Bangladesh
PM Hasina to Armed Forces: Uphold the dignity earned through service to the nation
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the armed forces to maintain the dignity they have earned by standing beside the people.
"Our every force always stands beside the people alongside safeguarding the country's independence and sovereignty…. So, they get respect from everyone. We'll have to go forward keeping up this dignity," she said.
The premier said this while addressing a programme marking the 48th founding anniversary of President Guard Regiment (PGR) at its headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment.
She said the armed forces serve the local people simultaneously with discharging the responsibility bestowed on them even in the peacekeeping mission in other countries.
The PM appreciated the members of the PGR for professionalism, dedication, dutifulness and sincerely in performing their duties.
She asked the PGR members to perform their duty with patriotism and honesty
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“Braving all adverse weather including storm and rain, your sincere duties are highly appreciated,” she said.
The prime minister extended her greetings to all members of the guards’ family on the occasion of founding anniversary of the regiment.
Noting that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman founded the PGR on July 5 in 1975, Hasina said he had built all the forces befitting for an independent and sovereign country.
Focusing on various steps taken by her government for overall development of the armed forces and their institutions, she said, now all the institutions have become international standard ones.
The PM said her government formulated the Defense Policy and the Forces Goal-2030 in line with the Defence Policy-1974 framed by Bangabandhu in order to modernize the forces. “Now we’ve been implementing the Forces Goals,” she said.
She said the forces have been made capable so that they can keep pace with other forces while working in the peacekeeping missions in foreign lands.
Referring to the false corruption allegations brought by the World Bank on the Padma Bridge she said the government constructed the bridge with its own resources which brightened the image of Bangladesh and changed the attitude of the international community towards it.
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The premier said Bangladesh takes debts from development partners and repay the loans with interest.
“But once there was an attitude as if we were taking alms,” she said, adding that none can dare anymore to give conditions on debts after the decision taken to construct Padma Bridge with own finance.
She reiterated her commitment to build Bangladesh as a developed, prosperous and Smart country by 2041.
The prime minister asked all not to keep a single inch of land uncultivated in the current global situation and plant trees in the rainy season.
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Earlier, the premier went around different tables and exchanged pleasantries with the PGR members after arriving at the venue.
She handed over gifts to the family members of the PGR members who lost their lives and sustained severe injuries while on duty.
PM's Security Affairs Adviser Major General (rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed and President's Military Secretary Major General S M Salahuddin Islam were on the dais.
PGR Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Khaled Kamal delivered the welcome speech.
HC issues rule on paying Tk 5cr compensation to child who lost leg in Ctg bus accident
The High Court (HC) on Wednesday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why they should not be directed to pay Tk 5 crore compensation to five-year-old Agraraj Sikder, who lost his leg after a bus ran over it in Chattogram's Banshkhali.
The HC bench of Justice SM Quddus Zaman and Justice AKM Rabiul Hassan issued the rule after preliminary hearing on a writ petition seeking compensation for Agraraj.
Home secretary, Chattogram divisional commissioner, S Alam Transport Authority and others have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.
Advocate Tushar Roy, who appeared for the writ petitioner in the court, confirmed reporters about the issuance of the rule.
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On February 16, when Agraraj Sikder was standing at the gate of his school in Napora Bazar area of Banshkhali the bus of S Alam Paribahan going to Chattogram ran over the boy’s leg while overtaking an auto-rickshaw.
The bus also dragged the child some distance. The child was later rescued by locals and taken to a hospital.
His left leg had to be amputated and his right leg was plastered at the hospital.
At a press conference at Chattogram Press Club on April 12, Agraraj's mother Purnima Dey said her son had to lose one of his legs after being hit by the bus.
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Her husband is a carpenter and they have already spent Tk 7 lakh for the child’s treatment and now they are unable to pay the rest cost, she said.
Later, a writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking compensation.
Electronic Toll Collection System launched on Padma Bridge on trial basis
Electronic Toll Collection System (ETCS) was launched on trial basis on the Padma Bridge on Wednesday.
Total 14 booths out of 17 have been brought under the automatic toll collection system.Besides, Padma Bridge traffic monitoring center was launched at Mawa end to monitor the traffic movement on the bridge.The Radio Frequency Identification -RFID method created the opportunity to collect toll while vehicles are running. As soon as the registered vehicle comes in front of the toll plaza, the scanner from booth number-1 identifies the vehicle.
