Rajshahi-3 lawmaker Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon was accorded receptions at two colleges in Mohanpur upazila yesterday after being elected chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Water Resources.
He also inaugurated digital labs at Pakuria College and Basantakedar Degree College during separate programmes held on the same day.
The first programme was held at Pakuria College premises around 10:30am, while the second was organised at Basantakedar Degree College auditorium around 1:30pm.
At Pakuria College, college governing body chairman Md Masud Rana chaired the programme. Milon, also a member of the BNP's central executive committee and its joint secretary for relief and rehabilitation affairs, attended as the chief guest.
Local BNP leaders, including Mohanpur upazila BNP president and former upazila parishad chairman Md Shamimul Islam Mun, former president and former upazila parishad chairman Prof Abdus Samad, upazila BNP general secretary and former union parishad chairman Md Mahabub Or-Rashid, former organising secretary and former union parishad chairman Prof Kazim Uddin, and organising secretary Md Bacchu Rahman, were present.
The college authorities placed several demands before the MP, including construction of a permanent boundary wall, development of the playground, construction of a protection wall around the pond and construction of a new academic building.
After being welcomed with flowers, Milon inaugurated the college's digital lab.
Speaking at the programme, Milon expressed condemnation and anger over the death of BNP activist Meraj at Pakuria polling centre during the 2018 parliamentary election.
He said students should have access to accurate history and teachers must play a responsible role in ensuring a healthy academic environment and quality education.
"Students should be developed into competent and skilled citizens beyond political or ideological identities," he said, adding that they should be prepared to uphold Bangladesh's reputation at home and abroad through their merit and capabilities.
He also called upon everyone to contribute to nation-building following the principle, "Work together, build the country — Bangladesh first."
The programme was conducted by college assistant professor Md Akbar Ali under the overall supervision of acting principal AHM Mozammel Haque Khandakar.
At Basantakedar Degree College, the programme was chaired by college governing body chairman and Mougachhi Union BNP general secretary Md Yunus Ali Mondal. Assistant professor Md Mofiz Uddin Sarker conducted the event.
Mohanpur upazila BNP president Shamimul Islam Mun, general secretary Mahabub Or-Rashid, former organising secretary Prof Kazim Uddin, organising secretary Shahin Akhter Samsuzzoha, former organising secretary Abdul Kader, Krishak Dal upazila president Golam Mostofa Bablu, Jubo Dal leader Mirza Shawkat, and Mougachhi Union BNP president Nur-e-Alam Siddiqui Mukul, among others, attended the programme.
Teachers, students, local dignitaries and leaders of BNP and its affiliated organisations were also present.
The programme began with recitation from the Holy Quran. A doa and munajat was later offered seeking the forgiveness of the souls of those who were killed in various movements and struggles for the country. Assistant professor Abdur Rouf Sarker conducted the prayer.
Milon was welcomed with flowers at both programmes before inaugurating the digital labs at the two educational institutions.
