Bangladesh
“Not only Bangladesh, in India minorities suffered too at times”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her government strongly believes in the values of secularism and any attempt to disrupt communal harmony are immediately dealt with.
“As long as we are in power, we will continue to prioritize that and I always tell them (minority communities) that you are our citizens… this is your country too,” PM Hasina said in an interview with Indian News Agency ANI ahead of her visit to India.
Hasina, however, said that extremism was not limited to Bangladesh as many countries, including India, were witnessing it.
She said one of the reasons for the ongoing rise in extremism was social media.
Read: “Differences can be resolved through dialogue, Bangladesh-India do precisely that”
“Some incidents take place but we immediately take action… These are unwanted situations but you know very well, it is not only Bangladesh, in India minorities suffered too at times,” she said.
“… You know Bangladesh is a secular country and we have many religions here… there is religious harmony here. So, one or two incidents, when these happen, immediately... especially my party... my party activists, they are very conscious about it and my government as well. We immediately take action,” she said.
Asked to comment on the role of the community of bloggers and others on social media, Hasina said that it is not desirable that people write things to hurt each other and added that her government tried to curb such cases.
“Look, extremism is everywhere… even in India and other countries... Because of social media it has become very... very bad nowadays,” Hasina said.
Read Teesta mainly depends on India: PM Hasina tells ANI
Hasina told ANI that while some incidents have occurred, Bangladesh has a tradition where people of all religions take part in all celebrations.
“Together we celebrate... In Bangladesh, during Durga Puja, people celebrate together. So, the religious harmony is there but now some incidents happen here and there… Our government immediately takes action against it,” the PM said.
Asked about the prevalence of cattle-smuggling from India into Bangladesh, Hasina said the issue was under discussion and the magnitude of the problem had also been reduced a lot.
Read CEPA to be win-win for both countries: IBCCI President
Met office predicts more showers in 24 hrs
More rains are likely to drench Bangladesh in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Sunday, said the weather department.
“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at many places over Rajshahi and Khulna divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country,” said a Met Office bulletin.
Rainfall activity is likely to continue.
Read: Showers likely to drench Bangladesh: Met Office
Day temperature may fall slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, it added.
The weather office recorded the highest 116 mm rainfall in Sylhet in 24 hours till 6am on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Dhaka recorded 16 mm rainfall during this period.
The highest temperature was recorded at 35.8 degrees Celsius in Mongla of Khulna division, while the lowest temperature was recorded at 24.0 degrees in Rangamati of Chattogram division.
Meanwhile, the axis of monsoon trough runs through Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across central part of Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs extends upto Northwest Bay.
Bangladesh is building a modern transport system: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said her government has been developing a modern transport system by implementation of different projects to accelerate the country’s economic growth.
“We’re developing a modern transport system,” she said while opening the 1493-metre ‘Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge’ over Kacha River at Bekutia in Pirojpur, which established the uninterrupted road connectivity between Khulna Division and Barishal Division.
The premier joined the opening ceremony of the Bekutia bridge through a virtual platform from her office here in the capital.
Read:PM opens Bangamata Bridge over Kacha River in Pirojpur
She said her government enhanced the total length of the country’s highways to 22,000km and 718 km highways have already been upgraded into 4-lane or above-lane ones, while the works are underway to turn more than 600 km highways into 4-lane or above-lane ones.
Hasina said the government is now implementing different projects including metro rail and elevated expressway projects in Dhaka, 20-km Rapid Bus Transit (project) from Gazipur to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Bangabandhu Tunnel under Karnaphuli River in Chattogram and 10-Lane Tongi Bridge Construction projects.
“I think once these projects are completed, our economy will get further momentum,” she said.
The construction work of the bridge was started on November 1 in 2018.
Read Floating bridge built by school teacher ends suffering of Lalmonirhat villagers
The Roads and Highways Department constructed the bridge at a cost of Tk 894.08 crore.
The Chinese government provided Tk 654.80 crore as project assistance for the bridge while the Bangladesh government spent Tk 239.80 crore.
The bridge also strengthened the road connectivity between Pirojpur and Dhaka. It also strengthened the road connectivity among Kuakata Sea beach, Payra deep sea port, Mongla sea port and the country's largest land port Benapole.
