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ABM Group's Ataul Karim wins Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award 2022
Chairman of ABM Group AKM Ataul Karim has been conferred with the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award 2022 for his contributions to the country's economy through industrial establishment, manufacturing, job creation, and payment to the national exchequer.
He received the award from President Mohammed Shahabuddin at an award giving program held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Tuesday.
Karim's company Green Genesis Engineering Limited, a subsidiary of ABM Group, won the award in the medium industry category. The company has been doing water treatment installations including sinking deep tube wells, rainwater harvesting, effluent treatment plants (ETP), wastewater recycling plant, sewage treatment plant(STP), zero liquid discharge plant(ZLD), and surface water treatment plant since 2015.
Alongside Green Genesis Engineering Limited, 12 other companies of Bangladesh, including Runner Automobiles Limited, Jabber & Jobayer Fabrics Limited, and BSRM Steels Limited, were honored on the occasion.
Recipients of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award receive a cash prize and a Gold Medal. They will be exempt from requiring entry passes at various national events and civic receptions organized by city corporations. They will also be included as members of the government's Industry Policy Determination Committee, with the added convenience of using the VIP Lounge-2 at the airport, as per the rules.
Ataul Karim Selim of Green Genesis Engineering Limited told UNB, "I am grateful for this recognition. Such recognition will further boost my commitment to contributing more to job creation and, consequently, tax pay the national revenue."
Ataul Karim Selim has previously been recognised as the country's top taxpayer twice and has been honored as Sylhet's best taxpayer for six times.
BNP-leaning United Lawyers’ Forum to boycott Chief Justice's reception
The United Lawyers Front (ULF), a front of BNP-leaning lawyers, has announced it will boycott the reception of the country's 24th Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, citing various engagements since his appointment as objectionable.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the South Hall of the Supreme Court Bar Association on Tuesday.
Also read: Obaidul Hassan appointed chief justice of Bangladesh
In a written statement, Front Convener and BNP Vice-Chairman Advocate Zainul Abedin said, "The ad-hoc committee of The Supreme Court Bar Association of Bangladesh has already decided to boycott the so-called reception of the Chief Justice at the Court Room-1 of the Appellate Division on behalf of the members of the Bar on October 8 and the subsequent courtesy meeting of the respected judges with the members of the Bar."
“The ULF expresses its deepest regret with the decision of the Supreme Court Bar to boycott the so-called reception on October 8 with the aim of restoring the dignity, dignity, dignity of the post of Chief Justice and the confidence of the people of Bangladesh in the judiciary. A protest march and lawyers' rally will be held from 10 am to 1 pm in support of the decision to boycott the Supreme Court Bar Premises on October 8,” he said.
Also read: Justice Obaidul Hassan to take oath as country’s 24th Chief Justice on Sept 26
“All the people of the country, including the lawyers of the Supreme Court Bar, expected Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan to maintain the dignity and long-standing judicial tradition of the supreme chair of the court. Although his political past and as a lawyer in the bar, his regular participation in all kinds of activities of the current government and the ruling party is known to the legal community,” said the BNP leader.
"Since the appointment of the Chief Justice of Bangladesh, at one stage he received floral greetings from the president and general secretary of the student organization of the ruling party and the central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League, whose pictorial reports were widely circulated in the media and social media," Zainul said.
"This is an unprecedented event in the 52-year history of the Supreme Court and, in the words of senior lawyers, a moment of extreme pain for the judiciary," he added.
“Noadt only that, two days after taking oath, the legal community of Bangladesh has been disappointed and surprised after the picture of the Chief Justice receiving a large "sword" as a gift from controversial police officer, lawyer abuser and regular human rights violator DB Harun at a reception of a district association. The reception and various statements have raised questions about the highest constitutional judicial post like the Chief Justice,” he also said.
