Advisor in Dilemma Over Gifted Boat, Seeks Advice

The Algerian Ambassador to Dhaka, Abdel Wahab Saldani, presented a boat as a gift to Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, on Saturday. The gift sparked discussions on social media since the boat is also the symbol of the ruling Awami League. The advisor himself is now uncertain about what to do with the gift.

In a post on his Facebook page, he stated that he received the boat replica with a paddler as a gift while attending Algeria’s national day as the chief guest under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ nomination. Out of diplomatic courtesy, he accepted it, and the gift bears the name of the embassy.

Fawzul Kabir mentioned three options he is considering:

Return the gift to the Algerian Embassy, which could appear discourteous;

Deposit it in the government treasury, although it is not very valuable;

Keep it with himself.

He added that he would appreciate advice from readers.

The ceremony celebrating the 71st anniversary of the Algerian revolution was held on Saturday (1 November) at the Algerian Embassy in Dhaka, where Fawzul Kabir attended as the chief guest. The ambassador presented him the boat replica, which later became a topic of discussion both online and offline.

Rashed Khan, Secretary General of the Ganadhikar Parishad, commented on the post that the gift was given to him not as a representative of the Awami League but as a “nation’s boatman.” He noted that a boat can be seen as a useful object for people and also part of government heritage. Many suggested that the advisor deposit the gift in the government treasury.

khaborwala/TSN