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Main goal of independence was to establish a non-communal, hunger and poverty free Bangladesh: President
The main goal of independence was to establish a non-communal Bangladesh to be freed from hunger and poverty, President Mohammed Shahabuddin said on Thursday.
But the anti-independence group obstructed the achievement of that goal by assassinating Bangabandhu and his family in 1975.
The president made the remarks while a delegation led by president of Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee Shahriar Kabir paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Thursday.
President visits Military Hardware Exhibition
The head of the state also called upon all pro-Liberation War forces, irrespective of party affiliations, to work together to spread the spirit of liberation war and communal harmony at the grassroots.
The President also emphasised on strong unity of all pro-independence forces for the betterment of the country and its people.
During the meeting, the delegation of Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee invited the President to attend its National Conference to be held on May 3.
Bangladesh, Bhutan can exploit potentials to grow together: President Shahabuddin
The delegation issued a memorandum to implement the recommendations of the Shahabuddin Chuppu Commission, with the aim of speedily completing the trial of the 1971's mass killings, appointing more judges in the Supreme Court and ensuring communal harmony.
They sought the President's full cooperation in implementing the proposals and recommendations of the Shahabuddin Chuppu Commission.
At that time, President's Office Secretary Md Wahidul Islam Khan, Press Secretary Md. Joynal Abedin and Military Secretary Major General SM Salahuddin Islam were also present.
Shahriar-led panel announced for BGAPMEA election
For the first time, panel leaders and board of directors’ election of Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) is going to be held on May 11 this year.
A panel and its leader was announced in a function in Gulshan Club on Thursday.
Former BGAPMEA president Abdul Kader Khan announced the panel name as ‘Election for Unity’ and Al-Shahriar Ahmed as its leader.
“I believe Shahriar is a young and dynamic leader to lead the BGAPMEA, which is very essential to overcome the challenges of the backward linkage manufacturing sector,” he said announcing the name.
Ecnec clears 11 projects involving Tk 8,425 crore
“Our guidance and blessings will be with him, and he will make the industry more disciplined and modern,” he added.
The government has appointed an administrator after expiry of the tenure of the BGAPMEA committee. As a result, for the first time, an election is going to be held on May 11, 2024, for 2024-26.”
Shahriar, Managing Director of Adzi Trims Ltd, a sister concern of Indet Group, will lead the panel in the next election.
He is a former director of BGAPMEA, Co-Chairman - Backward Linkage at the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), and General Secretary of Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association (BAYLA).
BGAPMEA members and former presidents of BGAPMEA Rafez Alam Chowdhury, Iqbal Hossain, and Safiullah Chowdhury, were present among others.
1, 333 more city and union land offices to be constructed across country: Land Minister
An additional 1, 333 city and union land offices will be constructed across the country to bring revolutionary changes in land management in Bangladesh, Land Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda said on Thursday.
The minister made the announcement while giving directives to the land officials in a special 'Project Review Meeting' held at Bhumi Bhaban on Thursday evening.
Bangladesh seeks Chinese investment in textile and jute sector
Land Secretary Md Khalilur Rahman chaired the meeting, with Additional Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Land Ziauddin Ahmed, all project directors, and concerned officials of the Ministry of Land in attendance.
The land minister further emphasised that if a digital survey implemented, it will be possible to introduce map attached ownership-based Record of Rights (Khatian), eliminating the need to share Daag (Plot) in the ROR. He expressed that lawsuits over land and boundary disputes would be significantly reduced with the implementation of an ownership-based ROR, including attached maps.
It was informed at the meeting that, Bangladesh Digital Survey is underway in Chattogram, Narayanganj, Rajshahi City Corporation, Manikganj Municipality, and Dhamrai and Kushtia Sadar Upazilas through the EDLMS (Establishment of Digital Land Management System) project.
The Bangladesh Digital Survey will also commence in 32 upazilas of Patuakhali, Barguna, Pabna, Sirajganj, and Gopalganj districts after the review of another project is completed. The 'Bangladesh Digital Survey' will be conducted across Bangladesh through two projects in phases.
Ecnec clears 11 projects involving Tk 8,425 crore
It was also informed in the meeting that the Ministry of Land has planned to establish the Bangladesh Survey and Settlement Training Academy at Savar in Dhaka. The Department of Land Records and Surveys has already initiated the recruitment process for more than 3,000 personnel. The establishment of this training academy will enable the creation of skilled manpower in the settlement and survey division of the land sector.
It is noteworthy that there are currently six ongoing projects under the Ministry of Land with five more projects awaiting approval.
GP hosts Iftar event in Rangpur for GPStar customers
Grameenphone, country's leading mobile network operator, organized a special Iftar event for GPStar customers in Rangpur on Wednesday.
Along with the Star customers, Grameenphone Chairman and Telenor Asia Deputy Head Håkon Bruaset Kjøl, Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer Yasir Azman, Chief Marketing Officer Mohammad Sajjad Hasib, Circle Business Head of Rajshahi Region Md. Atiqul Hossain, and other senior officials of Grameenphone and Telenor Group were also present at the iftar.
