bangladesh
Sustainable rivers: Dhaka for 'just sharing' of waters, basin-wise river management
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said "just sharing" of waters of transboundary rivers, and basin-wise river management is essential for the sustainability of rivers.
Momen emphasised that sustainable, collaborative and meaningful cooperation are the keys to having healthy rivers and efficient riverine cooperation.
He made the remarks while delivering a special address at the inaugural session of the two-day NADI-3 (Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence) Conference that began in Guwahati, Assam Saturday.
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma also spoke at the inaugural session, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Momen said rivers are the lifeline of Bangladesh and have influenced the traditions, culture, music, lifestyle and livelihood of the people.He stressed the need to maintain healthy rivers to facilitate waterway connectivity.The foreign minister said the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade which is one of the earliest instruments signed between Bangladesh and India in 1972 is significantly contributing to bilateral trade between the two countries.He also noted that the agreement on the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports for the movement of goods to and from India is another milestone of friendly relations between the countries.Taking the advantage of its unique geographical location in the region, Bangladesh is offering itself as a gateway to landlocked Nepal, Bhutan and the northeastern states of India and promoting regional connectivity and integration, Momen said.During the conference, the dignitaries, including the chief minister of Assam and the envoy of Singapore to India, lauded the action of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government for showing a "zero tolerance" approach towards terrorism and insurgency which "ultimately paved the way in establishing peace and stability in South Asia."
Later he met Assam Governor Professor Jagdish Mukhi at Raj Bhaban and discussed the issues of mutual interest.
Both agreed that the Bangladesh-Assam ties is deeply rooted in history and expressed satisfaction with the existing friendly relations.
Momen underscored the need to strengthen the age-old bond between the people of Bangladesh and Assam.
28-year-old farmer commits suicide in Barishal
A 28-year-old man allegedly ended his life over a family feud in Uzirpur upazila of Barishal on Saturday.
The deceased Rajib, from Atipara village of the upazila, was a farmer by profession.
Deceased’s brother Sakibur Rahman said that Rajib and his wife had an altercation over a trivial matter on Friday morning. Rajib's wife went to her father's house following the incident.
On Friday night, Rajib took his dinner and slept in his bedroom.
Read: Missing woman found dead after 37 days
On Saturday morning, his family members called him several times. As he did not respond, they broke the door of Rajib’s bedroom and found him hanging from the ceiling and informed the police.
On information, police visited the spot and handed over the body to his family as no complaint was received, said Ali Arshad, officer-in-charge of Uzirpur model police station.
Mashiur breaks down in tears recalling Padma Bridge 'corruption scandal'
Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Adviser Mashiur Rahman broke down in tears while recalling the alleged 2012 Padma Bridge corruption scandal.
Speaking at Rajneetir Satkahon (political talks), a weekly event of the Awami League (AL) Friday, he reflected on how he had dealt with those turbulent days.
Condemning the dual role of global lenders for bringing corruption charges against him and offering him a job at those institutions at the same time, Mashiur said, "The offer they came up with was irrelevant. They would reward someone they brought graft allegations against. The thought behind this was that I took a tough stance against this conspiracy."
"The moment the World Bank made that statement, some senior people, influentials, some of my friends (who are also involved with the AL), and well-wishers recommended that I leave my responsibility and the country as well. But I said that I would lose my ground to stand on if I left the country," Mashiur said.
Read: International standard river port will be set up in Chandpur: Khalid
AL Presidium Member Jahangir Kabir Nanak also spoke at the programme, conducted by Md Aminul Islam, the party's deputy secretary of publicity.
In 2012, the World Bank backtracked on its $1.2-billion money-lending deal on Padma Bridge construction on the ground of corruption allegations, a claim later rejected by a Canadian court.
Mashiur, among others, had stepped down, complying with instructions from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Uncertainty loomed large on the Padma Bridge project, which was finally accomplished through self-funding.
International standard river port will be set up in Chandpur: Khalid
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said an international standard river port will be set up in Chandpur to ease the traffic movement through the waterways.
“The office of the Department of Shipping has been opened in Chandpur. As a result, there is no need to go to Dhaka for collecting fitness certificates for the water vehicles and other services. Shipping services will be reached to the door of the people.”
Khalid Mahmud said this while addressing the concluding programme of ‘Maritime Safety Week-2022’ as the chief guest at Chandpur Shilpakala Academy.
