2.65mn children vaccinated against measles in 15 days, says Advisor Zahed

561km of 1,260km have been excavated under the government’s canal digging programme

Zahed-Ur-Rahman, the prime minister's information and broadcasting advisor, says that 2.65 million children have been vaccinated against measles over the last 15 days.

"From the 5th of April to the 20th of April, 2,650,039 children have been vaccinated against measles. The target is to inoculate 18 million children with this vaccine."

Highlighting the progress of the government's canal digging programme, he said: "The total length of the canals under this programme is 1,260km, of which 561km have been dug so far. This means 44.55 percent is complete."

He also said that the government is considering celebrating the Bengali New Year regionally with neighbouring countries from next year.

The advisor said, "This time, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy organised a five-day Baishakhi festival. Many people tried to spark anxiety around this first Baishakh, but everyone admitted that there have been very few Baishakhi festivals as spontaneous and colourful as this year’s."

"The prime minister has instructed that, in the future, these arrangements will be made in a more planned manner. This year, there wasn’t much time after the government came to power. There are plans to organise various programmes and festivals not only for a three-to-four-day stretch, but also for the entire month around Baisakh."

Zahed said, "Many of us know that it is not just our (Bengali) New Year on the 14th of April. The New Year is also celebrated at the same time in several other neighbouring and nearby countries—in Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and some parts of India. We will look into whether this festival can be celebrated regionally next year. The countries concerned will be contacted in this regard. This can develop a kind of cultural diplomacy.

"We will speak to them. Their cultural representatives will come to our country, our representatives will go to those countries—an attempt will be made to create a regional initiative."

The prime minister's advisor said, "The Iranian or Persian New Year 'Nowruz' is celebrated in many countries and they try to celebrate it together. We will also try to take such an initiative. The prime minister is giving consideration to this festival because it can bring together different ethnic groups and strengthen Bangladeshi nationalism."