Bangladesh
Bangabandhu's visit to Russia commemorated at Moscow State University
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman addressed the Russian Parliament (Duma) and Moscow State University during his historic visit to Russia in 1972.
Fifty years later, on the centenary of his birth, a seminar was held at the same university again on Tuesday which was seen as a source of pride and joy for all.
On the occasion of the golden jubilee of Independence of Bangladesh and the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the daylong seminar was organized at the Institute of Asian and African Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University.
Moderated by Professor Alexey Maslov, Director of the Institute, the seminar started with the introductory speeches of Ambassador of Bangladesh to Russia Kamrul Ahsan and Ambassador of Russia to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy.
Later, university professors, fellows and policy makers of various Russian institutions presented their topic-based speeches.
The seminar was attended by representatives of various governmental and non-governmental organizations, including the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation (Rosatom), leading think tanks, and students of the university's graduate program.
In his introductory speech, Bangladesh Ambassador to Russia Kamrul Ahsan spoke on the historical background of Bangladesh's struggle for independence and the history of Bangabandhu's struggle and leadership for independence of Bangladesh.
Also Read: New documentary to depict Bangabandhu's life in Kolkata
He highlighted the historical relations between the people of Bangladesh and Russia and shed lights on the important role of Bangabandhu in establishing historical relations between the two countries after the independence of Bangladesh.
Professor Alexey Maslov, Director of the Institute, thanked the Bangladesh Embassy for organizing the seminar on the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence and the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Moscow State University.
He underscored the pioneering role of the then Soviet Union in rebuilding the war-ravaged infrastructure of post-war independent Bangladesh in 1972 and paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for establishing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Russia.
He also highlighted the ongoing bilateral relations and cooperation between Bangladesh and Russia.
Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy attended the seminar virtually from Dhaka.
He outlined the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Russia and highlighted the issues of mutual understanding and consensus between Bangladesh and Russia in the international arena including the United Nations.
Alexander Nikolaev, former Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh, and Vera Upirova, Project Manager of Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation (Rosatom), discussed the security management of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant being constructed in Bangladesh with Russia's economic and technical assistance.
At the seminar Professor Boris Zakharyin, Professor Liudmila Khokhlova, Professor Boris Volkhonsky, Professor Anna Bochkovskaya, Professor Alina Filimonova, and Professor Alexandra Safronova spoke on the role of Russian scholars in the study of Bengali language and culture. They highlighted the role of Bangladesh in the regional and international arena and the various cooperation activities of the two countries in the fields of education, culture, industry, trade and infrastructure. In their discussions, the visionary leadership of Bangabandhu in the rise of independent Bangladesh came up recurrently.
75th World Health Assembly to focus on “Health for Peace, Peace for Health” for recovery, renewal
In a world threatened by conflict, inequities, the climate crisis and pandemics, the seventy-fifth session of the World Health Assembly will stress the importance of building a healthy and peaceful planet by harnessing science, data, technology and innovation.
This year’s session of the Health Assembly will focus on the theme of “Health for Peace, Peace for Health” and will run from May 22-28 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
It will include the appointment of the next WHO Director-General.
“The pandemic has undermined progress towards the health-related targets in Sustainable Development Goals and laid bare inequities within and between countries,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“Sustained recovery will require more than ‘getting back on track’ and reinvesting in existing services and systems. We need a new approach, which means shifting priorities and focusing on the highest-impact interventions.”
The seventy-fifth World Health Assembly will kick off with a high-level segment on May 22 with speeches from the elected Health Assembly President, Heads of State, special guests, an address by the WHO Director-General and the presentation of the Director-General’s Health Awards.
The Director-General’s speech will set out WHO’s five priorities going forward, expanding from the vision delivered at the Executive Board meeting held in January 2022.
Ahead of the Health Assembly, on May 20, WHO will publish the latest set of World Health Statistics, its annual compilation of health statistics for WHO’s 194 Member States.
Also Read: World Health Assembly to focus on ending pandemic
The latest edition summarizes trends in life expectancy and causes of death and reports on progress towards global health/development goals for 2020.
The 2020-2021 Results Report, also published before WHA, summarizes the Organization's achievements and challenges in implementing the programme budget.
Key issues
The Health Assembly will discuss global strategies on food safety, oral health, and tuberculosis research and innovation. It will also discuss the report of the Working Group on WHO Sustainable financing.
Other key topics under discussion include:
Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies
An implementation road map 2023–2030 for the global action plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases
Intersectoral Global Action Plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders 2022-2031
Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment
Poliomyelitis
Global Health for Peace Initiative
Agenda items will be discussed in Committee A, which deals with predominantly programme and budget matters, and Committee B, which deals mainly with administrative, financial and legal matters.
Assembly delegates, partner agencies, representatives of civil society and WHO experts will also discuss priorities for public health in a series of strategic roundtables.
The Health Assembly is WHO’s highest decision-making body, setting out the Organization’s policy and approving its budget.
WHA is attended by delegations from all WHO 194 Member States.
The Health Assembly’s agenda is prepared by the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board, which will meet on May 18-20.