Read: Navy to get more sophisticated warships, war equipment: Hasina
Warning the sand extractors, the state minister said legal actions will be taken against the illegal and unplanned sand extractors, no matter how strong they are.
“We need sand from the river. But not in an unplanned way,” he said.
Khalid said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is leading the development works of the shipping management including recovery of the extinct and encroached rivers and bringing back the water flow in those rivers by dredging.
"She (Sheikh Hasina) has also emphasized collecting more dredgers to recover the waterways. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had collected seven dredgers after the Liberation War of the country to keep the navigability of the rivers," Khalid added.
The State Minister for Shipping also said, “The prime minister will mesmerize the world on June 25 next. We, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will build Sonar Bangla, dreamt by Bangabandhu. The Ministry of Shipping wants to play a special role in this achievement.”
Commodore AZM Jalal Uddin, Director General of the Department of Shipping chaired the programme while senior secretary of the Ministry of Shipping Md. Mostafa Kamal, among others, spoke.
International Week of the Disappeared: Families wait for dear ones
Family members of the disappeared people across the country formed a human chain in the capital’s Shabagh on Saturday demanding to get back their dear ones.
Mayer Dak, a platform representing the families of the victims of enforced disappearances, organsied the programme on the occasion of International Week of the Disappeared.
The week, which focuses on people who have gone missing with their whereabouts completely unknown to their families, reminds the government about the mental and emotional wreckage of the victims and their families.
Read: DGHS drive: 37 unregistered hospitals sealed across the country
Sumaiya Akter said she attended the human chain to make an appeal to the government to get back her husband.
Every year in the last week of May, the associations of families of the disappeared commemorate the International Week of the Disappeared.
Agriculture sector may follow Spain's Almeria model: Tipu Munshi
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said sustainable agro-based development is possible in Bangladesh by following Spain's Almeria Agro model.
“The soil of Bangladesh is fertile and suitable for agriculture. We have huge potential in agriculture. We might be successful by using Almeria’s agro model in Bangladesh. We have seen how Almeria has become successful in agriculture. The application of this model in Bangladesh is possible.”
Read: 3-day In’l tourism fair begins in Dhaka June 2
Tipu Munshi said this while speaking at a discussion jointly organised by the Almeria Chambers of Commerce and Commercial Wing of the Bangladesh Embassy in Spain on Tuesday (May 24), said a media release on Saturday.
“Bangladesh might follow the agricultural development of once economically poor province Almeria. Almeria has become successful by selecting a model to develop its agriculture and made an example in the country. The success of Almeria’s agriculture is a model to the world.”
Tipu Munshi along with his delegation visited Almeria province from May 23-25, at the invitation of the Almeria Chambers of Commerce.
DGHS drive: 37 unregistered hospitals sealed across the country
The local administrations of Faridpur, Natore, Kushtia, Chandpur and Bhola districts have shut at least 37 unregistered clinics, hospitals, and diagnostic centers following the directions of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of them 20 were sealed in five upazilas of Faridpur, seven in Natore, five in Kushtia, four in Chandpur and one in Bhola according to local authorities.
Read: Govt will do everything to stop bloodshed in CHT: Home Minister
On Thursday, DGHS directed the authorities concerned to close all unregistered clinics, private hospitals and diagnostic centres across the country within 72 hours.
No clinic, private hospital and diagnostics center will be allowed to run their activities until they get a license, said the health authority.
A team of the health service division led by Faridpur district Civil Surgeon Dr Md Siddiqur Rahman shutted down two diagnostic centers in Faridpur sadar upazila, three in Saltha upazila, seven each in Madhukhali and Boalmari upazila, and one in Sadarpur upazila.
During a joint drive conducted by Natore Health Service division and district administration Central Lab Diagnostic, Padma Clinic, Faim Diagnostic, Barat Diagnostic and Clinic, Healthcare Diagnostic, Tamanna Diagnostic, and Madina Eye Hospital were sealed.
Read: DIFE DIG caught red-handed by ACC
Meanwhile, Kushtia Civil Surgeon Dr HM Anwarul Islam said following the direction five illegal private clinics of Kumarkhali upazila were shut and another was warned . The closed clinics are, Pratik Adhunik Clinic & Diagnostic Center, Pradip Digital Diagnostic Center, Biswash Dental Care, Shimul Dental Care and Kumarkhali Diabetic Association.