JICA, BFDC join hands to modernise fish landing centre in Cox’s Bazar
Dignitaries of Rangpur were present among the Star customers at the program, according to a press release.
Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman expressed gratitude to GPStars customers, saying, 'We value our long-standing relationship with you and appreciate your continued support. We strive to provide all kinds of digital services including uninterrupted network services and bring you all the conveniences of mobile communications. In the coming days, we will try to bring the latest products and services of modern technology according to your needs.”
Grameenphone ensures special services for GPStars at over 7,000 partner outlets nationwide, reads the release.
Intern doctors call off nationwide strike upon health minister’s assurance
Intern doctors called off their nationwide strike following an assurance from Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen on Thursday.
The decision to suspend the strike was taken after a meeting with the health minister at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in the afternoon.
The meeting was also attended by the state minister for health, the secretary of the health ministry, the vice-chancellors of medical universities, the principals of medical colleges, and the leaders of professional medical organizations.
KMCH interns go on 48-hour strike
The interns had been demanding an increase in their allowance from Tk 15,000 taka to Tk 30,000, an annual increase of 1,000 taka in the allowance, strengthening of security measures in hospitals, risk allowance for doctors, and payment of arrears of allowance.
Addressing the meeting, the health minister said that intern doctors are the lifeblood of a hospital.
He said that they work tirelessly to serve patients and that their demands are justified.
The health minister said that he had personally spoken to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about the intern doctors' demands and she agreed to take a quick decision on the matter.
Interns' strike over committee posts disrupts medical services at SBMCH
He assured them that the prime minister is sympathetic to their cause and that she would take action soon.
The state minister for health, the health education secretary, and the leaders of professional medical organizations also spoke at the meeting.
Yunus Centre issues statement on “Tree of Peace” award
A day after Education Minister’s claim that UNESCO did not confer “The Tree of Peace” award to Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Yunus Centre on Thursday issued a statement to clarify the matter.
In the statement, Yunus Centre said Professor Muhammad Yunus was invited to the Baku Forum XI in Baku, Azerbaijan as a distinguished speaker from March 14-16-2024 .
JICA, BFDC join hands to modernise fish landing centre in Cox’s Bazar
The Secretary General of the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre (NGIC) that organizes the Baku Forum, Rovshan Muradov sent an email to Yunus Centre informing that in addition to addressing the Conference, Professor Yunus would receive an award from UNESCO on the closing day of the conference, it said.
The email also mentioned that Professor Yunus would receive an award from UNESCO.
During the closing dinner of Baku Forum, Professor Yunus was specifically reminded to attend the event to receive Tree of Peace award onstage on 16 March.
Yunus Centre mentioned the award by UNESCO in its press release.
The Tree of Peace presented to Professor Yunus is the same sculpture by the same artist as was presented in 2014 to Prime Minister Sheikh Hadina, it added.
Death toll of Bangladeshis along border comes down: FM
On a previous visit to UNESCO headquarters on June 2023 Professor Yunus signed a Partnership Agreement between UNESCO and Yunus Sports Hub, an international organization founded by Professor Muhammad Yunus, to drive sustainable development through sport in the context of UNESCO's Fit for Life flagship, said the statement.
Earlier on Wednesday, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, who is also the Chairman of the Bangladesh UNESCO Commission, said the UNESCO did not confer “The Tree of Peace” award to Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.
He said, "Dr Yunus was conferred the 'Tree of Peace' award by an Israeli sculptor, upon invitation from the Ganjavi Foundation in Azerbaijan."
The minister said that Dr Yunus’ claim that he received the award from UNESCO is untrue.
BAT Bangladesh holds 51st AGM
British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company Limited (BAT Bangladesh) has approved a 100 per cent cash dividend per share for the year 2023.
The approval was given at the 51st annual general meeting (AGM) of the company, which was held online and attended by a significant number of shareholders on Thursday (March 28, 2024).
The shareholders unanimously approved the company’s financial statement for 2023, 100 percent (Tk 10 per share) cash dividend for the year 2023, the election of its Board of Directors, the appointment of statutory auditors, and the appointment of corporate governance auditors.
BAT Bangladesh Chairman Mr. Golam Mainuddin presided over the meeting. Shareholders of the company from home and abroad joined the AGM virtually via BAT Bangladesh’s AGM portal.
In 2023, BAT Bangladesh contributed Tk 32,802 crore as value-added tax, supplementary duty, and other taxes to the national exchequer, making the company one of the highest taxpayers in the country.
The company’s Independent Directors Mr. AKM Aftab UL Islam, Mr. KH Masud Siddiqui and Dr. M Harunur Rashid; Non-Executive Directors Ms. Zakia Sultana, Mr. Shirajun Noor Chowdhury, Mr. Md. Abul Hossain, Ms. Monisha Abraham, Mr. Wael Sabra, Mr. Gary Tarrant, Mr. Stuart Kidd, and Mr. Francisco Toso Canepa; Managing Director Mr. Shehzad Munim, Finance Director Ms. Nirala Singh and Company Secretary Mr. Md. Azizur Rahman joined the AGM.
