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KM Obaidur Rahman’s 16th death anniversary Tuesday
The 16th death anniversary of former BNP secretary general KM Obaidur Rahman will be observed in his home district Faridpur on Tuesday.
The local unit of BNP and Obaidur Rahman Smriti Sangsad have chalked out various programmes to observe the day, said a press release On Monday.
As part of the programmes, BNP leaders and activists and common people will place wreaths at his grave at Nagarkanda’s Loskardia village in Faridpur at 10 am.
They will also offer fateha and a munajat there seeking the salvation of the departed soul of Obaidur Rahman, who was also a valiant freedom fighter.
A discussion will be arranged at Loskardia Shama Dairy Farm at 3pm.
Besides, Obaidur Rahman Smriti Sangsad will arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, on Wednesday.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued a message on the occasion recalling Obaidur Rahman’s contributions to the Liberation War, various movements and BNP.
Born on May 5, 1940 at Laskardia village in Faridpur’s Nagarkanda upazila, Obaidur Rahman was elected a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and later played a vital role in the non-cooperation movement of 1971 and the Liberation War.
He joined BNP in 1978 and was made its general secretary in 1986. Obaidur Rahman was elected MP five times. He died on March 21, 2007.
IWC of Dhaka Uptown helping Garo youth to train as graphic designers
The Inner Wheel Club of Dhaka Uptown successfully donated a desktop computer and accessories with the required configuration for the youth training of the Garo Community to become graphic designers.
President of Inner Wheel Club of Dhaka Uptown, Nafisa Tarannum and an active member, Ishrat Jahan went to Haluaghat (Kakorkandi Union) of Mymensingh personally to hand over the Computer & Accessories on March 17th. Another member Mahmuda Haque was the main contributor. Inner Wheel Club of Dilkusha also contributed.
"I was really surprised to see this development in such a sector of this remote area. We have witnessed that many people came to learn graphics design from neighbouring villages," Nafisa Tarannum said, sharing her experience after visiting Haluaghat.
Ishrat Jahan said, "What surprised me the most is the courage of the young lady Trisna Dio who initiated this, and her family who supported her in this charity work. Trisna could successfully motivate a lot of people from her village and neighbouring villages to become freelancers."
"Training Youth of Garo Community for becoming freelancers" is an Inner Wheel Club of Dhaka Uptown Project. Trisna Dio is the very first female from the Garo Community of Kakarkandi Union, Mymensingh to have completed Graphics Designing course. She has also started training young people from her community from March 1, 2022.
Trisna received her first laptop from honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through State Minister for ICT Junaed Ahmed Polok in October 2022. She received the best freelancing award from Mymensingh Division in November. In February, the ICT Division gifted her with 5 high speed PCs to encourage her cause.
“Our objective was to ensure that there is continuous sustainability income generating activities for indigenous people here to help them become self-sufficient and support their families.” Nafisa said.
UK's Cross Party delegation meets Bashundhara Group MD
A Cross-Party Parliamentary delegation from the UK met Mr. Sayem Sobhan Anvir, Managing Director, Bashundhara Group at his residence at Bashundhara Residential Area, according to a press release on Monday.
The meeting took place on Sunday, said the release from Bashudhara Group.
The delegation comprised five lawmakers, Paul Bristow MP, Paulette Hamilton MP, Antony Higginbotham MP, Jane Marion Hunt MP, Thomas Patrick Hunt MP.
Councilor Alexander Turner Brentwood, Clear Insurance and Management director Rodney Flowers, Live Testing Solutions CEO Jo Lee, ZI Foundation chairman Zillur Hussain MBE, SMR vice-chairman Ivelina Banalieva, Posh Spice Ltd chair Golap Mia and British Bangladeshi Young Talent founder Zobaer Alam were present during the meeting, said the release.
It said the delegates praised Bashundhara Group for contributing to the overall development of Bangladesh.
UCEP launches skilled workforce scheme
UCEP Bangladesh launched the QuEST-II project to create skilled workforce at its headquarters in Dhaka on Monday.
The project aims to create a skilled and inclusive workforce that will support the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, said a media release.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has provided financial support for the project.
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer was the chief guest at the launching ceremony.
Khaled Mamun Chowdhury ndc, Director General, Department of Labour, was present as a special guest.
Dr. Mohammad Alauddin, Chairperson of UCEP Bangladesh, presided over the event, and Dr. Md. Abdul Karim, Executive Director of UCEP Bangladesh, gave the welcome address and expressed his gratitude to DFAT for its investment in the project, which will enable UCEP to serve as a model for skills workforce development and empower underprivileged children and youth.
The High Commissioner praised UCEP Bangladesh for its significant contribution to technical and vocational education and training in the country and its dedication to improving the lives of underprivileged children and youth, including females and individuals with disabilities.
