Bangladesh
BNP seeks govt’s initiative to bring its leader Salahuddin back from India
BNP on Thursday urged the government to bring back its Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed who was recently acquitted by the judge court in India's Shillong in a case filed against him over trespassing into the neighbouring country in 2015.
"Salahuddin Ahmed is a prominent politician of Bangladesh. He has been forced to spend eight years in jail and under house arrest in India for no valid reasons,” said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he also said it is the government's responsibility to bring him back as he was acquitted by the Indian court.
"We call upon the government of Bangladesh to take steps for bringing back Salahuddin Ahmed to the country as a free man," Fakhrul said.
He also sought the Indian government’s cooperation in this regard. “We want our beloved leader Salahuddin Ahmed back to us immediately.”
Read more: BNP demands cancellation of power deal with Adani
Fakhrul urged the Indian government to send Salahuddin Ahmed back to Bangladesh with dignity by ensuring his human rights.
He also said Salahuddin is one of the victims of the repressive activities of the ‘fascist’ Awami League government.
The BNP leader said Salahuddin has been forced to live in exile in India for 8 years facing a ‘false case’. “He was put on trial in an Indian court for illegally entering that country. Salahuddin Ahmed was acquitted by the judgment of the trial court and the appellate court.
With his acquittal, Fakhrul said it has been proven that Salahuddin Ahmed has been subjected to endless torture and harassment by the ‘illegitimate’ government of Bangladesh. "We want him back now unconditionally."
He also called upon the government to ensure BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s unconditional release so that she can be taken to any advanced centre abroad for her treatment.
On February 28 last, the judge court in India's Shillong upheld a magistrate court’s verdict that acquitted BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed in a case filed against him over trespassing into India.
Earlier on October 26, 2018, the court of the first class judicial magistrate, DG Kharshiing, acquitted Salahuddin Ahmed in the case and asked the state government to take necessary steps for his immediate repatriation.
After remaining missing for around two months, Salahuddin, a former state minister, was found in Shillong, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya on May 11, 2015.
He was arrested for entering India without any valid documents. A case was filed against him under the Foreigners Act.
Later, Shillong police pressed charges against him in the case.
However, BNP claimed that Salahuddin was picked up from a house in the city's Uttara area on March 10, 2015 allegedly by unidentified men who introduced themselves as detectives.
END/UNB/ARJ/JA
2-day zakat fair to begin in city Saturday
A 2-day zakat fair titled: “Making A Difference With Zakat” is going to begin at Aloki Community Centre in Tejgaon Link Road area on Saturday.
Centre for Zakat Management (CZM) will organise the fair with the sponsorship of a number of reputed banks and private business houses including Exim Bank, Rahimafrooz, Kohinoor Chemical, Rahim Steel.
Eminent economist Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud, chairman of Economic Research Group, will inaugurate the zakat fair.
The exhibition will have stalls of different organisations working with zakat related issues, said former energy secretary AMM Nasir Uddin, member secretary of the fair organising committee of the CZM, while addressing a press conference at the Economic Reporters Forum in the city on Thursday.
He informed that there will be a zakat consultation desk and stalls of Islamic books at the fair.
CZM chairman and director of Rahimafrooz Group Niaz Rahim, former secretary Arastoo Khan and CZM chief executive officer Mohammad Ayub Mia were, among others, present.
The organisers said that the exhibition will remain open for visitors from 9 am to 7 pm .
“We have organised such an exhibition to popularise the idea of ensuring social and economic safety and security of the zakat,” Nasir said urging people to visit the fair to learn about the accurate calculation of zakat.
He informed that a total of six seminars on different topics will be held at the exhibition venue during the fair.
Former Chief Election Commissioner Justice Muhammad Abdur Rauf, former minister Lt: Gen (Retd) M Nuruddin Khan, former secretary Arastu Khan, former governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr. Saleh Uddin Ahmed, Islami Bank's Consultative Forum Vice Chairman AKM Nurul Fazle Bulbul and many other eminent personalities are expected to attend the Zakat Fair, said the organisers of the fair.
Make life-oriented movies to change society: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the filmmakers to produce life-oriented decent movies to keep the people away from wrongdoings and offenses in the society.
