Adviser Fouzul deposits 'boat-shaped' souvenir to Toshakhana amid social media criticism

In the wake of social media criticism over receiving a "boat-shaped" souvenir from the Algerian Embassy in Dhaka, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan has deposited the gift in the government's Toshakhana (state treasury).

In a Facebook post today (2 November), the adviser wrote, "The gift received from the Algerian Embassy last night (1 November) has been sent to the cabinet secretary for preservation in the government's Toshakhana. The cabinet secretary's office has issued an acknowledgement of receipt for this. Thank you all for your opinions."

Earlier in another separate Facebook post today, Fouzul clarified the context of receiving the gift from Algerian Ambassador Abdelouahab SAIDANI and sought opinions from readers on what should be done with it.

"I attended Algeria's National Day celebration yesterday (1 November) evening as the chief guest... During the event, I was presented with a souvenir of a sailing boat with a boatman. I accepted it out of diplomatic courtesy," he wrote.

The adviser further explained that the souvenir bears the name of the Algerian Embassy and has no resemblance to the electoral symbol 'boat' of the Awami League.

Outlining possible actions regarding the gift, he wrote, "I could return it to the Algerian Embassy, but that would be discourteous and narrow-minded. I could deposit it in the Toshakhana, though it is not of significant value. I could also keep it at the Shailan Prabin Nibash or retain it myself."

Seeking opinion from Facebook readers, Fouzul said, it would be helpful "if I get opinions from readers."

Yesterday (1 November), the Algerian Embassy in Dhaka hosted a reception marking the 71st anniversary of Algeria's Revolution Day, where Fouzul Kabir Khan attended as the chief guest.

During the event, Ambassador Abdelouahab SAIDANI presented him with the miniature boat souvenir.