Army Honors Meritorious Students and Drives Health Awareness in Mahalchhari.

Staff Reporter With a view to encouraging education in remote hilly regions and raising health awareness, the Mahalchhari Zone of the Bangladesh Army provided receptions, educational materials, and financial assistance to meritorious students in Mahalchhari, Khagrachhari. ​The distribution and reception ceremony took place on Sunday (August 16) at 10:00 AM on the grounds of Shishu Moncho High School in the upazila. ​Lieutenant Colonel Md. Al-Jabir Asif, PSC, Zone Commander of Mahalchhari Zone, attended the event as the chief guest and handed over prizes and financial support to the students. In his speech, he urged the students to focus on their studies and prepare themselves as worthy citizens for the service of the nation. ​A special reception was accorded to Tumpa Chakma, the only student from Mahalchhari upazila to achieve a GPA-5 in this year's SSC examination. To support her higher education, the Army presented her with all required textbooks for the HSC level along with a cheque for BDT 10,000. Expressing deep gratitude, Tumpa and her family thanked the Bangladesh Army for the support. ​Additionally, 10 meritorious students from various secondary schools under the Mahalchhari Zone and 6 scholarship recipients from Shishu Moncho High School were honored with educational kits. Invited guest Md. Erfanul Haq Chowdhury, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), along with other government officials, handed over awards to boost student morale. ​Following the reception, a specialized health awareness session was organized for around 70 female students of classes nine and ten at Shishu Moncho High School under the direction of the Khagrachhari Region. Conducted in the presence of the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, the session highlighted various aspects of adolescent health care and hygiene. ​Local government department heads, teachers, parents, journalists, public representatives, and community leaders attended the program. Local elders noted that such timely initiatives by the Army will play a pivotal role in promoting education and strengthening harmony in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.