“The life-oriented arts and cinemas attract the people much. The reason is that the people get the reflection of their own life from there. A cinema can change the life of a person or a society,” she said.
The premier said this while distributing the National Film Awards 2021 to the 35 winners under different categories in recognition of their contributions to the film industry.
The award giving ceremony was held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the city.
Hasina said cinema and drama have an impact everywhere. “Cinema and drama can enrich the thoughts and spirits of the people and keep the people away from unjust and offense,” she said.
In this context, she asked the artists and litterateurs to write life-oriented articles, dramas and literatures so that such movies can be produced to improve the society further.
The PM said a number of good movies were produced in the recent days which have become of international standard and popular in the country.
She said once there were dirty and imitated cinemas here. It needs to take the good things and avoid bad things, not imitating other movies. “We need some decent cinemas so that a person sitting with parents, brothers and sisters can watch it together,” she said.
While making any movie, the filmmaker needs to consider what is good for society, she said.
The premier stressed the need for production of good children’s films and conservation of old movies by making their digital versions.
“We’re lagging behind in (production of) children's films. Good films need to be made for children. Those who make children's films need to be given good fund,” she said.
She also put emphasis on raising the amount of government funds from Tk 25 lakh (for a full length film) and Tk 20 lakh (for a short film) to get quality movies.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud presided over the event, while chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Hasanul Haq Inu and Information Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker spoke on the occasion.
Read more: PM hands over Nat’l Film Awards to 35 recipients
The award is considered to be one the most prestigious prizes given for films in Bangladesh.
This year eminent artistes Doly Jahur and Ilias Kanchan jointly got the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for their contributions to the film industry.
Matiya Banu Shuku’r "Lal Moroger Jhuti" and Rezwan Shahriar Sumit's "Nonajoler Kabbo" jointly bagged the best film award.
'Dhar', directed by Aka Reza Ghalib, received the best short film award, while 'Bodhobhumite Ekdin' directed by Kawsar Chowdhury got the best documentary award.
Rezwan Shahriar Sumit was conferred with the 'Best Director' award for "Nonajoler Kabbo" film, while Siam Ahmed and Mir Sabbir Mahmud were jointly given the best actor award for leading role in film 'Mridha Bonam Mridha' and 'Raatjaga Fool’ respectively.
Ajmeri Haque and Tasnova Tamanna jointly received the best actress award for the films 'Rehana Maryam Noor’ and 'Nona Joler Kabbo' respectively.
Fazlur Rahman Babu got the best-supporting role award for the film ''Nona Joler Kabbo' while Shampa Reza bagged the best supporting actress award for the film 'Padma Puran'.
Md Abdul Mannan (Joyraj) was awarded best actor for a negative role in the film 'Lal Moroger Jhuti'. Probhash Kumar Bhattacharya (Milon) got the award for comedy in the film 'Mridha Bonam Mridha.'
Afia Tabassum (Afia Jahin Jayma) won the best child artiste award for the film 'Rehana Maroam Nur', while a special award in the children division went to Jannatul Mawa Jhilik for the film 'Ja Harie Jai'.
Sujeyo Sham bagged the best music director's award for 'Joiboti Kannyar Mon' film. KM Abdullah Al Murtaza Muhin won the award in the best singer category for film 'Padma Puran', while the best singer female award went to Chandana Majumder (film 'Padma Puran').
The best lyricist award went to the late Gazi Mazharul Anwar for the song in 'Joiboti Kannyar Mon' film.
Sujeyo Sham won the best composer award for the film 'Joiboti Kanyar Mon'. The best story writer award went to Rezwana Shahriar Sumit for the film 'Nona Joler Kabbo'.
Pinky Akter received the special film award for her “Tungi Parar Miya Bhai’ film produced about the life of Father of the Nation Bangabandu Sheik Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of his birth centenary.
The other award winners are: Nurul Alam Atik (screenwriter), Towqir Ahmed (dialogue), Samir Ahmed (best editing), Shihab Nurun Nabi (best art direction), Syed Kashef Shahbazi, Sumon Kumar Sarkar and Mazharul Islam Razu (jointly for best cinematographer), Shaiba Talukder (sound designer), Idila Kasrin Farid (costume and design) and Md Farukh and Md Farhad Reza Milon jointly won the best makeup artists award.