Sheikh Hasina said it is her government’s duty to change the fate of the people in the entire country. “We’ve already advanced a long way in the journey of our socio-economic development. Bangladesh attained the status of a developing country. I think we’ll able to achieve further economic prosperity,” she said.
Read Padma Bridge: Know Its Amazing Facts, Engineering Wonders
She said the people of the southern region had long been deprived due to poor connectivity with the capital.
The people of this region used to come to Dhaka for livelihoods by crossing several mighty rivers risking their lives and facing immense sufferings.
But now the communication between Dhaka and the southern region became easier as her government constructed many bridges including Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Shikarpur-Duarika Bridge and Gabkhan Bridge, said Hasina.
Noting that many other bridges are being constructed in this region, she said the people of the southern region would not be neglected anymore.
Read Dickson impressed by joint efforts to construct climate-resilient infrastructure in Bangladesh
About the newly opened bridge, the PM said it would help bring economic prosperity for the people of Pirojpur. “The communication between Pirojpur and Dhaka has now become very easy,” she added.
The premier reiterated her call to all for boosting the food production amid the global crisis induced by the Russia-Ukraine war.
“Even a single inch of land shouldn’t remain uncultivated,” she went on.
The PM again urged the people to exercise austerity in the use of electricity, water and fuels during this tough time.
Read European company interested to develop infrastructure in Bangladesh
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming also spoke at the opening ceremony conducted by PM’s Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus.
Later, the premier exchanged views with the beneficiaries who participated in the two rallies on the two sides of the bridge.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister, also Pirojpur-1 MP, SM Rezaul Karim was present at a rally at the west side of the bridge, while Pirojpur-2 MP Anwar Hossain Manju was present at another rally at its east side.
Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division ABM Amin Ullah Nuri made a power-point presentation over the newly constructed Bangamata Bridge over Kacha River at Bekutia in Pirojpur.
Read Edotco's solar street lamp project launched
“Differences can be resolved through dialogue, Bangladesh-India do precisely that”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said there can be differences but those should be addressed through dialogue – noting that in a number of areas, Bangladesh and India have done precisely that.
PM Hasina, during an interview with Indian news agency ANI, referred to the neighbouring country as a “tested friend”, and said that India stood by Bangladesh in its hour of need, first in 1971 and then at later times as well.
“We always recall their contribution during the 1971 (Liberation) war. In 1975, when we lost our family members, the then Prime Minister gave us shelter in India… We are neighbours, close neighbours, and I always give priority to friendship with our neighbouring countries,” she said.
Hasina lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative towards rescuing Bangladeshi students who were stuck in eastern Europe, when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out.
Read: PM’s India Visit: Bilateral instruments on water management, defence, railway likely to be signed
In a free-wheeling television interaction with ANI, Prime Minister Hasina, who is set to visit India tomorrow (September 5, 2022), also lavished praises on the Modi government’s gesture of providing Covid-19 vaccines to neighbouring countries under its “Vaccine Maitri” programme when the pandemic was at its peak.
The Bangladesh prime minister emphasized on closer cooperation between the two neighbours.
She marked out two areas for special praise where the Indian government’s support helped Bangladeshi citizens.
“I would like to express my thanks to Prime Minister (Modi)… during this war between Russia and Ukraine, many of our students were stuck and they went to Poland for shelter. When they evacuated your students, Indian students, they also brought our students back home... You have shown a clearly friendly gesture. I thank the Prime Minister for this initiative,” Hasina said.
Read: Teesta mainly depends on India: PM Hasina tells ANI
She was responding to a question about remarks often made, especially by western observers, that there was a lack of cooperation among SAARC nations. To another question about the Indian government’s Vaccine Maitri programme, Hasina said it was a “prudent” initiative taken by Prime Minister Modi.
“I really thank Prime Minister Modi for this initiative, and the way he... you know, contributed vaccines to not only Bangladesh, but also other South Asian countries, and it’s been really very helpful.”
“…Besides, we bought vaccines with our own money, and also many other countries contributed,” Hasina said.
Hasina also gave details about her country’s vaccination programme. Bangladesh has administered Covid-19 vaccines to 90 percent of its population.
