Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum spoke as the chief guest at an views exchange meeting with divisional and district-level officials in Rajshahi today. Photo: BSS  

 
RAJSHAHI, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS)- Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan 
Begum said the upcoming 'Yes' vote in the referendum is vital for building a 
beautiful Bangladesh to change the country.
 
She said everyone must remain united and continue campaigning for this 
purpose. People should be explained about the referendum in ways they can 
understand.
 
The dviser made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at an views 
exchange meeting with divisional and district-level officials here today. 

Divisional and district administrations organised the meeting to promote and 
raise awareness about the 13th National Parliamentary Elections and the 
referendum at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Office.
 
The Health and Family Welfare Adviser further said Bangladesh achieved 
independence in 1971 at the cost of much bloodshed. Through the mass uprising 
of '24, fascism has been ousted from Bangladesh. However, such a situation 
should not arise again where anyone has to shed fresh blood in movements.
 
She said that the 'Yes' vote in the referendum is extremely important so that 
no mother has to lose her child again. For this reason, campaigning must be 
carried out collectively, both through government offices and privately. If 
necessary, assistance from various NGOs can be sought.
 
Expressing hope that a 'Yes' victory in the referendum would lead to the 
formation of a beautiful Bangladesh, Health and Family Welfare Adviser 
Nurjahan Begum said that if the 'Yes' vote wins, such a Bangladesh will be 
built where no one will have to go to jail without cause, no government will 
be able to become authoritarian even if it wants to, and no government will 
be able to deprive citizens of their fundamental rights.
 
Many citizens of the country still do not understand the referendum. If 
necessary, they should be made to understand through their sons and 
daughters. People should be explained about the referendum in whatever way 
they understand best, Nurjahan Begum continued.
 
At this time, the adviser told the officials present that there is no scope 
for showing favoritism towards any candidate in the national election. 
Everyone must carry out their duties impartially.
 
With DC Afia Akhter in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by 
Health and Family Welfare Ministry Secretary Saidur Rahman, Vice-Chancellor 
(VC) of Rajshahi Medical University Professor Jawadul Haque, Rajshahi 
Divisional Health Director Dr Habibur Rahman, Director of Rajshahi Medical 
College and Hospital Brig Gen PKM Masud Ul Islam and Additional Divisional 
Commissioner of Rajshahi Mohammad Habibur Rahman.

Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum also visited Rajshahi 
College to inspect a voter motivation promotional activity titled "Voter's 
Vehicle" this noon.