future of tomorrow,” he said.

Emphasizing the importance of ensuring a safe environment for students, the state minister said everyone must raise awareness to prevent child marriage and eve-teasing. Necessary decisions had been taken following discussions at a meeting on the issue, he added.

He stressed the need for collective efforts to ensure that girls could travel to school safely and continue their education. Supporting students and advancing girls’ education were the main objectives of the initiative, he said.

Speaking at the eye care programme, the state minister criticized Jamaat-e-Islami, saying, “They practise deceptive politics. Those who have fallen for their deception now regret it. They wore prayer caps and danced to the beat of drums at Hindu sites during election campaigning to win votes, but after the election ended, they were no longer seen at Hindu religious festivals. They have also stopped promising Muslims the lure of heaven. Although they use religion as a political tool, they do not think about imams, muezzins and mosque attendants. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, however, has considered their welfare.”

He further said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had introduced various programmes, including family cards, farmer cards, tree plantation initiatives, healthcare services at people’s doorsteps and canal excavation projects.

The state minister also said that people suffering from eye problems in Mokamtala and Shibganj would receive medical treatment to address their conditions. Free eye care services would gradually be extended to everyone in need, he added.

Among others, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ziaur Rahman and members of the state minister’s family attended the programme.

Later, prayers were offered seeking the good health and long life of Barrister Zaima Rahman and other members of the Zia family.