Before Durga Puja, Bangladesh's PM topped up festival grants for Hindus and Buddhists alike

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with Hindu and Buddhist community leaders this week and handed over festival grants bigger than anyone asked for: BDT 5 crore (about $405,000) to the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust for Durga Puja — up from the 4 crore requested — and BDT 3 crore (about $243,000) to the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust for Kathin Chibar Dan, up from 2 crore. He also declared a five-day holiday from October 20 to 24 for the festivities, and the money will land directly in beneficiaries' bank accounts. 'The government is working for the welfare of all, regardless of religion, caste, or community,' he said.