Photo: BSS

NATORE, Sep 05, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Social Welfare Barrister Farzana Sharmin has said that the government seeks to harness the innovative ideas of youth driven by digital technology, to build a meritorious nation.

“Youth representation in the current parliament is unprecedented. Young members from both the government and opposition are making parliament vibrant and playing an important role in state policy-making,” she said.

The state minister made the remarks while addressing a scholarship distribution ceremony organized by the Public University Students’ Association of Natore (PUSAN) on an online platform last night.

Sharmin said students must contribute to the welfare of the country and its people alongside their studies. Students can easily work to raise awareness and build public opinion against social menace like drug abuse and physical and mental abuse, she added.

She said PUSAN has been providing regular scholarships to meritorious and financially disadvantaged students for the past ten years, besides carrying out other activities. Its initiatives, particularly its networking efforts, are exemplary for the entire country.

If youths are guided through the right path and given congenial atmosphere, they can bring positive changes in the society. The government wants to channel this indomitable energy into creative activities to build a humane state, she said.

The state minister further said most crimes across the country are caused by drugs. The problem cannot be solved through laws, police action and arrests alone. Social awareness must be created to eliminate drug abuse, she added.

She said various ministries of the government are working to create social awareness. However, the best results can be achieved if students play a direct role in awareness building, she added.

PUSAN President Naushin Ashrafi Anchal presided over the programme. Additional Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division Abu Saleh Md. Mohiuddin Khan and Associate Professor of the Department of Gynaecology at Chattogram Medical College Dr. Sahana Begum Shelly addressed the event as special guests.

President of the Natore District Association in Chattogram Md. Mokhlesur Rahman Sopu, Principal of Mirpur Science College Md. Anwar Hossain, Principal of Mazarsharif Technical School and College Imam Hasan Mukti, former president of Natore Press Club Farazi Ahmad Rafique Baban, PUSAN founder Tanvir Anwar, former president Mohammad Jihad Hasan and General Secretary Md. Azizul Hakim also spoke at the programme.

It may be mentioned that PUSAN, an organization of 18,000 students from Natore studying at 97 public universities, engineering universities and government medical colleges, has been conducting service, fellowship and education-development activities since its establishment in 2017.

Currently, the organization is providing a monthly scholarship of Taka 2,000 per person to 39 students.