Vandals set fire to a grove of 700 trees in Baidergaon, Munshiganj, on Wednesday night, destroying 300 mango trees, 200 lemon trees, and over 100 other trees.

A local farmer suspects an act of personal vengeance behind the arson attack. Residents believe the perpetrators used petrol or kerosene to ignite the fire. Caretaker Abdur Sattar learned about the incident early Thursday morning after receiving a call from a neighbor.

The government has announced April 13 as a public holiday in the hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban on the occasion of Chaitra Sankranti. In other districts, members of communities observing the festival will be entitled to an optional holiday. During the holiday, all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private offices in these three districts will remain closed, except for essential services. The Bangladesh Bank and the Supreme Court will issue necessary directives regarding banking and court activities on this day.

To enhance the joy of Eid, Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan announced various government initiatives, including a grand Eid procession reminiscent of the Sultanate era. He recently shared an update, stating:

"Preparations for the Eid procession are in full swing. Despite time constraints, the Local Government Division, the Ministry of Culture, and Dhaka North City Corporation are working tirelessly day and night."

He added, "The procession will feature an elephant—will you be joining?"

Renowned folk artist and Ekushey Padak recipient Sushama Das has passed away at the age of 95. She breathed her last at her Sylhet residence on Wednesday afternoon after suffering from age-related illnesses. Her death has cast a shadow over Sylhet’s cultural community. Later that evening, her body was brought to the Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar for public tribute. Sushama Das had performed alongside legendary Baul artists such as Shah Abdul Karim, Durbin Shah, Ali Hossain Sarkar, and Kamal Pasha. Honored with the Ekushey Padak in 2017 for her contributions to folk music, she had also received numerous other accolades.

In response to the ongoing heatwave, residents of Kishoreganj organized a special Istisqa prayer seeking rainfall. The congregation, attended by people from various walks of life, included religious leaders and community elders. Following the prayer, a special sermon and nationwide supplication were offered for rain. Notable attendees included retired teacher Maulana Qari Abdul Khaleq, Anwar Hossain, secretary of Chiknirchar Central Mosque, and former UP member Selim Mia.

The annual Mangal Shobhajatra on Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) will include a 20-foot sculpture of Abu Sayeed, a martyr of the July mass uprising.

This year’s theme is “Unity in the New Year, End of Fascism.” The parade will feature representations from various ethnic communities, along with traditional masks of kings, queens, tigers, owls, birds, and flowers.

Despite discussions about renaming the Mangal Shobhajatra, no final decision has been made yet.

There will be no change to the name of the traditional ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’ procession, nor has there been any discussion about renaming it, confirmed advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. Earlier, he had stated that a name change could be considered if there was a unanimous decision. He emphasized that this year’s event is inclusive of all ethnic communities, including Bengalis, Chakmas, Marmas, and Garos, and that care must be taken not to choose a name that excludes any group. While the name remains unchanged, this year’s Bengali New Year celebrations will introduce new elements, including a two-day festival under the theme: “Unity in the New Year to End Fascism.” Private schools will also participate in the procession for the first time.

Adviser Asif Mahmud announced that a traditional Eid procession will be reintroduced in Dhaka to enhance the festive spirit. He noted that such processions were held during the Sultanate and British periods but have since faded. The Dhaka North City Corporation is organizing the initiative. Mahmud emphasized that modern Eid celebrations lack communal activities beyond the congregational prayer. The event will feature a day-long fair near the Eid congregation at China-Maitri Convention Center, followed by a grand Eid procession ending in front of the National Parliament.

Faridpur district, the second-largest onion producer in the country, has recently shifted from depending on external sources for onion seeds to becoming a significant supplier itself. Local farmers now provide 50% of the country’s demand for onion seeds. This season, the district’s onion seed production is expected to exceed 400 crore BDT in value, according to the Agriculture Department. The seeds, known locally as “black gold,” are highly prized. A total of 964 tons of seeds will be produced, with the cultivation target set for 1,820 hectares. The district’s central areas are seeing the highest levels of seed production.

Farmers are struggling to recover their production costs as market prices remain low. The situation worsened after cold storage rental fees surged to BDT 250-300 per sack. The influence of syndicates and middlemen has further distressed farmers. The agriculture ministry stated that future subsidies will be region-specific, prioritizing crops that thrive in particular areas. Plans for mobile cold storage units are also in discussion. Officials revealed that last year’s potato cultivation increased fourfold, along with onion farming, leading to a cold storage crisis and financial losses. Farmers who sold potatoes at BDT 70-80 per kg in July-September were forced to sell them at BDT 12 per kg by January.

Malaysia commemorated International Mother Language Day with a vibrant day-long event organized by the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur. The event featured discussions, a documentary screening, and cultural performances by artists from 13 countries. Diplomats, UN representatives, academics, and expatriates attended. High Commissioner Md. Shamim Ahsan emphasized linguistic diversity and Bangladesh’s commitment to governance reforms. A panel discussion highlighted unity through language, while a multicultural performance showcased global harmony. The event concluded with floral tributes at the High Commission’s Shaheed Minar.

To ensure food security and sustainability, the government is placing special emphasis on increasing agricultural production, according to Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. He stated that the Chief Adviser has repeatedly instructed stakeholders to take necessary initiatives to boost agricultural productivity despite limited land resources. The government is also focusing on modern agricultural technology and proper utilization of resources to enhance food production. Addressing concerns about global trade conflicts, he emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency, stating that countries producing more food will be better positioned in the future. He also underscored the need for proactive measures to prevent a recurrence of crises like the 1974 famine.

Poet and Daily Jugantor editor Abdul Hai Shikdar criticized Bangla Academy’s standardized Bengali spelling, calling it a mere photocopy of India’s Anandabazar Patrika. Speaking at a discussion on Syed Ali Ahsan’s contributions to Bengali culture, Shikdar emphasized Ahsan’s unique role in blending tradition with modernity and science with belief. He also called for an auditorium to be named after Ahsan at Bangla Academy and for a memorial book to honor his legacy, highlighting his critical impact on Bengali literature and culture.

Renowned West Bengal singer Pratul Mukhopadhyay, best known for the song 'Ami Banglay Gaan Gai' (I Sing in Bengali), has passed away at the age of 83. He died on Saturday morning at SSKM Hospital, where he had been admitted since early January. After losing consciousness on February 11, he was moved to the ICU but could not recover. Some of his other popular songs include 'Charlie Chaplin' and 'Dinga Bhawsao Alu Becho.' Born in Barisal, Bangladesh, in 1942, he was known among Naxalites as ‘Sejda Comrade.’ His first solo album, 'Jete Hobe,' was released in 1994.

In Jhenaidah, vast fields near the central bus terminal and behind the banana market are now dominated by tobacco cultivation. As one moves further along the road, the dried-up Nabaganga River reveals farmers attempting paddy cultivation in the riverbed. Excessive use of fertilizers has been degrading the fertility of agricultural land. Despite repeated warnings from the agricultural department, farmers are leasing out their lands to tobacco growers, lured by lucrative offers from tobacco companies. Each bigha (0.33 acres) of land fetches around BDT 40,000 in lease payments. Tobacco farming in the district has expanded from 193 hectares last year to 229 hectares this year, while paddy cultivation spans 90,194 hectares. Tobacco companies provide advance payments and fix purchase prices, ensuring profitability, making it an attractive option for farmers. Conversely, vegetable growers have faced heavy losses, further pushing cultivators toward tobacco farming. When questioned about paddy cultivation in the dried-up riverbed, the Water Development Board stated that a committee has already been formed to oversee the river's re-excavation.