PM recalls childhood memory of fresh Royal Bengal Tiger pugmark in Sundarbans

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (6 October) recalled a childhood memory of seeing a fresh pugmark of a Royal Bengal Tiger beside a pond in the Sundarbans during a three-day family trip with his parents and younger brother.

Responding to a child's question about his favourite childhood memory, Tarique Rahman said his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, once took him, his younger brother and their mother, Begum Khaleda Zia, to the Sundarbans.

"We went to the Sundarbans. We got down at a place called Hiron Point, which was like a small island. There was a pond there. Local people told us that a tiger had come to the pond the previous night to drink water. There was a very fresh pugmark of the Royal Bengal Tiger in the mud beside the pond. I still remember that," he said.

The prime minister was answering questions from children at a special session at Bangladesh Shishu Academy marking Children's Rights Day 2026 and the 50th anniversary of the academy.

Asked what he had dreamed of becoming when he was a child, Tarique Rahman said he did not have any particular ambition at that age.

"To tell you the truth, I did not really have any dream then. When I was little like you, I only thought that when I grew up, I would buy all the toys," he said.

Responding to a question about the government's plans to ensure a bright future and quality education for children, the Prime Minister said children should be given opportunities to develop their abilities alongside their studies.

He said children should grow up as confident individuals and get opportunities to develop their talents in music, dance, recitation, Quranic recitation, sports and other activities.

"You should not only study. Alongside your studies, you should be able to develop the other qualities and talents you have and get opportunities to practise and express them," Tarique Rahman said.

On the use of technology and social media, he said children could use technology for education, science fairs, sports and other useful purposes, but should avoid spending excessive time on social media.

"Technology should help you with things that are important to you. Instead of spending too much time on social media, you should spend more time on things that are important for you and where technology can help you," the Prime Minister said.

At one point, noticing the nature of the questions being asked, he jokingly suggested that some of the questions might have been prepared by adults and encouraged the children to ask whatever was actually on their minds.

Asked which schools he had attended, Tarique Rahman said he had studied at two schools – Shaheen School and Laboratory School.

Responding to a question about playgrounds and indoor stadiums, he said the government has plans to create open spaces for children to play in every union or upazila, while noting that building stadiums everywhere will be costly.

The prime minister said such open spaces could also be used by guardians for walking and spending time with their families.

He also expressed his desire to increase children's participation in cultural and other international exchanges.

Tarique Rahman said Bangladeshi children have performed well in international art competitions, Quranic recitation competitions and sporting events, including football and cricket.

"We want to provide all kinds of support so that children who participate in sports, science fairs, quiz competitions and mathematics competitions in different countries can return with good results," he said.

Asked about children living on the streets and those from poor families who are deprived of education and other opportunities, the prime minister acknowledged that millions of children remain deprived of basic education and facilities.

He said the government is working to gradually extend educational, cultural and other facilities to those children as well. "It will take time, but InshaAllah we will be able to do it," he said.

Responding to a question about children with physical or mental disabilities, Tarique Rahman said existing facilities for them are limited and the government wants to expand them.

He said the government plans to establish more schools and facilities and develop the required teachers and instructors, although the process will take time because of the specialised infrastructure and human resources needed. "We have started the work. We will gradually move forward, InshaAllah," he said.

Asked whether he sought children's opinions while making important decisions, the prime minister said he sometimes discusses matters with his daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, who, although older than the children present, is much younger than him.

He said she could sometimes provide him with a better understanding of how children of her age and younger children think, which could help him in making decisions concerning them.

Responding to a child's question about his message on the special day, Tarique Rahman said children are the future of Bangladesh.

"You may sometimes see a beautiful country on television or in a video and think, 'I wish Bangladesh were like that.' Of course, it is possible to make Bangladesh like that. But all of you have to decide together that you will build Bangladesh into such a beautiful country," he said.

The prime minister urged the children to develop themselves properly, saying a better future Bangladesh could be built if today's children could build themselves properly.

Prime minister's wife and Ziaur Rahman Foundation Vice President Dr Zubaida Rahman also joined the session, while Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain stood alongside the children during the interaction.

Children from Dhaka, Mymensingh, Netrakona, Rajbari, Tangail, Dinajpur, Khagrachhari, Khulna and Sylhet, among other places, asked questions and received answers from the prime minister.