Bangladesh
UAE leaders greet president, PM on Independence Day
Leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have congratulated the president and prime minister of Bangladesh on the country's Independence Day and National Day on March 26.
The UAE is also celebrating Bangladesh Independence Day by illuminating the flag of Bangladesh on the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE, sent a congratulatory message to his Bangladesh counterpart Abdul Hamid.
Read: Genocide Day: Indian High Commission recalls sacrifices of Bangladeshis
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, sent similar messages to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In their messages, they conveyed sincere felicitations on the national occasion and wished continued peace, progress, prosperity and wellbeing for the country and people of Bangladesh, said the UAE Embassy in Dhaka Friday night.
Bangladesh, Oman discuss boosting cooperation
Bangladesh has sought an enhanced cooperation with Oman through tourism and people-to- people contract.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen conveyed it to Omani Undersecretary Sheikh Khalifa Al Harthy who paid a courtesy call on him at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday and discussed these issues of mutual interest.
Read: Bangladesh Mission in New Delhi observes Genocide Day
They discussed more exchange of visits between the trade bodies and business delegations of the two countries.
They also exchanged views about the new areas of collaboration between the two countries like contract farming, food security, blue economy, shipbuilding, ICT and ITES, climate change and environment.
Genocide Day: Indian High Commission recalls sacrifices of Bangladeshis
With a blackout of the chancery complex Friday, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka paid tribute to the sacrifice of untold millions of Bangladeshi people killed and women assaulted during Operation Searchlight, which began this night 51 years ago.
Bangladesh parliament adopted the resolution to commemorate March 25 as Genocide Day, marking the day of the beginning of Bangladesh's glorious nine-month Liberation War.
Read: International coalition of rights bodies calls for recognition of 1971 genocide
It was the day when the Pakistani Army and its collaborators started one of the most heinous genocides of world history.
Bangladesh believes the commemoration of March 25 as Genocide Day is not only paying homage to the great and brave martyrs of 1971 but also creating public awareness against the genocides that happened and are happening around the world.
Shahjahanpur murders: Perpetrators not to be spared
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said those involved in Thursday's double murder in the capital's Shajahanpur area will be brought to justice and no offender will be spared.
"Criminals will be brought to justice, no matter who they are,” he said while talking to reporters at his Dhanmondi residence on Friday evening.
Detective Branch (DB) and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) are working to find out the culprits, he added.
Read: Case filed over Shahjahanpur double murder
Law enforcers will soon be able to unearth the reason behind the incident, the minister hopes.
Earlier, Zahidul Islam Tipu, former general secretary of AL Motijheel police station committee, and Samia Afrin Priti, a 22-year-old student of Begum Badrunnesa Government College, were killed while his driver was injured when an assailant allegedly opened fire at them in the capital's Shahjahanpur area on Thursday night.
Focus on technical education to reduce unemployment: Dipu Moni
Munshiganj, Mar 25 (UNB)--Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni urged administrators to focus on technical education, to reduce the unemployment rate of Bangladesh.
Countries that have paid more attention to technical and science education have become more developed and prosperous, she said, while addressing a proramme at the A Mannan Pilot High School in Char Dewan in Gazaria Bhat, Munshiganj on Friday.
In developed countries like Germany, 50 percent of the students are educated in technical stream, she said.
“I kindly requested the authorities of the higher educational institutions to set up the curriculum in line with the demands of the present world," the minister added.
Read: Power Division hands over Independence Award to PM
The government is going to implement the new curriculum from 2023. Even if the government can change the curriculum at secondary and higher secondary levels, higher educational institutions can only change their curriculum with university laws.
Dipu Moni said the government has taken initiative to ensure practical education at secondary and higher secondary levels.
Now, it's time to think about the university's curriculum.
"We want the universities to think about their curriculum. Let them create industry academy linkages and adjust their curriculum to suit the needs of the working world so that our students can make them fit for the job market from the very first, she added.
Read: Holiday makers suffer as traffic piles up at Paturia Ghat
Regarding the provision of modular education, the Minister said, "Everyone does not need to have a big degree. Students can learn many things through a diploma or certificate courses.
She said, "There is a big trend in our country to gain an honors-master’s degree."
Moreover, they can do post-graduate diplomas in various subjects that will provide employment opportunities at home and abroad.
Case filed over Shahjahanpur double murder
A case has been filed against unidentified people over the murder of an Awami League politician and a female college student who were killed in the Shahjahanpur area on Thursday night.
The deceased Zahidul Islam Tipu's wife Farhana Islam Doli filed a murder case with Shajahanpur police on Friday, said Monir Hossain Molla, officer-in-charge of the police station.
Tipu had received death threats over the telephone four or five days ago, according to the statement.
Earlier on Thursday night, Zahidul Islam Tipu, former general secretary of AL Motijheel police station committee, and Samia Afrin Priti, a 22-year-old student of Begum Badrunnesa Government College, were killed while his driver was injured when an assailant allegedly opened fire at them in the capital's Shahjahanpur area.
