Bangladesh
Bidya Sinha Mim appointed UNICEF National Ambassador in Bangladesh
National Film Award winning actress Bidya Sinha Saha Mim has been appointed UNICEF’s newest National Ambassador in Bangladesh.
As a UNICEF National Ambassador, Mim joins prominent personalities around the world who use their voice and prominence to advocate for the rights of children.
Also read: UNICEF: South Asia is epicentre of severely wasted children; Bangladesh fares better than India, Pakistan
“Across our country, UNICEF is there with us to protect children and their right to education, health and a bright future. I have long admired UNICEF’s work for children. It is an honour for me to be part of that cause, for every child,” said Mim on Thursday.
“Each of us has a responsibility to speak up for the rights of children and women. I am looking forward to doing my part together with UNICEF,” she added.
As one of the best-known film stars in Bangladesh, Mim brings with her energy and enthusiasm, as well as a deep commitment to the protection of the most vulnerable children and women in this country, said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.
“We are thrilled to have Mim on board and we look forward to working with her for the rights and well-being of every child,” Yett said.
In her professional life, Mim has established herself as an inspiring advocate for women’s rights and a leading voice against violence.
Also read: UNICEF finds Bangladesh as Covid-19 vaccine success story
As a UNICEF National Ambassador in Bangladesh, Mim will raise awareness about the rights of children, especially those most vulnerable. She will lend her voice to UNICEF’s causes that are closest to her heart, including speaking out against the violence that children and women face in Bangladesh.
Before her appointment, Mim has already collaborated with UNICEF to raise awareness about COVID-19 prevention. Since the start of the pandemic, she has joined the chorus of voices around the world highlighting the critical role of vaccines in saving lives, and the need for greater investment in immunization services.
Bangladesh lost a patriotic penman following Gaffar Chy’s death: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday expressed deep shock at the death of eminent journalist and columnist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury who is best known for writing the lyrics of widely celebrated song commemorating the Bengali Language Movement "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano."
In a condolence message, the Foreign Minister said that Gaffar Chowdhury's contribution to the journalism of Bangladesh was remarkable.
Dr Momen said the contribution of Gaffar Chowdhury in establishing the status of Bangla language and his writings at different stages of the Liberation struggle especially "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano" is an immortal creation.
Also read:Veteran journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury no more
Besides, his publication 'Joy Bangla' published during the War of Liberation has given a lot of inspiration to the freedom fighters, said the Foreign Minister.
At his death, Bangladesh lost a patriotic penman, the foreign minister said.
He prayed for the salvation of the departed soul of late Gaffar Chowdhury and conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family members.
Gaffar Chowdhury died of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in London at 6:49 am (London time).
Student dies falling off university building in city
A 23-year-old student of a private university died falling off a building of the university in the city’s Green Road area Thursday morning.
The deceased was identified as Imam Hossain, a student of University of Asia Pacific.
Also read: JU student dies falling off dorm roof
Police said Imam Hossain reportedly jumped off the sixth floor of the university building in the morning.
Later, he was rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) where doctors declared him dead around 9am, said inspector Bacchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH outpost.
Also read:12-year-old dies falling off roof in Demra
The body was kept in the hospital morgue for an autopsy, he added.
Veteran journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury no more
“Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano” famed eminent lyricist, journalist, political analyst, columnist and writer Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury passed away in London on Thursday. He was 88.
He died of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in London at 6:49 am (London time) and Bangladesh High Commission in London is in touch with his family members regarding the next step, an official told UNB.
Gaffar Chowdhury is best known for writing the lyrics of "Amar Bhaier Rôkte Rangano" which is widely celebrated song commemorating the Bengali Language Movement.
Born in the Ulania village in Mehendiganj, Barisal to Hazi Wahed Reza Choudhury and Zohra Khatun on December 12, 1934, Chowdhury completed his Intermediate Examination from Dhaka College in 1953 and BA from Dhaka University in 1959.