Read: Padma Bridge has overshadowed BNP’s movement of 14 years: Obaidul QuaderSecretary of the Bridges Division Md Monjur Hossain crossed the toll plaza by paying toll in the new smart way around 10:30 am.Md Monjur Hossain said, “Two booths have been added on both sides as smart toll collection has started on trial basis. So now 17 toll booths will remain open at the entrance on both sides of the bridge where 14 toll booths will work under the electronic toll collection system.”An ETCS registration booth has been set up on the east side of Padma Bridge Uttar police station at Mawa end.
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Once this system is fully implemented, vehicles will not have to wait for a long time and toll plazas will be free from traffic congestion.Toll will be collected manually from motorcycles in three booths- no-8 of Mawa end and no-8 and no-9 of Zajira end of the bridge.
Don’t want US foreign policy failures in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Libya repeated in Bangladesh: Elected Bangladeshi-American officials, activists write to Biden
Bangladeshi-American elected officials, and members of human rights as well as professional organizations have urged US President Joe Biden to change the current course of action and ensure a violence-free, secular, democratic future for Bangladesh.
In a statement addressed to Biden, the Bangladeshi-Americans said that they are concerned about the repeated failure of the US foreign policy in its attempt to “establish democracy” without considering the historical and socio-political context in Muslim countries and regions.
“The vivid examples of American foreign policy failure are Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Libya. We don’t want that to happen in Bangladesh,” the statement reads.
The recent US policies and rhetoric are only “motivating terrorists and confounding liberal forces,” said the signatories of the statement.
The Bangladeshi-American elected officials, rights activists, and professionals also said they firmly support Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s strategies in combating terrorism in Bangladesh and South Asia.
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“While we appreciate the concern of your administration about the upcoming election in Bangladesh, the US policy must also consider the widespread terrorism incidents in Bangladesh perpetrated directly by the BNP-Jamaat alliance and terrorist groups under the patronage of the alliance,” they said in the statement.
Bangladesh held four widely praised and well-participated elections in 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2008, the statement noted.
“But it appears from the current political stalemate that holding only free elections does not guarantee liberal democratic outcomes,” the signatories said.
“Especially, the terrorism incidents under government patronage between two free elections in 2001 and 2008 indicate just having a free (and so-called fair) election in 2024 indeed will not change the current political deadlock unless stakeholders find a sustainable solution guaranteeing the security, safety and post-election political participation of the minorities and political dissidents,” the statement reads.
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For example, the signatories said, in October 2001, the BNP-Jamaat-led coalition won the election under a caretaker government. Right after their victory, the coalition unleashed an unprecedented attack against the Hindus and Awami League supporters across 11 districts in Bangladesh, they said.
The Hindus and opposition activists were targeted for voting for Bangladesh Awami League, they added.
The violence led to massive looting and burning of houses, rape of Hindu women, and members of the minority community being evicted from their homes.
It continued throughout the BNP-Jamaat rule during 2001-2006, in some cases, with the direct patronage of the coalition leaders, the statement reads.
While in power, the BNP-Jamaat alliance failed to ensure justice, and all the terrorism-related cases were resolved only after the coalition left political office, the signatories said.
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They also shared a timeline of major violences during 2001-2006, under BNP-Jamaat patronage.
“Our concern is what type of democracy would be safer if Tarique Rahman and other convicts somehow manage to contest the election through the back door and win?” — they asked.
“Recently, we have been observing some actions of your administration and statements by some lawmakers sounding like anti-Bangladesh rhetoric, and these actions are hurting the US-Bangladesh relations. We are concerned about these developments and humbly urge you to take steps considering the historical perspective of the Liberation War, which aimed to establish a secular and democratic Bangladesh free of violence,” the statement reads.
“The political field of Bangladesh is populated with two opposing forces — one with the secular, liberal ideals of Bangladesh and the other with religious extremism mixed with political jingoism,” the Bangladeshi-Americans said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leads the first one, and the other side is led by the BNP-Jamaat coalition, they said.
