Bangladesh
BCL men 'beat up' journalist for covering anti-Modi protest
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men Thursday "attacked" a journalist on the Dhaka University campus as he was covering a protest programme – staged against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit.
The victim was identified as Abid Hasan Russel, the Dhaka University correspondent of Bangla Tribune.
"People of Bangladesh," a citizens' platform, arranged a programme named "Jeyafat" at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) at around 5.30pm.
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As the protesters were about the start their programme, some BCL leaders and activists beat them up and snatched their banners, the witnesses said.
Abid was at the spot to cover the programme. The BCL men swooped down on Abid as he started recording the video of the BCL attack on protesters.
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The journalist is now undergoing treatment at Dhaka University Medical Centre.
BCL President Al Nahian Khan Joy and General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee could not be reached for comments till the filing of this report.
Bangladesh set to celebrate Independence Day Friday
Bangladesh, a newly-emerged developing nation, is all set to celebrate its 50th Independence Day on Friday with remarkable socio-economic progress.
This year’s Independence Day bears more significance as the country is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Independence alongside the birth centenary celebration of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
A 10-day special programme marking the 50 years of independence and the birth centenary of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that started on March 17 at the National Parade Square will end on Friday.
Indian Prime Minister Modi will join the celebrations.
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Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering also attended the 10-day special programme in person.
Many global leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II, Pope Francis, Chinese President Xi Jinping, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Unesco Director General Audrey Azoulay sent messages, marking the celebrations.
On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh's independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the midnight of March 25 by Pakistani occupation forces.
After a nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and the honour of 200,000 women, Bangladesh finally achieved its independence on December 16, 1971.
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The day will begin with a 50 gun-salute which is a public holiday.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages extending heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to the people of the country at home and abroad.
President Abdul Hamid, in his message, said, “On the eve of 'Mujib Barsho' and the Golden Jubilee of our Independence, with the joint efforts of all, may our beloved motherland become a developed country free from hunger and poverty -- this is my expectation on the great Independence Day.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said, “The independence earned through the supreme sacrifices of millions of people is the greatest achievement of Bangalee Nation. To ensure that the achievement remains meaningful, all have to know the true history of our great Liberation War and respect the spirit of independence. The spirit of the Liberation War has to be propagated from generations to generations.”
Also read: Bangladesh celebrates Independence Day with caution
“Let’s vow on this auspicious occasion of the Golden Jubilee of independence- imbued with the spirit of the Great War of Liberation, we all together will build hunger- poverty- and illiteracy-free Golden Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she added.
National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
Schools, colleges to reopen on May 23
The government has decided to reopen schools and colleges on May 23 due to the recent spike in Coronavirus infections in the country.
The Education Ministry issued a notice in this regard on Thursday.
The decision was taken considering the safety of students, teachers and staffers and during the closure online classes will continue, the notice said.
Classes in all primary, secondary and higher secondary level educational institutions were scheduled to resume on March 30.
Also read: Schools, colleges likely to remain closed until Eid: Dipu
Earlier in the morning Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said the schools and colleges are likely to remain shut until Eid-ul-Fitr vacation if the recent spike in Coronavirus infections continues.
“The closure of primary, secondary and higher secondary level institutions is likely to be extended until Eid-ul-Fitr like the universities if the coronavirus cases continue to rise. A decision in this regard will be taken later after a meeting with National Technical Advisory Committee formed to fight COVID-19,” she said.
The government shut educational institutions on March 17 last year after the country reported its first Covid-19 cases on March 8. The closure was extended several times, most recently until late March this year.
On February 22 the education minister announced that university classes would resume on May 24.
Also read: Covid-19: Educational institutions reopening may be delayed
Residential halls were scheduled to be reopened on May 17.
Covid-19 claimed 35 more lives and infected 3,587 others in the past 24 hours till Thursday morning amid an alarming spike in cases over the past few weeks in Bangladesh.
The coronavirus fatalities rose to 8,763 with the latest figure while the new cases pushed the total infections to 580,808, according to a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 3-month high 34 deaths; 3,587 fresh cases
With the fresh 3,537 cases, Bangladesh has seen the worst daily increase for the second consecutive day since July 15, 2020.
The free movement of people ignoring the health protocols is believed to be the reason behind the recent upsurge in cases.