The programme ended with a cultural performance by the students of UCEP Bangladesh.
The organisation is proud to work with DFAT towards the common goal of improving education quality and creating a brighter future for all citizens.
UCEP Bangladesh looks forward to continuing its partnership with DFAT to bring about positive change in society and create a better future for all.
Banglalink’s annual revenue growth increased by 12.1% in 2022
Banglalink has recorded a double-digit growth rate in its annual revenue in 2022, propelled by its increased investment in 4G network that resulted in its expanded coverage and enhanced network speed.
According to the 2022 earnings release published recently by Banglalink’s parent company VEON Ltd, Banglalink’s annual revenue in 2022 increased by 12.1% YoY (Year on Year) to BDT 5,374 crore, thanks to its continuous double-digit growth momentum in three consecutive quarters, said a press release issued on Monday.
Banglalink’s annual service revenue in 2022 grew by 12.3% YoY, while the annual data revenue grew by 26.6% YoY.
Erik Aas, Chief Executive Officer of Banglalink came up with the announcement while talking at a press conference held in the city on Monday.
Its innovative and improved digital services also expanded its customer base last year.
Kaan Terzioglu, Chairman of Banglalink Board and Group Chief Executive Officer of VEON, Cem Velipasaoglu, Chief Financial Officer of Banglalink, Upanga Dutta, Chief Commercial Officer of Banglalink, and Taimur Rahman, Chief Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Officer of Banglalink were present at the event.
Toffee, Banglalink's digital entertainment platform, played a pivotal role in Banglalink’s rise to the leading position in the digital segment in Bangladesh.
Toffee’s monthly active user base reached 2.12 crore at the end of 2022.
The exclusive livestreaming of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM last year contributed significantly to its popularity as the average daily active users of Toffee rose 5-fold YoY, reaching 52 lacs.
Banglalink’s self-service mobile app, MyBL Super App, gained momentum as its monthly active users reached 57 lacs at the end of the year.
Banglalink’s subscribers grew by 7.1% YoY during 4Q22, which is a key milestone achieved during the last quarter of the year.
Banglalink’s growth was supported by the relentless drive for nationwide network expansion and technological advancement.
Banglalink expanded its network coverage by around 40% last year, increasing its total sites to more than 14,100.
Banglalink’s superior network quality and advanced digital services were instrumental in reaching the landmark of a 4.0 Crore subscriber base recently.
In addition to winning the Ookla®️ Speedtest Award™️ as the Fastest Mobile Network in the country for the 6th consecutive time in 3 years, Banglalink also racked up the highest number of new subscribers among all the operators in 2022.
Kaan Terzioglu, Chairman of Banglalink Board and Group Chief Executive Officer of VEON, said, “It is great to see VEON’s consistent investment in Bangladesh yielding pronounced results. Banglalink’s double-digit revenue growth for three consecutive quarters is a testament to its success in strengthening customers’ trust.
As a part of our Digital Operator Strategy, Banglalink is on track to enhance its growth whilst contributing to the realization of a Smart Bangladesh through consistent delivery of high-quality digital services to the thriving digital market of Bangladesh.”
Erik Aas, Chief Executive Officer of Banglalink, said, “Banglalink, as a National Operator, embarked on a new era of growth as a digital powerhouse in 2022, delivering exceptional results across all segments. Our growth rate surpassed that of the industry by a two-fold margin, and by extending our fastest 4G network and delivering superior digital services to every corner of the nation, we have achieved the status of a true National Operator. Armed with our unparallel speed and nationwide reach, we are poised to serve our customers with top of the line connectivity in the coming years."
Banglalink is steadfast in its unwavering dedication to delivering seamless connectivity and superior digital services to its valued customers.
Bangladesh logs 5 more Covid cases: DGHS
Bangladesh reported five more Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Monday morning.
With the new number, the country's total caseload rose to 2,037,974, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,445 as no new fatalities were reported.
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The daily case test positivity rate dropped to 0.24 percent from Sunday’s 0.49 percent against the tests of 2,071 samples.
The recovery and death rates remained unchanged at 98.47 percent and 1.44 percent, respectively.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and highest number of fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.
Helena Jahangir, 4 others get two years imprisonment
A Dhaka court on Monday sentenced five people including, Helena Jahangir, expelled leader of an Awami League sub-committee, to two years imprisonment in a fraud case filed with Pallabi Police Station.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain handed down the judgment. The court also fined them Tk 2000 each, in default, to suffer two months more imprisonment.
The four other convicts are-- Hazera Khatun, general manager of Helena Jahangir's IPTV Joyjatra television, its coordinator Sanaullah Nuri, chief news editor Quamruzzaman Arif and staff reporter Mahfuz Shahrier.