The signatories are: elected Bangladeshi-American officials — Councilman Dr. Nuran Nabi, NJ; Mayor Mahabubul Alam Tayub, PA; State Representative Abul Khan, NH; Councilman Abu Ahmed Musa, MI; and Councilman Nurul Hasan, PA; activists — Prof. ABM Nasir, NC, of Shompriti Forum; engineer Rana Hasan Mahmud, CA and engineer Shikrity Barua, NY, of USA Bangabandhu Parishad; Golam Mostafa Khan Miraz, NY, of Bangladesh Liberation War Veterans 1971, USA Inc.; Nazrul Alam and engineer Tasnim Salam Aslam, CA, of California Bangabandhu Parishad; Fahim Reza Noor, NY, of Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee, USA; engineer Ahad Ahmed, MI and Ali Ahmed Farish, MI of Michigan Bangabandhu Parishad; Zakaria Choudhury, NY of USA Committee for Democratic and Secular Bangladesh; Rumi Kabir and Mahabubur Rahman Bhuiyan, GA of Georgia Bangabandhu Parishad; Khurshid Anwar Bablu of Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Solidarity Council, USA; Nasrin Munna of Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Solidarity Council, USA; Dr. Abdul Baten of Muktijoddha Sangsad; Sofeda Basu, MA of Massachusetts Bangabandhu Parishad; Morshed Alam, Democratic leader, NY; Zahedul Mahmud Zami, CA of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, California Command Council; Abu Taher Bir Pratik and Kazi Shamim, PA of Pennsylvania Bangabandhu Parishad; group of academics — Prof Ziauddin Ahmed, PA; Prof Mizan R Miah, IL; Prof Jamil Talukdar, WI; Prof Shahadat Hossain, NY; Nurannabi Choudhury, NJ of South New Jersey Bangabandhu Parishad; and Tawfik Soleman Tuhin and Zamiul Belal, CA of Bangabandhu Cultural Organization.
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Light to moderate rain likely in Dhaka, elsewhere in Bangladesh over 24 hours
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers in Dhaka and other divisions of the country over 24 hours starting from 9 am today (July 05, 2023).
“Light to moderate rain/thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur at most places in Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions; at many places in Khulna and Barishal divisions; and at a few places in Rajshahi and Dhaka divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country,” said a Met Office bulletin.
Read: Light to moderate rains likely in Dhaka, other parts of the country
Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged in the country.
The axis of monsoon trough runs through India’s Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across the central part of Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs extends up to north Bay.
Read: Rains may continue in Dhaka, other parts of country
Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and moderate over north Bay.
Rise in Teesta water may cause short-term flood in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari in 24 hours: FFWC warns
Water in the Teesta river may cross the danger level at Dalia point over 24 hours, causing a short-term flood in the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts.
Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), in its regular bulletin, said the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges-Padma rivers are in a rising trend, which may continue over 48 hours and water in the Dhalai river may cross danger level at Kamalganj point for a short period over 24 hours, starting from 9 am on today (July 05, 2023).
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Besides, major rivers in the northeastern region of the country are in a falling trend except Khowai, Someswari and Dhalai, which may continue over 48 hours, the bulletin said.
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The ongoing flood situation in Sunamganj and Netrokona districts may remain unchanged in 24 hours, it said.
Heavy rains may trigger short-term flood in Sylhet, Sunamganj
Rahitul Islam's ‘Hacker Himel’ to be released in September
Himel is an ethical hacker. He hacks for the sake of Digital and Smart Bangladesh. For the safety of Bangladeshi people in the cyber world, Himel toils day and night behind the curtain. He attacks criminals to defend against possible threats in the virtual world.
Rahitul Islam, the famous writer and ICT journalist, brings out the story of a hacker. The writer guides the readers through the happenings of breathtaking cyber-attacks and counter-attacks, which will definitely give the readers a thrilling virtual experience.
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Recently the writer signed an agreement with Gyankosh Publication in a renowned hotel in Dhaka city. Along with the writer Rahitul Islam, Shaheed Hasan Tarafder, the Publisher, and Abdul Wasi Tarafder, the Chief Executive of Gyankosh Publication, were present in the agreement signing ceremony. After the signing ceremony, . Abdul Wasi Tarafder said, ‘Rahitul Islam has been writing on Technology and Digital Bangladesh for a long time. He is depicting the change that is happening due to the advancement of technology. With his unique stories he has presented a smart Bangladesh that has evolved with change of time and technology. We are happy that we became a part of his writing’.
The book will come to the market in the middle of next September. However, the readers can pre-book and receive the book by the first of October. Rahitul Islam said, '‘Hacker Himel’ is basically a thriller, and the story centers around a white hat hacker named Himel.”
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Quite a few dramas and telefilms have been made from the novels of Rahitul Islam. Among them, ‘The Tale of Outsourcing and Love’ is a popular telefilm where Afran Nisho and Tanjin Tisha played the lead characters. Due to this novel, over six hundred and fifty thousand freelancers received recognition for their profession. The telefilm ‘charer master’ was made from the novel ‘charer master computer engineer’. Khairul Bashar and Safa Kabir were in the lead roles. The telefilm too received public admiration as the novel did.
Likewise, Freelancer Nadia was made from the novel `Kemon ache Freelancer Nadia’. Famous actress Mehzabin Chowdhury played the lead role. State minister for Information and Communication Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak was seen in a scene of the telefilm which envisions women's empowerment.
