Flowers have been distributed on Tuesday among rickshaw pullers and pedestrians in Pabna, the birth place of newly elected president Mohammed Shahabuddin.
A member of Awami League's sub-committee on forest and environment and former leader of the Central Chhatra League, Mazharul Islam Manik, took the initiative.
Around 11am, roses were distributed under the banner of "Happy Smile" in front of Pabna city's traffic junction and Shadhinota Square.
First, the supporters of Mazharul Islam Manik gave roses to pedestrians including rickshaw pullers and van drivers at the traffic intersection of Abdul Hamid Road. In the second phase, flowers were handed over to the passers-by in front of the Bir Muktijoddha Rafiqul Islam Bakul Independence Square.
Rickshaw driver Manju Hossain said after receiving flowers: “I didn't know today is Valentine's Day. I feel very good receiving the flower. We have never received flowers from anyone on Valentine's Day.”
Dhaka TribuneAutorickshaw driver Mizan Pramanik also said: “I have been driving for several years. No one ever greets with flowers. I am very happy to receive flowers today on Valentine's Day.”
A passer-by named Hasan Ali said: “As the president was elected from our district, former Chhatra League leader Mazharul Islam Manik is distributing roses to pedestrians, rickshaw pullers, hawkers and beggars on Valentine's Day. We are very happy to have it.”
Mohammed Shahabuddin, a former commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, retired district and sessions judge, and freedom fighter, has been declared as president-elect of Bangladesh on Monday.
Shahabuddin was born in 1949 and had a distinguished political career from a young age, starting in his student years.
He completed his MSc degree from Rajshahi University in 1974. Then he obtained an LLB degree in 1975 from the same institution.
Hailing from Pabna, a northern district of Bangladesh, Shahabuddin has served various political and state roles.
He served as the president of the Pabna District unit Chattra League and Jubo League in the 1970s.
During the Liberation War in 1971, Shahabuddin was a key player in the northern region, serving as a student leader and the convener of the Swadhin Bangla Chattra Sangram Parishad.
Dhaka TribuneAlong with former Awami League presidium member Mohammad Nasim, he played a crucial role in the Pabna district during the war.
Shahabuddin started his career in Judicial Service in 1983 and was a district judge till 2006. He also discharged his duties as chairman of the Labour Court in 2006, lawyer of the Supreme Court from 2008-2011 and commissioner of the ACC from 2011-2016.
He successfully performed various important assignments during his service period including member of a judicial inquiry committee, chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Commission and a lot more.
He was inducted into the Awami League Advisory Council in January 2020.
Two years later, in January 2022, he was made chairman of the party's publicity and publication subcommittee, a post that had fallen vacant after the death of PM's political advisor HT Imam.
He also worked as a journalist for Daily BanglarBani from 1980-1982.
He is engaged in various social, educational and cultural organizations in the country.