India committed to deepening ties with Bangladesh: Modi
Expressing happiness that his first foreign tour after the onset of Covid-19 would be to Bangladesh, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said that New Delhi is committed to deepening and diversifying its ties with Dhaka.
"Our partnership with Bangladesh is an important pillar of our Neighbourhood First policy, and we are committed to further deepen and diversify it," Modi tweeted on the eve of his two-day state visit to Dhaka.
"We will continue to support Bangladesh's remarkable development journey, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership," the Indian PM stressed.
Modi will visit Bangladesh on March 26-27 to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the country's independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Indian PM is also slated to visit Bangabandhu's birthplace.
Also read: Modi lauds Bangladesh’s remarkable growth under Hasina's leadership
"I am happy that my first foreign visit after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic will be to our friendly neighbouring country, with which India shares deep cultural, linguistic and people-to-people ties," Modi said in a pre-departure statement released by the Indian government.
"I will be having substantive discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following our very productive virtual meeting in December last year. I also look forward to my meeting with His Excellency President Abdul Hamid, and to interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries," he said.
Describing Bangabandhu as one of the tallest leaders of the last century, the Indian PM said, "I look forward to my participation at the National Day celebrations tomorrow, which will also commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."
"Bangabandhu was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions. I look forward to visiting Bangabandhu’s Samadhi in Tungipara to pay my respects to his memory," he added.
Also read: Delhi to bolster defence ties with Dhaka during Modi's visit
Indian Foreign Ministry Wednesday said that Delhi and Dhaka will strengthen bilateral defence and security ties and "are also likely to ink a number of pacts during Prime Minister Modi's visit".
“Both sides will be signing a range of agreements during Modi's visit. These agreements will be covering a number of areas of our cooperation -- disaster management, oceanography and trade," Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told the media Wednesday.
"A number of new announcements -- bolstering cooperation in areas ranging from health, railway connectivity, border development and start-ups -- are also expected to be made," he had said.
Talks on bolstering defence and security cooperation between the two countries are also on the agenda of Modi's meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to the top Indian diplomat.
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"Security and defence is an important part of our cooperation with Bangladesh. We have in recent years signed an agreement on defence cooperation with Bangladesh and undertaken joint military, training and capacity building exercises on a regular basis," Shringla had said.
India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometre-long international border, the fifth-longest land border in the world. Both countries also share historical, civilisation and cultural ties.
Modi lauds Bangladesh’s remarkable growth under Hasina's leadership
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his Bangladesh visit will be an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh’s remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership.
His visit will also be an occasion to commit India’s abiding support for these achievements.
"My visit will not only be an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh’s remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership, but also to commit India’s abiding support for these achievements," Modi said adding that he will also express India’s support and solidarity for Bangladesh's fight against Covid-19.
In a pre-departure statement, Modi said he will be having "substantive discussions" with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following their very productive virtual meeting in December last year.
Also read: India committed to deepening ties with Bangladesh: Modi
Modi is scheduled to arrive here on Friday morning on a two-day state visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"I am happy that my first foreign visit after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic will be to our friendly neighbouring country, with which India shares deep cultural, linguistic and people-to-people ties," he said.
The Indian Prime Minister said he looks forward to his participation at the National Day celebrations on Friday, which will also commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
"Bangabandhu was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions," he said.
Also read: Modi to bring 12 lakh more vaccine doses as gift for Bangladesh
Modi said he looks forward to visiting Bangabandhu’s Samadhi in Tungipara to pay my respects to his memory.
He will be offering prayers to Goddess Kali at the ancient Jashoreshwari Kali Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in the Puranic tradition, according to the Press Information Bureau of India.
"I am particularly looking forward to my interaction with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi, from where Sri Sri Harichandra Thakur ji disseminated his pious message," Modi said.
He will meet President Abdul Hamid, and will have interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries.
The Indian Prime Minister said Bangabandhu's vision continues to light the Bangladesh-India friendship. "I had the privilege of honouring his memory during my previous Bangladesh visit," he said.
Also read: Delhi to bolster defence ties with Dhaka during Modi's visit
Modi said he will again pay homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, alongside Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during the ongoing Mujib Borsho celebrations.
Earlier, he said Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights and freedom, and is a hero to Indians as well.
He also said the legacy and inspiration of Bangabandhu has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted, and that the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade.
