Mymensingh becomes city of euphoria as PM appears in public

Mymensingh, one of the oldest cities located on the bank of the Brahmaputra river, on Satuday turned into a place of euphoria as it became the ultimate destination of the mammoth streams of excited people in the region centering the grand rally of Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina.

Enthusiastic people in colorful attires were seen rushing from the early morning towards the rally venue- Mymensingh Circuit House Ground- from rail station, bus terminal and river ghats chanting the slogan "Joy Bangla", "Joy Bangabandhu" and "Sheikh Hasina" as their only goal was to see and listen to the AL President.

Mymensingh district and city AL organised the huge mass gathering here at the Circuit House Ground where Sheikh Hasina delivered her address after five years as she appeared last on November 2, 2018 at the same venue.

Pinning upon the public rally of the Prime Minister, the entire Mymensingh turned into a city of jubilation with colorful gates, banners, posters and festoons.

The city was in festivity while people of all strata as well as leaders and activists of AL were in merry-making mood. Arrival of Sheikh Hasina enthralled the leaders and activists not only in Mymensingh city but also in the entire region.

Marking the visit of the Prime Minister, hundreds of thousands of people thronged the rally ground from early morning and within a few hours, the ground became full to the brim.

The crowd then spilled over the surrounding areas, roads and empty places, meaning the city turned into a human sea before arrival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the stage at 02:50 pm which was made in the shape of a boat.

Earlier, from the morning, mass people, women and supporters were seen marching towards the venue in processions chanting slogans "Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu" and holding colourful placards, banners, festoons, and wearing colourful T-shirts, caps on heads, head bands, beating drums, carrying election symbol boat as well as national and party flag.

Women, wearing vivid sarees, in large and small groups as well as individually waited in the queue at the gate with smiling faces to enter the venue.

Colourful arches and gates were constructed on various roads of the city with the posters and banners of the prime minister. AL leaders set up banners, balloons, festoons and posters welcoming the premier and the party chief in city's all roads and streets.

Hundreds of thousands of leaders and followers of Awami League and its associate bodies from different districts of Mymensingh division and adjoining areas joined the rally with a fleet of reserve buses, trains, pickups, motorcycles while many were seen joining the rally on foot.

Special trains on Gafargaon-Mymensingh, Nandail-Mymensingh, Dewanganj Bazar-Jamalpur-Mymensingh, Netrokona-Mymensingh, Advocate Matiur Rahman Station-Mymensingh, Gouripur-Mymensingh, Ishwarganj-Mymensingh and Jaria-Jhangail-Mymensingh routes were operated for the convenience of people in joining the public rally of the premier.

All trains arrived here at the Mymensingh station overcrowded with passengers. Hundreds of people travelled climbing on the roof of the train to attend the Prime Minister's rally.

A group of people, who came from Kalmakandha Upazila in Netrokona district, said they arrived at the venue early to secure their place in the front row. Due to a huge crowd, they feared that they might not be able to enter the venue if they were late, they added.

To cheer up the people on the rally ground, local singers performed at the stages from the morning until AL leaders began addressing the rally.

Around 9:30 am today in the city's Rambabu Road area, women wearing monochromatic sarees were seen gathering to attend the public meeting. One of them, Shamima Sultana said, "We had been waiting with great interest for a few days to see the Prime Minister. The women of our area were preparing to go to the public meeting since this morning."

Besides, at 10am, a group of youths were seen walking towards the Circuit House ground in the Station Road area.

At 11:15 am, a procession of workers wearing the same color t-shirts was seen heading towards the rally ground in the Ganginara area of the city.

The same picture was seen by visiting different areas including Patgudam, Kalibari since the morning.

A few leaders and activists of Atpara Upazila Awami League from Netrokona said, "Our target was to march in the city and enter the rally ground by 9 am. For that purpose, we are marching to Circuit House ground.”