bangladesh
Not chanting 'Joy Bangla' means undermining independence : PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday slammed those who still refuse to chant the national slogan ‘Joy Bangla’, the inspiration of the liberation war.
“Those who still don’t chant the ‘Joy Bangla’ slogan actually don’t believe in the independence of the country, the spirit of Liberation War and the ideology of independence of Bangladesh,” she told a discussion meeting virtually from her official residence Ganobbaban.
Read:Good planning & democracy spur Bangladesh’s development, says Hasina
Bangladesh Awami League (AL) arranged the discussion at Bangabandhu Mausoleum Complex, Tungipara in Gopalganj on the occasion of the 102nd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children’s Day-2022.
Chairing the discussion, Hasina, also the AL president, said the ‘Joy Bangla’ slogan was once banned in the country and many AL leaders and activists lost lives for shouting this slogan and playing the historic 7th March speech of Bangabandhu at that time.
She said the freedom fighters had earned independence and embraced martyrdom chanting this slogan. But the clique of anti-liberation elements and killers banned the slogan, she added.
AL presidium members Shajahan Khan MP, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, joint secretaries Mahbubul Alam MP and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, religious Affairs secretary Sirajul Mostafa, agriculture and cooperatives affairs secretary Faridunnahar Laily, organising secretary Mirza Azam MP and AL Gopalganj district unit secretary Mahbub Ali Khan also spoke at the discussion conducted by publicity and publication secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap MP.
Hasina urged all to stay vigilant so that a vested quarter can no longer spoil the achievements of the nation.
“So, we’ll have to keep up the present trend of development by taking the people with us,” she said.
The PM asked the AL leaders and activists to continue working for development engaging the people in every stage.
Read: Continuous democratic process is behind country’s unprecedented development, says Hasina in UAE
She also told her party members to stand beside the poor and homeless people. She also asked them to work for saving nature and the environment.
She laid emphasis on teaching the real history of the nation and the country to the children to ignite patriotism among them.
“None can wipe out the truths. It has been proved today,” said Hasina.
Rajshahi: Two friends drown while bathing in Padma
Two friends drowned while taking a bath in the Padma river in Rajshahi on Friday, police said.
The deceased were identified as Nirab, 15, son of Sarik Ali of Borokuthi area, and Shahin, 16, son of Sayed Ali of the same area. Nirab was a student of Loknath School while Shahin studied in Education Board Model School. They were both in Class VIII.
Boalia Police officer-in-charge Mazharul Islam said that a group of 8-10 boys were taking a bath in the river near the Barakuthi area around 11am.
READ: Twin sisters drown in Goalanda pond
"Suddenly one of them, Sajeed, started drowning in the water. Nirab and Shahin jumped into the river to save him but unfortunately they drowned. However, Sajeed managed to swim ashore," he said.
Fire service members rushed Nirab and Shahin to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared them dead on arrival. "The bodies will be handed over to the family after the legal process," the OC said.
Chandpur: School picnic turns tragic as student drowns
An 18-year-old boy drowned in a river while on a school picnic to Mohanpur Tourism Centre in Matlab Uttar upazila of Chandpur Thursday.
The deceased was identified as Tutul Hossain Nayan, a 10th grade student of Dhaka’s Nabarun School and College, and son of Anwar Hossain, a police officer.
Md Azizul Haque, the school headmaster, told UNB that 140 students had gone for the picnic to Chandpur.
READ: Twin sisters drown in Goalanda pond
AKM Kawsar, in-charge of Mohanpur Naval Police Outpost in Matlab Uttar upazila, said that the boy drowned while taking a bath in the river with his three classmates at 3pm.
“After searching for hours, naval divers found his body around 6pm. The body was later handed over to his father. A general daily was lodged in this regard," he added.
Bangabandhu's birth anniversary celebrated in Canberra
The 102nd birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children’s Day were celebrated in Australian capital Canberra with the active participation of children.
The evening event began with the Bangladeshi High Commissioner, officials and community members placing wreaths in front of the portrait of the Father of the Nation. Children participated in the event, reciting poems and singing songs to highlight Bangabandhu’s love for children.
In the morning, Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Australia, Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, hoisted the national flag, according to a release on Friday.
A discussion session was also held where young speakers from the community highly admired the sacrifice of the great leader. They also discussed the leadership quality of Bangabandhu during the early stage of his life.
READ: Follow Bangabandhu to become self- confident, overcome all obstacles:Energy advisor
Set ablaze by brother-in-law, minor girl dies
One of the two minor siblings who were set on fire by their brother-in-law in the city's Adabor area on Tuesday, succumbed to her burn injuries at a Dhaka hospital on Friday morning.
The deceased was identified as 10-year-old Mitu, who had suffered 98% burns. She died at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in the morning, said Bacchu Mia, inspector-in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital outpost.
Mitu’s five-year-old brother Bappy, who sustained 8% burns on his hands is currently recuperating at the same hospital.
Also read: 3 steel mill workers burnt by molten iron at Jatrabari
The two siblings, children of Babul Talukdar, a betel leaf seller, and Aklima Akter, a RMG factory worker, were set on fire at 12pm on Tuesday at a flat in Sunibir Housing Society in the Adabor area.