Korean companies in Bangladesh hold meeting with Embassy officials
The Embassy of South Korea held a meeting on Thursday with Korean companies having presence in Bangladesh and discussed trade and investment issues.
An expert from KPMG was also invited to the meeting to give a briefing on Bangladesh’s taxation system and important tax-related issues for doing business in Bangladesh.
Also read: Korean envoy discusses investment issues with BEPZA Executive Chairman
Currently, around 200 Korean companies are operating in Bangladesh.
List of 1,47,537 freedom fighters published
The government on Thursday (Mar 25, 2021) published a list of 1,47,537 freedom fighters and another list of 191 martyred intellectuals after scrutiny.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque unveiled the lists at his ministry in the afternoon which will be published at its website on Thursday (Mar 25, 2021).
In the next phase, he said, another list of freedom fighters and martyred intellectuals will be published on June 30 after scrutiny.
Also read: Govt to build 30,000 houses for insolvent freedom fighters
Besides, the list of gazetted freedom fighters will be published by April 30, the minister said, adding that no new application for including names in the freedom fighters’ list will be allowed.
Those who have already submitted their applications can submit appeals, he added.
The list of the gazetted freedom fighters prepared by different forces, including the Army, has been cancelled and the list made by the Army was controversial but their allowance is still active, Mozammel said.
Also read: Obaidul calls for ending divisions between freedom fighters
“We’re scrutinising those who were the real freedom fighters in the forces. We believe the right number will be 8,000-10,000,” he said.
“For providing a cent percent error-free list we took time, but still there might be some mistakes, but it won’t a big one,” the minister stated adding, “Today, we’ve published 1,47,537 names and after scrutiny the number of total freedom fighters won’t go beyond 1,70,000.”
Also read: Home Minister provides assistance to Freedom Fighters
Replying to a question about the enlistment of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad in the list, he said their names have been included as they have fought the Liberation War but the misdeeds committed by them, including abetting the assassins of Bangabandhu will be mentioned beside their names in the list, Haque said.
“As freedom fighters, its their achievement, no one can snatch it from them.” He said, adding, “A committee has been formed over revoking their gallantry title Bir Uttam. Bir Uttam is honour and any government can honour anyone and also can revoke it for other offences.”
Also read: 1,256 more included in freedom fighter list
On February 9, the Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (Jamuka) at a meeting discussed the ways to revoke the gallantry title of Ziaur Rahman for ‘violating’ the constitution, ‘abetting’ the self-proclaimed killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in escaping the country.
Bir Uttam, the second-highest award for individual gallantry in Bangladesh, was conferred on Ziaur Rahman for his contributions to the Liberation War as a sector commander.
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Nasrul Hamid asks GSB to further expand activities
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid asked the officials of the Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) to further expand the organisation’s activities across the country.
He also directed them to use modern technology and equipment in their research and survey operation.
Also read: Will ensure uninterrupted power during irrigation season: Nasrul Hamid
He made the call while addressing a reception of the freedom fighters of the GSB and families of the late freedom fighters on the occasion of celebration of Golden Jubilee of the Independence and also commemorating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman held at GSB Headquarters in the city on Thursday.
GSB director general Dr Sher Ali presided over the function.
Nasrul Hamid urged the GSB officials to set up a modern laboratory and training centre.
Also read: Berc asked to regulate LPG price: Nasrul Hamid
“The government will extend full support if you take initiative to set up a modern lab to further facilitate your activities”, he told the function.
The State Minister said the GSB has to contribute to the development of the country by exploring and inventing natural sources.
“The spirit of our great Liberation War should be reflected in every initiative of the GSB”, he said.
Also read: Extraction of local coal for power generation not feasible: Nasrul Hamid
Don’t allow development and democratic progress to be disrupted: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged people to take a vow afresh not to allow anyone to hinder Bangladesh’s democratic and development progress by playing ducks and drakes with their fate.
“On this auspicious occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Independence, we’ve to vow afresh that no one can play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of Bangladesh. No one can hinder the country’s democratic and development progress,” she said.
The Prime Minister was addressing the nation on the eve of Independence Day 2021.
State-owned Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar simultaneously broadcast the Prime Minister’s speech at 7:30 pm on Thursday. Private television channels and radio stations also aired the speech.
The Prime Minister called upon people to work for building Bangladesh as a developed, prosperous and non-communal Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal) as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.
