Bangladesh
All out measures taken for fire safety for devotees in Biswa Ijtema: FSCD
Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) Headquarters have taken sufficient measures to ensure fire safety for the Muslim devotees of the three-day Biswa Ijtema starting on Friday on the banks of the Turag River.
The first phase of the congregation is set to begin on Friday morning while 357 firefighters will be on duty at the venue.
Two firefighters with fire extinguishers, fire hooks and fire beaters will be on duty in each Khitta, a group where several people stay together, to deal with immediate fire accidents, said a media release signed by Talha Bin Zasim, station officer of the FSCD headquarters.
Three fire control rooms have been set up to monitor fire safety at different places and Ijtema ground. The devotees have been asked to call on 01901020866 round-the-clock.
It said portable pumps have been kept ready for rapid fire extinguishing.
Three water carriers, four ambulances for transporting patients, two wheelers, and rescue command vehicles have been arranged on the ground.
Rescue speedboats and divers have been kept in the Turag River to prevent river accidents.
Also, Tongi, Uttara and Joydebpur fire stations will remain on standby during the event.
Home minister urges city mayors to take steps to ensure traffic police's rest
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday urged the mayors of the two city corporations in Dhaka to take initiatives for the traffic sergeants so that they can take some rest.
The minister made the call while addressing a discussion meeting on the occasion of the 49th founding anniversary of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) at Rajarbagh Police Lines in the city on Thursday.
The home minister requested the mayors of the two city corporations, saying, " I will make a strong demand to them (the two mayors) that they give some rests to the traffic officials."
He said the Dhaka Metropolitan Police is working for the security of the residents living in Dhaka with 50 police stations and 34,000 people.
He said the total manpower of the Bangladesh Police is more than 200,000. Each policeman is providing security to 825 people, he said.
"Because of the rise of militancy, we formed a counter-terrorism unit. We formed a cyber unit, victim support centres. We also formed a traffic unit for traffic control which is working under the commissioner of the DMP," he said.
He said that in the past people were afraid of the police.
"But, today, there is trust...people go to the police if there is any need," he added.
Chaired by DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, the programme was also addressed, among others, by the Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, senior secretary of Public Security Division under Home Ministry Md Mostafizur Rahman and IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.
FM in Brussels to join EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum Friday
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud will attend the 3rd EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum which will be held in Brussels, Belgium on February 2.
The Foreign Minister, who is currently visiting Brussels, will have meetings with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell and European Commissioner for Crisis Management Jenaz Lenarcic on the sidelines of the forum, Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seheli Sabrin told reporters on Thursday.
He will also have meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Luxembourg during his visit from February 1-4, she said.
The Foreign Minister is also scheduled to have meetings with his counterparts from Belgium, Austria, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Vietnam and Sweden, said the spokesperson.
The foreign minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka for Brussels on Wednesday night and will get two and half days for his engagements in Brussels.
“Let’s see how many meetings we can accommodate,” said the foreign minister before his departure on Wednesday, recalling that he had 17 bilateral meetings within two days on the sidelines of the NAM Summit held in Uganda recently.
The foreign minister will return to Dhaka Sunday evening.
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell will chair the forum.
The EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum will bring together the EU and its Member States with countries from the East coast of Africa in the West to the Pacific islands in the East.
The EU and Indo-Pacific partners will discuss how to address the increasing number of complex economic, environmental, geopolitical, and security challenges that affect both regions.
It will include an opening plenary session, three roundtable discussions and a closing session.
The Brussels Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum builds on the success of the previous two EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forums held in Paris in February 2022 and in Stockholm in May 2023.
It will provide a platform for dialogue, for shaping a collective vision for the region’s future and for identifying practical ways to enhance cooperation and deepen solidarity.
Europe and the Indo-Pacific are highly interconnected and interdependent, that is why the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum serves as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue and cooperation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
The Indo-Pacific region is of key strategic importance, both in economic and geopolitical terms.
The 2021 EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific sets out how the EU is stepping up collaboration with Indo-Pacific partners to contribute to the region’s stability, security and prosperity.