Bangladeshi teen shot dead by NYPD officers; brother contradicts law enforcers’ account
In a tragic incident in Queens, New York, 19-year-old Win Rozario, a Bangladeshi immigrant, lost his life at the hands of the police on Wednesday (local time).
The confrontation occurred in his family's apartment in Ozone Park, leaving the community shaken, reports The Now York Times.
According to police officials, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a person in mental distress. Upon arrival, they encountered Win, who allegedly brandished a pair of scissors. Despite attempts to subdue him with tasers, the situation escalated when his mother intervened inadvertently, leading to the fatal shooting, it said.
However, the deceased’s brother, Ushto Rozario, who witnessed the incident, disputed the police account, stating that their mother was holding Win when the officers opened fire. He insisted that lethal force was unnecessary, emphasising that Win posed no serious threat, especially considering the presence of two armed officers.
Francis Rozario, Ushto and Win’s father, said that the family had immigrated to New York from Bangladesh 10 years ago and that Win’s dream was to join the US military. His plans had been held up, however, by a delay in the family’s obtaining their green cards, which the elder Rozario said had been approved last year, according to media reports.
The tragedy underscores broader issues surrounding police responses to mental health crises. Critics argue that the current approach lacks sufficient sensitivity and often leads to deadly outcomes. In New York City, initiatives have been implemented to address this, including a pilot program where mental health professionals respond alongside law enforcement. However, these efforts have yet to be fully adopted citywide, leaving gaps in crisis intervention, as evidenced by Win’s death in a precinct without such services, said the NYT report.
Community members and officials have called for urgent action in response to this tragedy. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards stressed the importance of expanding mental health services, echoing broader calls for systemic change in how society addresses mental health crises, the report also said.
Ecnec clears 11 projects involving Tk 8,425 crore
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Thursday approved a total of 11 development projects including Tk 3,059-crore one to construct 674 Union Parishad complex bhabans in 322 upazilas.
The approval came from the Ecnec meeting presided over by Prime Minister and Ecnec chairperson Sheikh Hasina at the NEC conference room in the city’s Sher-e Bangla Nagar area.
Planning Minister Maj Gen (Retd) Abdus Salam briefed reporters after the meeting.
FM Hasan denounced Prof Yunus for receiving award from Israeli sculptor
The total estimated cost of 11 projects is Tk 8,425.52 crore (only additional cost of revised projects is incorporated here). Of the cost, Tk 7,939.87 crore will be drawn from the government’s fund, while Tk 485.65 crore from foreign sources.
Of the projects, seven are new while three are revised schemes. Besides, one project got the Ecnec’s nod to extend time, not cost.
According to the project factsheet, Union Parishad Complex Bhaban Construction (Phase-III) will be implemented at 674 unions of 322 upazilas in 62 districts by December, 2028.
Among the fresh projects, the rural infrastructure development in the districts of greater Rangpur region will be implemented at the cost of Tk 2,500 crore in 35 upazilas of five districts by June 2028.
The other new five projects include Bangladesh Chancellery Bhaban and Residential Bhaban Construction at Cairo in Egypt involving TK 165.97 crore, upgrading and widening Kashinathpur-Dashuria-Natore-Rajshahi-Nababganj-Kansat-Sonamajjid-Baliadighi Border (N-06) National Highways (Nababganj Part) with Tk 481.89 crore, development of Infrastructures to enhancing capacity and fish production in the existing government fish farms with Tk 371.32 crore, improvement of Fish Landing Centre of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation in Cox’s Bazar with Tk 232.83 crore; and Establishment of Bangladesh Handloom Board Complex at Mirpur in Dhaka with Tk 115 crore.
Death toll of Bangladeshis along border comes down: FM
The three revised projects are Collection of 20 Meter Gauge Diesel Electric Locomotives and 150 Meter Gauge Passenger Carriages for Bangladesh Railways (1st revised) with additional cost of Tk 288.07 crore (now cost Tk 2,157.68 crore), Promoting Resilience for Vulnerable through Access to Infrastructure, Improved Skills and Information (Provati) (1st revised) with additional cost of Tk 166.83 crore (now cost Tk 924.51 crore); and establishment of full-fledged Cancer, Cardiac and Kidney Treatment Centres in 8 divisional cities (1st revised) with extra cost of Tk 1,044.61 crore (now cost Tk 3,433 crore).
Besides, the meeting cleared Relocation of Bangladesh Betar Shahbagh Complex to Agargaon in Dhaka, and its construction and modernization (3rd revised) project, just extending time not cost.
Met office predicts rains in Dhaka, 6 other divisions
Met office forecast rains or thundershowers in Dhaka and six other divisions of the country in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Thursday.
“Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely at one or two places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions,” said a Met office bulletin.
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.