Woman, 8 year old son beaten to death in Cumilla
A 27-year-old woman and her eight-year-old son were allegedly beaten to death by her husband’s nephew over a land dispute at Pachra Bepari Bari in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla district early Wednesday.
The deceased were identified as Nipa Akter, wife of Anwar Hossain, a Bangladeshi working in Dubai, and Ali Ahsan Muzahid, their son.
Quoting Nipa’s father Jalal Ahmed, Shubho Ranjan Chakma, officer-in-charge of Chauddagram Police Station, said Anwar and his brother Mir Hasan had been at loggerheads over a piece of land.
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Nipa and her son Muzahid were sleeping in their house on Tuesday night. At the dead of night, Mainul Hasan Shubho, 22, son of Mir Hasan, beat them up with a log, leaving them injured, the OC quoted the deceased woman’s father.
Hearing their screams, local people rushed in and took the injured mother and son to Chauddagram Upazila Health Complex where the doctors declared Nipa dead around 2:30 am.
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Muzahid died on the way to Dhaka, said police.
Police are trying to arrest the attackers, said the OC.
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Family and locals vandalise clinic over death of pregnant woman
Relatives of a patient and agitated local people vandalised a clinic in Fatikchhari upazila of Chatogram district following the death of a pregnant woman on Tuesday night.The deceased was identified as Zannatul Mawa Rony, 22, wife of Roman Uddin of Manikpur village in the upazila.Quoting victim’s husband, Kazi Masud, officer-in-charge of Fatikchhari Police Station, said Zannatul was admitted to ‘Sheba Hospital and Maternity Clinic’ on Tuesday morning for her delivery.In the night, Zannatul and her unborn baby died after the physicians of the maternity clinic administered injections during a cesarean procedure, the deceased’s husband said.
Murder case filed against LabAid doctors for patient's death 'due to wrong treatment'Around 8 pm, the doctors and nurses apparently fled the scene.When Zannatul’s family found her dead, they tried to contact the physicians but failed.
5-year-old boy dies due to ‘wrong treatment’ in FeniAs the news spread, locals vandalised the clinic.On information, police rushed to the spot and charged baton to disperse them.
Case filed over death of pregnant Mymensingh woman due to ‘wrong treatment’Later, police brought the situation under control.
British Minister for International Trade in Dhaka: Focus on unlocking more opportunities to grow trade
British Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston is visiting Bangladesh to discuss relevant issues with Bangladesh to help grow green growth.
He wants to use his first official visit here to demonstrate the UK’s eagerness to work with Bangladesh on shared challenges like climate change, using their collective expertise to deepen trading relationship, spark economic growth, and create jobs.
"I look forward to working with the Government of Bangladesh on increasing mutual prosperity by addressing barriers to market access and trade,” said the UK Minister.
There are huge opportunities for British companies to take advantage of the growing trade relationship between the UK and Bangladesh, according to the UK government.
With Bangladesh, UK’s trade has reached nearly £5 billion.
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Nigel Huddleston arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday evening on a two-day official visit. His visit is focused on unlocking more opportunities for British companies to grow trade.
Acting Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Asad Alam Siam, welcomed him at the airport upon arrival.
In Dhaka, Minister Huddleston will visit Intertek, a UK company supporting supply chains in Bangladesh by providing bespoke testing services, for example ensuring manufacturers meet product safety standards.
This visit comes a month after the UK’s world-leading Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) came into force making it easier for Bangladesh and other developing countries to trade with the UK.
Bangladeshi exporters now benefit from simpler and more generous Rules of Origin, which means that they will be able to produce goods using components from many more countries and still export these with zero tariffs to the UK.
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Minister Huddleston will meet Salman F Rahman MP, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
They will discuss the Aviation Trade and Investment Partnership, signed by the UK and Bangladesh in May 2023, which will strengthen Bangladesh's aviation sector and create jobs in both countries, according to British High Commission in Dhaka.The Minister will also meet Tipu Munshi MP, Commerce Minister, to discuss the UK’s world-leading Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which came into force last month, and makes it easier for Bangladesh to trade with the UK.
Following the joint communique on Aviation Trade and Investment Partnership, Minister Huddleston will meet Mahbub Ali MP, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism.
Discussions will focus on the UK’s offer to helping Bangladesh realise its ambition of becoming the next aviation hub in South Asia.The visiting minister would also meet State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam today (Wednesday) to discuss issues of mutual interest.
Minister Nigel Huddleston said the UK has a strong and enduring relationship with India and Bangladesh.
"Our trade with both has grown significantly over the past year, which shows our partnerships are reaching new heights," he said.
Huddleston visited Kolkata, India before his arrival here where he announce a package of partnerships on electric mobility and green construction at a joint session with Government of West Bengal.