“Let’s build Bangladesh as a developed, prosperous and non-communal Sonar Bangla by forgetting all the differences and being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War,” she said.
Noting that the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Independence just should not be a formality, she said, “On the occasion of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Golden Jubilee of Independence, we’ve to take vow afresh to take our country to a new height.”
Also read: Make a vow to implement Bangabandhu’s dreams: PM
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has achieved an unimaginable success in the socio-economic index as a result of her government’s tireless works over the past 12 years.
Last month, she said, Bangladesh received the final recommendation to graduate from the least developed country (LDC) group.
“Bangladesh has not only surpassed its neighbours in various indexes like life expectancy, gender equality, universal primary education, women education, women's political rights, women and child mortality, sanitation and food availability, but also exceeded many developed countries in many cases,” she said.
But the path of this development has not been smooth at all as the anti-liberation forces inside and outside the country carried out various ill-motivated activities to hinder the progress of Bangladesh. “This process still continues. So, we all will have to resist all the anti-state attempts by playing the role of vigilant watchdogs.”
Sheikh Hasina said passing half a century of independence is a significant milestone for the life of a nation.
“For us, this Golden Jubilee celebration has become more colorful as Bangladesh Awami League, forming the government, started running the government with the ideology of Liberation War. Today, Bangladesh has stood raising its head in the world as a proud country proving all the negative and pessimistic predictions against Bangladesh wrong, she said.
Even a decade ago, Sheikh Hasina said, Bangladesh was presented as an example of poverty. “But today development experts are presenting Bangladesh as a role model for poverty alleviation and development.”
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Presenting the current picture of several socio-economic indicators compared to the 2005-06 fiscal year, she said the per capita income increased to US$ 2,064 now from just US$ 543, while the poverty rate dropped to 20.5 percent from 41.5 percent, the GDP size rose to Tk 2800,000 crore from only Tk 482,337 crore, and the foreign currency reserve to US$ 44 billion from only US$ 0.744 billion during the period.
She said the budget size has increased to Tk 568,000 crore in the current fiscal year from only Tk 61,000 crore in 2005-06 fiscal year, while the average life expectancy to 72.6 years in 2019-20 fiscal from 59 years in 2005-06 fiscal, the infant mortality rate has come down to 28 from 84 per thousand, the maternal mortality rate to 165 from 370 per lakh and the power generation capacity has increased to 24,421 megawatt from 4,900 megawatt. “Today's achievement is, in fact, the achievement of the common people of this country,” she added.
She said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had declared the Independence of Bangladesh in the early hours of March 26, 1971 just before he was arrested by Pakistani army. His announcement spread across the country through the wireless of the then EPR, she said.
The independence of Bangladesh had come as the result of the 24-year continuous political struggle. And Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had led from the front in this struggle from the beginning to the end, said Sheikh Hasina, also the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu.
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“Today, we’re proud citizens of independent and sovereign Bangladesh thanks to the birth of that great man named Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib. Today, we’re proud of our own country, language and culture because he was born,” said the PM.
Sheikh Mujib is the creator of a country and a state. “So, we’re celebrating his birth centenary and the golden jubilee of independence simultaneously,” she said.
On the eve of the Independence Day, the PM extended her sincere greetings to all the citizens of Bangladesh living at home and abroad.
Sheikh Hasina thanked the people of Bangladesh for keeping Bangladesh Awami League, the political party that led the Liberation War, in power while celebrating these two important milestones in the national life.
Modi to bring 12 lakh more vaccine doses as gift for Bangladesh
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will bring 12 lakh more Covid-19 vaccine doses as gift during his visit to Bangladesh on Friday.
Also read: Dhaka-Delhi ties to get stronger with Modi's imminent visit:Doraiswami
Director of Non-Communicable Diseases (NDC) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Media Cell representative Prof Dr Mohammad Robed Amin told UNB about the vaccine gift.
The Indian Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive here on Friday to attend the twin mega celebrations marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of Bangladesh’s Independence.
Also read: India offers Covid vaccine for Bangladesh army
Another 20 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccine gifted by India reached Dhaka on January 21.
Besides, Bangladesh has signed an agreement with India's Serum Institute for collecting 30 million doses.
As per the deal, the Serum Institute will provide five million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine every month between January and June.
Also read: Bangladesh receives 1st consignment of imported Covid vaccine doses