Dhaka, Mar 23 (UNB) – The National Youth Leadership Summit 2019 was held at Institution of Diploma Engineers in the city on Friday.

Youth Club of Bangladesh (YCB) organised the programme in association with Manusher Jonno Foundation where around 250 students from different educational institutions took part.

With the theme ‘Let’s Build Peaceful Bangladesh’, the programme focused on how the youth could work for building peaceful and progressive Bangladesh overcoming various problems in the society as well as establishing themselves as leaders.

Manusher Jonno Foundation executive director Shaheen Anam inaugurated the summit while Supreme Court lawyer Shah Monjurul Haque, deputy inspector general for Anti-terrorism Unit Khondokar Lutful Kabir and SMART Technologies BD director Muzahid Al Beruni Suzonwere were present.

YCB president Arefin Rahman Himel gave the welcome speech.

Students should be involved in various social welfare activities alongside study to boost their leadership, said Muzahid Al Beruni Suzon.

He said that strong communication skills were required to be a leader.

The employers at the time of recruiting employee prefer individual’s involvement in any kind of leadership programme out of politics, said Shah Monjurul Hoque.

There were two methods of creating leadership that include –long time politics and corporate practice, he said.

In his speech, khondokar Lutful Kabir said, ‘one should turn his/her merit into wisdom to be a leader and a leader must have to morality and love for country.

The main vision of the Liberation War was to make the country free from discrimination but discriminations did not come to an end, said Shaheen Anam. He called young generation to build peaceful and progressive country preventing all kinds of discrimination.

The day long programme was characterized with cultural presentation, unveiling magazine of YCB, documentary exhibition, two phases of community change maker competitions and award giving ceremony.

Deputy British High Commissioner Kanber Hossein Bor, United Nation office on drugs and crime program officer Marina Yakunina, The Hunger Project deputy director Nasima Akter Joly and Export Promotion Bureau retired director general Faridul Hasan attended at different sessions of the programme.

Daffodil International University Chairman Md. Sabur Khan presided over closing session of the programme.

Dhaka, Mar 23 (UNB) - Terming drug traders ‘enemies of the country, nation and the society’, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia on Saturday urged the city dwellers to boycott them socially.

“There will be no space for the drug dealers in the city. We have declared war against drug like what we did against militancy. Please help us by standing against drug,” said the DMP boss.

“Police are on your side,” the DMP commissioner said while addressing a rally against drug, terrorism and militancy at Matuail Shamsul Haq Khan School and College.

The rally was organized by Wari division of the DMP.

Urging all to be united against drug traders, the DMP commissioner further said the person suffering from cancer dies only on his own. “And the drug-cancer destroys the society alongside the person died.”

Regular special drives against narcotics are being continued in the capital. “Nobody will be spared whoever he is involved in drug,” he said adding that those who trade drugs to destroy the society as well as the children will be wiped out.

He sought cooperation from all of the society, including parents, to stop drug trading as it is not possible for police alone to stop it.

Additional Police Commissioner (crime and ops) Krishna Paday Roy, Shamsul Huq Khan School and College's governing body chairman Mahfuzur Rahman Mollah, its Principal Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah and local elites were present.

Dhaka, Mar 23 (UNB)— Anti-tobacco platforms on Saturday urged the government to increase tax on tobacco products in the next national budget to curb its usage in Bangladesh.

They said the government should also prohibit electronic cigarette as it is becoming increasingly popular among the young people.

Speakers made the call at a pre-budget press conference – The Tobacco Tax We Demand – at Dhaka Reporters Unity. Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, made some recommendations.

Read more:Tobacco causes deaths of 25.54 pc men, 9.68 pc women in Bangladesh

They include breaking the four-segment price slabs for cigarettes into two, abolishing filter and non-filter variation for Bidi, eliminating tariff value system of smoke-free tobacco products and imposing 15 percent VAT on all tobacco retail products.

He also recommended bringing all manufacturers of smoke-free tobacco products under Tax net and facilitating tobacco regulations for implementation.

“If the proposals are adopted, it will encourage nearly 3.2 million current adult smokers to quit (1.3 million cigarettes smokers and 1.9 million bidi smokers),” he argued.

“It will reduce the prevalence of cigarette smoking from 14 percent to 12.5 percent and the prevalence of bidi smoking from 5 percent to 3.4 percent,” he said.

Kabir reasoned that it will also reduce premature deaths by 1 million among current smokers in the long run and will generate between Tk66.8 billion and Tk 119.80 billion or 0.4 percent of GDP in additional tax revenue.

Last year, Health Minister Zahid Malek said various tobacco related diseases kill at least 1,61,200 people each year in the country. In February, a major new study led by Bangladesh Cancer Society estimated costs that smokers impose on the economy at Tk 30,570 crore ($3.6 billion US) a year – which is 1.4 percent of GDP.

Renowned economist Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman of the Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and the National Anti-Tobacco Platform, said smokers will cut down on cigarettes if the prices are hiked.

He said they have been pushing for an overhaul of tobacco taxation system. “The National Board of Revenue and other policymakers often agree with us but the reality does not reflect their support for us,” he said.

Read more: Tobacco hazard costs Tk 30,570 crore in Bangladesh

Dr Nasiruddin Ahmed, former NBR chairman, said poor people do not care about health as they have access to cheap cigarettes.

“Tough action should be taken against smokers and awareness should be raised about health issues,” he said.  

Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, former Dhaka University vice-chancellor, and Dr Najnin Ahmed, senior research fellow of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, also spoke there.

The press conference was organised with the support of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids at the initiative of PROGGA and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance, in association with anti-tobacco organisations including National Heart Foundation Bangladesh, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Association for Community Development, Young Power in Social Action, Bangladesh Institute of Theatre Arts, SUPRO and Tamak Birodhi Nari Jote.

Dhaka, Mar 23 (UNB) - Domino’s Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), the largest pizza company in the world based on global retail sales, is continuing its global growth momentum with the recent opening of its first restaurant in Bangladesh.

Within its first week of operations, Domino’s Pizza in Bangladesh witnessed a record number of orders, which is the highest for the brand across its network in 85 countries.

US Ambassador in Dhaka Earl R Miller joined the celebrations in the city on Saturday as part of the global announcement.

Domino’s Pizza has entered Bangladesh through a joint venture between the master franchisee Jubilant FoodWorks Limited (JFL), one of India’s largest food service company, and the local operator Golden Harvest QSR Limited, a part of Golden Harvest Group.

The brand is operating under the JV named Jubilant Golden Harvest Limited.

With the opening of the restaurant, residents of Dhaka can now enjoy hot, freshly-baked pizza in-store or through take-away.

The first restaurant in Dhanmondi area features the new pizza theater design, refreshing and inviting interior, stylish seating as well as a front row seat to watch all the action of pizza-making.

Additional locations are planned for later in the year, said a press release.

“The Jubilant management team, together with their local operator Golden Harvest, bring extensive operational experience, and we’re fortunate to have them bring this experience to Bangladesh,” said Joe Jordan, executive vice president of Domino’s International.

“Domino’s is building beautiful pizza theaters across the world, and we’re happy to bring these stores to Dhaka.” he added.

Pratik Pota, CEO and Whole time Director, Jubilant FoodWorks Limited said, “We are delighted to share that Domino’s Pizza Dhaka has witnessed the highest pizza orders ever to be registered by any new store globally in its first week.

This achievement is a reflection of the acceptance of our pizzas, both international bestsellers as well as the ones specially developed for the Bangladesh market, and our attractive value for money pricing. We look forward to growing our presence in Bangladesh and being able to serve many more consumers across the country.”

Rajeeb Samdani, Managing Director, Golden Harvest said, “This is an amazing feat that Domino’s Pizza has achieved in Bangladesh. This record reflects the love of the Bangladesh pizza lovers towards Domino’s, we are humbled to have been an integral part of it. We aim to be number 1 in pizza market, following this wonderful beginning, our belief has strengthened to achieve the same over the period of time.”

Domino’s now operates in more than 85 markets worldwide, with more than half of its global retail sales coming from international stores.

Dhaka, Mar 23 (UNB) - Gono Forum, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, on Saturday demanded that steps be taken to free the transport sector from political influence and laws be properly enforced to ensure safe roads.

The party came up with the demand at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka. The party also placed a 14-point demand to restore discipline in the transport sector.  

“Political influence not only helps corruption spread but also make people indifferent to obey law which ultimately hampers the rule of law. This is applicable for all sectors, including the transport one,” said Dr Kamal Hossain.

He said the main reason behind the prevailing anarchy in the transport sector is lack of good governance. “It’s necessary to ensure impartial and effective enforcement of laws to ensure good governance.”

Dr Kamal, also the convener of Jatiya Oikyafront, said police must enforce laws so that the goal for which these are framed can be achieved. “But if the police are influenced by anybody then they become weaker, and deviate from the rule of law.”

He observed that road accidents and traffic chaos are taking place for various irregularities, indiscriminate plying of vehicles and lack of enforcement of laws. “I think road accidents are outcomes of negligence and irresponsibility while the tendency of defying laws among people has become rampant.”

The noted lawyer said the government must identify those responsible for chaos in the transport sector.

“In the face of outcry after any road accident, the government is heard to say they’ll take proper steps, but they don’t translate their words into actions. That’s why the casualties and number of road accidents are gradually growing. It’s a matter of serious concern,” he observed.

Dr Kamal urged people to be vocal against the mismanagement and indiscipline in the transport sector.

Later, in a written statement, party presidium member Amsa Amin said though the government promised students of taking effective steps to ensure safe roads following a movement last year, it finally did nothing in this regard.

He alleged that the government is not sincere about creating a people-friendly transport system. “The government has now again pledged to ensure safe road in the face of recent student movement. But we can’t keep trust in the government’s such promises.”

The Gono Forum leader said the chaos in the transport sector has been created for various irregularities and abuse of political power.

Under the circumstances, Amin, on behalf of the party, presented the 14-point demand to bring back discipline in the transport sector and reduce road accidents.   

The party’s demands include, upgrading the transport sector-related laws based on fairness, enhancing the skills of drivers through training, fixing specific wages and working hours for drivers, ensuring punishment to those transport owners and workers responsible for road accidents, introducing the new franchising bus service system, removing unfit vehicles from the streets, conducting continuous drives against fake and unskilled drivers and creating a specific lane for public transport and enhancing the quality of their services.

The party also demanded security on the roads in front of the public and private hospitals, installing footbridges and having speed-breakers on roads in front of educational institutions, stopping extortion in the transport sector, creating a fund with the supervision of a regulatory body for the victims of the road accidents and taking suggestions from experts and giving priority to people’s interests in constructing roads and bridges and working out transport strategies.