Dhaka, Sept 16 (UNB)- ACI Pure Flour Ltd has launched ‘Nutrilife Atta Oats Plus’ for health-conscious consumers in an event held at ACI Center here on Monday. 

The 3rd generation healthy ‘Atta’ comes with a unique combination of wheat flour and oats. 

Mr. Syed Alamgir, Managing Director of ACI Consumer Brands unveiled this new product while Anup Kumar Saha, Deputy Executive Director, ACI Pure Flour Ltd. along with Moinur Rahman, Business Manager;   A. S. M. Faizullah, Business Manager, ACI Pure Flour Ltd. and Sales Managers among others were present in the event.

Considering the growing demand for healthy ‘Atta’, ACI Pure Flour Ltd introduced ‘Nutrilife Atta Oats Plus’ for the health-conscious consumers of Bangladesh with a unique combination of wheat flour and oats.

‘Nutrilife Atta Oats Plus’ contains dietary fiber which reduces bad cholesterol; thus, good for heart. It also contains anti-oxidants that controls blood pressure and it is very helpful for diabetic patent by controlling blood sugar. 

Syed Alamgir, Managing Director of ACI Consumer brands said, “Consumers in Bangladesh are very health conscious these days. As a responsible consumer brand, we have introduced this healthy ‘Nutrilife Atta Oats Plus’ for conscious consumers.”

‘Nutrilife Atta Oats Plus’ 1kg pack will be available at Tk 50 in all the superstores and wet markets in Dhaka. 

Dhaka, Sep 16 (UNB) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday received the Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Awards-2019, constituted to disseminate the ideals and teachings of noted scientist and former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Chief Adviser of the Dr Kalam Smriti International Advisory Council Ambassador T.P. Sreenivasan handed over the international accolade through a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office in the afternoon.

The award is conferred upon Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in recognition of her commitment to a close and mutually satisfying India-Bangladesh relations, welfare of her people, particularly women and children, and international peace and cooperation.

Addressing the function, Sheikh Hasina dedicated the award to the people of Bangladesh. “You’ve honoured me which means you’ve honoured the people of Bangladesh.”

“This award will certainly inspire me and my government to strive for the achievement of greater inclusive development for my people while keeping in mind the need to ensure the conservation and protection of our natural ecosystems,” she said.

The Prime Minister extended her sincere thanks to the organisers for conferring upon her the Dr Kalam Smriti International Award.

She also congratulated to the past recipients   of this award in   recognition   of   their works towards attaining sustainable development for their respective countries and for the globe as a whole.

Chairperson of the Dr Kalam Smriti International Deena Das read out the citation.

The citation reads: “Dr. Kalam Smriti International Excellence Award, instituted in the name of outstanding scientist and visionary statesman Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is presented to Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, an architect of modern Bangladesh rapidly progressing towards being “Sonar Bangla” (Golden Bengal), as envisioned by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”

The citation further says Dr Abdul Kalam as the President of India and Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh fostered cooperation between India and Bangladesh and worked together for a prosperous world free from poverty, hunger and illiteracy.

“They share a common vision of a peaceful and prosperous South Asia, free of tension, conflicts and terrorism. The common values of freedom from oppression brought the two peoples together in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, which guides us even today,” the citation states.

It notes that the award is a testimony to the contribution made by Sheikh Hasina to the common good of mankind, which was a cherished dream of Dr. Abdul Kalam, who said: “Dream is not that which we see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.”

At the function, the visiting team of Dr Kalam Smriti International presented Kerala traditional saree and ponnada (cloth) as well as Kalam logo to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The Presidents of the Maldives, Ghana and Mauritius earlier received the prestigious award since its introduction in 2015.

Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Awards is given to honour presidents, statesmen or leaders, who have shown excellence in their field and have shown great vision to achieve the best for their country.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abul Momen was present at the dais.
 

Dhaka, Sept 16 (UNB) – The United States has said it will continue partnership with the government of Bangladesh and its international organisation and non-governmental organisation partners to address the Rohingya crisis in ways that uphold humanitarian principles while benefiting all people in Cox’s Bazar.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller visited Cox’s Bazar on September 13-15 and during his trip, he met organisations providing assistance to Rohingyas and communities hosting the Rohingyas.