Owner of the building, Abdul Malek said that the brother-in-law of the victims, Allauddin, and his wife Mou lived in a rented flat on the ground floor of the building.
“On Tuesday, we rescued the two children hearing their screams and admitted them to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery around 3pm,” he said.
Arif, a neighbour of Alauddin, said, “Hearing the screams, we rushed to the flat. After breaking open the door, we rescued both the siblings."
Also read: 10-month old burnt to death in Chandpur fire
In his statement to the police, Bappy said that the accused had called them to his house and set them ablaze. "He then locked the door from outside and left the spot."
International solidarity key to achieving DPoA for LDCs: Bangladesh
Bangladesh has underscored the need for "international solidarity and partnership" in achieving the concrete commitments and deliverables of the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) for the least developed countries (LDCs).
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, Ambassador Rabab Fatima, said these while addressing the first part of the 5th United Nations Conference on the LDCs (LDC5) in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations in New York on Thursday.
Ambassador Fatima, along with the Permanent Representative of Canada Ambassador Robert Rae, co-chaired the preparatory process of this conference.
The General Assembly had earlier decided to hold the LDC5 conference in two parts. The second part will take place from 5th to 9th March, 2023, in Doha, according to a message received from New York.
The first part of the conference has been organised to adopt the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs -- a decade-long development roadmap for these countries. The second part will focus on other substantive issues, where heads of states and governments are expected to attend
Speaking on behalf of the two co-chairs, Ambassador Fatima highlighted the unprecedented crisis created by the pandemic and uneven and inequitable responses to tackle it.
READ: Bangladesh to enjoy DFQF market access to Australia in post-LDC period
She commended the commitment and solidarity of the member states to adopt the DPoA, which provides an ambitious and well-defined action agenda for the LDCs and their development partners for the decade 2022-31.
She requested everyone to support the follow-up and monitoring mechanism of the DPoA with due diligence for its successful implementation. The Ambassador also urged the international community and the development partners to remain deeply engaged with the LDCs during the entire cycle of the DPOA implementation.
In this regard, she underscored the need for integrating the DPOA in the strategic plans and country programmes of the UN agencies, funds and programmes to ensure that the UN’s impact on the LDCs matches their needs and ground realities.
At the outset of the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, was elected as the president of the LDC5 conference.
Ambassador Fatima thanked him and Qatar for the leadership and support to host the 5th United Nations Conference on the LDCs.
The meeting was also attended by Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi, as the global chair of the LDCs and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, among others.
Two die in bus-truck collision in Rangur
Two persons were killed and six others injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a truck on the busy Dhaka-Rangpur Highway in the district early on Friday morning.
The accident occurred around 4.30am near a fuel refilling station on the high-speed corridor in the Shathibari area of the district's Mithapukur upazila.
Also read:3 killed in truck-auto rickshaw collision in Rajbari
"The Rangpur-bound bus, named 'Mayer Doa Paribahan', crashed into the potato-laden truck heading towards Dhaka at high speed, leaving two dead on the spot," said Shahjahan Ali, officer-in-charge of Baradarga highway police station.
One of the deceased was the truck driver and another was a male passenger of the bus but their identities could not be known immediately, he said. "The injured have been admitted to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital," he police officer added.
Also read: Couple killed in Madaripur road crash
Two die in Chuadanga after inhaling toxic gas inside septic tank
Two persons died allegedly after inhaling toxic gas inside the septic tank of an under-construction building in Chuadanga on Friday morning.
The deceased were identified as sanitation worker Shariful Islam, 30, son of Ansar Pramanik of Kalyanpur village in Kushtia, and Sagar Das,15, the grandson of the building owner.
Around 10am, Shariful got down into the septic tank of the building owned by Nipen Das in Anandadhap village of the Alamdanga municipality area. When he failed to return, Sagar entered the tank to check on him.
Also read: Septic tank workers: 2 dead after going down without protective equipment
When both failed to return, Sagar's family members informed the Alamdanga Fire Service and Civil Defence.
A team came and pulled the duo out of the septic tank and rushed them to Alamdanga upazila health complex, where doctors declared them dead on arrival, said Mokhlesur Rahman, officer-in-charge of the Alamdanga fire service station.
Saiful Islam, officer-in-charge of Alamdanga police station, said a team was sent to the spot for a probe.
Also read: Two die after inhaling toxic gas inside septic tank in Bhola
Shab-e-Barat to be observed tonight
The holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune and forgiveness, will be observed in Bangladesh on Friday night with religious fervour.
It is observed on the 15th night of the Arabic month of Sha'ban. According to Muslim belief, it is the night when Allah arranges the affairs of the following year. On this night, Allah writes the destinies of all his creations for the coming year by taking into account their past deeds.
Muslim devotees will offer special prayers, reciting from the Holy Quran, and also hold religious gatherings seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on the bursting of firecrackers in areas under its jurisdiction in the capital ahead the holy Shab-e-Barat.