Read Bangladesh is building a modern transport system: PM
“Usually, people from our country, especially at the village level, even in some towns also, I found many people very reluctant to take the vaccine. They don’t want to take the... you know... the prick of the needle, so... we had to pursue them. We told them that this is nothing, it will save your life… this Vaccine Maitri itself... very good initiative,” she said.
The relationship between the two countries should be for the betterment of their citizens, she said.
Hasina said even during the Covid 19 period, Indian leadership had shown their positive intentions as both the then President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bangladesh as it celebrated its Independence Day.
“I thank Prime Minister Modi and also your honourable president. Both of them visited Bangladesh when we were celebrating the birth centenary of our Father of the Nation and also 50 years of our independence, and our friendship with India. India recognised Bangladesh early on, so that bond, I think that is our main priority. That their visit at such a time, even that time there was a Covid-19 pandemic but beside that both of them honoured us, honoured our people,” Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina said during her interview with ANI.
Read “Not only Bangladesh, in India minorities suffered too at times”
PM opens Bangamata Bridge over Kacha River in Pirojpur
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday opened the much-desired "Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge" over Kacha River at Bekutia in Pirojpur.
The construction of the 1,493-metre bridge has materialized the dream of millions of people of the country's southwestern region, establishing the uninterrupted road connectivity between Khulna Division and Barishal Division.
The premier opened the bridge joining a function through a virtual platform from her office here in the capital.
Read: PM’s India Visit: Bilateral instruments on water management, defence, railway likely to be signed
The construction work of the bridge was started on November 1 in 2018.
The Roads and Highways Department constructed the bridge at a cost of Tk 894.08 crore.
The Chinese government provided Tk 654.80 crore as project assistance for the bridge while Bangladesh government shared Tk 239.80 crore.
The bridge also established the road connectivity between Pirojpur and Dhaka. It also helped establish the direct road connectivity among Kuakata Sea beach, Payra deep sea port, Mongla sea port and the country's largest land port Benapole.
Read: Teesta mainly depends on India: PM Hasina tells ANI
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming also spoke at the opening ceremony conducted by PM’s Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus.
Later, the premier exchanged views with the beneficiaries who rallied on the two sides of the bridges.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister, also Pirojpur-1 MP, SM Rezaul Karim was present at a rally at the west bank of the bridge, while Pirojpur-2 MP Anwar Hossain Manju was present at another rally at its east bank.
Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division ABM Amin Ullah Nuri made a power-point presentation over the newly constructed bridge.
Eminent cultural personality Gazi Mazharul Anwar no more
Renowned Bangladeshi musician, film director, producer and lyricist Gazi Mazharul Anwar passed away Sunday morning. He was 79.
His nephew actor Shahriar Nazim Joy said doctors at the United Hospital pronounced him dead when he was taken to United Hospital on Sunday morning.
Shahana Mirza, daughter-in-law of Gazi Mazharul Anwar, said that his father-in-law was suffering from acidity problem for the past few days. He was taken to a doctor yesterday for blood test and was scheduled to undergo more tests today.
Details regarding his namaz-e-janaza are yet to be announced and his burial will take place after the return of his daughter, singer Dithi Anwar who is currently staying abroad.
Born on February 22, 1943, at Daudkandi in Cumilla, Gazi Mazharul Anwar contributed greatly to the cultural and entertainment industry in Bangladesh with a glorious career spanning more than 60 years.
Read:Former election commissioner Mahbub Talukdar no more
In his legendary career as a lyricist, he wrote over 20,000 songs including the coveted patriotic song "Joy Bangla, Banglar Joy." He was one of the eminent lyricists of the Shwadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and three of his songs are included in BBC Bangla's list of the "20 greatest Bangla songs."
“Sagorer Teer Theke,” “Monero Ronge Rangabo,” “Akasher Haatey Achhe Ek Rash Neel,” “Ganeri Khatay Swarolipi Likhe,” “Ei Prithir Pore,” “Osru Diye Lekha,” “O Amar Rosiya Bondhure,” “Eki Sonar Aloy,” “Ami Rajanigandha Phuler Moto,” are some of his most popular songs in Dhallwood.
As a film director, he has directed 19 films including “Shasti,” Bichar Poti,” “Artonad,” “Jiboner Golpo” and more.
