The five-day autumn Durga Puja festival will end today Sunday with the immersion of idols. At this moment of abandonment, there is the farewell tune in all mandaps. On the Mahanavami Tithi of Durga Puja, Hindu devotees worship Devidurga in Mandapa Mandapam by performing prescribed puja and darpan.

On Vijaya Dasami, idols will be immersed in local arrangements throughout the country along with Vijaya processions at convenient times. Devotees will take Shantijal after the ablution everywhere. The central Vijaya procession will take off from Dhakeshwari temple Melangan in the capital at 4 pm for the dedication. Before this, most of the 252 puja mandaps of the capital will come and gather at Palashi crossing. From there, Vijaya's procession will begin with a combination of music, chanting and worship. After this, the idols will be immersed one by one in the Buriganga River at Wiseghat in Sadarghat. 

Today is a public holiday on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami. Satellite televisions including Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar will broadcast special programs. Special issues and articles will be published in newspapers.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken extensive security measures around the Vijaya procession and idol immersion. Traffic police will be on the road to ensure safety. Dog squad, bomb disposal unit, crime scene team and SWAT team will be ready round the clock from Dhakeshwari National Temple to Vijaya procession and idol burial.

Three control rooms have been set up at Dhakeshwari National Temple, Palashi Crossing and Bahadur Shah Park area. Three watch towers have been installed at Palashir Crossing, Roy Saheb Bazar and Wiseghat.

Besides, a dog squad, bomb disposal unit, crime scene team and SWAT team will be ready round the clock. DMP has made a special request to the concerned to follow the scheduled time and route. 

A sailor was rescued from a fire carrying LPG lighter vessel anchored west of Kutubdia, island upazila of Cox's Bazar.

An officer named Samiul Asad Sajib posted the matter on his Facebook ID on Saturday (October 12) night.

Before this, the incident of fire happened around 1 o'clock in the night.

Kutubdia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (Acting) Mohammad Shahadat Hossain told Barta24.com that the incident of fire on the ship anchored in the deep sea is correct. The matter has been informed to our senior officer. The Navy and Coast Guard have also been informed.

Meanwhile, Navy authorities said, Navy ships joined in controlling the fire and rescuing the crew on board. Besides, Coast Guard and port ships are joining the fire control from Chattogram.

Everyone should share the joy of Durga Puja festival. Acting Chairman of BNP Tariq Rahman commented that the scope of the festival is not narrow; rather it is open and universal.

Acting Chairman of BNP Tarek Rahman made this call in a statement on the occasion of Autumn Durga Puja and Vijaya Dashami on Saturday (October 12) night.

Tariq Rahman said in a speech, "I extend my best wishes and congratulations to all Hindus on the occasion of Durga Puja and Vijaya Dashami, the biggest religious festivals of the Hindu community. I wish them happiness, peace and prosperity.

Autumn Durga Puja is the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community in Bangladesh and other countries of the world since time immemorial. Catkin species and winter all around Bangladesh in the autumn convey the message of this festival. The festival has been celebrated with pomp for centuries. Even in Bangladesh, Durga Puja is always celebrated in a festive atmosphere. And the festival is the manifestation of light from the jewels in the darkness.

The festival premises are open to all people irrespective of their religion. The doors to the festival grounds are never closed. Any religious festival creates a close bond between people, a sense of sympathy and brotherhood is awakened. The motto of all religions is patriotism, peace and human welfare. It is the duty of all of us to vow to establish peace and equality in the society against a barbaric war of violence. The underlying message of Durga Puja is to destroy the demons of violence, greed and anger to establish heavenly peace in the society, where human equality and justice will be ensured. The underlying urge of this worship is to fight against those who want to destroy the society, human civilization, and establish bad governance through oppression and revenge. Everyone should share the joy of the festival of Durga Puja by imbibing that message. The scope of the festival is not narrow; rather it is open and universal.

I strongly believe that every citizen of Bangladesh, irrespective of Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian, should have equal rights and equal opportunities for protection. Our country as a united nation includes all communities of people. Together we form a collective community that sets a unique example of ensuring the safety of all, regardless of caste or creed.

I extend my warm greetings to all concerned on this joyous festival of Durga Puja. May this festival fill every home with prosperity, harmony and peace and spread mutual goodwill and solidarity among all communities.

In this country, regardless of caste, we are all Bangladeshis - let this be our identity. I wish this year's Sharad Durgotsava all success."

The 22-day ban announced by the government for the conservation and safety of mother hilsa came into effect in Patuakhali district from Sunday (October 13). As a result of this ban, mother hilsa fishing activities in rivers and seas will be completely stopped.

The ban aims to protect the breeding season of mother hilsa and ensure balanced use of the country's marine resources. Experts said that this step is very important for the conservation of mother hilsa, as it will increase fish reproduction and restore the country's marine resources.

However, there is a mixed reaction among local fishermen and traders regarding this ban. Some fishermen said their livelihood will be affected as fishing is stopped during this period, but many supported the government's decision and highlighted the need to protect the environment.

According to official sources, during this 22-day ban, the local administration and the fisheries department will jointly conduct monitoring activities for the conservation of mother hilsa. Violation of any kind of ban will be strictly penalized.

This move is expected to increase the number of mother hilsa in Patuakhali and other parts of the country. The authorities concerned have requested everyone's cooperation so that this initiative can be successful and protect our fish resources in the future.