Home, finally: Tarique takes a moment standing barefoot in airport garden, grabs handful of soil

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today (25 December) made a emotional touch to Bangladesh soil barefoot at the airport after he was accorded warm reception and emotional greetings there on arrival from London.

He touched down the soil with dew dropped grasses barefoot in front of the airport before traveling to a brief public event venue at 36 Expressway (300-Foot Road) by a bus.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir earlier led the party standing committee members to greet the acting chairman and accord reception at the VVIP lounge of the airport after his return from London as Tarique Rahman embraced them with a wide smile and warm handshake.

He also exchanged pleasantries with the BNP men present at the airport and waved his hand towards them.

His mother-in-law Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu welcomed him with a flower bouquet as his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman accompanied him.

Tarique Rahman finally returned to homeland as he arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here around 11.40am by a regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.

"The aircraft carrying him along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:40am after making around one-hour stopover at Sylhet's Osmani International Airport from London," Biman's Managing Director and CEO Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman told BSS.
 
Earlier, the flight departed from London's Heathrow Airport at 6:15pm (London Time) on Wednesday and touched down at Sylhet airport at 9:56am en route to Dhaka.

Tarique Rahman returned home after a long 17 years in exile in the UK.
Members of the BNP Standing Committee extended a warm reception to him on arrival at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Later, he will proceed to Evercare Hospital to be with the ailing mother and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

A very brief public event has also been arranged in the area of July 36 Expressway (300-Feet Road) as the BNP acting chairman will express his gratitude to the people of the country there on his way to the hospital.

"This is neither a public meeting nor a formal reception program. It is simply an event for him to express his sincere gratitude to the countrymen and to seek prayers for the well-being of Begum Khaleda Zia and all citizens," BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed told a press conference on Wednesday.

He said Tarique Rahman does not support any programme that could cause public suffering.

"For this reason, he also has requested expatriate leaders and supporters not to gather at the London airport. He, as well, instructed not to arrange any party programme in Bangladesh that could create public inconvenience," Salahuddin added.

He also informed that Tarique Rahman even chose a government holiday for his return to minimize public suffering.

"Instead of having a large programme in a central area of the capital, a very brief event has been planned on the service lane of one side of the comparatively less crowded 300-Foot Road (36 July Expressway)," he said.

None but Tarique Rahman will speak at this event.

"Although it is not entirely possible to control the influx of eagerly waiting party activists and supporters from different parts of the country after 17 years, the party is making its utmost effort," said Salahuddin.

Referring to the public inconvenience, he said, "We sincerely apologize for the unavoidable essential and minimal programmes taken by the party to make our beloved leader's historic return a reality, and for any inconvenience and suffering caused by them."

After that, he will visit his mother Begum Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital, where he will spend some exclusive time by her side.

From the hospital, Tarique Rahman will move to house number 196 on Gulshan Avenue. This house has been newly prepared by the BNP for his stay following his return. The house 'Firoza,' where BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia currently resides, is located next to this property.

Salahuddin Ahmed said on December 26, after Jummah prayers Tarique Rahman will leave his residence to go to the grave of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and offer prayers for eternal peace of the departed soul of his father. Then he will visit National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar and pay his homage to Liberation War Martyrs there.

On the December 27, he will accomplish his NID card and voter registration process, after which he will visit the grave of Shaheed Osman Hadi and offer munajat. Then he will go to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Pangu Hospital) to see those injured in the July mass uprising.

Referring to medical services and traffic management, Salahuddin said, "The event (at 300-foot road) will feature 20 medical camps, with arrangements for full-time doctors, paramedics, medicines, and ambulances. A six-bed field hospital will also be set up near the stage with an ICU ambulance."

He mentioned that help desks would be set up at three locations-Kakoli intersection on Airport Road, in front of the international airport, and Abdullahpur-to ensure uninterrupted movement for passengers travelling to and from the airport, as well as for ambulances carrying patients. Motorcycle squads will be deployed to help keep the routes clear.

Salahuddin said, "We know that despite our best efforts, we cannot diminish the irresistible urge of the millions of people who have been waiting for 17 years across the country to see their beloved leader even once, and their current rush towards the capital. We are certain, Insha'Allah, tomorrow Bangladesh is going to witness its largest public gathering in history."