Miscreants use gunpowder, petrol during the attack on Ahmadiya: Police
Miscreants used gunpowder and petrol during the clash with the Ahmadiya community over a Jalsa event that left two dead and over 50 injured on March 3 in Sadar upazila of the district, police said.
SM Sirajul Islam Huda, superintendent of police (SP) of the district, came up with the claim at a press conference at his office on Thursday six days after the incident.
No sooner had the conference started, the police officer requested journalists to avoid sensitive questions over the matter.
Terming the incident as planned, the SP said a trained group of miscreants carried out the attack on houses, vandalised, looted and torched and used gunpowder and petrol for setting fire.
He claimed that losses of lives and properties could be avoided due to vigilance by the law enforcers.
Addressing the consequences of that day, he suspected that the violence might have spread across the country unless the law enforcers moved for an immediate action.
“Some 8,000 Ahmadiya devotees gathered at the Salana Jalsa on that day while 7,000 to 8000 people attacked from outside against the deployment of only 170 police personnel, 64 Rapid Action Battalion members and five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB),” he said.
Read more: Clash over Ahmadiyya event: Over 8,200 sued, 81 arrested in Panchagarh
A total of 13 cases have so far been filed in this connection, the SP said, adding that 165 people have been arrested.
Of the cases, four cases were filed by police under Special Power Act, one under Digital Security Act and the rest lodged by the victims, the police officer said.
Some 10,000 to 11,000 people were implicated as anonymous and a process is underway to file more cases in connection with the rampage, the SP informed.
Assuring general people not to panic over the arrest, he said those accused are being arrested on the basis of a report by the intelligence and scrutinising the video footage of the incident.
He claimed that a section of people in a planned way carried out the attack to destabilise the country and tried to burn an elderly cop to death.
Apart from this, the miscreants torched an office of traffic police during the attack. However, a peaceful situation has been prevailing in the district, the SP said.
Additional SP (admin) ASM Shafiqul Islam, Additional SP (sadar circle) Rakibul Islam and Panchagarh Sadar police station OC Abdul Latif Miah, among others, were present at the press conference.
Read more: Clash over Ahmadiyya event: Law enforcers on high alert to avoid further trouble in Panchagarh
Earlier on March 3, two people were killed and at least 50 others including policemen were injured in the clash between a section of Muslim devotees and police during a protest march of the devotees demanding the closure of an Ahmadiya community’s event in Panchagarh district town.
On the following day, rumours were spread in different parts of the district town and on social media saying that some Ahmidyya community members slaughtered two Muslims.
Following the rumours, some young people equipped with sticks and sharp weapons blocked roads, carried out arson attacks, and looted shops and houses of the Ahmadiya community.
Worker burned to death in Chattogram ship-breaking yard
A 66-year-old worker was burned to death at a ship-breaking yard in Sitakunda upazila of the district on Thursday.
The deceased is Md Ashraf Mollah, son of late Osman Mollah of Kumardanga area under Lohagara upazila in Narail.
Co-workers and locals said Ashraf sustained severe burn injuries while he was cutting a scrap ship with gas at ‘M/s Taher Ship Yard’ in Baroaulia union, adjacent to coast of the Bay of Bengal.
He was rushed to Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) around 11 am, they said.
The victim succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the hospital around 2 pm, Md Alauddin Talukdar, an assistant sub-inspector of the CMCH police outpost, said.
Momen denounces 40 world leaders' appeal for Prof Yunus
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Thursday questioned intentions of some people who are talking against Bangladesh and its leader Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, noting that to them "grapes are sour."
"It does not matter much. It's unrealistic and not objective," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when a reporter sought his comment on an appeal by 40 world leaders regarding Prof Muhammad Yunus.
The global leaders expressed their "deep concerns for the well-being" of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus in an open letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The letter also appeared as a full-page ad in the Washington Post on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
Momen said Bangladesh is a role model of development and the world acknowledged this.
He said PM Hasina is a very determined and courageous lady and those people are in a mission to minus her so that an instability can be created here.
Highlighting his engagements in New Delhi during G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting, Momen said, "We are very pleased. India has done a very good and unique job."
