Bangladesh
12th session of Parliament begins
The 12th session of Parliament began on Thursday after a 58-day recess.
The session began at 11:00am with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair. The House went into the session to meet the Constitutional obligation amid the fresh surge of the Covid-19 infection in Bangladesh.
At the outset of the session, the Speaker nominated a five-member panel of chairmen.
The panel members are Md Abdul Quddus (Natore-4), Mrinal Kanti Das (Munshiganj-3), Md Nazrul Islam Babu (Narayanganj-2), Md Mujibul Haque (Kishoreganj-3) and Shahadara Mannan (Bogura-1).
Also read:JS session goes into session on Jan 18
They will conduct the proceedings of Parliament in chronological order in absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
The 12th session of the 11th Parliament will continue for a short period of time due to the growing transmission of Coronavirus.
On March 15 last, President Abdul Hamid summoned the session.
According to the Constitution, a period exceeding 60 days shall not intervene between the end of one session and the first sitting of Parliament in the next session.
Also read: Parliament goes into winter session Monday
The 11th session (the first session in 2021) was prorogued on February 2 last and the House passed six bills during the previous session.
Two killed, 20 injured in clash over harassment of girls in Cumilla
At least two youths were killed and more than 20 others injured in a clash between two groups over alleged harassment of girls at Abdullahpur village in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla early Thursday.
The deceased have been identified as 20-year-old Saiful, son of Habibur Rahman, and 19-year-old Fahim, son of Renu Mia of the same village.
Amir Ullah, assistant superintendent of Brahmanpara circle police, said the clash broke out at the house of a local resident where a ‘haldi ceremony’, a pre-marriage ritual, was organised on Wednesday evening.
"As girls and boys were showing off their dance moves at the programme, a group of youths from the neighbouring Gunjar village in Muradnagar upazila crashed the haldi function and started harassing the girls on the dance floor," the officer said.
Also read: Stabbing leaves transgender woman dead in Cumilla: Police
This led to an altercation between the boys on the dance floor and the group of youths, Amir said. "Subsequently, the youths were driven out of the house by the owner."
The group left the spot only to come back again with more youths from Gunjar village. "Around 1 am, residents of Abdullahpur village caught the outsiders, triggering the clash," the police officer said.
Also read: Jubo League leader murdered in Cumilla
While two youths of Abdullahpur died in the clash, those injured have been hospitalised. "Four of the 20 injured have been shifted to Cumilla Medical College and Hospital. The death toll may rise as the condition of three is said to be critical," Amir said.
Covid-19: Global death toll surpasses 2.8 million
As the Coronavirus keeps spreading, the global death toll from the virus reached 2.8 million on Thursday.
The total case count reached 128,791,500 while the death toll mounted to 2,814,899 as of Thursday morning, according to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
The US, the worst-hit country in terms of active patients and deaths, has so far recorded 30,459,483 cases and 552,038 fatalities, as per the university data.
The North American country surpassed the grime milestone of 30 million confirmed Covid cases.
Brazil has logged 321,515 Covid-19 deaths, with a daily average of more than 2,500 deaths in March, making it a global epicenter of the pandemic. Brazil reported a record daily Covid-19 death toll of 3,869 on Wednesday, its Health Ministry said.
In addition, Covid-19 cases in Brazil rose to 12,748,747 after 90,638 new cases were reported.
Also read: Global Covid cases near 118 million
India's Covid tally rose to 12,149,335 on Wednesday as 53,480 new cases were reported from across the country, according to the latest figures released by its federal health ministry.
Besides, 354 deaths had also been reported since Tuesday morning, taking the death toll to 162,468.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh recorded 52 Coronavirus-related deaths in 24 hours till Wednesday, the highest single-day death toll since the pandemic hit the country.
Besides, the country’s health authorities recorded over 5,000 fresh cases for the third straight day.
The latest figures showed 5,358 new cases in a 24-hour period until morning, which pushed up the caseload to 611,295, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Besides, the coronavirus fatalities reached 9,046 with the new deaths.
Also Read: Global Covid-19 cases approaching 114 million
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.
Stronger protective steps
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued an 18-point directive on Monday for the next two weeks to contain the spread of coronavirus.
On the same day, the Health Ministry also proposed partial lockdowns for some places with higher Covid-19 transmission rates.
Other recommendations by the Health Ministry include closure of amusement centres, picnic spots, religious gatherings, limiting wedding ceremonies, strengthening quarantine systems, limiting passengers in public transports, and limiting attendance in offices.
It also suggested strong enforcement of the ‘no mask no service’ policy, increasing numbers of mobile courts and slapping fines on health guideline violators.