During his student life, he wrote the elegy for the language martyrs which confirmed his glory as a lyricist for eternity. Known as the “Ekusher Gaan,” the song was first tuned and composed by Abdul Latif, and later recomposed by Altaf Mahmud in 1969.
Read: President shocked at death of journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury
After his graduation, Chowdhury began his career as a journalist and worked in different national newspapers in Dhaka. He worked for Joy Bangla, Jugantar and Anandabazar Patrika during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.He went to London, the United Kingdom, in 1974 for the treatment of his wife Selima Chowdhury. He, however, could not return to Bangladesh for 22 years after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.Living in the UK as a well-respected journalist and columnist, Chowdhury began writing columns in national Bangladeshi dailies, Bengali newspapers of the Bangladeshi community, and a daily paper in Kolkata. He also founded the newspaper ‘Notun Din.’
As a writer, Chowdhury authored a total of 35 five books including “Dan Pithe Shawkat”, “Chandrodwiper Upakhyan”, “Nam Na Jana Bhore”, “Nil Jamuna”, “Shesh Rajanir Chand”, “Polashi Thekey Dhanmondi”, “Bastobotar Nirikhey” and others.
Documenting a book on the assassination of Bangabandhu Bangabandhu, Gaffar Chowdhury authored “Polashi theke Dhanmondi” which was later staged as a play in the UK in 2004 and later adapted into a film under the supervision of Chowdhury himself.
According to many political analysts in the country Chowdhury’s direct participation in the democratic movement and reflection of observation through his concise writing style in his newspaper columns helped in the restoration of the real history of Bangladesh in the world’s media.
His views, thoughts and comments on politics combined a personal style with accurate, inside information, and explained military, political, strategic and tactical assumptions of all sides in Bangladesh's complex conflict, and his columns got overwhelming responses from the readers.
Read: PM mourns death of eminent journalist, writer Gaffar Chowdhury
For his illustrious and iconic career, Chowdhury received numerous awards including the Shwadhinata Padak, Bangla Academy Literary Award, Ekushey Padak, UNESCO Literary Award, Bangabandhu Award, and Shanghati Lifetime Achievement Award, to name a few.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Abdul Hamid in separate messages expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Gaffar Chowdhury.
In his condolence message, the president said that Bangladesh has lost a pioneer who was progressive, creative and believed in the spirit of the Liberation War. His immortal song on language movement gave immense courage and inspiration to the Bengali nation during the Liberation War.
In a condolence message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “Gaffar Chowdhury continued his works throughout his life to present the actual history in front of the nation supporting the pledge of the Father of the Nation to build Golden Bengal and upholding the non-communal spirit of Bangalees.”
“Despite living abroad, through his write-ups he presented the ideology of the Liberation War of Bangladesh in national and international media,” she said.
During the Liberation War Gaffar Chowdhury encouraged the freedom fighters by his writings in the Bangladesh Government registered weekly ‘Joy Bangla’, she added.
The prime minister prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen also expressed deep shock at the death of Chowdhury.In a condolence message, the foreign minister said that Chowdhury's contribution to the journalism of Bangladesh was remarkable.
Momen said Gaffar Chowdhury will be remembered especially for his immortal creation "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano" elegy.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Saida Muna Tasneem has expressed deep shock over Gaffar Chowdhury's death.
In a condolence message, she said, “I am deeply saddened by the death Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury."
She said through the country and the nation lost one of his best sons and the British-Bangladeshi community lost their lighthouse and guardian.
Also read: Celebrity astrologer, lyricist Kausar Ahmed Chowdhury passes away
1,674 children died in Bangladesh road accidents in 28 months, says report
The number of road accidents refuses to come down, despite periodic enforcement drives by police.
As many as 1,674 children were killed in road accidents in the past 28 months (till April 2022), according to the latest report by Road Safety Foundation.
According to the report, 331 children were killed in separate crashes while travelling in vehicles from one place to another, which is 19.77% of the total deaths.
