bangladesh
50 percent edible oil to be produced in country by next 3 years: Agri Minister
Minister for Agriculture Dr Md Abdur Razzaque said on Saturday that the government has a plan to produce 50 percent of the annual demand for edible oil in the country in the next three years.
He said this while talking to journalists after inaugurating a workshop on annual research assessment at the auditorium of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute in Gazipur.
The minister said the mustard farmers are getting benefited financially by cultivating such hybrid varieties of mustard redesigned by the country’s agriculturalists.
The Agricultural Ministry has taken a massive initiative to boost up the mustard production as the produced crops can’t impact on the market, Razzaque, also the presidium member of the ruling Awami League, said.
Read more: Kurigram mustard growers expect bumper yield
“We have taken an initiative to produce 40 to 50 percent of the demand for edible oil in the country by the next three years,” he said.
Underscoring the need for research to produce paddy, he said the amount of agricultural land has decreased in relation to the population.
There is no alternative to producing more paddies to cope with the increasing demand of rice, he said, adding that the redesigned varieties of paddies will be extended rapidly.
He said several varieties of vegetables like pumpkin were planted on yards earlier but not being planted on lands resulting in decreasing the number of agricultural lands.
An unbiased research is needed to find out the reason behind the price hike of rice despite bumper production of paddy, he observed.
Read more: Mustard, a ‘yellow gold’ for Benapole farmers
With research institute Directorate General Dr Md Shahjahan Kabir in the chair, State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam, Agriculture Secretary Wahida Akter and Department of Agricultural Extension Director General Md Benazir Alam among others were present at the programme.
Covid-19: Bangladesh registers another death, 23 cases
Bangladesh registered another Covid-linked death with 23 more cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning.
With the new numbers, the fatalities rose to 29,440 and the caseload to 2,037,125, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case test positivity increased to 1.27 from Friday's 0.58 percent as 1,811 samples were tested during the period.
Read: 47 more dengue patients hospitalised in 24 hours till Saturday morning
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.45 percent while the recovery rate slightly increased, added DGHS.
In November, the country reported 10 Covid-linked deaths and 1,345 cases.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.
47 more dengue patients hospitalised in 24 hours till Saturday morning
Forty-seven more people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Saturday morning.
The official death toll from the mosquito-borne disease remained unchanged at 281 as no death was recorded during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of the new patients, 26 were admitted to the hospitals of Dhaka and 21 outside it, said DGHS.
Read more: Two more dengue patients die, new cases 462
A total of 338 dengue patients, including 161 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
The DGHS has recorded 62,382 dengue cases and 61,763 recoveries so far this year.
Students of four classes to receive new curriculum books on trial basis: Dipu Moni
Minister for Education Dr Dipu Moni has disclosed that students belonging to classes 1, 2, 6, and 7 will be provided books as per the new curriculum on trial basis in the coming year.
She said this while addressing a Meet the Press-style program organised by Chandpur Press Club at its auditorium, where she was the chief guest on Friday evening.
The education minister said amendments will be made if any mistakes are found in the books printed for distribution.
Urging all to cooperate to make the initiative a success, she informed that books with new editions for four more classes -3, 4, 8 and 9 - will be available in 2024. The remaining two classes i.e. 5 and 10, are expected to receive their new editions in 2025.
Also Read: Dipu Moni urges Dhaka University to adopt an academic master plan
Replying to a question from the journalists, the minister said that above all, academic qualifications, merit and capability are taken into consideration, when recruiting newly enlisted MPO teachers as trainers.
There are many experienced teachers who don’t have the capability of training others, she said.
The aim, she said, is to transform education in the country through highly skilled, trained teachers.
Urging people of her constituency to vote for her, Dipu Moni said Banaganbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s daughter Sheikh Hasina is working relentlessly on her new vision to turn Digital Bangladesh into Smart Bangladesh.
3 crushed under wheels of train in Natore
Three people were crushed under the wheels of a train while crossing the rail tracks at Narayanpur near Gopalpur rail station in Lalpur upazila of Natore district on Saturday.
The deceased were identified as Montaz Master, 62, son of Jashim Uddin of Keshabpur village, Jamir Uddin, 60, son of Bachchu Sheikh and Sathi, wife of Manjur Rahman of the upazila.