Besides, three illegal diagnostic centers in Haimchar upazila and another in Hajiganj upazila of Chandpur district were shut, said Dr Belayet Hossain and Dr Golam Mowla Health and Family Planning officers of the respective upazilas.
Bhola executive magistrate Ali Suja sealed Abdul Khaleque Memorial Hospital after it could not provide legal documents and license while conducting a mobile court drive.
Design modern curricula for every university: President Hamid
President Abdul Hamid on Saturday directed all concerned to formulate modern curriculum in every university of the country.
He gave the instruction when the Vice-Chancellors of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib University of Science and Technology and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University visited the President at Bangabhaban in the evening.
Read: Bangladesh’s new ambassador to Sweden meets President Hamid
A delegation led by Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib University of Science and Technology's Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Samsuddin Ahmed called on the President first while VC of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University Air Vice Marshal Nazrul Islam called on the President later.
During the meeting, the Vice-Chancellors briefed the President on the overall activities of their university, including academic and infrastructure development.
Mentioning development as one of the driving forces in this age of globalization, science and technology, the President said that the new and future generations of the country need to be educated in science and technology in order to keep pace with the world and make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country by 2041.
Read: President shocked at death of journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury
Noting that it is not possible to meet the demand of the present age in the traditional curriculum, the President said that timely curriculum should be formulated in the universities.
Besides, President Hamid also directed to intensify research activities and stop corruption and nepotism at all levels.
Secretary to the President Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary to the President Md. Joynal Abedin were also present during the meeting.
Pregnant housewife tries to commit suicide
A 3-month pregnant housewife reportedly tried to commit suicide by setting herself on fire over a family quarrel in the city's Golbagh on Saturday.
The housewife was known as Meem Akhter (18), wife of Rummon. She is a resident at a rented house of Golbagh under Shahjahanpur police station.
Read: Missing woman found dead after 37 days
The incident took place on Saturday morning. Meem was admitted to the Shiekh Hasina Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute. Police of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital Police Camp detained Meem's husband Rummon from the hospital.
Parveen Akhter, the mother of Meem, told reporters that they got married in love three years ago. Since then, there have been occasional quarrels in their family, due to which Meem tried to commit suicide by drinking Harpic one year ago.
When Meem's mother complained to her daughter's father-in-law about the matter, he said that he didn’t know anything.
Meem's husband Rummon said that he had an altercation with Meem last night. Following last night's quarrel, Meem tried to commit suicide by setting herself on fire by pouring kerosene on her body.
DMCH police camp in-charge Bachchhu Mia said Meem got 95 percent burn injuries.
Flood situation improves in Sunamganj
The overall flood situation in Sunamganj district has improved as floodwater is receding in different areas gradually after 10 days of havoc.
Around six lakh people of three upazilas under the district have suffered a lot due to the flood water setting a new record of miserable life.
Although flood water has receded from the houses, it remains on the roads.
Shahid Mia, a sexagenarian of Kalipur under the Sunamganj suburb, said, "All our houses were inundated by the flood water in 2017. The water at that time receded hurriedly. But, this year, floodwater receded very slowly which barred our and cattle movement.”
Also read: Diarrhoea breaks out in flood-hit Sylhet
Freedom Fighter Nurul Momen, a senior resident of the same area, said, “I have made my house in Kalipur 40 years ago. Floods hit my house several times. However, floods in 1988 and 2022 have lasted ever long.”
The problem can be solved only by dredging the river from Sunamganj to Bhairab, Nurul added.
Haorer Krishi and Krishak Raksha Sangram Parishad member secretary Chittaranjan Talukder said waters at many haors in the district are also receding although onrush from the hilly areas continues. It takes a few more days to recede water from all the stagnant areas.
Also read: Ways to Purify Water during Flood, Disaster, Emergency Situations
Shamsudduha, executive engineer of Water Development Board, Sunamganj said, “Three waterways (Surma-Dhanu-Meghna, Surma-Kalni-Meghna, and Surma-Meghna) of the district were flooded due to flash floods. A survey will be conducted soon for dredging in these three waterways. After implementation of the dredging project, flood water will recede in a hurry.”
All rivers of the district were flowing above the danger mark due to the onrush of hilly water and torrential rains since May 10. Upstream waters have worsened the flood situation in Sunamganj leaving thousands of villagers marooned in their inundated homes.