It is clear that close cooperation is the key to addressing these challenges effectively, achieving sustainable economic growth, and strengthening resilience to shocks and disruptions, according to the European Union.
The digital economy, in particular, holds the potential for significant innovation and growth, it said.
Field crew trained with advanced technology to assess net forest resources of Bangladesh
Environment and Climate Change specialist at the FAO Bangladesh Dr Dicky Simorangkir has said sustainability requires the best technology and scientific approach; FAO is committed to supporting Bangladesh with advanced technology, skills, and know-how.
Bangladesh will be the first country in Southeast Asia to use these advanced technologies for the forest inventory at the national level, said the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on Thursday.
The FAO organized training for the field crew of the National Forest Inventory who will be conducting surveys to assess net forest resources of Bangladesh.
The trainees are introduced to advanced tools and technologies to maintain higher accuracy and consistency of the National Information System.
The seven-day training started at Sheikh Kamal Wildlife Center, Gazipur with the participation of Gobinda Roy, Project Director, SUFAL Project; Dr Dicky Simorangkir, Environment and Climate Change Specialist (Team Leader, EFCC Team), FAO Bangladesh; and Md. Moyeenuddin Khan Deputy Chief Conservator of the Forest- Social Forestry Wing on the first day. The program was presided over by Mohammad Sobeder Islam, Director, Sheikh Kamal Wildlife Center, Gazipur.
A group of well-skilled personnel from the Forest Department are selected to be trained ahead of the field visits for the forest inventory to be conducted by the Forest Department.
The training is done on technical and scientific procedures of the process and the participants are introduced to the advanced technics and technologies with hands-on skills by the experts in this field.
Project Director, SUFAL Project Gobinda Roy said, “Sustainable use of the forest resources can uplift the country’s economy and help protect our land. Assessment is the first and crucial step to take for protection and survival.”
Deputy Chief Conservator of the Forest- Social Forestry Wing Md. Moyeenuddin Khan said, “A data-driven forest monitoring is crucial for making the restoration efforts effective. We should join our forces together to protect our ecosystem and ensure its sustainable management.”
The complete inventory procedure is classified into two parts: Biophysical and Socio-economic Inventory; this training responds to the biophysical components of the forests.
The field crew will learn to use tools following measurement techniques and assess the biophysical units scientifically.
They learn profoundly by collecting field data using paperless tools, the latest instruments following highly accepted tactics.
The National Forest Inventory will take place across the country by the Forest Department under the technical assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Dhaka, Bangkok have scope to enhance collaboration on trade, tourism, healthcare, education: Speakers
Stakeholders see a bright prospect of cooperation in relations between Bangladesh and Thailand as Ahsanul Islam Titu, a business graduate from a Thai university, has been appointed State Minister for Commerce.
The optimism was expressed when the Assumption University Alumni Association of Bangladesh (AUAAB) hosted a reception in the honor of Titu, a distinguished alumnus, at Sheraton Dhaka Wednesday evening.
Expressing confidence in Tiru’s capabilities, Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh Makawadee Sumitmor said, "I can see a bright future in terms of Thailand-Bangladesh relations. The newly-appointed State Minister will play a crucial role in supporting and strengthening collaboration between the two countries. The Royal Thai Embassy stands in support."
AUAAB, dedicated to fostering connections among ABAC graduates, serves as a dynamic platform for career counseling and strategic partnerships in various sectors. It is also committed to collaborating with the Thai Embassy in promoting bilateral relations in the areas of education, trade, hospitality, tourism, and healthcare.
AUAAB President Sayeed Hassan reflected on Titu's journey and said, “We believe with his knowledge and skills, he will make extensive contributions to the country’s economy. I wish him all the success."
An ABAC magna cum laude graduate with a BBA and an MBA from Pittsburg State University, Titu is a former Managing Director at Mona Financial Consultancy and Securities Limited and President of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, and founding President of the DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh
Blessed with a wealth of experience, Tiru, in his new role as the new State Minister of Commerce, has been entrusted with the crucial task of managing escalating commodity prices.
