, March 16 -- excavation programme by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dinajpur on Monday stirred memories of a similar initiative taken nearly five decades ago by his father, former president Ziaur Rahman.

Residents of Balrampur village in Kaharol upazila said Tarique Rahman appeared to be following the path of the BNP founder by personally joining the excavation work with a spade.

About five decades ago, Ziaur Rahman took part in canal excavation work by cutting soil with a spade alongside hundreds of villagers of different ages.

Accompanied by ministers and BNP leaders, Tarique Rahman personally began the re-excavation of the Sahapara canal by cutting soil with a spade at Balrampur Sahapara in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur around 12:2...