Shawdesh Desk:

Amid the growing threat of coronavirus in South Asia, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be visiting Dhaka after the centenary celebrations of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s  birth anniversary were cancelled by the government, India Today reports.

On Sunday, IEDCR confirmed its first batch of coronavirus cases. Three people, two of whom had recently returned from Italy, tested positive for Covid-19 as per official authorities.

To contain the spread of the virus, the government has decided to cancel the celebrations for Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s centenary birth anniversary on March 17.

Kamal Abdul Chowdhury, the Chairman of the Celebration Committee told media that events related to the birth centenary celebrations are either being postponed or scaled-down due to public health considerations related to Covid-19.

“We have redesigned the event….it’s a year-long celebration. The celebration will continue throughout the year but we will avoid large public gatherings …Since we have many smaller events later in the year, foreign dignitaries have the option of attending later,” he said.

Even, PM Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the celebrations without any public gathering.

Narendra Modi was scheduled to travel to Dhaka on March 17 in the midst of rising concerns in Bangladesh over CAA and the proposed NRC as well as the coronavirus scare.