Vaccination drive
Also Read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Daily death toll, new cases rise
The government rolled out a countrywide mass vaccination campaign on February 7 with doses received from the Serum Institute of India.
Bangladesh inked an agreement with Serum in December last year for 30 million doses to be supplied between January and June this year – 5 million each month.
UN agencies ramp up response for Rohingya refugees after ‘unprecedented’ fire
United Nations agencies have stepped up their efforts to assist thousands of Rohingya refugee families left homeless after last week’s devastating fire at Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar.
The fire destroyed about 9,500 shelters and also reduced to ashes over 1,600 vital facilities, including hospitals, schools, and food and aid distribution centres.
As of Tuesday, at least 11 people are confirmed to have perished in the fire and over 300 are still missing, reports the UN News.
Richard Ragan, UN World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director in Bangladesh, said the scale of the fire was “unprecedented” and that the agency is “determined” to help those affected get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible.
“WFP, together with our partners and thousands of volunteers, have supported the families since the start of the tragedy, in meeting their most urgent needs of food and water. Where two of our nutrition centres once stood, debris were cleared in record time, stocks were replenished, and services resumed for children and their mothers,” he said.
Also read:Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
According to WFP, its top priority now is providing food to affected families, until they can have access to shelters and cooking stoves. It aims to reopen electronic voucher outlets to allow families to purchase staple and fish foods.
The agency has also erected temporary structures, from which it is providing breastfeeding support and counselling to mothers, and additional food to children under five. “We’re determined to do what we can to help them get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible,” Ragan added.
Psychosocial support
The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) have also upped their response, deploying mental health and psychosocial support teams to help refugees who lost everything in the fire. So far, over 5,000 people have been provided with emotional and psychosocial support, and more than 700 with psychological first aid.
Also read:UN releases US$14mn for Rohingyas left homeless by camp fire
IOM also engaged over 11,500 cash-for-work laborers to help clear debris and support reconstruction.
UNHCR teams on the ground are monitoring the safety and security of refugees, and working to address the needs of separated children, spokesperson Andrej Mahecic said.
“Since the fire, together with our partners, we’ve identified more than 600 separated girls and boys who have been reunited with their families. Our protection partners also established two child protection helplines and four reunification help desks,” he added.
Also read:Maldives sends message of sympathy over Rohingya camp fire
Refugee volunteers supporting response
Refugee volunteers are also supporting affected families, according to the UNHCR spokesperson. They were among the first responders to help combat the fire and since then have been helping older refugees, children and pregnant women find shelters, escorting people to health care facilities, and identifying and referring refugees with specific needs to relevant services.
“They’re also running awareness sessions on child protection risks such as child-trafficking and gender-based violence, fire safety, first aid and general assistance,” Mahecic added.
The UNHCR spokesperson also called for additional resources to address the immediate aftermath of the catastrophic fire. “[We are] asking government and private sector donors to keep their contributions flexible, thus allowing their use across the overall operation.”
Promoting respect for rights a global effort, says US
The United States has said promoting respect for human rights is not something they can do alone but is best accomplished working with their allies and partners across the globe, including Bangladesh.
The US State Department released the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, an annual report required by U.S. law on Tuesday.
Guided by the United Nations’ Universal Declarations on Human Rights and subsequent human rights treaties, the country reports do not draw legal conclusions, rate countries, or declare whether they failed to meet standards. The United States said it is committed to a world in which human rights are protected, their defenders are celebrated, and those who commit human rights abuses are held accountable.
As the United States and Bangladesh discuss common challenges, promoting democracy, good governance, and human rights will remain paramount, as discussed by Secretary of State Blinken and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in their February 21 phone call.
The United States and Bangladesh remain partners in addressing these matters together, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday.
US President Joe Biden is committed to a foreign policy that unites our democratic values with our diplomatic leadership, and one that is centered on the defense of democracy and the protection of human rights.
KOICA unveils multi-component cooperation aimed at youth entrepreneurship
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will support a budget of $7.5 million from 2020-2024 for infrastructure, developing entrepreneurship education module and building capacity, research and advocacy in Bangladesh.
It will help strengthen the network and relationship among stakeholders of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Bangladesh.
KOICA Bangladesh organised a meeting for the project entitled “Capacity Building of Universities in Bangladesh to Promote Youth Entrepreneurship” held virtually on Wednesday (March 31, 2021) due to Covid-19 current condition.
Also read: KOICA holds de-briefing seminar on capacity building for OSH
This project is expected to improve the environment for potential youth entrepreneurs through the capacity building of Bangladeshi universities on entrepreneurship education.
Doh Young-Ah, Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh, mentioned the importance of an effective entrepreneurial ecosystem for Bangladesh’s development journey.
The project will combine the best practices and experiences of South Korea and Bangladesh to address socio-economic challenges and opportunities through entrepreneurial initiatives.