The United States is the world’s leading contributor of humanitarian assistance in response to the Rohingya crisis, having provided nearly $542 million (TK4,552.8 crore) since the outbreak of violence in August 2017; and, is committed to continuing to help those affected by the crisis, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Monday.

US assistance supports Bangladeshi communities in Cox’s Bazar and the assistance helps improve the lives of Bangladeshis in host communities by expanding access to healthcare and enhancing economic and education opportunities, it said.

US assistance also supports humanitarian organisations and the government of Bangladesh in improving preparedness, infrastructure, and shelter for monsoon and cyclone seasons, the Embassy added. 

This funding is in addition to the more than $7 billion (TK58,800 crore) in US development assistance provided to Bangladesh since 1971. 

In 2018 alone, the US government, through USAID, for example, provided over $219 million (TK1,839.6 crore) to improve the lives of people across Bangladesh through programmes that increase food security and economic opportunity, improve access to education and healthcare, promote democratic institutions and practices, protect the environment, and boost resiliency to climate change.

The United States said it recognises the challenges the Rohingya crisis has posed for local communities and the government of Bangladesh. 

The generosity of the people and government of Bangladesh in opening their hearts and borders to vulnerable Rohingyas is an example to the world, said the US Embassy.

Dhaka, Sept 16 (UNB) – Immediate past president of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon has resigned from his post as a Senate member of Dhaka University (DU) amid various controversies.

BCL office secretary Ahsan Habib and DU Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) member Rafikul Islam Sabuz submitted Shovon’s resignation letter to DU Vice-Chancellor and Ducsu President Prof Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman around 4pm on Monday.

In the letter, Shovon mentioned that he is unable to perform his duties as the Senate member for personal reasons and so he wants to step down.

He urged the Ducsu president to accept his resignation.

Contacted, Prof Akhtaruzzaman acknowledged receiving the resignation letter, saying he will take steps in this regard soon as per the university ordinance.

Amid various controversies, Shovon and BCL General Secretary Golam Rabbani were removed from their respective posts on Saturday.

In their places, BCL Senior Vice-president Al Nahean Khan Joy and first Joint General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee were given the charges of president and general secretary.

Dhaka, Sept 16 (UNB) - UN human rights experts on Monday urged the Bangladesh government to carry out an “independent, impartial and effective investigation” into all the deaths that have occurred in Rohingya camps.

“The search for justice for the young Bangladeshi man killed on August 22 is of the utmost importance, but it’s equally necessary to ensure that the presumption of innocence is upheld and that reactionary, summary and ad hoc justice is not doled out solely to placate the legitimate concerns of the host community,” said a joint media release issued by the experts from Geneva.

The UN experts are Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the rights to peaceful assembly and of association; Michel Forst, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Felipe González Morales, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues; David Kaye, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

They said tensions flared between local communities and refugees following a “failed refugee repatriation attempt” and the murder of a young Bangladeshi man on August 22.

They said Bangladeshi police subsequently killed four Rohingya men and arrested at least one in response to the killing.

The UN experts expressed “serious concerns” about tight new restrictions and an “increased military presence” at Rohingya refugee camps following a massive “Genocide Day” protest last month.

An estimated 200,000 refugees gathered for the so-called “Genocide Day” rally in Cox’s Bazar to mark the second anniversary of their exodus from Myanmar. They called for Myanmar citizenship rights and other guarantees before they agree to return.

Since the demonstration in Cox’s Bazar on August 25, a number of the protest organisers have been questioned and subjected to intimidation, the experts said. A curfew is now being strictly enforced on those in the camps, and mobile phones have been banned and confiscated.

A number of NGOs have also been banned or suspended, allegedly for helping to organise the protest and attempting to persuade refugees not to return to Myanmar.

“We’re alarmed by the sudden crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and are seriously concerned, not only that these restrictions have been applied in a discriminatory manner against members of the Rohingya minority, who are refugees in Bangladesh, but also that curfews and communications shutdowns could facilitate further serious human rights abuses against them,” the release added.