bangladesh
Rotary in Bangladesh marks Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on throne
Rotary in Bangladesh has celebrated the 70 years of accession of Queen Elizabeth by lighting a beacon.
At a ceremony on Thursday night at the Dhaka Club Ltd in the capital, Rotary leaders led by District Governor Mutasim Billah Faruqui of Rotary District 3281 gathered to light up a beacon as part of a series of celebrations to show respect to the Queen.
Also read: Commonwealth missions in Dhaka celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign
Discussions and a cultural function were held in Dhaka while in the UK the 96-year-old monarch kicked off a four-day celebration. With a symbolic touch of the Commonwealth Globe of Nations, which was placed on a podium, the Queen set off a chain of lights leading to the Principal Beacon outside Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
17 more dengue cases reported
Bangladesh confirmed 17 more dengue – a viral infection – cases in the 24 hours to Friday morning.
Sixteen new patients were admitted to the hospitals of Dhaka and one outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: Under-construction buildings responsible for 40 percent of dengue infections
Sixty-one dengue patients, including 59 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
This year, the DGHS has recorded 398 dengue cases and 337 recoveries so far. The directorate has not yet reported any death from the mosquito-borne viral disease.
Dengue – a leading cause of serious illness and death in some Asian and Latin American countries – was first reported in Bangladesh in 2000 and claimed 93 lives. In three years, the fatality number almost fell to zero.
However, 105 dengue patients, including 95 in Dhaka division, died in 2021.
Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.
About 4 billion people, almost half of the world's population, live in areas with a risk of dengue, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Each year, up to 400 million people get infected with dengue while approximately 100 million get sick from infection, and 40,000 die from severe dengue, it says.
Also read: Bangladesh sees rise in Dengue cases; 20 patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
Because there are four different dengue viruses, a person can be infected by the virus up to four times in their life. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, aches and pains and a rash.
"There is no specific treatment for dengue or severe dengue. Early detection of disease progression associated with severe dengue, and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates of severe dengue to below 1 percent," according to the World Health Organization.
Mass Bathing in Buriganga Sunday demanding pollution-free river
On the occasion of the World Environment Day 2022, a unique campaign is going to take place on Sunday titled ‘Mass Bathing in Buriganga'.
It will be organized by JCI Dhaka North, Waterkeepers Bangladesh, River and Delta Research Center-RDCR, and Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA).
Also read: Re-excavation of Buriganga old channel to start in February, says Taposh
The initiative aims to raise voices to make the water of Buriganga bathable, create a pollution-free environment, and stand by the Buriganga river and its people.
On 5th June morning at Mohammadpur Basila Bridge, hundreds of people, including duty bearers, civil society organizations, researchers, academicians, youth leaders, celebrities, and media personnel, will attend the event.
The Buriganga River is not only economically very important for Dhaka but also a lifeline to the city.
As it connects many areas of the country, around 5.1 million people live along the Buriganga riverbank.
Today, this river is afflicted by the noisome problem of pollution, organisers said.
The chemical waste of mills and factories, household waste, medical waste, sewage, dead animals, plastics, and oil are some of Buriganga's pollutants. As a result, the river is becoming lifeless.
Sharif Jamil, Coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh and General Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), said, “We all have to work together to save the river Buriganga considering the negative consequences on the environment and lives. Buriganga is losing its life. This is a lifeline to Dhaka. That’s why, to save Dhaka, we must save Buriganga.”.
Also read: Wasa MD not implementing 2011 order on Buriganga pollution willingly: HC
Mohammad Azaz, Chairman of River and Delta Research Centre, said, “Due to Buriganga’s pollution, the surrounding environment, marine life, and people are all suffering. Pollution has destroyed the entire ecological balance. It has a long-term impact. In this mass bathing event, we protest against this pollution.”
Md. Sariful Islam, Coordinator of “Mass Bathing in Buriganga” and Vice President of JCI Dhaka North, said, “It is quintessential to protect Buriganga and its biodiversity to protect people’s lives, resources, and overall the Dhaka city. Through this unique event, we want to encourage all to save the river from pollution and to make it bathable.”
Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), Green Savers, Catch Bangladesh, Connect360, Nongor, DhakaYouthClub, Nodi TV, Nodizatrik, Buriganga River Coalition, RiverBangla, GenLab, River Bangla and Shabujpata also partner with the event.
Injured AL leader dies in Sylhet
An Awami League leader who was injured in an attack by his rivals died in Sylhet’s Bishwanath upazila on Friday morning.
The deceased was identified as Sheikh Goyas Mia, 55, son of late Iskander Ali of the upazila’s Baruni village.