The ban will come into force from 6pm Friday (March 18) and remain effective till 6am on Saturday (March 19), for ensuring peaceful observation of the holy Shab-e-Barat, the DMP said on Wednesday.
Also read: DMP bans crackers ahead of Shab-e-Barat
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes, highlighting the significance of the night.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion. They urged the Muslim devotees to observe the holy Shab-e-Barat maintaining all Covid-safety protocols amid the pandemic.
"Along with mercy and blessings of the Almighty Allah, we will pray for continued progress and welfare of the country and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah on the holy night of Shab-e-Barat," President Hamid said in his message.
He urged the affluent to come forward and help the distressed and the poor on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister urged all to devote themselves to human welfare and nation-building inspired with the teachings of the holy Shab-e-Barat.
Also read: Shab-e-Barat on March 18
Hasina also asked all to establish the spirit of Islam at personal, social and national levels, putting off all kinds of injustice, violence and superstition.
Evercare Group launches Evercare Foundation to help bridge the gap in inequality in healthcare
The Foundation will provide long-term solutions to improve healthcare access in Africa and South Asia, while contributing to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The Evercare Group today announced the launch of the Evercare Foundation, a
non-profit organization working towards equitable health for all and the
development of more resilient health systems across the low- and middle-income
countries in Africa and South Africa.
The Foundation will serve as the philanthropic arm of the Evercare Group and
will build on the footprint of Evercare Group of 29 hospitals, 13 clinics, 88
diagnostic centres and have access to 11,400 caregivers, serving over 3.3
million people in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Speaking at the 18th Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development
Conference & Exhibition (DIHAD), Massimiliano Colella, CEO of Evercare said:
"The Foundation presents another key avenue through which we can continue to
deliver meaningful change and positive impact to traditionally underserved
communities. Through focused partnerships and deliberate investments, the
Evercare Foundation will continue to build sustainable development across our
areas of operation."
Low- and middle-income countries continue to suffer from insufficient
investment in healthcare, leading to often highly strained and burdened systems
that are unable to keep up with demands of patients, especially in these times
of the pandemic. According to the World Bank, if current trends continue, up to
5 billion people will be unable to access health care by 2030 with 56% of the
population lacking sufficient health-care coverage in rural areas globally.
Joumana Atwani, Director of Evercare Foundation said: "The Foundation is
driven by an ambition to create long-term positive social change for vulnerable
communities who have a fundamental right to good health and wellbeing. Through
the Evercare Foundation, we aim to focus on communities who have limited or no
access to quality healthcare.''
To realize our vision of 'a world with equitable health for all', the
Foundation will primarily focus on women and children – with priority being on
women and girls' adolescent health and wellbeing, including ante and post-natal
care, screening for non-communicable diseases such as breast and cervical
cancer. In children's health, the Foundation will focus on treatment and
rehabilitation for congenital birth defects and trauma related conditions and
children related disease prevention and immunization.
One example of the Foundation's focus on supporting children is the story of
baby Alvin, a 10-month-old baby from Kenya who suffers from down syndrome and
was admitted to Evercare's Nairobi Women's Hospital with a severe chest
infection. The Foundation leveraged the Group's integrated medical corridor and
was transferred to Care Hospital in India for life saving open-heart surgery,
free of charge. We are pleased to report that baby Alvin's operation was a
complete success, and he is doing well.
READ: Evercare Group launches 470-bed hospital in Chattogram
Another example is of 5-year-old Abdul Rehman from Pakistan, who was born
with congenital deafness and whose family could not afford the treatment.
Surgeons at Evercare Hospital Lahore successfully inserted a cochlear implant
free of cost and now Abdul can hear for the time and able to attend school.
The Foundation will equally invest in initiatives related to human resources
in health and leveraging the Evercare Group's integrated healthcare corridor to
strengthen health systems by supporting clinical trials and complex healthcare
cases across borders.
About the Evercare Foundation
The Evercare Foundation [https://evercaregroup.com/foundation/] is an
independent philanthropic organization established to support the impact driven
initiatives of the Evercare Group. The Foundation provides vulnerable
communities with equitable access to quality healthcare and create long term
positive social change.
The priority areas of the Foundation are vulnerable communities in low and
middle-income countries, with a primary focus on women and children who are
marginalized by health and socio-economic inequities.
About the Evercare Group
The Evercare Group [http://www.evercaregroup.com/] believes access to
healthcare is a fundamental right and invests in emerging markets to bring
private, quality-driven healthcare to meet the needs of local people.
Evercare has responded to a global challenge to ensure well-being at all
ages is provided to those living in emerging markets as a pillar to support
sustainable economic development. With this, the Group is leading the way in
transforming the traditional healthcare model through its integrated
cross-continents platform, its impact-driven model, and quality-driven
hospitals.
The Evercare Group operates as an integrated healthcare delivery platform in
emerging markets across Africa and South Asia, including India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Kenya, and Nigeria.
Evercare is wholly owned by the Evercare Health Fund, a US $1bn emerging
markets healthcare fund managed by TPG and backed by its global impact
investing platform TPG Rise. The Evercare Health Fund is comprised of the
world's leading impact investors and global development finance institutions.
Source: Evercare Foundation