Rajshahi Silk Factory Gets Ministerial Visit as Transport Links and Football Put City in Focus
Rajshahi saw a busy weekend of government activity, transport disruption, and continental sport. A state minister toured the city's historic silk factory to review the traditional industry's development, inter-district bus services resumed after a two-day suspension caused by a dispute between operators in Rajshahi and Natore, and Rajshahi Stars FC made their AFC Women's Champions League debut on the international stage.
🗳️ State Minister Inspects Rajshahi Silk Factory to Assess Industry Development
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam conducted an inspection visit to the Rajshahi Silk Factory on Saturday afternoon, touring the production facility to assess operations and the current state of traditional silk manufacturing in the region. During the visit, the minister walked through the factory floor and observed production activities connected to Rajshahi's celebrated silk tradition, one of Bangladesh's most recognized artisanal products with a heritage spanning several centuries. Bangladesh Sericulture Development Board Director General Md Toufiq Al Mahmud provided the minister with a detailed briefing covering the factory's overall activities and the range of measures and action plans currently being implemented to support the development and modernization of the traditional silk industry. The inspection was attended by several senior figures of the Sericulture Development Board, including Board of Directors members Aslam Sarkar, Ashraf Jamal, and Suraiya Khatun, as well as Director of Research and Training Nasima Khatun, Director of Administration Reza Hasan, and Director of Production and Marketing Mizanur Rahman. The ministerial visit signals sustained government attention to the Rajshahi silk sector, which remains central to the city's economic identity and cultural standing within Bangladesh. [3]
🗳️ Bus Services Resume in Rajshahi After Two-Day Suspension Over Route Dispute
Inter-district bus services connecting Rajshahi with destinations across Bangladesh resumed on Saturday after being suspended for two full days, bringing considerable relief to passengers who had been stranded or forced to seek costly alternative transport. Services on multiple routes began running again around noon, with buses departing the city toward Dhaka and a range of other inter-district destinations. The suspension arose from a dispute between bus owners and workers in Rajshahi and the neighboring Natore district. According to sources, the conflict originated over the launch of a new direct bus route from Rajshahi to Darshana, with the competing interests of operators from the two districts creating tensions that led to the complete halt of inter-district services. The Rajshahi-Dhaka corridor, one of the most heavily used inter-city routes in northwestern Bangladesh, was among the routes most severely affected. Many passengers during the standstill were compelled to pay elevated fares for alternative transport to reach their destinations. Services were ultimately restored after intervention by local authorities, who facilitated a resolution between the disputing parties. The two-day disruption had caused widespread inconvenience across the region, highlighting the vulnerability of inter-district transport links in Rajshahi to labor-management conflicts in the bus sector. [4]
🎉 Rajshahi Stars FC Make AFC Women's Champions League Debut, Fall 4-0 to East Bengal
Rajshahi Stars FC, Bangladesh's representative club in the AFC Women's Champions League 2026/27, made their debut in the competition's preliminary stage in Kota Kinabalu, suffering a 4-0 defeat to East Bengal FC of India in a Group A match. East Bengal FC dominated the contest from the first whistle to the last under the direction of coach Anthony Andrew, with the Indian club's four-goal winning margin reflecting their overall control and composure throughout the match. Rajshahi Stars were unable to breach the East Bengal defense and did not find the net across the ninety minutes. Following the heavy defeat, Rajshahi Stars will look to regroup and compete in their next preliminary stage fixture against Sabah FA, while East Bengal FC carry their winning momentum into a follow-up match against Guam's Rovers FC. Rajshahi Stars' participation in the AFC Women's Champions League represents a meaningful milestone for women's club football in Bangladesh, with the Rajshahi-based club competing against sides from across the Asian Football Confederation's member nations. The result, while difficult, provides the Bangladeshi club with tournament experience at the continental level as women's football continues to develop across South and Southeast Asia. [5]
Sources: [3] Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) · [4] The Financial Express · [5] AFC Official Website