Goyas was the Publicity Secretary of the upazila’s Dashghar union AL unit.
Read: Local AL leader killed in Jashore
Goyas was attacked by his rivals while returning home from Pirer Bazar area on the night of May 28. He was rushed by his relatives to the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital where he died after receiving treatment for six days.
His son Mazed Ahmad has filed a case at Bishwanath police station yesterday, accusing 20 people of the attack. Another five to eight people have been accused as ‘unidentified’.
Masuk Mia, another AL leader of the area, has been made the prime suspect in the case.
Officer In-charge(Investigation) of Bishwanath police station Jahidul Islam, who is also the Investigation Officer(IO) of the case, said that they will request the higher authority to convert it into a murder case.
“Operations are on to nab the suspects of the case”, the OC added.
Leaders and activists of the area’s Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League units, including former Member of Parliament(MP) and Sylhet district AL’s General Secretary(In-charge) Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury, have condemned the incident and expressed grief over the matter.
Out on joyride to visit Padma Bridge, 5 killed in Keraniganj road crash
Five people were killed and another injured as a CNG-run auto-rickshaw collided with a lorry at Teghoria in Keraniganj early Friday.
The deceased were identified as CNG driver Tamal, 17, and his passengers Zunayed Hossain, 22, Nayeem Hossain Fahim, 21, and Samad, 20. However, the identity of another deceased couldn’t be ascertained immediately.
The accident occurred around 12:30 am when five friends, workers of a factory in Hasanabad area, were on way to visit Padma Bridge on an auto-rickshaw, said Mohammad Shah, officer-in-charge (OC) of Hasara police station.
The auto-rickshaw collided with a lorry losing its control over speed when the lorry got on the link road in the Teghoria area suddenly, leaving four occupants of the auto-rickshaw, including the driver, dead on the spot, said Hasara Highway Police in-charge Afzal Hossain.
The two injured were sent to Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital (SSMCH) where the unidentified youth succumbed to his injuries this morning, he added.
The bodies were sent to the SSMCH morgue for autopsy.
A case has been filed at South Keraniganj police station in this regard. However, police couldn’t detain the lorry driver, said the Highway in-charge.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely in 3 divisions
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Friday forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places over Chattogram, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions.
“Heavy (44-88 mm/day) to very heavy (89 mm/day) rainfall is likely to occur at some places over Chattogram, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions during next 24 hours as of 12pm on Saturday, said a met office release on Friday.
Read: Dhaka’s air quality improves
Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Dhaka, Khulna & Barishal divisions and at a few places over Rangpur & Rajshahi divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country, said the release.
Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
Meanwhile, maritime ports in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal three.
Read: Weather dept asks maritime ports to warn vessels of squall
Squally weather is likely to affect the maritime ports, the North Bay, and the adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, said the Met office.
"All fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay have been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice," it added.
Train crushes school student in Dinajpur
A seventh-grader was killed as a train ran over him in the Chirirbandar area of Dinajpur on Friday morning, said police.
Deceased Hriday Babu, 14, of Vodra village under Awliapur union of Chrirbandar was walking over the railroad with his headphone on, Jahid Hossain, sub-inspector of Chirirbandar railway police station said.
The Panchagarh Express from Dhaka was travelling to Panchagargh when the accident happebed at around 10:15am.
Also Read: Mitali Express: Third India-Bangladesh train flagged off
Rape attempt on woman on moving bus: Driver, helper held
Police in Chattogram have found out that a bus driver and his associates arrested in a case of mugging were also involved in an attempt to rape a garment worker on their moving vehicle.
The two identified as Md Gias Uddin Nayan, 21, and his associate Shimato Dutta, 22 have now been shown arrested in the attempted rape case filed by the woman.
The driver and his associate were arrested from the Chandgaon area on Thursday night in a case filed at the Bandar police station over mugging a passenger. The incident took place on the same bus before the attempted rape, said Kishore Majumder, sub-inspector (SI) of Bandar police station.
Also read: Rape-accused escapes from police custody in Gaibandha
Mugging victim, Palash Kanti lodged a complaint at the police station the same day.
He alleged that three alleged muggers posing as passengers of the bus stabbed him and took away Tk 10,000 in cash and two mobile phones. Later, the bus took him to the City Gate area and forcibly took his PIN number and withdrew Tk 40,800 from her bKash account and then to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), Cinema Palace junction and Bahaddarhat and the money was withdrawn from his bkash account in three phases.
The bus dropped him off at the flyover in Lalkhan Bazar area around 3.30 pm. Then he lodged the complaint after receiving first aid, said the SI.
