Dhaka, June 4 -- It's a quiet day at the Secretariat, the heart of Bangladesh's government machinery-as the nation gears up for Eid-ul-Azha.

With the long-awaited 10-day holiday beginning tomorrow, a relaxed, festive air has swept through government offices. On this final working day, attendance was visibly lower, with many wrapping up last-minute tasks and exchanging warm Eid greetings.

The Secretariat's ration shop was one of the busiest spots, where long queues formed for supplies ahead of the celebrations.

Still, essential government work continued. A meeting of the advisory committees on government purchase and economic affairs went ahead as scheduled.

Eid-ul-Azha will be observed on June the 7th. Public holidays initially stretc...