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All DU students to get smart ID cards by next February, say authorities
As many Dhaka University students face numerous problems for not having a proof of their studentship the university authorities hope to provide smart ID cards to all undergraduate students by next month. This optimism has been voiced by Prof. Mustafizur Rahman, convener of DU online admission committee, in an interview with UNB this week. Dhaka University, which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding, has over 37,000 regular students in its 83 departments under 13 faculties. About 2,000 of the students or over six per cent are yet to get any proper ID cards of their studentship.
Read: Legal notice served on Dhaka University for barring married students from halls For the lack the cards of their identity the students are facing problems such as borrowing books from the university library and in getting the recently-introduced half-fare ride in public transports. Besides, having this historic institution’s ID cards is also a matter of pride for the students. Transport operators have recently agreed to accept half-fare from students at every level provided they can show their IDs issued by their educational institutions. Most of the students without ID cards are from the social science faculty consisting 16 departments.
Bangladesh bets big on wind energy to curb climate change
Bangladesh aims to significantly expand renewable energy sources in its total energy mix in its relentless pursuit of a net-zero carbon footprint.
As one of the key steps in this regard, the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) has set a target of generating 5,000 MW of onshore and offshore wind power by 2030.
Wind energy is power obtained from the force of wind using turbines. The country currently generates only 2.9 MW of wind power.
Read Bangladesh going for green energy to mitigate climate change impact: Minister
According to Sreda officials, the huge target is being considered as an immediate option for the next few years in compliance with the government’s commitment to promoting renewable energy -- given the fact that an American agency recently pegged the country’s wind power generation potential at 30,000 MW.
The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NERL) conducted a study -- Assessing the Wind Energy Potential in Bangladesh: Enabling Wind Energy Development with Data Products -- from June 2014 to December 2017.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded study concluded with the observation that “preliminary results demonstrate that, for wind speeds of 5.75–7.75 metre per second (m/s), there are more than 20,000 square kilometres of land with a gross wind potential of over 30,000 MW”.
READ: Wind energy vision: Contracts for Chandpur, Inani projects likely soon
About the wind power potentials, Sreda chairman Mohammad Alauddin said the organisation will now conduct a detailed study on the basis of the NREL’s findings to get the bankable data "so that potential investors can invest in the sector and make their investment commercially viable".
"A proposal on wind power's potential will be placed before the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry to incorporate the target in the proposed Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) up to 2030, now being framed with the help of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)," he told UNB.
The NREL study said, “Although this estimate is not realistic, when proper filters are applied to screen out undesirable land for wind development, it suggests that Bangladesh's 10% renewable target by 2021 is achievable”.
Read Policy support instrumental for renewable energy development: Experts
“The preliminary technical potential analysis calculates gross potential and does not filter out already-developed land, environmentally sensitive land, or land unsuitable for other reasons," it added.
The NERL study found the wind potentials at nine locations across the country, having an average wind speed of 5-6 metre per second at a height of over 60-80 metre above ground level (AGL) -- Lalpur of Natore in Rajshahi, Chandpur, Sitakunda and Parkay Beach in Chattogram, Gouripur in Mymensingh, Madhupur Tea Estate in Habigonj, Dacop in Khulna near Mongla port, Inani Beach in Cox's Bazar, and Badarganj in Rangpur.
Of these, initiatives have already been taken to set up wind power plants at three places -- at Dacop, Inani Beach and Chandpur, each having 50 MW capacity. A contract has already been awarded for the Dacop location.
Read India At COP26 Says Its Solar Energy Capacity Increased 17 Times In 7 Years
"Exploiting the new and efficient technology, we're now planning to set up a good number of wind power plants by 2030," Alauddin said, referring to the NREL study that found the wind speed at six metres per second at a higher hub height.
Energy experts, however, are skeptical about the country's wind power's potential and it's commercial viability.
Eminent energy expert Dr M Tamim said that the proposal for generating 5,000 MW of power from wind is "not only highly ambitious, but highly subjective as well".
READ: Bangladesh’s future focus may be on nuclear energy use: Dr Tawfiq
"Which technology will be used, where it will be used and what will be the cost of electricity and who will be the investors in such projects... these are big questions," said the Professor of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Engineering at BUET.
Sreda statistics show that the country currently generates a total 777.24 MW of electricity from different renewable sources.
Of this, 543.25 MW is generated from solar energy, 2.9 MW from wind, 230 MW from hydro, 0.69 MW from biogas, and 0.4 MW from biomass, while the country’s total power generation capacity is about 25,000 MW.
