Staff Correspondent With many residents staying in the capital during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, Dhaka`s amusement centers have become the prime destinations for Eid celebrations. Since the morning of Eid, entertainment venues have been bustling with visitors. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, law enforcement agencies have implemented strict security measures. Shyamoli’s Shishu Mela remains a popular choice for children and teenagers. A visit to the site revealed parents bringing their children for fun. Arshia, a young visitor accompanied by her mother, excitedly shared: “I have tried two rides—a car and a plane. I’m very happy!” Mohsin, who came from Uttara with his wife and child, said: “We couldn’t travel to our hometown for Eid. Due to Dhaka’s usual traffic, we rarely get a chance to take our kids out. But today, we reached here from Uttara in just 20 minutes. This is the best time to explore Dhaka.” According to the ticket counter at Shishu Mela, the park offers around 40 rides, with 12 suitable for the whole family. It will remain open from 10am to 10pm for the first seven days of Eid, with an entry fee of Tk100 per person. At Bashundhara City’s Toggy Fun World, children were seen playing joyfully while parents waited nearby. The park offers a variety of rides and exciting games for children. Farhana, a mother from Banani, said: “This place is a great source of entertainment for kids. The roads are less crowded during Eid, making it easier to travel here.” Ayesha Siddiqa Jumana, another visitor from Uttara, expressed her excitement, saying: “I’m having a great time here. There are so many rides! I’ve been on one and plan to try more.” Jannatul Ferdous, a sales representative at Toggy Fun World, said the entry fee is Tk150, with special packages ranging from Tk1,100 to Tk10,000. Another staff member, Moin Uddin, mentioned that the park will remain open from 12pm to 11pm for 15 days, while its usual operating hours are 2pm to 10pm. Apart from these centers, Dhaka offers other attractions for children, such as the National Zoo in Mirpur, Fantasy Kingdom, and Nandan Park on the outskirts of the city. Thanks to the reduced traffic during Eid, families are finding it easier to reach these destinations. Traffic Sergeant Safayet Hossain from the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area assured that strict security measures are in place, ensuring a hassle-free experience for visitors. “So far, no untoward incidents have been reported, and no complaints have been received,” he said.

Staff Correspondent After a one-day break on Eid, metro rail services in the capital and intercity train operations across the country have resumed. On Tuesday morning, both public transport systems began running as per their scheduled times. As per routine, the first metro rail trip departed from Uttara North station towards Motijheel at 7:10am, while the first train from Motijheel left for Uttara North station at 7:30am. Meanwhile, according to sources at Kamalapur railway station, the first intercity train after Eid, the Parjatak Express, departed for Cox’s Bazar at 6:15am. Earlier, in an announcement by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), it was said that metro rail services would remain suspended only on Eid day but would operate as usual on other days. Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Afzal Hossain had earlier said in an inter-ministerial meeting before Eid that intercity train services across the country would be suspended on Eid day. However, all weekly train holidays were canceled before Eid, and regular schedules would be reinstated afterward.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus paid tributes this morning to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar marking the 55th Independence and National Day. The Chief Adviser placed a wreath at the altar of the memorial around 6:11 am. He stood in solemn silence for few minutes in memory of the martyrs of the great Liberation War in 1971. A contingent of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented a state salute while a melancholy tune was being played on the bugles. The chief justice, advisers to the interim government, chiefs of the three services, freedom fighters, foreign diplomats and high-ranking military and civilian officials were present at the time. After paying his respects, the Chief Adviser left the memorial premises. Following his departure, the National Memorial was opened to people of all levels to pay homage.

The United States has congratulated Bangladesh on its Independence Day Saying Washington supports Bangladesh in its journey toward a bright and democratic future. “As Bangladesh marks this special occasion, I extend my warm regards to its people and reaffirm the United States, commitment to working together to make both our nations safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement. On behalf of the United States of America, Rubio congratulated the people of Bangladesh as they celebrate their Independence Day on March 26. He said that this celebration comes at a pivotal point in Bangladesh’s history, as the Interim Government prepares the nation for elections that will allow the people of Bangladesh to choose the path forward for their nation. “We look forward to continuing our partnership promoting economic development and regional security in the Indo-Pacific,” said the Secretary of State.

Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Pacific Lt. Gen. Joel P. Vowell visited Bangladesh from March 24 to 25 to strengthen military cooperation between the two nations. The visit reinforced the US Army’s commitment to a robust partnership with the Bangladesh Army while underscoring shared security interests and ongoing collaboration, said a media note issued by US embassy here today. During his visit, Lt. Gen. Vowell engaged in high-level discussions with senior officials of the Bangladesh Armed Forces including Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman. Both sides explored Bangladesh`s primary military challenges and areas where the U.S. could offer support. A major focus of the visit was the upcoming "Exercise Tiger Lightning" scheduled for summer 2025. This joint military exercise between Bangladesh and US army named “Tiger Lightning” aims to enhance peacekeeping readiness and promote interoperability between the armed forces of both nations. The discussions also touched on the potential acquisition of U.S.-origin equipment to boost Bangladesh`s military capabilities and further improve interoperability. Lt. Gen. Vowell lauded the professionalism of the Bangladesh military, emphasizing the crucial role of disciplined armed forces in maintaining regional stability. The visit underscores the growing defense ties between Bangladesh and the United States, reflecting a shared commitment to regional security and cooperation, said the US embassy.