He said Bangladesh conveyed the G20 countries that "We are a peace-loving country. We don't want war. We want peace. Stop this war. Poor people and poor countries are suffering."
Momen said he also raised bilateral issues during a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar.
"We told them to keep the commitment on border issues," he said.
Momen said India will send diesel to Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will inaugurate it on March 18.
DPS STS School Dhaka hosts 4-day IMUN conference for youth
DPS STS (Delhi Public) School Dhaka inaugurated the sixth edition of its International Model United Nations (IMUN) conference titled DPSIMUN VI at DPS STS Dhaka senior campus, Uttara in the capital on Thgursday.
The 4-day conference is expected to witness the participation of 700 foreign and local delegates from over 65 schools, including Cibola High School (USA), Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (China), Scholastica, Sunbeams, Aga Khan, Sir John Wilson, Sunnydale, St Joseph, Viqarunnisa Noon School, Holy Cross and many more.
The sixth edition of DPSIMUN this year received around 2,000 registrations. In this MUN conference, delegates will attend the conference to discuss pressing international issues and defend their positions passionately.
The students will have the opportunity to learn ways to negotiate with others and collaborate with like-minded people, according to the DPSIMUN organisers.
Earlier, they worked together on policy proposals and detailed programs to solve critical global problems ranging from drone technology to territorial sovereignty to participate in the conference. The conference shall work as a platform to create the best opportunities for delegates to build friendships and make connections with diverse types of people, the organisers informed the media.
International standard conferences will also take place during the event, with accreditation from MYMUN. This is also expected to be engaging and informative, as acclaimed professionals will conduct the conference to hone the skills and enhance the knowledge of the delegates. Participants, who will attend the International standard conferences, will gain experience that will eventually have a positive impact on their public speaking opportunities and university applications.
The conference is featuring 15 special committees, including United Nations Children’s Fund, World Health Organization, United Nations Women, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, North Atlantic Treaty Organizations, International Press Conference, United States National Security Council, Jatiya Sangshad, and Special Political and Decolonization.
On Day 2, ‘Aloy Akash Mela’ will showcase Bangladesh’s diversity and cultural beauty and will witness the participation of local bands such as Ograjjo and Auvro.
Popular band Nemesis will perform on Day 3, while DJ Autul will rock the Gala Night for the delegates.
DPS STS Principal Dr Shivananda CS delivered his welcome remarks at the beginning of the 4-day MUN.
Fahmida Sultana, Media and Communication Officer, Resident Coordinator’s Office Dhaka, United Nations; Reshma Khan Zaman, Operations Manager, United Nations Women; and Manas Singh, Chief Executive Officer, STS Group, delivered their remarks during the conference.
Vignesh Khajuria, Secretary-General, DPS International Model United Nations 2023, has conducted the ceremony’s opening and will also deliver the closing speech. On the last day, the delegates will receive awards for their commendable efforts.
DPSIMUN will continue till March 12 at DPS STS Dhaka senior campus.
High Commission of India hosts ITEC alumni meet 2023
The High Commission of India, Dhaka hosted an ITEC Alumni Meet in Dhaka recently.
Addressing the event, High Commissioner Pranay Verma extended his warmest greetings to the ITEC Alumni, for occupying important positions in various fields of Bangladesh, after having been trained by the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC).
ITEC is a flagship programme of the Government of India, which aims to share India's expertise and knowledge with developing countries. Since its inception, ITEC has provided training to more than 160,000 participants from over 160 countries, including Bangladesh.
The programme has been instrumental in building capacity, enhancing skills, and fostering cooperation between the two countries.
In Bangladesh, over the years, more than 4,500 young professionals have undergone courses under different ITEC programmes in premier Indian institutions.
These have ranged from courses in public policy to specialized agricultural and industrial domains to new energy and cutting edge technology.
Tailor made courses have also been conducted at specific requests of the Government of Bangladesh.
During 2022-23, 4 batches of Judges and Judicial Officers from Bangladesh have been offered special training programs in the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal. Similarly, Mid-Career Training Programs have been organized, wherein Bangladeshi Civil Servants were trained at India’s National Centre for Good Governance located in Mussoorie.