Read _Bangladesh’s two dream projects face speed bumps
Shariar Ahmed Chowdhury, a professor at United International University, said that wind energy is very sensitive. "If data lacks 10% accuracy, it has a big impact and there may be a variation of 30-40% in the final output," he said.
Betel leaf cultivation is uplifting farmers in Jashore’s Abhaynagar
Inspired by good harvest and better price many farmers in Jashore’s Abhaynagar have taken to betel leaf cultivation.
This is led more areas being brought under betel leaf cultivation with harvest increasing day by day.
Due to the favourable weather, the yield has been good this time. Besides, the farmers are getting good price in the market.
Betel cultivation of the upazila is mostly concentrated in Abhaynagar and Chengutia areas.
Also read: Laxmipur betel leaf growers record Tk 200cr sale
BNP trying to reach out to anti-govt parties to forge a greater unity
BNP has planned to forge a larger unity of anti-government political parties involving both the right and left quarters for launching a simultaneous movement “like the 90s” with a common demand for holding the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral government.
The party has already had sittings with some left parties informally, and received a positive signal for working on a common issue of polls-time neutral government based on some conditions, a BNP standing committee member told UNB wishing anonymity.
He said their last standing committee meeting discussed the issue with great importance and decided to hold talks with the most opposition political parties to take their suggestions and opinions about how to wage an effective movement to realise their demand ahead of the next national election.
Thakurgaon people wait for bridge for years amid mounting sufferings
People of Ranisankail upazila of Thakurgaon are facing immense suffering for want of a bridge over Kulik River. Their long wait for the bridge is not going to end soon.
They use “Sako” (makeshift bamboo bridge) for crossing Kulik river. The villagers have to walk six to seven kilometers extra for not having a bridge to cross the river.
“It has been heard for many years that a bridge will be built. Measurement has been taken several times but no sign of actual work, said Ramiz Uddin of the area. “It seems like slaying the slain” he said.
Read: Goalundo bridge turns into death trap
'Shaan’ portrays the story of real Bangladeshi heroes: Siam Ahmed
The much-anticipated police action thriller film ‘Shaan’ was all set to hit the theatres on January 7, marking it as the very first film of the New Year.
However, as the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is slowly but surely affecting lives in Bangladesh, 'Shaan's theatrical release got postponed on Wednesday.
Speaking of the film, silver screen’s newest sensation Siam Ahmed told UNB that it showcases a very authentic Bangladeshi story about the saga of real people.
“The title character of the film is a hundred per cent inspired by real human beings. I have been saying this again and again because our team has uniquely developed an authentic Bangladeshi storyline for our moviegoers, who won’t have to think that this is an unrealistic hero and unbelievable story,” Siam said at a press meet on Wednesday night in the capital.
READ: 'Shaan' gets Censor Board clearance
2021: A year of challenges for Awami League
The Awami League’s powerful momentum in the country's political landscape continued in 2021 as it did not face any challenge from opponents. There is no political force in the field now to compete with this political party which has been in power for three consecutive terms and 12 years now - a generation has not seen them out of power.
Last year, the Awami League celebrated the golden jubilee of independence in a grand procession and the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation through colourful ceremonies.
Millions of leaders and activists participated in the biggest victory rally of the commemorative period.
READ: 'Lack of Transparency' report on Dhaka's Covid response: Awami League
The Awami League and its allies and affiliates have gained a huge reputation standing by the masses during the Corona period.
Though the country's oldest party did not face any challenge from its opponents on the field, it has repeatedly faced embarrassing situations due to exaggerations of the leaders, intra-party conflicts and the rise of the rebel candidates
Quader v Quader
Earlier in 2021, Abdul Quader Mirza, younger brother of Awami League General Secretary, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, came to the discussion directly delivering controversial speeches against his brother. He also criticized the role of the administration in the election. His speech created an embarrassing situation in the political arena. The party, the government and the administration also felt embarrassed.
Taposh v Khokon
The open clash between the running mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and former mayor Sayeed Khokon was the talk of the city over the mayoral nomination. Then in January last year, their dispute over the amount of money deposited in the banks became public.
Barrister Taposh has transferred hundreds of crores of money belonging to the city corporation to a bank he owns, but he is not qualified to be the mayor, alleged Saeed Khokon.
The running Mayor avoided the issue terming Sayeed Khokon's statement as defamatory and that legal action would be taken, warned Barrister Taposh.
Followers of the running and former mayors of DSCC organised processions and human chain over the issue after the fight of words had started.
Both remained silent for months after the intervention of party policymakers. However, on a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in June, the court ordered the seizure of eight bank accounts of Sayeed Khokon's business and family. He again alleged that Taposh was behind the ACC's activities. However, Taposh did not reply and avoided the matter as it is the jurisdiction of the court and the ACC.
