Prof. Yunus greets Hindus in Bangladesh on Saraswati Puja

Guwahati: As the Hindu community in Bangladesh celebrates Saraswati Puja to honor the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and the arts, Chief Adviser to the interim government in Dhaka, Professor Muhammad Yunus, extended his greetings to the community on this auspicious occasion.

In a message, Professor Yunus described Bangladesh as a nation of communal harmony, where people of all religions, castes, and creeds have coexisted peacefully for centuries. “The goddess Saraswati is a symbol of truth, justice, and the light of knowledge. She embodies the omnipotence of wisdom, speech, and melody,” said the Nobel laureate. He urged Hindus to devote themselves to the progress of the nation by becoming devotees of knowledge and wished peace, welfare, and prosperity for all citizens of the Muslim-majority country.

In his message, Yunus also touched upon the formation of the interim government, which was established following the ‘unprecedented uprising’ by students, workers, and the masses in July and August 2024. The protests led to the departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Dhaka and her temporary refuge in India. Yunus assured that his government is working relentlessly to ensure the betterment of all Bangladeshi nationals, regardless of their race, religion, or caste, by safeguarding equal rights for all.

Saraswati Puja, which falls on Basanta Panchami, marks the arrival of spring and the transition from winter in the Hindu lunar calendar. The festival is a celebration of Goddess Saraswati, believed to have been born on this day to bless humanity with the spirit of learning and intellectual pursuits. While the festival is widely celebrated in India and Nepal, similar observances take place in Japan, where the deity Benzaiten is worshiped for wisdom, music, and learning. Traditions reflecting similar values are also present in ancient Greece and modern-day China.

In eastern India, Saraswati Puja is especially significant, with students, academics, and professionals across various fields worshipping the goddess, symbolized by her Veena (a musical instrument), a manuscript (representing knowledge), a garland, and a swan that signifies purity and serenity. In Bangladesh, the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious fervor, as Hindus seek the goddess’s blessings to enhance their creative endeavors.

Hindu temples, universities, colleges, schools, and educational institutions across Bangladesh participate in the celebration. Dhaka University’s Jagannath Hall is a notable venue, with over 70 Puja Pandals hosted by different departments. Female dormitories on the DU campus also hold their own worship services. Other locations such as Dhakeshwari Mandir, Siddheswari Mandir, Ramna Kali Mandir, and various colleges and universities in both northern and southern Bangladesh also observe the festival.