Besides, 1,027 children were killed while crossing roads or walking along the roads, accounting for 61.35% of the total deaths during the period.
Some 48 or about 2.86% of children died in different road accidents while 268 kids lost their lives while on two-wheelers, accounting for 16% of the total deaths, as per the report.
During the survey, RSF found that 72 (21.75%) children died as bus passengers, 25 children (7.55%) as occupants of private cars, microbuses and ambulances, 183 as passengers of three wheelers and 51 as passengers of unauthorised three-wheel vehicles.
Climate change costs poor women in Bangladesh up to 30pc of their outgoings
Women heading poor, rural households in Bangladesh are spending up to 30 per cent of their total expenditure on measures to protect themselves from the impacts of climate change including flooding and storms, according to axnew research.
The study was done by International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Kingston University, the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) and UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Also read:President Hamid urges global efforts to combat climate change
The study, Still bearing the burden: how poor rural women in Bangladesh are paying most for climate risks, surveyed 3094 households from the rural areas of ten selected districts in Bangladesh to assess their exposure to climate change and their spending patterns on reducing the risks of climate-related disasters.
On average, 15 per cent of households’ expenditure is going on measures to protect against flooding and storms, like raising floors or building shelters for their livestock. But for households headed by women, that percentage doubles.
Across the districts, 83 per cent of households are affected by climate-related disasters and are spending about US$93 (BDTk 7493) a year privately on measures to reduce their risks.
This adds up to about US$1.8 billion. This study updates a 2019 review by IIED which used secondary data, and found similar estimates of total rural household level expenditure.
Sudipto Mukerjee, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Bangladesh said: “As in other climate vulnerable countries, it is the poorest in Bangladesh, with negligible carbon footprints and who can least afford it, who are bearing the bulk of the climate losses and adaptation costs. This amounts to gross climate injustice and hits at the heart of the fundamental rights of the poorest and weakest inhabitants of this ailing planet. “
Paul Steele, IIED’s Chief Economist said: “Our estimate of what people living in rural Bangladesh are spending on climate change is conservative - the true cost is likely to be even higher as this survey didn’t look at the costs of clean up and repair in the aftermath of cyclones, storms and floods.
“This just goes to show how the burden of paying for climate change is falling on the shoulders of those who have done least to cause it but are most vulnerable to it, and women are paying the highest price.”
Also read: Bangladesh needs to boost climate diplomacy: Experts
Different households’ exposure to catastrophic events varies both by region and by gender.
Households from the northern districts of Gaibandha, Jamalpur and Kurigram report high exposure to floods.
Storm exposure is mostly found in the southern coastal districts of Bagerhat, Barguna and Satkhira.
While households headed both by women and men experience a similar exposure to things like drought and excessive heat, those headed by women have a greater percentage exposure to floods, and a lower percentage exposure to storms. This is because the most flood-affected districts are in northern areas, such as the Greater Rangpur region, where due to seasonal migration men are often living away from the household.
The survey shows women tend to care more about reducing damage from climate-related disasters but in almost all cases, households headed by women are poorer and cannot spend at the same level as those headed by men.
They, therefore, spend a greater share of their income on climate adaptation.
Sylhet schools shut due to flooding
Hundreds of students have been hit hard as flooding forced authorities to close educational institutions in Sylhet district.
According to the district primary education office, floodwaters have entered some 550 educational institutions in the district.
Also read:No improvement in Sylhet's flood situation
Besides, 200 educational institutions have been designated as shelters for the flood-hit residents of the district, forcing students to stay away from their academic activities.
All the rivers of the district are full to the brim due to the onrush of hilly waters from the upstream and incessant rains over the past several days, according to officials.
The low-lying areas of the district have already been flooded, rendering nearly one lakh people marooned.
There are 1,477 primary schools in the district and 400 schools were affected till Wednesday. Goainghat, Kanaighat, Jointapur, Jakiganj and Companiganj upazilas are the worst hit.
District education officer Shakhawat Ershad feared that new areas in the district could be flooded soon due to the rise in water levels of all the rivers in the district.