Audacity of Gazipur mayor
A video, containing statements of the former Gazipur Metropolitan Awami League general secretary and city mayor Mohammad Jahangir Alam, about the number of martyrs in the Liberation War and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman went viral on social media Facebook last September.
On October 3, the Awami League protested against Jahangir Alam for his activities against the interests of the party and violation of organisational discipline. The party expelled him from the post of general secretary and primary member of the party at a meeting of the party's central working committee meeting on November 19. Then on November 25, the local government ministry also suspended him from the post of mayor.
Rise and fall of Helena Jahangir
Helena Jahangir is another name that has been discussed and criticised on social media for several years. She loved to introduce herself as a journalist, human rights activist, Awami League leader and singer. Last July, Helena was widely criticised for trying to form a nationwide 'Employees League'. Although she had never been involved in Awami League politics before, she became a member of the party's women's affairs sub-committee.
Soaring prices of key items in Dhaka turn up heat in the kitchen
The overheated kitchen markets in Dhaka left the middle class and marginal income groups of people gasping even in the winter season. “We’re now in the middle of winter. The prices of key vegetables should have gone down by the time, but the prices are on fire,” said Shamim Gowher, a businessman. After visiting various kitchen markets, the UNB Correspondent found that the retailers were selling popular vegetables at Tk 50 to Tk 90 per kg claiming that there was a short supply in major wholesale markets. But the wholesalers claimed that the retailers are charging higher prices for vegetables for no reason. According to his market investigation, the price of broiler chicken has shot up to Tk 200 a kg, pinching the pockets of commoners already battered by the surging prices of other essentials like rice, edible oil, sugar and pulses. Visiting some wholesale kitchen markets, the correspondent observed that the winter vegetables are selling at 20 percent to 30 percent higher prices based on quality this year compared to that of the previous year. The price variation of vegetables also is based on areas like Gulshan, Banani and Hatirpool. The prices of vegetables at Karwan Bazar, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Mirpur, Khilgaon, Fakirapool and Motijheel are almost similar.
Read:Spectre of panic buying returns to kitchen markets ahead of lockdown
Security concern hits Cox’s Bazar tourism hard
Though the authorities concerned are looking for every way to beef up security to prevent unpleasant activities in the beach town, tourists have largely ignored it to visit during the New Year as some recent incidents badly tarnished its image as a safe tourism destination.
“Cox’s Bazar usually sees a surge of tourists on the eve of New Year every year but this year it was almost empty. Restrictions on outdoor events and recent rape incidents and skyrocketing food prices might be the reasons,” said Mahbubr Rahman, a physical teacher of a local school.
Hotel, motel and restaurant owners and those involved in tourism support services are now worried over the fall in the number of tourists during the peak season.
Also read: Cox's Bazar horror: Woman kidnapped & raped by 3 in front of husband & child
They said 50% of rooms in many hotels and motels were vacant during the New Year celebrations.
In the wake of some unwanted activities, law enforcement agencies have taken various steps to ensure the security of tourists while the local administration has set up a monitoring cell following the outcry of people over two rape incidents in the tourist hub recently.
Salahuddin Setu, councillor of Cox’s Bazar municipality, said, “Some 350 big tourist buses had been kept ready in designated parking spaces during the 3-day government holiday starting from December 16, while 250 tourists vehicles were there at local Ilias Mia High School ground to deal with the pressure of tourists. Once 700 buses, carrying tourists, used to arrive in Cox’s Bazar at this time of the year, but this time the number was 50 only, a sharp fall in tourist arrival.”
Gold losing its shine on the back of relentless price rise
Gold has a special place in people's lives not only as an ornamental commodity, but also as a valuable resource and store of value. It’s worth therefore extends from the individual to the state level.
No matter how expensive the paper currency is, its foundation of trust is shaky. People prefer buying gold regarding it as a valuable asset for the future.
Investing in gold is reliable. So everyone wants to save it as an asset. In countries of the region, including Bangladesh, gold has become an 'essential' commodity at the time of marriage.
Also read: Is Gold a Good Investment in 2022?
Of course, the rich are forced to go to the gold shops to protect their social status. But year after year the rise in gold prices has reduced the number of buyers going to the store. Middle-class and low-income families are under great pressure to maintain social norms.
The quantity of a bhori (11.66 gram) of 22 carat gold that could be bought for Tk150 in 1971, now costs more than Tk73,000. A first-class government official can no longer afford to buy even half a bhori of gold with a full month's salary.