Also read; Autorickshaw driver crushed under wheels of train in Sylhet
Monoaruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Lalpur Police Station, said the accident took place around 1:15 pm when the Rajshahi-bound ‘Tungipara Express’ from Gopalganj hit three people while they were crossing the rail tracks, leaving them dead on the spot.
On information, police recovered the bodies and sent those to a local hospital morgue.
Chitra erosion threatens mass grave of 1971 in Magura
A mass grave where eight freedom fighters were buried in 1971 at Hajrahati village in Magura’s Shalikha upazila is currently under threat of erosion by the Chitra river.
On December 7, 1971, eight freedom fighters who had returned home after receiving training in India were apprehended by Razakars, who collaborated with the Pakistani occupation forces during the War of Liberation in 1971 and killed mercilessly on the bank of the Chitra river. Later, locals buried the bodies of the freedom fighters at the place of their murder.
The eight freedom fighters were Jodunath Guha, Panchanan Pal, Haripad Das, Nityandon Vadra, Monoranjan Dutta, Narugopal Ray, Suresh Kar and an unidentified man.
After entering Bangladesh crossing the Indian border in Kaliganj upazila of Jhenidah district, these freedom fighters fought bravely against the Pakistani military. They were caught and killed during the final stage of the Liberation War while.
“I still search for my brother Jodunath on the bank of the Chitra river. I go to the mass grave with his picture and cry out for my brother,” said Chobi Rani Adhikari, sister of one of the slain freedom fighters.
Chobi added that although it has been 51 years since the country became independent, the mass grave beside the Chitra river hasn’t been maintained properly.
Also Read: Independent candidate lands in jail ahead of Magura Zilla Parishad polls
“During monsoon, water from the river enters the grave. The grave will be washed away by the river someday if no measures are taken,” Chobi added.
Ratan Kumar Das, a local who was 13 during the Liberation War, said some seven to eight freedom fighters were going to Faridpur via Hajrahati during the final days of the war when they were apprehended and killed by Razakars of the area.
“Although we’ve requested the upazila administration time and again, no step has been taken by them to preserve the mass grave. Some officials of the administration have visited the grave multiple times and that’s all,” Ratan said.
SM Abdur Rahman, Joint Convener of Muktijoddha Sangsad’s district unit and a Deputy Commander during the Liberation War, said that family members of the slain freedom fighters gather at the grave every year and arrange events to commemorate their sacrifice.
“Bangladesh has been liberated through the sacrifice of the freedom fighters. It’s our duty to respect them. That’s why immediate steps are necessary to protect Hajrahati Mass Grave from ruin,” said Rahman.
No outdoor celebrations on 31st night: DMP Commissioner
No open air events, fireworks and crackers will be allowed on the eve of New Year, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruque on Saturday.
“No one will be allowed to hold outdoor programmes, use of crackers, fireworks or sky lanterns (fanush) will also remain prohibited on 31st night,” he said.
The DMP boss came up with the information at a press briefing held at the DMP media centre in the city.
Adequate police including plainclothes ones will be deployed to ensure security on the 31st night and check-posts will be set up in different parts of the city and people will have to undergo police checking so that no militants can carry out sabotage activities centering the night, he said.
The Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team of DMP, dog squad and bomb disposal units will kept ready to tackle any situation, said Faruque.
No DJ parties will be allowed and bars will remain closed from Saturday till 6 pm on Sunday, he said.
No one will be allowed to carry firearms at residential hotels till 10 am on Sunday, he added.
Also Read: Revellers gather in Cox's Bazar to usher in New Year
Besides, the entry of outsiders will remain restricted from 8 pm in Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara areas today but the Amtoli crossing and Kakoli crossing will be opened for allowing entry of residents of those areas, said the DMP commissioner.
Meanwhile, no outsiders will be allowed in Dhaka University area after 6 pm and no vehicles will be allowed there during this period. People can enter the university area through Nilkjhet and Shahbagh areas after showing their identity cards.
Firefighting units and ambulances will be keep ready in different important points of the city and no vehicles will be allowed in Hatirjheel area after sun set.
Also Read: 5 New Year Resolutions that are actually achievable
When asked about any possible militant threat, the DMP commissioner said there is no specific threat centering the 31st night.
