Tarique follows in father Zia’s footsteps with Dinajpur canal excavation

“As Tarique Rahman is coming, this time the canal will be excavated again, alleviating our plight,” says Sheuli Khatun, a housewife

Around five decades ago, the late president Ziaur Rahman stood alongside hundreds of people of different age groups to excavate canals.

By mirroring this action on Monday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will continue that tradition, said 74-year-old Kulsum Begum, a resident of Balarampur village in Dinajpur.

“Tarique Rahman is our nephew, just as Khaleda Zia was our sister. Now he is the prime minister of Bangladesh. The son [Tarique] is digging canals just like the father [Ziaur Rahman]. The martyred Zia joined the canal digging programmes alongside common people.”

The Sahapara Canal is situated in Balrampur, but it often looks like a rough earthen dumping place than a canal. Even in the monsoon, no water flows along the canal. This leads to waterlogging in nearby areas.

Sheuli Khatun, a homemaker, says: “We’re not doing well. The Saha canal plagues us.”

“But as Tarique Rahman is coming, this time the canal will be excavated again, alleviating our plight.”

Ramchandrapur Union is situated in the west of Dinajpur. The 12km long Sahapara canal flows to the river Punorbhaba, the main river in the district. Originating in India’s West Bengal, the river flows in Dinajpur via Thakurgaon and then joins the Mahanand River in Panchagarh.

People in Kaharol area are elated to have Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visiting the area. From here, Balrampur is 12-13km away, along a narrow road. Children, adolescents and housewives have gathered to see the prime minister up close.

Al Amin, a secondary school student, said, "If the Sahapara Canal is re-excavated, there will be no more waterlogging here. If water is stored in this canal, fish farming will be possible, and if trees are planted on both banks of the canal, there will be beautiful afforestation."

Anit, who came to dig the canal, said, "Today is a happy day for us. Our leader is coming, I cannot express the joy in our hearts."

“See - so many of us have gathered here. This is our joy, our pride. We’ll excavate the canal voluntarily today.”