Also read: Justice Obaidul Hasan takes oath as 24th Chief Justice of Bangladesh
“Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan has damaged the dignity and dignity of neutral posts like the Chief Justice by accepting reception from the Awami League. This deepens the public's distrust of the judiciary. The judiciary will be plunged into a deep crisis. Nevertheless, we believe that as the head of the judiciary on behalf of any party, you will have a responsibility to remain neutral and maintain the independence of the judiciary in order to make this organization reflect the will of the people,” Zainul also said.
ULF co-convener Subrata Chowdhury, BNP legal affairs secretary Barrister Kaiser Kamal, senior advocate AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal and Adv Mohsen Rashid were present at the press conference, among others.
Unidentified man stabbed dead on Kanchpur Bridge
An unidentified man was stabbed to death allegedly by miscreants on Kanchpur Bridge in Siddhirganj upazila of Narayanganj on Tuesday afternoon.
The victim, aged around 45, was wearing a shirt and pants.
Siddhirganj police station’s OC Golam Mostafa said two people riding on a motorbike appeared at the bridge of Dhaka-Chattagram Highway and stabbed him in the chest with sharp weapons, leaving him critically injured.
Read: UP member stabbed dead in Gaibandha
He was rushed to a nearby private hospital where physicians declared him dead, the OC said, adding that at this stage they were trying to identify the victim.
A legal process was underway in this connection, he added.
Read more: Man stabbed dead over land dispute in Narsingdi
Citizens aged 14-18 can open MFS Accounts without NID: Bangladesh Bank
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has given an opportunity to the youth aged 14-18 to open mobile financial accounts without National Identity Card (NID).
The Department of Payment Systems of the central bank issued a circular in this regard on Tuesday and sent it to the mobile financial service providers for immediate execution.
The circular said youth between 14-18 years can open MFS accounts without their own NID through a guarantee of parents.
However, both the person interested in opening account and the parent must be citizens of Bangladesh.
Read: Bangladesh Bank to form Escrow implementation committee soon as part of cleaning up e-commerce
While opening the MFS account of the youth , the parent/guardian must provide his/her national identity card number and the birth certificate of intending youth. The parent's MFS account shall be compulsorily used as a linked MFS account for account opening.
This account should be opened by confirming the authenticity of the MFS account of the parents or guardians.
Read: Bangladesh Bank sets max interest rate of 10.20% on industrial loans for 6 months
The MFS account should be opened with the consent of the parent or legal guardian. As part of the parental consent process for account opening, they must send OTP to their mobile phone.
Besides, in case of transactions in these accounts, it should be ensured that the messages are sent to the account holder's mobile phone number. At the same time, the transaction information should be reported to the parents.
Read more: Bangladesh Bank introduces dollar booking policy for max 1 year
Nepal parliamentary delegation meets Speaker Shirin Sharmin
A visiting Nepalese Parliamentary delegation paid a courtesy call on Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Tuesday at the latter’s office in the city.
Nepalese MP Dr Arzu Rana led the visiting team during the meeting, said a press release.
In the meeting, different issues including trade and business, climate change, global challenges, agriculture, women empowerment, culture and impressive development of Bangladesh came up for discussion.
Read: Invest in children to develop good citizens: Speaker
Speaker Dr Chaudhury said the Bangladesh-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group can work on different areas including mitigating the impacts of climate change, hydropower generation, prevention of child marriage, prevention of gender violence through the exchange of mutual experiences.
If the two countries jointly develop a tourism package with the world's longest beach, Cox’s Bazar, in Bangladesh and Mount Everest in Nepal, both countries can be benefited, she said.
The Speaker said Nepal has been a true friend of Bangladesh since the independence of the country and a strong bilateral relation prevails between the two countries.
The Speaker focused on the development of Bangladesh and successes attained Bangladesh in different fields under the bold leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Read: Women's participation in the tourism industry should be increased: Speakers
Dr Arzu said she is very impressed visiting the Bangladesh National Parliament describing it as very charming. The main building of parliament and its library are truly unparalleled, she added.
The Nepalese MP said the development of Bangladesh is really commendable among the Southeast Asian countries.