He received the Bangladesh National Film Award as a lyricist for ‘Tit for Tat’ (1992), ‘Ajante’ (1996), ‘Churiwala’ (2001), ‘Lal Dariya’ (2002), ‘Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti’ (2003) and ‘Meyeti Ekhon Kothay Jabe’ (2016).
Gazi Mazharul Anwar was honoured with the Ekushey Padak in 2002 and received the Independence Award in 2021.
Dhaka’s air quality remains 'moderate'
Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the 'moderate' zone on Sunday morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 78 at 9 am, the metropolis ranked 21st in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.
United Arab Emirates’ Dubai, India’s Mumbai and Peru’s Lima occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 195, 154 and 154, respectively.
An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with an acceptable air quality. However, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Read:Dhaka’s air quality turns ‘moderate’
On the other hand, an AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy during winter and improves during monsoon.
With the advent of winter, the city’s air quality starts deteriorating sharply due to the massive discharge of pollutant particles from construction works, rundown roads, brick kilns and other sources.
Read: Dhaka’s air quality remains 'good'
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Global Covid cases near 610 million
The overall number of Covid cases is approaching 610 million although the cases and the deaths have continued to decline around the globe.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 609,891,484 while the death toll reached 6,502,640 on Sunday morning.
The US has recorded 96,616,505 cases so far and 1,072,930 people have died from the virus in the country, both highest counts around the world.
India's daily COVID-19 caseload Saturday increased to 7,219, taking the total tally to 44,449,726, according to the federal health ministry's data released on Saturday.
The cases reported on Saturday mark an increase in comparison to the daily caseload of Friday (6,168).
Read:Onset of northern winter could see spike in Covid hospitalisations, deaths: WHO
The country also logged 33 new related deaths, pushing the overall death toll to 527,965 since the beginning of the pandemic, the ministry said.
In terms of World Health Organization (WHO) regional offices, Europe and the Americas have so far reported more than 248 million and 175 million confirmed cases, as well as 2,077,355 and 2,817,530 deaths, respectively. The two regions combined account for over 70 percent of the world's total confirmed cases and over 75 percent of deaths.
Though the weekly numbers of new COVID-19 cases and deaths have continued to decline, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last week that the world had passed "the tragic milestone of one million reported deaths so far this year."
He added, "We cannot say we are learning to live with COVID-19 when one million people have died with COVID-19 this year alone, when we are two-and-a-half years into the pandemic and have all the tools necessary to prevent these deaths."
Covid in Bangladesh
Bangladesh reported one more Covid-linked death and 155 cases in the 24 hours till Saturday morning.
With the new number, the country's total fatalities rose to 29,327 and caseload to 2,012,531, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read: Bangladesh sees another Covid death, 155 cases
The daily case test positivity rate rose to 6.51 per cent from Friday’s 5.68 per cent as 2382 samples were tested.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent. However, the recovery rate decreased to 97.24 per cent from Friday’s 97.25 per cent.
PM’s India Visit: Bilateral instruments on water management, defence, railway likely to be signed
Bangladesh and India are likely to sign a number of agreements and MoUs focusing on water management, defence, railway, science and technology; and information and broadcasting during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's India visit opening new "windows of cooperation" between the countries, officials said.
The prime minister leaves for New Delhi on Monday on a four-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
Issues related to security cooperation, investment, enhanced trade relations, power and energy sector cooperation, water sharing of common rivers, water resources management, border management, combating drug smuggling an human trafficking are likely to get priority during the talks between PM Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House, a senior official told UNB.
The visit is seen as significant amid the Ukraine crisis, global economic downturn and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as the two South Asian neighbors seek enhanced cooperation to overcome the challenges, he said.
Hasina will visit India after three years since she last visited in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. The visit is significant for both Bangladesh and India, said the government of Bangladesh.
Read: Teesta mainly depends on India: PM Hasina tells ANI
The visit will further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between the two countries based on strong historical and cultural ties and mutual trust and understanding, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
The prime minister will lead a high-level delegation which includes several ministers, advisers, state ministers, secretaries and senior officials.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Railways Minister Md. Nurul Islam Sujan, PM’s economic affairs adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid and State Minister for Water Resources Zaheed Farooque are among the delegation members,
Representatives from business bodies of Bangladesh will also accompany PM Hasina. Hasina is also scheduled to attend a business event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries.