Also read: KOICA supports Mugda Hospital with ICU, medical supplies in COVID-19 response
Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Vice-Chancellor, University of Dhaka, welcomed the initiative and expressed his cooperation to implement the project successfully to improve the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Bangladesh.
Derik Kim, project manager, and chief consultant, Korea Productivity Center, on behalf of the Korean Project Management Consulting (PMC) consortium comprising of Korea Productivity Center (KPC) & Korea Polytechnic University (KPU) team, made a presentation on the project scope, timeline, and deliverables, and highlighted the future implementation plans with the University of Dhaka.
Derik Kim shared some of the components of the project, including space design and construction, curriculum development and entrepreneurship education, overseas training on entrepreneurship for faculty members and relevant government officials, seminars, hackathon, thematic session, Bootcamp, entrepreneurship contest winner’s capacity building, and community mapping, etc.
Also read: KOICA to help strengthen Bangladesh's road maintenance, management system
Faculties, students, employees, relevant officials from different government organizations, policymakers, regulators, startup community, and others will be the beneficiaries of this unique University-led project.
The meeting's objective was to share the overall project aim like improve the overall ecosystem of entrepreneurship in Bangladesh through universities' capacity building to nurture the youth's potential minds, and discuss the statement of work, project scope, timeline, deliverables in the project and future implementation plans with the University of Dhaka.
BAF's Command Safety Seminar held
The 44th Command Safety Seminar of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has been held at Falcon Hall, Dhaka Cantonment on Wednesday .
Chief of Air Staff of the BAF Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat graced the seminar as the Chief Guest through VTC.
In his speech, the Air Chief praised Almighty Allah and appreciated all BAF personnel for achieving significant 28, safe flying hours in the year 2020 despite COVID-19 pandemic situation. The year was full of events covering operational flying activities, conducting COVID-19 related helicopter operations both day & night and operational deployments to different locations, says an Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) directorate.
Also read: 13 trainee officers get BAF Flight Safety Officers' Course certificate
It also included ‘Missions related to COVID-19’ for collecting medical equipment from China and South Korea, sending medical support to Maldives and Lebanon while bringing our citizens from United Kingdom (UK) and Maldives, the ISPR release added.
Chief of Air Staff added that lessons learnt from past experiences are invaluable in preventing recurrences and developing a "Safety Culture".
Last year Bangladesh Air Force gathered invaluable experience in operating C-130B aircraft through Siberia and Alaska to Canada which was the first time for Bangladesh Air Force to operate in that route. Collective approach is the key to safe flying.
Also read: BAF Inter-base small arms firing competition concludes
Starting from aircrew, technicians, controllers it also includes aircraft manufacturers and overhauling agencies. So, the chief of Air Staff urged upon all to be more vigilant while enhancing close supervision and strictly following the rules & procedures.
He said that BAF had been gradually transforming from analogue to digital systems. He emphasized on quality training for personnel of all level to achieve high standard in aviation safety. He asked the investigators to find out the root-cause of each incident to stop recurrences.
The air chief urged all to take necessary preparation for upcoming “7th International Flight Safety Seminar” scheduled to be held from 18-20 October 2021 at Dhaka.
Also read: BAF holds air defence exercise
At last he applauded the noble objective of the 44th Command Safety Seminar for creating opportunity to share experiences for BAF professionals to strengthen the attachment and assistance in promoting flight safety.
Bangladesh Air Force Base Bir Shreshtho Matiur Rahman was awarded with “Inter-Base Flight Safety Trophy” and 11 Squadron, BAF was awarded with “Inter-Squadron Khademul Bashar Flight Safety Trophy” for achieving the highest safe flying hours in the year 2020.
Senior BAF officers and Airmen from Air HQ, BAF Bashar and BAF Bangabandhu were present on the occasion. Personnel from Other BAF Bases were present through Video Tele Conference.
China committed to remain engaged in future development
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Wednesday said China will coordinate sustainable and green development and respond to the core concerns of Bangladesh and the international community on climate change.
He made the remarks at a webinar titled-“Impressions of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on newly born People’s Republic of China” organised by Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum.
“Bangladesh has just completed a 10-day long grand celebration on the occasion of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence. I would like to take this opportunity to pay my highest tribute to Bangabandhu. As a friendly neighbour, we are very proud and glad to see the prosperity and progress of Bangladesh,” he added.
Li Jiming also said over the past 46 years, China and Bangladesh have carried forward the traditional friendship, continuously deepened political mutual trust, and promoted economic and trade cooperation.
During President Xi's state visit to Bangladesh in October 2016, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and decided to elevate bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership of cooperation.