She hoped that the cooperation between the two countries will continue for the sake of mutual interests.
Other Nepalese parliamentary delegation members were Anisha Nepali, Binita Kathayat, Surya Kumari Shrestha, Rupa Chowdhury, Prakash Pantha, Sharda Devi Bhatta and Shigha Bahadur Bishwakarma.
Besides, Nepalese ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari and high officials of Bangladesh Parliament were present.
Deaths from dengue now 1,030 as 13 more die in 24hrs
Thirteen more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 1030 this year.
During the period, 2,799 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, according to the DGHS.
Of the new patients, 682 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside the capital--indicating a worsening situation across the country, DGHS said.
Read: Dengue death toll crosses 1000-mark
A total of 9,198 dengue patients, including 2,940 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 211,683 dengue cases and 201,455 recoveries this year.
Read: Deaths from dengue now 975 as 8 more die in 24 hrs
September has so far been the deadliest month for the dengue outbreak this year with 396 fatalities and 79,598 cases, according to DGHS data.
Missing minor boy’s body recovered from Teesta River
The body of a six-year-old boy, who drowned in the Teesta River on Monday, was recovered on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Mohsin Miah, son of Nausha Mia of Taluk Belka village under Sundarganj upazila.
Locals said the child accidently drowned in the river when his father was fishing in a tributary of the river on Monday afternoon.
Read: 40-year-old man’s body recovered from car workshop in Gaibandha
Divers, police and locals searched for the missing boy for five hours but failed to trace him.
Around 16 after the incident on Tuesday morning, locals spotted the body stuck with a floating log in Kishamat Sadar village, around two kilometers off the place where he went missing, they said.
On information, the victim’s relatives recovered the body from the river.
Read: Youth’s body recovered from Karnaphuli River
Sundarganj Police Station’s Inspector (Investigation) Milon Chatterjee an unnatural death case was filed with the police station in this connection.
Read more: Chinese national’s body recovered in Khulna
Journalists protest alleged US pressure on media in the name of visa policy
Journalist leaders on Tuesday protested US Ambassador Peter Haas’ recent remarks on US visa policy , noting that such a statement is an unwanted interference and pressure on the free media in Bangladesh.
They came up with the observation at a rally titled “To Protest the US Pressure on Media in the Name of Visa Policy”. The event was organized by a platform named “Justice for Journalists” at Jatiya Press Club.
Speaking at the rally, journalists’ leader Chairman of DBC Television and editor of The Daily Observer Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the tendency of imposing visa policy on the media or threat to do so is seen as disrespecting the people of a sovereign country and its independent media.
Read: US visa restrictions: State Dept spokesperson once again refrains from mentioning media
“We want to protest this insult,” said the senior journalist who also served as the President of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) for a number of terms.
Former President of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Quddus Afrad said they (US) became vocal about these issues only during the rule of Awami League. “They have tried in different ways before, but failed because of the unity of the Bengali nation.”
Read: No discussion held on visa policy with US Assistant Secretary Bitter: Acting FS
“We are a formidable nation. We have got Bangabandhu as our leader and now we have Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. If we can remain united, all conspiracies can be dealt with,” he said.
Former President of BFUJ Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, former Secretary General of BFUJ Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, acting President of DUJ Manik Lal Ghosh and Joint General Secretary Khairul Alam were present.
Justice for Journalists President Kamrul Islam delivered the welcome speech.
Commonwealth Scholars Engagement seminar on Mental Health held in Dhaka
The British Council Bangladesh hosted the Commonwealth Scholars Engagement session on mental health at the British Council Auditorium in Dhaka on Monday.
The Bangladesh Association of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows (BACSAF) organised the session supported by British Council, said a media release.
In continuation, its second session will be held this year’s November 16 at Bangladesh Agriculture University, Mymensingh.
Global Mental Health Statistics says 970 million people around the world struggle with some mental illness or drug abuse, one out of four people will be affected by a mental illness at some point in their lives, and 14.3% of deaths worldwide, or approximately 8 million deaths each year, are attributable to mental disorders.
