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.

The Max Fun on Bay One concert, scheduled to take place on February 13 at Patenga, Chattogram, in celebration of Pohela Falgun and Valentine’s Day, has been postponed.

Promotional campaigns announced that Habib Wahid would be performing at the event, and ticket sales had already begun. However, the organizing committee has not disclosed the reason for the sudden postponement. In a statement, they expressed regret and confirmed that the concert has been postponed and rescheduled.