Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj 

“Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah said, ‘Constructing tall buildings alone is not development  we must educate our children with good values and moral education.’ He emphasized, ‘Children must be taught humanity and respect for the elderly.’

He made these remarks on Tuesday  while presiding over a rally and discussion meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Narayanganj, organized jointly by the District Administration, Department of Social Services, and the Bangladesh Association for the Welfare of the Elderly (Prabin Hitaishi Songho), marking the International Day of Older Persons.

DC Zahidul Islam said, “In foreign countries, we see how much senior citizens are valued. But in our society, many elderly people live in fear and neglect. Shockingly, even in educated families, parents are sometimes abandoned in old-age homes. We must ask ourselves — what kind of education is this?”

He added, “We do not want an education that strips away our humanity. Our goal is an education that inspires compassion and empathy. Only then will the fear and insecurity among the elderly begin to fade.”

Addressing the youth, the DC said, “Those who are young today will one day become old. No one can defeat time. Relationships must be nurtured because no one can truly live well in isolation.”

Following the discussion, Mozammel Haque Talukder, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Association for the Welfare of the Elderly (Narayanganj District Branch), praised the DC, saying, “The Deputy Commissioner’s conduct, speech, and punctuality are exemplary. He personally joined the rally and spent time with the elderly.”

Another senior citizen, Gazi Mohammad Ali, commented, “The DC is a very polite man he spoke with genuine respect toward the elderly.”

Yusuf Ali Atom said, “The DC is disciplined and punctual he started the program right on time.”

With the slogan “Once you built the world, now I will build dreams I’ll cherish and protect you with care,” the rally and discussion brought together Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services Md. Asaduzzaman Sardar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Gen) Md. Alamgir Hossain, Executive Magistrate Umme Habiba Farzana, Assistant Director Mohammad Sulaiman Hossain, and other officials and dignitaries.

The program concluded with the Deputy Commissioner wishing all senior citizens a long, healthy, and dignified life.