Also Read: Court fixes Mar 20 for delivering judgment in case against Helena Jahangir, 4 others
The court also issued warrants for the arrest of Helena and Hazera for not to appear before the court during the hearing.
On March 14, the court fixed March 20 for delivering the judgment in the case after concluding the law-point arguments from both the defense and state counsel sides.
Abdur Rahman Tuhin, Bhola district correspondent of Joyjatra television, filed the case against Helena and four others with Pallabi Police Station on August 2, 2021.
Also Read: Helena Jahangir gets bail in DSA case, may walk out of jail soon
According to the prosecution, Helena Jahangir took Tk 54,000 from Tuhin for appointing him as a district correspondent of the television. After joining the television, he did not get any remuneration for several months. On the other hand, the television authorities used to take Tk 3,000 from him every month.
On November 21, 2021, inspector Shahinur Islam of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted chargesheet against Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court.
On July 29, 2021, members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested Helena Jahangir, 49, from her residence in the city’s Gulshan-2 area.
The elite force members "seized foreign liquor, illegal walkie-talkie sets, casino equipment and deer skins" from her possession.
Four separate cases were filed against Helena.
Glorious chapter starts with Bangladesh’s first submarine base: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said a glorious chapter opened in the country’s military history with the commission of its first ever submarine base in Cox’s Bazar.
“A glorious chapter started in the military history of Bangladesh as a full-fledged and modern submarine base is being commissioned in the Bangladesh Navy,” she said.
The premier was addressing the commissioning ceremony of the country’s first submarine base ‘BNS Sheikh Hasina’ of Bangladesh Navy at Pekua in Cox’s Bazar through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganabhaban here.
She said her government established the Bangladesh Navy as a full-fledged three-dimensional force by adding two submarines (“BNS Navajatra” and “BNS Joyjatra”) to the naval fleet on March 12, 2017.
Hasina asked the members of Bangladesh Navy to work for building the country alongside their professional duty, by playing supportive role to unlock potentials of the blue economy.
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“I hope that being imbued with the spirit of patriotism, every member of Bangladesh Navy will continue their endeavors to build the country as hunger-poverty-free, developed and prosperous Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation, alongside performing their professional duty. Because, we’ve taken a blue economy policy to explore our huge marine resources,” she said.
She said the government has taken steps to utilise marine resources for the country’s economic development. Besides, Bangladesh has many scopes to develop its tourism industry, she said.
The PM said her government has been building the armed forces as capable ones to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty, if Bangladesh is attacked.
“We don't want to make war with anyone. But, we have to attain enough efficiency to protect our independence and sovereignty, if Bangladesh falls into such a situation. We’re preparing our forces keeping that in mind,” she said.
In the last 14 years, a total of 31 warships, including 4 frigates, 6 corvettes, 4 large patrol crafts, 5 patrol crafts and 2 training ships were added to the fleet of Bangladesh Navy, she said.
Sheikh Hasina also thanked Bangladesh Navy as the force is not only building ships for Bangladesh, but also constructing various water vessels and exporting these to different countries.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal delivered the welcome speech from Pekua venue.On PM’s permission, the Chief of Naval Staff handed over the commissioning forman (order) to commanding officer of the submarine base Commodore M Atiqur Rahman.
In the function, the nameplate of BNS Sheikh Hasina was unveiled.
The newly constructed submarine base can accommodate a total of six submarines and eight warships at a time.
Gulistan blast: RAB dog gets award for heroic role
A dog of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been awarded for its heroic role in rescue operation after a massive explosion in a 7-storey building in the capital’s Siddique Bazar area recently.
For the first time in Bangladesh, ‘Cheetah’, a member of the Dog squad of the RAB, received RAB Director General Award for its heroic role, said ASP Imran Khan of Media wing of RAB headquarters.
Earlier on March 7, three teams of RAB dog squad along with other members of the elite force joined the rescue operation following the deadly blast.
Also Read: Gulistan blast: One more victim succumbs to injuries, death toll now 24
The dog had important role in recovering three bodies from the damaged building, Imran Khan added.
Earlier, on March 7, a massive explosion in the 7-storey building near a BRTC bus counter in the capital’s Gulistan area left at least 24 people dead and over 100 injured.
2 more dengue cases reported in 24 hrs: DGHS
Two more patients were hospitalised with dengue in the 24 hours till Monday morning.
Of the new patients, one was admitted to a hospital in Dhaka and another outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
21 dengue patients, including 11 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
Also read: 2 more dengue cases reported in 24 hrs: DGHS
So far, the DGHS has recorded 809 dengue cases, 779 recoveries, and nine deaths this year.
The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Also, it recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.