Photo : BSS

GAIBANDHA, Nov 5, 2025 (BSS) - Speakers at a function said the Hello Chairman programme can play a positive role in resolving community-level problems and make Union Parishads more people-oriented and widely accepted among rural residents.

They said the programme, held at the grassroots level allows ordinary citizens to raise public issues directly before Union Parishad representatives, enabling chairmen and members to take necessary measures to solve local challenges.

"In this way, Union Parishads can act more responsibly and effectively for the welfare of their communities, and the Hello Chairman initiative could become a popular platform among rural people," they observed.

The remarks came at a Hello Chairman event held at the Mollar Char Union Parishad Complex in the remote Brahmaputra river basin area under Sadar upazila of the district on Tuesday.

The programme was organized by FRIENDSHIP, a Bangladesh-based international social purpose organization, under its Inclusive Citizenship Sector funded by Luxembourg, Luxembourg Aid and Luxembourg Development, in cooperation with the Union Parishad.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Choudhury Muazzam Ahmad attended the event as the chief guest, while Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmud-Al Hasan and Fulchhari UNO Jagatbandhu Mondal were present as special guests. 

Deputy Director of the Local Government Division AKM Hedayetul Islam presided over the function.

Union Parishad Chairman Saiduzzaman Sarker and FRIENDSHIP Regional Manager Nazmul Hossain also addressed the gathering, among others.

Terming the Hello Chairman initiative as similar to a public hearing, DC Choudhury Muazzam Ahmad praised the effort and urged FRIENDSHIP to hold similar programmes in other unions to empower grassroots people and enhance transparency and accountability of Union Parishads.

Speaking to BSS, FRIENDSHIP Executive Director and noted international development leader Runa Khan said the programme aims to make Union Parishad representatives more aware of their roles and responsibilities so that marginalized people can voice their problems and seek practical solutions from their local chairmen.

A large number of hard-to-reach char dwellers, local elites, journalists, and invited guests attended the event.