Staff Correspondent
Dhaka District Commissioner and District Magistrate Farida Khanam has sent letters of congratulations, along with books, flowers and sweets, to 25 meritorious students from Dhaka district who achieved outstanding results in this year’s SSC and equivalent examinations.
The Dhaka district administration confirmed the matter on Saturday afternoon. In her letter, Farida Khanam told the students that she saw in them not only meritorious students of today but also enlightened citizens of tomorrow. “On behalf of the Dhaka district administration and myself, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on your outstanding success in the SSC examination,” she wrote.
She said the students’ achievements had brought honour to Dhaka district, adding that their success was the result not only of their talent and hard work but also of the unwavering support and sacrifices of their parents and teachers. The district commissioner encouraged the students to view their SSC success as the beginning of a new journey rather than an end in itself. “As you step into a new chapter of higher secondary education, remain curious, courageous and eager for knowledge,” she wrote.
She also urged them not to confine themselves to academic grades alone but to develop skills in information technology, human values and patriotism. “Awaken your hidden talents and become people who will not only build successful careers but also use their knowledge and abilities to lead the country towards a better and more prosperous Bangladesh,” she said. The letter further encouraged the students to dream big and remain committed to becoming good human beings. “Perhaps many years from now, you will read this letter again, when your parents’ dreams for you have come true and you have travelled a long way in life,” Farida Khanam wrote.
“On that day, you should be able to look back and say: I respected my dreams, honoured my talent and tried to become a good human being.” She wished the students continued success and urged them to carry their determination forward throughout their lives.
Students and school authorities expressed delight after receiving the unexpected letters of congratulations from the district commissioner. A similar initiative was taken in 2002, when then prime minister Khaleda Zia personally wrote letters to students who received talent-pool scholarships.
She also sent two books to each of the scholarship recipients. Speaking about her initiative, Farida Khanam said encouraging talented students was a responsibility of the administration. “Their success is not only a matter of pride for their families or educational institutions; it is also a matter of pride for Dhaka district,” she said.
“Through these small gifts and letters, I wanted to let them know that the district administration sincerely wishes them well and supports their talent and dreams,” she added. She expressed hope that the students would develop not only academically but also in terms of human values, patriotism and a sense of responsibility, enabling them to contribute to the country’s development in the future.
