Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Sept 12, 2026 (BSS) - Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Yusuf Ali today stressed the need to turn cleanliness activities for dengue prevention into a social movement by developing a mindset among people to keep their own surroundings clean.

"We must not remain dependent only on cleaners for maintaining cleanliness; rather, we need to develop the habit of cleaning our own spaces ourselves," he said.

He was speaking at a live telecast of the nationwide dengue prevention and cleanliness campaign inaugurated by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building.

The programme was screened through video conference at the conference room of the Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner's Office.

The Divisional Commissioner said extensive initiatives have been taken in Rajshahi as part of the three-month nationwide dengue prevention and cleanliness campaign announced by the Prime Minister.

In the first phase, cleanliness drives are being conducted at government offices. Gradually, educational institutions, religious institutions, dengue hotspots and drains in municipalities and city corporations across the division will also be brought under the campaign.

He said necessary instructions have been given to Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) to implement the campaign at the grassroots level.

Initiatives have also been taken to remove stagnant water from rooftops, flower tubs and other potential mosquito-breeding sites around homes and offices and to ensure proper cleanliness of the premises.

To make the campaign a mass initiative, volunteer organisations including Girls Guide, Scouts and BD Clean have been involved.

The virtual conference was attended by Divisional Commissioner Yusuf Ali, Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam and Superintendent of Police Mamun Or Rashid.

Officials and employees of government and non-government offices, teachers and students, scouts and journalists were also present.

After the programme, the Divisional Commissioner formally inaugurated the dengue prevention and cleanliness campaign in Rajshahi by participating in a cleaning drive at the premises of the Divisional Commissioner's and Deputy Commissioner's offices.

Earlier, a colourful rally was brought out from the Deputy Commissioner's Office premises as part of the campaign. The rally paraded through important roads of the city before returning to the same venue.