The prime minister will be formally received by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while a ceremonial guard of honour will be accorded to her. She will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
During her visit, PM Hasina will meet Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar apart from holding bilateral consultations with her Indian counterpart Modi at the Hyderabad House.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will call on PM Hasina, said the Ministry of External Affairs. Hasina is also likely to visit Ajmer.
The Bangladesh prime minister is also scheduled to attend a lunch to be hosted by her Indian counterpart.
She is expected to award the Mujib Scholarship, an initiative of the Bangladesh government, to the descendants of 200 Indian Armed Forces personnel who were martyred and critically injured during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.
In recent years, both sides have sustained a high level of engagement, including at the highest level, MEA said.
Defence Cooperation
Last month, Bangladesh and India expressed commitment to elevating engagements between their armed forces and reviewed the progress of bilateral defence cooperation initiatives.
At the 4th Bangladesh-India Annual Defence Dialogue, both sides emphasised the need to work closely to implement the $500 million line of credit extended from India for defence items.
Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman and Indian Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar co-chaired the dialogue held last month.
Different aspects of defence industrial and capability-building cooperation came up for detailed discussions.
Both countries see “great potential” for cooperation in defence trade, co-development and joint production.
Read: PM Hasina's India visit to take Dhaka-Delhi ties to new levels: Doriaswami
CEPA Negotiations
President of India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) Abdul Matlub Ahmad has said the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), now under discussion, will be a win-win for both the countries.
“It’ll benefit both sides,” he told UNB, adding that such a framework agreement will help boost trade further. Bangladesh and India want to begin the required negotiations for signing the CEPA.
The issue will further be discussed during the state visit of PM Hasina as Bangladesh and India recognize the “immense potential” of bilateral economic and commercial ties.
During Modi’s state visit to Bangladesh from March 26 to 27 last year, both sides discussed the prospects of entering into a CEPA.
To enhance trade between the two countries, both Prime Ministers underscored the need for removal of non-tariff barriers.
Matlub, also former president of the apex trade body FBCCI, said that both sides should talk about instant supply of essential commodities like wheat, sugar, cotton and onion to Bangladesh if Bangladesh faces any shortage.
“It can be reciprocal,” he said, adding that Bangladesh can also extend such support if India faces any shortage of any essentials that is available in Bangladesh.
He said the private sector will have come forward in this regard but the governments of the two countries will create the ground for such cooperation.
Water Sharing
Bangladesh and India have finalised the text of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on interim water sharing of Kushiyara River ahead of PM Hasina's visit.
The two countries also welcomed finalisation of the design and location of water intake point on the Feni river to meet the drinking water needs of Sabroom town in Tripura as per the October 2019 Bangladesh-India MoU on this subject.
At the 38th ministerial level Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) meeting held in New Delhi on August 25, Bangladesh requested India in signing the MoU for withdrawal of water by Bangladesh and India from the common stretch of Kushiyara River at an early date. The Indian side assured that the issue is under their consideration.
Both sides agreed to conduct the feasibility study for optimum utilization of water received by Bangladesh under the provision of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, 1996.
India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers, of which seven rivers have been identified earlier for developing the framework of water sharing agreements on priority.
Man hacked to death over trivial matter in Chattogram
A man has been hacked to death over a trifling matter in Sitakunda upazila of the district on Saturday night.
The deceased has been identified as Khurshid Alam, 42, son of Freedom Fighter Nur Ahmed of the ward No 2 under Sitakunda municipality.
Witnesses said the victim was returning home by car after taking his child to the doctor in the evening.
One Md Arafat, son of Md Bahadur and a tenant at the same address as the victim, suffered a minor injury when Khurshid’s car accidently bumped into him in front of the house, they said.
Read: Woman hacked to death by husband in city
Reacting to the incident, both of them locked into an altercation over the issue and at one point Arafat hacked the victim with an indigenous sharp weapon, leaving him critically injured.
He was rushed to Chattogram Medical College Hospital where physicians declared him dead on arrival around 8pm, Abul Kalam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sitakunda Model Police Station, told UNB.
Legal action will be taken in this connection, the OC added.