SM Humayun Kabir, Cox’s Bazar

On the occasion of the 44th martyrdom anniversary of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, fish fry have been released into the PMkhali Patli Canal in Cox’s Bazar, which is associated with his memory, and the fry have been distributed among local fish farmers. Alhaj Lutfur Rahman Kajal, Fishermen Affairs Secretary of the BNP National Executive Committee and former Member of Parliament, was present as the chief guest at the program. He said that one of the initiatives taken in 1979 under the visionary leadership of Shaheed Zia to address the country’s food shortage was the ‘volunteer canal digging program’ to ensure irrigation facilities. As part of this program, the PMKhali Canal was dug, in which President Zia himself personally participated and inspired the people. This exceptional program was widely praised not only within the country but also internationally. Many international diplomats and statesmen, including the then President of the World Bank, Robert McNamara, King Birendra of Nepal, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan, and Prime Minister Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka, were present to witness Shaheed Zia’s initiative. Through this fish release program, we pay tribute to Shaheed Zia’s development philosophy and pledge to move forward inspired by his ideals to increase the country’s fisheries resources. The program, chaired by District Fishermen’s Party Convener Mustafa Kamal, was also attended by Sadar Upazila BNP Member Secretary Syed Nur Sawdagar, PMkhali Union BNP President Harunur Rashid, General Secretary Md. Abdullah, Municipal Fishermen’s Party Convener Abdul Aziz, Member Secretary Md. Alamgir, Union Jubo Dal President Saiful Islam Sohag and a large number of leaders and activists of BNP, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal and other allied organizations.