A newborn girl delivered at a polling centre in Raiganj Upazila of Sirajganj District has been named after former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. District officials visited the baby on Sunday afternoon.
District Commissioner Aminul Islam went to see the newborn, while Dr A. N. M. Bazlur Rashid, Divisional Commissioner of Rajshahi, joined via video call to convey greetings and congratulations to the child and her family. On behalf of the district administration, the family was handed over the birth certificate, cash assistance, clothes, fruits, and sweets.
The baby, named Begum Khaleda Zia, is the daughter of Ambia Khatun and Shariful Islam of Bengnai village in Raiganj upazila. On Thursday (February 12) at around 11:30 am, Ambia Khatun went to cast her vote at Bengnai Government Primary School polling centre in Pangasi Union, where she gave birth to the baby girl. Both mother and child are reported to be in good health.
District Commissioner Aminul Islam said,
“The voting environment was peaceful, which allowed this mother to go to the centre despite being pregnant. She gave birth there. This is history. That is why we came to see the child on behalf of the district administration. The Divisional Commissioner also conveyed his greetings.”
He added,
“We have provided the family with initial assistance and handed over the birth certificate. The district and upazila administration will stand by the family in the future so that the child can grow up to be a worthy citizen.”
Deputy Director of the Local Government Division in Sirajganj, Mohammad Kamrul Islam, said,
“Following an application from the family, the birth certificate was issued in the name of Begum Khaleda Zia.”
The baby’s mother, Ambia Khatun, said,
“We love BNP. My daughter was born while I went to vote. So we named her after BNP’s late Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. We are happy.”
Additional Deputy Commissioner Sarbik Ganapati Roy, Sirajganj Civil Surgeon Dr Nurul Amin, Raiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdul Khaleq Patwari, and other district and upazila officials were present during the visit.