SI Kishore said, "After scrutinizing the CCTV footage of the area including Nimtala, we found that a rape attempt was made on a garment worker on the same bus earlier."
The 20-year-old garment worker got on the bus with 10-12 other workers to return home around 9pm on May 19. At Bahaddarhat area, when other workers got down, the bus started to move quickly with the lone female worker. At that time, the assistant was driving the bus and the driver tried to rape the girl.
Also read: Fugitive PBI inspector suspended over Khulna college girl's rape
Later, the woman jumped off of the moving bus to save herself and was seriously injured.
According to police, the victim was rescued unconscious from Bakalia and admitted to CMCH.
After being released from the hospital on May 25, the woman lodged a complaint at the city's Bakalia police station. Police later arrested bus driver Anwar Hossain Tipu and his associate Jony Das. The bus was also seized.
Child injured by BSF grenade wants to return home
A 10-year-old Bangladeshi boy, undergoing treatment at an Indian hospital for injuries from a stun grenade hurled by the Indian border security force (BSF), has made desperate plea to return to his parents in Bangladesh.
The ill-fated child is Ramjan, son of Munir Sharif, a resident of Khuntakata village under Sarankhola upazila of Bagerhat.
The child's plight was brought to the light first by an Indian journalist named Khawja Mainuddin Chisti.
Also read: Regional commander-level meeting in progress between BGB and BSF
According to the report by Khawja, Munir Sharif along with his wife and son Ramjan was entering Bangladesh through the No-2 block of Dinhata police station on May 17 this year. Sensing their presence BSF blasted a stun grenade leaving Ramjan injured.
However, his parents had managed to enter Bangladesh by crossing the barbed wire fencing on the Kurigram border.
Later, BSF rescued the child and admitted him to Dinhata hospital.
On information, local journalists rushed to the hospital to find out the details of the fatal incident.
According to the child, his parents had come to India illegally through middlemen for a job.
The separated boy has urged Indian journalists to help him reunite with his parents who don’t know his whereabouts.
Also read: Indian girl handed over to BSF through Tetulia border
After media reports, local human rights organisations and media workers are trying to bring Ramjan back to Bangladesh.
Advocate SM Abraham Linkon, the convener of Border Victims Rescue Legal Assistance Forum, said, “We have contacted the Indian government and Bangladesh missions in Delhi, Kolkata, and Assam to bring back the wretched boy.”
Besides, cooperation was sought from Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha, a human rights platform in West Bengal, Indian National Human Rights Commission, and the media in this regard, he added.
Dhaka seeks renewed global actions to combat climate change
Bangladesh has sought finance and technology transfer for the developing countries like Bangladesh to help them cope with the devastating impacts of climate change.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen raised the issue while delivering country statement at the Stockholm+50 international meeting, held in Stockholm, Sweden on Thursday.
Also read: FM Momen rues long delay in Teesta deal with India
Speaking at the plenary session of the meeting, Momen said that the Stockholm+50 platform has offered a unique opportunity to rethink the critical role of the global community for a resilient, healthy and prosperous planet for all.
He emphasized on Bangladesh government’s climate actions and initiatives to save the planet including ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’ and adoption of ‘Planetary Emergency’ resolution by the Parliament.
Stockholm+50 international meeting is convened by the United Nations and hosted by Sweden with support from the Government of Kenya.
Under the theme “Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all–our responsibility, our opportunity,” this high-level meeting commemorates the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and celebrate 50 years of global environmental action.
Around 150 members of the United Nations, members of the UN Specialized Agencies, IGOs, IFIs are taking part in this meeting.
On the sidelines of Stockholm+50, Momen attended an intergenerational roundtable on exploring how to better understand, think and act for future generations.
In the roundtable, he shared the important policies of the government to leave behind a safe, climate resilient and prosperous Bangladesh for the young generation.
Bangladesh also joined a “Ministerial Statement on Future Generations” which aims to recognize the responsibilities of the present generations towards future generations and take specific actions to leave a planet that will not be irreversibly damaged by climate change and other human activity.
He also held bilateral meetings with the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
During the meeting, the UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner highly praised Bangladesh’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and her leadership role in global climate actions.
Also read: FM urges UNHCR to expedite efforts at Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar
Momen sought support from UNDP in developing early warning system for flash floods, heightening embankments to serve both the purposes of protecting floods, creating carbon sinks by planting mangroves.
The foreign minister is scheduled to meet the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and address at different leadership dialogue sessions and roundtables of the Stcokholm+50 on Friday.