Moreover, 56 Bangladeshi participants from various fields (including private sector) have availed training programs with candidates from all over the world, while 67 have benefited from e-ITEC programs in Bangladesh, in 2022-23.
During the ITEC Alumni Meet, the High Commission of India also announced the formation of an ITEC Alumni Association in Bangladesh (IAAB) as a platform for all ITEC Alumni in Bangladesh.
IAAB will serve as a forum for all the ITEC alumni to stay connected and share their experiences.
It will also provide opportunities for the alumni to contribute to the development of both India and Bangladesh by sharing of knowledge and expertise.
The Association will also work closely with the High Commission of India in Bangladesh and other stakeholders to organize training programmes, workshops, and other events.
All the alumni of ITEC in Bangladesh were urged to join the Association and participate in its activities.
Around 100 ITEC alumni from all walks of life, besides distinguished guests, attended the ITEC Alumni Meet on 2nd March, 2023. A small cultural event of Goudiya Nritya, performed by an ICCR scholar, Rachel Priyanka, culminated the programme.
Dhaka seeks Member States' greater commitments to implement BIMSTEC FTA soon
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to the BIMSTEC process and emphasized that BIMSTEC Member States need to work together to realize the huge untapped potentials of the region.
As the Lead Country for cooperation in Trade, Investment and Development sector, Dr. Momen outlined Bangladesh’s effort to enhance investment and trade relations across the platform and expressed Bangladesh’s keen interest in finalizing the legal instruments for the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
He called upon the Member States for greater commitments so that the BIMSTEC FTA could be implemented as early as possible.
The Nineteenth BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting (MM) was held in Bangkok on March 9 in virtual mode.
Delegations from all the Member States of BIMSTEC joined the meeting. Dr Momen led the Bangladesh delegation in the meeting.
The meeting assessed the progress made so far since the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit held on 30 March 2022 including the implementation of various decisions taken during the summit.
The meeting approved the 'Rules of Procedure' for all the BIMSTEC mechanisms, including several administrative and financial matters of the BIMSTEC Secretariat for adoption at the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit proposed to be held later this year.
It approved the draft text of the ‘Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation’ as well as the ‘BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030’.
The inclusion of Blue Economy, Mountain Economy and Poverty Alleviation under the purview of the reconstituted sectors/subsectors of BIMSTEC cooperation was approved by the meeting.
Cooperation in the Blue Economy will be led by Bangladesh.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Heads of Delegations issued a ‘Joint Statement’ elaborating actions to be taken in different areas of cooperation to promote active collaborations in matters of mutual interests in the economic, social, technical, cultural and scientific fields to build a prosperous, resilient and result oriented BIMSTEC.
The meeting discussed the tentative schedule of the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit to be held in November 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, in which, Bangladesh is supposed to assume the Chairmanship of BIMSTEC.
BGMEA-Jack to collaborate in building capacity of RMG sector in technologies
A delegation of Jack, a leading Chinese sewing machine manufacturer, called on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka on March 9.
The delegation included Qiu Yangyou , Vice President of Jack Group; Li Fengzhi. Marketing Director of Asia; Allan Chan, Marketing Manager of Bangladesh; Feng Lidong, Sales Manager of Bangladesh; Chen Yue, Vice GM of Product Solution Department and Ying Zhenhua, Director of Lockstitch Products.
In the meeting, they discussed potential collaboration to enhance the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s RMG industry through innovation and technology upgradation.
The two sides also had discussions about issues related to the garment industry, including the latest technologies and machinery.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan highlighted the industry’s vision of strengthening its standing as the world-class manufacturing hub with the latest technologies and innovations.
He also apprised the Jack team of the industry’s ongoing and planned activities for transitioning to a sustainable and competitive source of high-value products.
He said that as one of the largest garment machinery manufacturers, Jack Machine could be an important partner in improving productivity and efficiency in high-quality garment production through their advanced technology and machinery.
Faruque Hassan called on Jack to support the industry through technology transfer and sharing expertise in advanced machinery.
He also stressed on collaboration with the Centre of Innovation, Efficiency and OSH and the BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology ((BUFT) to build up capacity in advanced manufacturing.
Agreeing on the issue, both BGMEA and Jack expressed interest in working together for the development of Bangladesh RMG industry.