“China has been Bangladesh's largest trading partner for years. In July last year, China began to offer zero-tariff treatment to 97% of Bangladesh's exports, and Bangladesh has ushered in a new golden age in exporting to China, Chinese market, the largest single retail market in the world and attracting Chinese and foreign investors,” he added.
Also read: Will strengthen development strategies with Bangladesh: Chinese President
During the pandemic, China and Bangladesh supported each other and worked together to overcome difficulties. At the difficult time for China to fight the pandemic, the government and people of Bangladesh donated a large number of medical materials to China, he also said.
The two countries have also overcome the impact of the pandemic to advance cooperation projects such as the Padma Bridge and a multi-lane road tunnel under the Karnaphuli River. The Payra Power Plant has been completed and is going to go into commercial operation.
“In 2021, China and Bangladesh have both entered a new stage of development. China has completed building a moderately prosperous society in all respects successfully and is going to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and embark on the 14th Five-Year Plan to achieve the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, while Bangladesh celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence and embark on the 8th Five-Year Plan to achieve the Vision 2041,” he also said.
“At present, the COVID-19 epidemic has brought the world into a period of turbulence and change. Only by maintaining strategic focus in the face of challenges, sticking to the theme of development and working together can we promote China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation entering a new stage. China and Bangladesh should adhere to the common commitment of upholding multilateralism made by the heads of states, and contribute to world peace and stability in the post-pandemic era,” Li Jiming said.
He added that Bangladesh’s GDP has maintained a growth rate of over 6% for many years in a row. This has raised the welfare of Bangladeshi people. Recently, Bangladesh has obtained the qualification to graduate from the Least Developed Countries as assessed by the United Nations.
Also read: Bangladesh, China discuss Covid vaccine assistance: Envoy
In his video message, China’s president Xi Jinping stressed that he attaches great importance to China-Bangladesh relations.
“In the future, we would like to work with people from all walks of life in Bangladesh to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of our two nations, promote the synergy between the two countries to achieve high-quality coordinated development, and promote the early realization of the Chinese Dream and the dream of "Sonar Bangla. I am confident that with the concerted efforts of China and Bangladesh, China-Bangladesh cooperation will yield even more golden fruits,” he also added.
Li Jiming said to continue the expansion of cooperation, China has decided to donate 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Bangladesh, ensuring the fulfillment of China's commitment to making vaccines more accessible and affordable in developing countries.
Professor Dr. Gowher Rizvi, International Affairs Adviser to Prime Minister; Rashed Khan Menon, President of Workers Party of Bangladesh, Hasanul Haque Inu, President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Mozaffar Hossain Paltu, Advisory Council Member of Bangladesh Awami League, and Dilip Barua, Chairperson of Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum also joined in the virtual discussion.
Tackling Covid-19: Ambassador Miller lauds epidemiologists, public health experts
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller on Wednesday praised the epidemiologists and public health experts who continue to serve as Bangladesh’s frontline of defense to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has taught us many things. One of those things is policy and actions are only as effective as the science and data they are built upon,” he said.
Miller said they can promote mask wearing and social distancing because they know the science and data tells them it works.
“We can promote vaccination because the data from the vaccine trials and post vaccination surveillance tells us the vaccines are safe and effective. None of this is possible without epidemiologists and public health experts,” he said.
The US Ambassador inaugurated the first “Bangladesh Congress on Epidemiology and Public Health” and the two-day conference (Wednesday-Thursday) includes in-person and online sessions sharing experiences and scientific lessons from Bangladesh about COVID-19; establishing a global network of public health experts to apply COVID-19 lessons to prepare for future pandemics and outbreaks; and building support for expanding the number of epidemiologists and public health experts in Bangladesh.
Also read: Will work together with Bangladesh, global partners against Covid-19 pandemic: Miller
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is partnering with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), and the Epidemiology Association of Bangladesh to sponsor this first-ever national conference focused on the vital roles field epidemiology and public health play in saving lives and keeping people healthy from serious diseases in Bangladesh and across the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Language movement veteran Abul Hossain no more
Language Movement veteran Abul Hossain died on Wednesday afternoon. He was 87.
Abul Hossain was brought to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) at 4 pm, where doctor declared him dead, RMCH Director Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani said.
Dr Bellal Uddin of RMCH quoting Abul Hossain’s family members said Abul Hossain was suffering from breathing complications and chest pain along with old age complications.
Also read: Language Movement hero Yusuf Kalu passes away
He took the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine on February 9, the doctor said.
Abul Hossain left behind two sons, one daughter and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.
Also read: Language Movement hero Rawshan Ara passes away
Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and Rajshahi MP Fazle Hossain Badsha expressed deep shock at the death of Abul Hossain.
They prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed their profound sympathy to the bereaved family members.