A study says that the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the mental health of the Bangladeshi population. The prevalence of depressive (57.9%), stress (59.7%) and anxiety (33.7%) symptoms in the adult population is now much higher than pre-pandemic rates.
Mental healthcare in Bangladesh is enormously inadequate owing to a lack of public mental health facilities, scarcity of skilled mental health professionals, insufficient financial resource distribution and societal stigma, says a report.
Read: Speakers stress mental health awareness to prevent drug addiction, suicide
David Knox, Director Programmes Bangladesh of British Council, in his welcome speech, said, “We are delighted to host Commonwealth Scholars alumni in a mental health and well-being session. The Committee seeks to demonstrate its relevance and the breadth of members' expertise and allows it to leverage the knowledge and experience of expert leaders from almost every field in Bangladesh. It is increasingly recognised that post-pandemic, there is a global mental health emergency; today's session will offer participants practical tips to overcome stigma and to provide ways of addressing stress, anxiety and depression.”
Monira Rahman, a Commonwealth Fellow and a mental health expert, said, “October is the month for raising awareness of mental health. We must realise that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can't be achieved without ensuring mental health. Today, we claim our mental health rights, rights to access affordable, accessible, quality mental health services in the community. Mental health literacy is the first step to achieving these goals. Today, we are spreading light on this important area- the mental health for all.”
Read: SAJIDA Foundation moves for improving mental health services
Commonwealth Scholarships enable talented and motivated people to attain knowledge and skills essential for sustainable development and are offered to citizens from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. Most scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Since the first Commonwealth Scholarships were awarded in 1960, over 1,800 Bangladeshi students have received scholarships and fellowships.
Prof Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Former Dean at Faculty of Engineering and Technology of Dhaka University and President BACSAF, said, "It is a pleasure for the BACSAF executive committee to organise today's session on mental health in association with the British Council with support from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. This prestigious association, BACSAF, has been formed by us to promote professional networking and collaboration among Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows so that we together can contribute towards the country's sustainable development."
Policymakers from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and BCSAF members, representatives from private and government educational institutions, healthcare institutions were also present during the session.
Read more: Mental Health: Many Bangladeshis suffering but not seeking help, Dipu Moni says
1,577 fire incidents recorded across country in September: Fire Service
Dhaka, Oct 3 (UNB)—Four people were killed and 11 others injured in 1,577 fire incidents that occurred across the country in September this year, Fire Service and Civil Defence has said.
Of them, 155 fire incidents occurred in Dhaka city where seven persons were injured but no one was killed, according to a press release issued by the Fire Service on Tuesday.
Fire at Gazipur warehouse under control
The number of fire incidents in Dhaka city increased by 27 in September from 128 in August, reads the release.
However, monthly statistics showed that the number of fire incidents across the country decreased by 90 in September from 1,667 in August.
According to the press release, 603 fire incidents occurred in Dhaka Division, 63 in Mymensingh, 189 in Chattogram, 225 in Rajshahi, 132 in Khulna, 57 in Sylhet, 60 in Barishal, and 248 in Rangpur divisions last month.
Woman with intellectual disability dies in Natore fire
As many as 777 people were injured and 184 people were killed in some other accidents and fire service participated in rescue operations in 590 road accidents, it said.
Apart from this, there were 10 accidents caused by kitchen gas cylinder explosions, 13 due to fault in gas lines, 15 elevator accidents, 19 lightning , and 115 drowning accidents.
Seventy-four people drowned in rivers, ponds and other water bodies across the country last month. Among these accidents, 49 occurred in Dhaka City Corporation area alone, killing 11.
The Fire Service also said their offices across the country provided services responding to 4,354 calls over different incidents of fire and accidents in September.
Mohammadpur Krishi Market fire doused nearly after 28 hrs
Besides, the Fire Service also provided ambulance services in response to 1,152 calls. In the month of September, 1,098 patients were transported and provided services across the country.