Expressing gratitude, he stated, "ABAC means a lot to me. One thing ABAC really taught us is the importance of honesty and integrity. These lessons are the reason behind whatever I am today."
AUAAB Vice President Ariya Islam Aree, its General Secretary Zara Jabeen Mahbub and Treasurer Munazzir Shehmat Karim were also present at the reception.
Saima Wazed takes charge as WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia
Saima Wazed on Thursday assumed charge as Regional Director for World Health Organization South-East Asia Region.
She is the first from Bangladesh and the second woman to hold this office. She was nominated to lead the Region by Member countries of WHO South-East Asia at the Regional Committee session on 1 November 2023 in New Delhi and appointed by the WHO Executive Board on 23 January 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Saima Wazed will direct international health work in 11 countries with over 2 billion people, said a press release.
Outlining her vision, the Regional Director said her goal is to strengthen Members States and WHO to address health gaps in the context of current realities and challenges; enable Member States to devise and implement innovative local solutions for equitable and resilient health system; and importantly, empower disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.
At her acceptance speech at the Executive Board in Geneva,she said her topmost priorities include a strong focus on mental health and well-being, a long-neglected area; promoting health equity including through devising and implementing specific interventions for women and children with a structured life-course approach; and harnessing technology for innovations across the different spheres of public health.
Promoting universal health coverage with a focus on strengthening health systems based on a primary health care approach; emergency response and pandemic preparedness to encourage countries have a whole-of-society and multi-level pandemic preparedness planning linked to health system strengthening; fostering and enhancing collaboration and partnerships at the regional and multi-sectoral level to address all determinants of health; and monitoring and progress reporting to inform and improve strategies and improve decision-making with the focus on vulnerable population such as the indigenous peoples, refugees and migrant populations displaced by conflict, economic and environmental crisis, are among the Regional Director’s priorities.
She is also prioritizing health sector resilience to climate and environmental change and a focused approach to the unique needs of the disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in health infrastructure planning, to truly leave no one behind.
Prior to taking up this role, Saima Wazed served as advisor to the WHO Director-General on mental health and autism and was a member of WHO’s Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health. She was Chief Advisor for the National Mental Health Strategic Plan for the Government of Bangladesh, Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and Focal Person for disability for the Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief in Bangladesh.
She was Commissioner of Chatham House’s Commission for Universal Health, Associate Fellow in the Global Health Programme at Chatham House, Thematic Ambassador for ‘Vulnerability’ of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, and Chairperson of the Shuchona Foundation in Bangladesh.
Go for digital book publication to globally promote Bengali literature:PM Hasina tells publishers at Ekushey Book Fair
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday stressed the need for digital publication of books and their translations to promote Bengali language, literature and culture throughout the world.
“If we want to spread our language, literature and culture massively, we should keep pace with time. So, I would like to request the publishers to publish not only printed books but also digital books,” she said.
The premier made this call while opening the Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2024 at the Bangla Academy premises here this afternoon.
The Bangla Academy is organising the country's largest annual book fair on its premises and adjoining Suhrawardy Udyan.
Pointing at the publishers, Hasina said if they become digital publishers, their books can be reached to all the people in the foreign lands. “People speaking the other languages would be able read the books,” she said.
In this context, she directed the Bangla Academy to open a web portal with the digital versions of its published books for online readers.
Alongside the print books, it is essential to make audio version books available in the libraries, she added.
The premier thanked the Bangla Academy for its contribution to translation literature saying that once many ones demanded not to translate foreign literatures.
“But I am in favour of translation. How can we know other nations, countries and cultures if the literatures of other languages are not translated?” she said.
At the same time, the people of different languages will get scope to read Bengali literature as much as Bengali literature can be translated into other languages, Hasina added.
“If we can translate our books into other languages, we will be able to raise our mother language Bangla, literature and culture throughout the world in a faster way. So, we need to make sure of it,” she said.
Referring to her government’s vision-2041, the PM said Bangladesh would be smart in future by making its population, government, economy and society smart.
“If we want to build a smart society, we’ll have to enrich everything like language, literature and culture,” she said.