Students to get free textbooks despite austerity measures amid global crisis: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said although the government has imposed some austerity measures to save public money amid global crisis due to Coronavirus and Ukraine-Russia War, but it did not compromise on printing free textbooks books for children.
“…we did not forget children’s issues, we did not compromise on printing their textbooks, yes, we are trying to save money from other sectors (imposing austerity measures), but we’ve given special attention to printing their (children) books (textbooks),” she said.
The Prime Minister came up with the remarks while formally inaugurating the free textbooks distribution programme at her office for 2023.
She said due to the Coronavirus and Ukraine- Russia war prices of everything have gone up that forced the government to take some austerity measures in public expenditure, but it did not impose austerity in printing textbooks for children and distributing those on the first day of the new year.
She mentioned that the government has defied all obstacles including coronavirus, Ukraine-Russia war and price hike in all commodities.
Sheikh Hasina said that to make ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041 the children will be provided with all facilities as they are the driving force in attaining the goal.
“We will grow our children in such a way so that they could cope in the coming days which will be technology driven and make them prepared to become skilled manpower for the upcoming fourth Industrial Revolution,” she said.
She urged all to give special attention to flourish the hidden talents of children through nourishing their curiosities.
“Keeping our eyes towards that we have to build them as worthy citizens of the country for Smart Bangladesh by 2041,” she said.
The Prime Minister said that prime aim of the government is to create technically and technologically skilled manpower through providing proper education.
“Our full population will be technologically smart, they will not lag behind,” she said.
She said if the children of the country can be built up with sincerity then there will be no force in the world that can stop the development and advancement of the country.
The Prime Minister said that from the time of Coronavirus outbreak till now, children are studying at homes as the government has taken initiative “my school is in my house” through television.“Academic programmes have been conducted across Bangladesh through Sangsad TV. These have been run through BTV too. I think Sangsad TV can always be used by the Ministry of Education,” she said.
She also revealed that the government has a plan to launch a separate terrestrial TV channel for education.
Also Read: PM opens distribution of free textbooks
Sheikh Hasina said those who came to power after 1975 did not take any measures to free the people of this country from illiteracy.
In 1996, Awami League formed government and framed the education commission again, she said.She added that they started implementing a project to increase the literacy rate and learning for aged people was also incorporated in it.
She said education is the biggest tool to keep people free from poverty. “So, we took new steps to educate the entire nation and we constituted a new Education Commission.”But, the Awami League government could not implement its 5 years tenure ended before implementation, she added.
After BNP-Jamaat came to power in 2001, she said, they pushed the country back into darkness and this is the reality.
“In the 2008 election, people voted for boat, we formed the government again. Since then we have again set target how we will free the people of this country from illiteracy and since 2010 we have started distributing free textbooks,” she added.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Md. Zakir Hossen and Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury also spoke at the programme.
Mild cold wave sweeps parts of country
A mild cold wave is sweeping Nilphamari, Panchagarh districts and Srimongal and it may abate in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Saturday.
Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, said a regular bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
Moderate to thick fog may occur at places over the country from midnight till morning, it said.
Also read: Mild cold wave sweeps parts of country
Night and day temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
Meanwhile, ridge of Sub-continental high extends up to Bihar and adjoining area. Seasonal low lies over South Bay.
3 of a family suffer burns in Dhaka fire
Three members of a family sustained burn injuries in a fire that broke out apparently from gas leakage at a house in the city’s Uttarkhan area on Friday night.
The injured were identified as Dalia Rahman, 35, Dalia’s mother Aleya Begum, 59 and Anjana Rahman, 30, niece of Dalia of Atipara area.
Inspector Bachhu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police camp, said the fire broke out on the 2nd floor of the building when Dalia along with her mother and niece went to the kitchen and turned on the stove for making tea around 8 pm, leaving them injured.
Later they were taken to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Of the injured, Aleya received 60 percent burn injuries while Anjana 30 percent.
Also read: Electric transformer catches fire behind Gulshan Central Mosque
Dalia, who was slightly injured in the fire incident, has been given first aid.
On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze. Primarily it is suspected that the fire might have originated from leakage in gas pipeline.