The Hindu community is set to celebrate Saraswati Puja, worshiping the goddess of knowledge, music, art and culture, across the country on Saturday, maintaining health safety guidelines.
In separate messages, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday greeted the members of the Hindu community on the occasion of the Saraswati Puja.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said Saraswati Puja is one of the most popular religious festivals in Bangladesh.
The participation of all in this festival irrespective of religion, caste and community has added a different dimension to the non-communal consciousness and tradition of this country, he said, adding that human civilization is gradually being developed through the practice of knowledge.
Devotees perform this puja with an aim of gaining the grace of Sri Saraswati Devi in acquiring knowledge, the president said.
He hoped that being enlightened through the light of knowledge, everyone in the country will be freed from communalism, ignorance and cowardice and that they will come forward to build a prosperous and developed society.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said Goddess Saraswati is the symbol of truth, justice and enlightenment, while she is the bearer of knowledge, words and melody.
On this occasion, she urged all members of the Hindu community to devote themselves to the advancement of the country by acquiring knowledge.
Sheikh Hasina requested all to observe the puja following the health guidelines and maintaining social distancing in this critical time of coronavirus.