Noting that now the book fairs are held in district-level, the prime minister said the government would take this book fair to upazila-level in phases.
Mentioning that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his speech in Bengali in the United Nations General Assembly in 1974, Hasina said Bangabandhu had taken Bengali to the international stage.
As Rabindranath Tagore had brought international recognition for the Bengali language Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took Bengali language to the international stage through his speeches, works and political, social and economic struggles, she added.
Later, the Prime Minister visited different book stalls at the book fair.
Dhaka remains alert to stop any intrusion from Myanmar, keep Bangladeshis safe: Spokesperson
Bangladesh is keeping its eye along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border so that no new intrusion occurs amid ongoing conflicts inside Myanmar, says a spokesperson in Dhaka on Thursday.
“The ongoing conflict in Rakhine is an internal matter of Myanmar. However, special attention is being paid to ensure that no new intrusion takes place,” Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seheli Sabrin told reporters at a weekly media briefing.
At the same time, she said, Bangladesh is also making sure that the country or its citizens remain unharmed amid the conflicts in Myanmar.
“We have two diplomatic missions in Myanmar. Our Mission in Sittwe and Embassy in Nay Pyi Taw (Yangon) are monitoring the overall situation and maintaining communication with the government of Myanmar,” said the Spokesperson.
She said the ministry is maintaining close communication with all the government authorities and the Myanmar Embassy in Dhaka regarding the ongoing situation and possible implications.
“Our border guards (Border Guard Bangladesh) also continue to be in contact with their Myanmar counterparts,” she added.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said, “There are conflicts in Myanmar. Amid those ongoing conflicts, mortal shells fell on Bangladesh territory from Myanmar. Our forces along the border remain alert.”
The foreign minister said the government of Bangladesh remains in touch with the Myanmar authority and hoped that it would not happen again. “We remain alert.”
On Sunday, the foreign minister said, “Situation in Myanmar has never been good. It always fluctuates – sometimes good, sometimes bad. Myanmar is going through such a situation.”
He, however, said this current situation is an adverse one for the repatriation of the Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine.
Talking to reporters, UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis said the security situation inside Myanmar is very difficult at the moment and it is not a good time for Rohingya repatriation.
The UNRC said repatriation is a priority for Bangladesh, and Rohingyas as well as Bangladesh have agreed on their safe and dignified return to Myanmar.
“We will continue to work in that direction,” she said, noting that there is a shortage of financing for the basic services that the Rohingyas need.
Speedy Trial Act not to suppress any group or political party: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday said move has been to make the Speedy Trial Act permanent but it is not to suppress any group or political party.
“ The enforcement of the Speedy Trial Act to maintain law and order has yielded results. The law will not be used to suppress the opposition, but against those who would enforce blockade and destabilize law and order,” he said.
The minister said these while replying to questions from reporters after inaugurating the online firearms license renewal programme at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Secretariat in the afternoon.
The law will be made permanent to expedite the trial of crimes, said the minister.
Replying to a question about the BNP's black-flag procession on the first day of parliament, he said, “It was not right for the BNP to destabilize the situation by bringing out black-flag procession on the first day of parliament. That's why the police obstructed. There is no restriction on political programmes. But such programmes that deteriorate law and order situation will not be allowed.” he said.
Palli Bidyut Samity officials injured as angry customers attack them in Savar
Five Palli Bidyut Samity officials were seriously injured in an attack by angry customers when they went to collect outstanding bills at the Jamsing area of Savar on Thursday morning.
According to witnesses, five officials of Shimultala Zonal Office Palli Bidyut Samity-3, including Engineer Ripon Ali, administrative officer Golam Hossain, linemen Sunny Hasan, Saikat Raihan, and Joy Sikder, went to collect six months' outstanding bill from a customer.
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At the time, a group of angry customers beat them indiscriminately and seriously injured them.
Later, locals informed the police.
Nayan Karkun, officer-in-charge (operation) of Savar Model Police Station, confirmed the matter.
A complaint will be filed at Savar Model Police Station in this connection, said the OC.
All the injured have been admitted to the hospital, he added.