Centring the much awaited inauguration of the historic Padma Bridge, people of Bangladesh and Bengalis all over the world as well rejoiced at the grand celebration on Saturday .
The ‘Padma Multipurpose Bridge’, the biggest ever bridge in Bangladesh and in the South Asia, was inaugurated on Saturday by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the bank of the mighty River Padma. The inaugural programmes were organised by the government at all the three ends of the bridge at Mawa in Munshiganj, Jajira in Shariyatpur and Kanthalbari in Madaripur.
As part of the government arrangements, celebratory programmes were held in every district and upazilas while the mass of people of the country also celebrated the inauguration with their own arrangement.
Thousands of people thronged different places in Barishal division to witness the inauguration of the Padma Bridge on projectors. The inauguration programme of the Padma Bridge was screened on projectors in Barishal city. People started gathering in front of the big screens since early morning.
"Though I have a television set at my house, I have come here to enjoy the program with all. It is a celebration for us." said Moshiur, a city- dweller of Amtola area in Barishal.
"It is like a festival. Most of our people have gone to the program venue at Bangla Bazar of Shibchar in Madaripur. We couldn't go there for our business," he added.
Masum Billah, a shopkeeper of Bairopasha Bazar in Jhalokati Sadar, said: "Now we are enjoying the programme together to get a taste of the same celebrations."
In Faridpur, the opening ceremony was broadcast live at the Sheikh Jamal Stadium with thousands of people gathered there. A rally organised by the district administration was held in the morning as part of the two-day celebration.
People from all walks of life including government officials and students participated in the rallies with colourful banners and festoons. Cultural programmes were also held in the evening marking the Padma Bridge inauguration.
Besides, recitation and painting competitions will be held today in Faridpur over the Padma bridge opening.
In Satkhira, the district administration broadcast the inauguration ceremony in Shaheed Abdur Razzak Park.
Many people also gathered at the local tea stalls to witness the historical moment. The district administration has also brought out a procession marking the day.
Chattogram had a festive atmosphere prevailing across the city since Saturday morning on the occasion of the inauguration of the Padma Bridge.
A replica of the Padma Bridge was set up in the Jamalkhan area in Chattogram. It was built at the initiative of the local ward councilor. Many people have flocked to see this replica.
Chattogram City Corporation and the city Awami League made arrangements to broadcast the inauguration ceremony of the bridge at various important points of the city on the big screen.
Meanwhile in Mongla, a procession organised by the Mongla upazila administration was brought out at 10.30am Saturday morning. The rally - participated by students, teachers, officials and employees of various government and non-government organizations – took a trip there .
Later, they enjoyed the live telecast of the inauguration ceremony on a large screen.
Earlier, thousands of people from the upazila travelled to the Padma Bridge inauguration spot at Kanthalbari to witness the grand event.
A new era began for Bangladesh as PM Sheikh Hasina inaugurated Padma Bridge on Saturday a at a historic moment for the nation.
After inaugurating the bridge, the PM unveiled a plaque at the Mawa point commemorating the bridge. A special prayer was held at the time.
The Padma Bridge project has been implemented at a cost of Tk30,193.39 crore with domestic funding which is believed to bring about a new era in the country's economy by connecting 21 southwestern districts through roads and railways with the capital.
