Photo : PMO

JASHORE, April 27, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today inaugurated the re-excavation of the Ulshi Canal in Sharsha, Jashore, by taking up a spade himself bringing a wave of happiness among villagers.

Since early Monday, the Ulshi villagers had been waiting eagerly for the Prime Minister.

People of all ages gathered along both banks of the Ulshi Canal.
 
Many came to the venue with traditional headgear (toka) and spades. Locals also stood in rows on both sides of the road.

Upon arriving in Jashore, the Prime Minister inaugurated the canal re-excavation as his first programme of the day in the district. 

The nearly four-kilometer-long canal connects Ulshi-Jadunathpur with the Betna River. 

In 1976, President Ziaur Rahman had inaugurated the canal excavation work.

Ninety-year-old Shahadat Hossain from Ulshi village, who had attended the 1976 inauguration by President Ziaur Rahman, was also present today.

Recalling that day, Shahadat Hossain said that Ziaur Rahman had arrived by helicopter and landed on a school field. 

"He then walked to the canal site, dug soil with a spade, and placed it into a basket, which was later carried away. The President even wore his traditional headpad," he said.

Hossain added that a huge crowd had gathered at that time, and later, along with ordinary people, members of various government forces joined the canal digging work.

 "Thousands of people participated voluntarily without pay; they were only given bread and molasses for lunch. People had joined out of their love for the President," he said.

"Today, his son has come as our Prime Minister-it feels very good," he said.

At 11:55am, when Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived at the re-excavation site of the historic canal in Sharsha, Shahadat Hossain was present there.

The Prime Minister called the elderly man close and asked, "Do you recognize me?" In response, Shahadat Hossain said, "You are the son of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman" The Prime Minister then embraced him, spoke with him for a while, and sought his blessings.

The historical plaque of the Ulshi-Jadunathpur canal excavation project from Ziaur Rahman's time still exists. It has been cleaned ahead of the Prime Minister's visit. 

The plaque reads:

"Ulshi-Jadunathpur Betna River Link Project. Inaugurated by the then President Ziaur Rahman on November 1, 1976, as the first step of a social movement to implement nationwide voluntary, public welfare-oriented projects."

A housewife from Ulshi village, Chandni Khatun, said, "We feel very fortunate that the Prime Minister has come to our area. We were able to see him from up close. I cannot express how happy I feel."

The residents welcomed the Prime Minister with roses and tuberose flowers. Seventy-nine-year-old Golam Hossain said, "The Prime Minister greeted us and has revived a dead canal that his father initiated 50 years ago. We are very happy today."

School student Sumi Akter said, "I brought tuberose flowers from the Godkhali flower garden for the Prime Minister. I couldn't get close, but I showed them to him from a distance."