Read: AL politician among two dead in Dhaka shooting
The crime occurred in front of Islami Bank Hospital around 10.15pm when Zahidul was returning home in his car and Samia on a cycle rickshaw with her friend, police said.
"They were all stuck in a traffic jam in the area when a biker wearing a helmet and a mask appeared from nowhere and fired at them.
The three sustained bullet injuries and were soon rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, where Zahidul and the student died of their injuries hours later.
Showers likely over Dhaka within 24hrs
Rain or thundershowers in the next 24 hours (from Friday evening) is likely to bring some relief to the people of the capital from the sweltering heat for the past many days.
“Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Sylhet division and at one or two places over Dhaka, Mymensingh and Chattogram divisions.,” the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said in a weather bulletin on Friday.
However, the weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Besides, day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
According to the bulletin, the trough of Westerly low lies over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and adjoining area. Seasonal low lies over South Bay, it added.
International coalition of rights bodies calls for recognition of 1971 genocide
The International Coalition of Sites of Conscience has stood with its founding member, the Liberation War Museum, in calling on the United Nations General Assembly and other international entities to formally recognize the Bangladesh genocide of 1971- one of the darkest, yet most overlooked chapters in human history.
In a release issued on Thursday, the organization expressed its solidarity with Bangladesh in this regard.
Read:1971 Genocide: FM says it’s a shame for Pakistan
The International Coalition of Sites of Conscience is a global network of historic sites, museums, and memorials that is dedicated to promote and protect human rights around the world.
The 50th anniversary of the liberation urged all institutions and individuals concerned with justice and human rights to officially recognize the Bangladesh genocide and its profound impact on Bengalis past and present.
“It is only through confronting the past with honesty and courage that we can acknowledge our shared humanity and truly flourish,” reads the release.
Despite ample evidence of torture and extermination, the lack of formal international recognition of the Bangladesh genocide has meant that - fifty years later - no Pakistani war criminals have faced prosecution. This lack of accountability undermines human rights for all and is particularly painful for Bengalis. Not only are they denied justice, but a central component of their history is being erased, making closure and more peaceful futures out of reach.
The Liberation War Museum has worked tirelessly for decades to raise global awareness of the genocide and honor its victims through a variety of platforms, including memorials at the sites of mass killings and the establishment a national museum dedicated to the genocide and its legacies.
The museum's long history of engaging young people across Bangladesh through the collection of oral histories, mobile exhibits, cultural performances and other means ensures that younger generations will remember this history and its crucial lessons that must never be forgotten.
Read:One-min blackout to mark Genocide Day tonight
Additionally, in 2014 the museum established the Center for the Study of Genocide and Justice, which promotes research, documentation and education on genocide, as well as commemorates its victims.
The genocide in 1971, a brutal campaign by Pakistan to suppress the Bengali independence movement, was carried out over a nine-month period. Millions of Bengalis were displaced to India and at least 200,000 were victims of sexual violence.
While the reported numbers of those who died in the genocide varies there is no doubt that it took a huge toll in terms of death. Those who were targeted are also not in dispute: Bengalis, Hindus, intellectuals, artists, doctors, lawyers, students and others supporting independence.
Holiday makers suffer as traffic piles up at Paturia Ghat
Hundreds of buses, cars and trucks have remained stranded at Paturia Ghat since Thursday night due to the onrush of homebound people ahead of a two-day vacation from Friday.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) sources said over 700 vehicles including private vehicles, passenger buses, and trucks remained stranded at Paturia Ghat, causing immense suffering to people.
Read: Ferry services resume on Paturia-Daulatdia route after 4 hours
Abdus Salam, assistant general manager (AGM) of BIWTC Aricha regional office, said Paturia ferry terminal area has witnessed a heavy rush of vehicles heading southwest since Friday morning. Vehicles have to wait for hours for ferries to cross the river.
Nineteen small and large ferries were operating to ease the traffic, he added.
Vehicles carrying passengers and emergency goods are getting priority to get on board. The regular cargo trucks will have to wait a bit longer, he said.
Read: Ferry capsizes at Paturia dock
A large number of people are heading home because of two holidays, including the Independence Day on March 26.
Bangladesh Mission in New Delhi observes Genocide Day
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Friday observed the Genocide Day.
The programme began with a moment of silence in remembrance of the Bengalees who were killed in the fateful night of 25 March 1971 as well as the martyrs of the liberation war of Bangladesh.
Read: 1971 Genocide: FM says it’s a shame for Pakistan
Messages issued by President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina marking the Genocide Day were read out.
Assistant Defence Adviser of the Mission Lt. Colonel Md. Kamrul Hassan read out the message of the President and Counsellor Shahed Bin Aziz read out the message of the Prime Minister respectively.
Screening of a documentary on the 1971 Genocide by the Pakistan Army and a discussion on the day were highlights of the programme, said a press release from the mission.
Read: AL appeals for global recognition of 1971 genocide
High Commissioner Muhammad Imran said the Pakistani aggressors in the name of 'Operation Searchlight’ wanted to stop the independence-seeking people and committed the most brutal killings in the history throughout the country.
He also remembered the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with profound respect under whose leadership Bangladesh achieved independence through a nine-month long blood stained war.