He made the call while speaking as chief guest at a preparatory meeting held on Saturday at the Nandail Upazila Parishad auditorium in Mymensingh, on the occasion of Durga Puja celebration. He said all concerned must play a responsible role in maintaining religious harmony and mutual goodwill.

At another event at the same venue, the state minister said an initiative has been taken to provide Tk 2,500 per month through family cards to make women self-reliant. No one will have to pay money to get this card. He urged people to inform the administration if anyone demands money in the name of giving cards.

He further said opportunities for self-employment are being created by providing sewing machines to extremely poor women. Through small enterprises, women will be able to increase their own financial capacity as well as play a role in employing others.

Earlier, the state minister distributed wheelchairs among persons with disabilities and sewing machines among extremely poor women at the conference room of the upazila administration.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Fatema Jannat presided over the meeting and event, while officials of the upazila administration and BNP leaders were present.