Besides, sources said that 150 secondary schools and madrasas have been inundated due to flooding.
Flood situation in Sylhet
The overall flood situation in Sylhet district worsened further Thursday morning, with some rivers still flowing above the danger level due to the onrush of hilly waters from India.
Although the showers have subsided in the district in the last two days, the water levels in rivers and haors of Sylhet rose two more inches due to the onrush this morning.
According to the administration, at least 30 areas of Sylhet city have been flooded.
Also read: Flood situation worsens in Sylhet; low-lying areas in city inundated
The flood situation has also worse in 13 upazilas of the district -- Companiganj, Gowainghat, Kanaighat, Zakiganj, Jaintapur and Sylhet Sadar upazilas to name a few.
The floods have affected 20 lakh people in Sylhet district and city.
Meanwhile, the floods have triggered power cuts in different upazilas and Sylhet city, hitting hard some 11.5 lakh consumers of Bangladesh Power Development Board and Palli Bidyut Samiti.
Bangladesh urges global solidarity to address gaps in migrants’ human rights
Bangladesh has called for enhanced global solidarity to address gaps in migrants’ human rights and protection.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam made the call at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday.
He was speaking at Roundtable-4 of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) at the UN as a panelist.
The roundtable focused on five specific goals of the Global Compact on Migration (GCM) pertaining to data, information provisions, reduction of vulnerabilities, elimination of discrimination, and international cooperation.
Also read: German envoy “unhappy” over BNP misquoting him on democracy & human rights in Bangladesh
The Shahriar stressed that the need of the hour is to improve cooperation among governments, humanitarian actors, consulates, and UN agencies to save lives and reduce risks and vulnerabilities for migrants during their migratory journey, including those caught up in situations of crisis.
Lightning kills 3 in Sunamganj
Three people were killed and 15 others sustained injuries after being struck by lightning while working on a paddy field in the Kalagaon area of the district's Tahirpur upazila on Thursday.
The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.
Also read:Lightning strikes kill 6, injure 3 in four districts
A group of farm workers was working on the paddy field when they were struck by lightning around 11am, said Abdul Latif Tarafdar, officer-in-charge of Tahidpur Police Station.
While three of them died on the spot, the injured were admitted to a local hospital.
Lightning strike in Bangladesh
Lightning strike has turned into one of the deadliest natural disasters in Bangladesh, claiming over 200 lives every year.
Also read: Lightning kills 2 in Sunamganj Haor
According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 2,164 people died in lightning strikes in the country from 2011 to 2020. At least 216 people die every year on average in lightning strikes, more than by floods, cyclones and other calamities.
More than 70 percent of the total lightning strikes occur between April and June, say experts.
Moulvibazar: Three to hang for war crimes
The International Crimes Tribunal in Moulvibazar on Thursday sentenced three men to death for their involvement in crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
The three-member Tribunal, led by Justice Md Shahinur Islam, handed down the punishment to Abdul Aziz alias Habul, Abdul Mannan alias Monai and Abdul Matin, after holding them guilty of murder, rape, looting, arson, torture and kidnapping. Of them, Matin was tried in absentia.
Also read: Dhaka urges London to repatriate convicted war criminals
Lawyers M Sarwar Hossain and Abdus Sattar Paloyan appeared for the convicts, all residents of the district, while prosecutors Muklesur Rahman Badal and Sabina Yasmin Khan Munni represented the state.
According to the prosecution, the investigation agency of the tribunal started a probe against the three convicts on October 16 in 2014.
On November 14 in 2016, the investigation was completed. On February 29 of that year, the tribunal issued arrest warrants against the three.
Also read: 6 war crimes suspects held in Jashore
Police arrested Abdul Mannan and Abdul Aziz on March 1 of the same year. On the following day, the two were produced before the Tribunal and sent to judicial custody.
In November 2016, the tribunal's investigating agency submitted the chargesheet against the three accused. On May 15 of the year, the tribunal framed charges against them and started the trial.