The Health Assembly is open to Member States, Associate Members, Observers, invited representatives of the UN and other participating inter-governmental organizations and non-State actors.
The Assembly will be webcast live from the WHO website.
The provisional agenda and Assembly documents can be accessed here.
Please note that a preliminary timetable is available here: Preliminary daily timetable for the seventy-fifth World Health Assembly.
DRU condemns case against Bhorer Kagoj editor, others
Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) has protested and condemned the case filed against five journalists including former DRU executive member and Daily Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta.
In a statement on Tuesday, DRU president Nazrul Islam Mithu and general secretary Nurul Islam Habib expressed their deep concern and demanded immediate withdrawal of the case.
The DRU leaders said news cannot be stopped by filing false cases against the newsmen.
READ: FBCCI mourns death of Bhorer Kagoj journo Aslam
Demanding immediate withdrawal of the case, they said DRU condemned such activities.
Earlier in the day, Awami League mayoral candidate in Cumilla City Corporation Arfanul Haque Rifat filed a defamation case with Cumilla Joint District Judge Court (1st) of Tk 10 crore against Daily Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta, news editor Iktiur Uddin, senior reporter Mohammad Ruhul Amin, Cumilla correspondent M Firoz Mia and publisher Saber Hossain Chowdhury for publishing 'false news'.
Ukhiya camp gas cylinder blast: 2 Rohingyas die at CMCH
Two Rohingyas, who suffered burn injuries following a gas cylinder fire at Ukhia camp in Cox's Bazar five days ago, died at Chattogram hospital on Tuesday.
The deceased were identified as Nur Alam, 59, and his son Anwar Kamal, 12.
SP Naimul Haque, commander of Cox's Bazar Armed Police Battalion-14 (APBn-14), said the father-son duo died while undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) at noon.
On Thursday, six Rohingyas, including children, sustained burn injuries from a gas cylinder fire at the house of Nur Alam at Block D/4 of Ukhia Rohingya Camp 1/East.
READ: N'ganj gas cylinder blast: Death toll rises to 3
"Nurul Alam's wife was trying to light their gas stove in the morning but it did not work. She might have left the gas cylinder on to light the stove with a matchstick, which caused the fire," said Naimul.
Nur Alam, his wife, their two sons and two others from a nearby home sustained burn injuries from the fire.
They were first sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital and later to CMCH.
2 to die for murder Manikganj
Manikganj, May 17 (UNB) – A Manikganj court on Tuesday sentenced two people to death and four others to life imprisonment for killing a private car driver in 2011.
Manikganj Additional District and Session Judge Utpal Bhattacharya handed down the punishment and fined each of the convicts Tk 50,000.
The condemned convicts were identified as Omar Hossain Saiful and Arifuzzaman Sajib. Both of them were tried in absentia.
The lifers are Abdullah Al Mamun, Farhad Hossain, Mohammad Ali Shimanto and Azim Khan. Of them Shimanto was tried in absentia.
According to the prosecution, Jahangir Alam, son of Mokhlesur Rahman of Haluaghat in Mymensingh district was strangled to death by the convicts at Kusanda in Ghior upazila of Manikganj district on January 28, 2011.
READ: Woman, 2 daughters hacked dead in Manikganj: Husband held
Police filed an FIR in this connection and later filed a murder case.
Later, police arrested six people for their alleged involvement in the killing.
Police submitted chargesheet against six people on February 26, 2012.
Former manager of war graves conferred with Japan's honour
Mohd. Abu Sayed, former Country Manager of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Bangladesh, was formally conferred the “Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” at a function held at the official residence of Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Ito Naoki on Tuesday.
The conferral by the government of Japan is in recognition of his longstanding contribution to taking care of Japanese graves at the war cemeteries of Cumilla and Chattogram in Bangladesh.
Abu Sayed had served for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission of Cumilla and Chattogram in Bangladesh for 33 years since 1987.
Respecting the spirit of the Geneva Conventions, he worked in good faith to keep the war cemeteries clean and tranquil, without any distinction between casualties of the Commonwealth of Nations and Japan.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Ito expressed his sincere gratitude to Abu Sayed for his devoted service for the resting place for the fallen including Japanese.
READ: Abul Kalam Azad to be conferred with Japan's second-highest civilian award
Earlier, Ambassador Ito visited Mainamati World War Cemetery in Cumilla and paid tribute to all those who perished during the war with his feelings of profound condolences.
Sayed said, “This is a very happy hour for me and I would like to pay many thanks to the Ambassador of Japan and the government of Japan. I’m pleased with this award. I would like to pay many thanks for selecting me for receiving this prestigious award.”
He also mentioned that during his 33 years of service, he tried to work there sincerely and heart and soul.
“I followed the Geneva Conventions. I looked after all the graves equally and kept them clean and tidy. Today, I’m receiving this honor not for only me but for all the members I have worked with in this period of 33 years.”
On April 29, 2021, the government of Japan decided to confer the decoration on Abu Sayed. He received the decoration from the government of Japan as the 12th Bangladeshi national. He also received the Ambassador’s commendations in November 2015.
Lakhs marooned in 3 districts as rivers flow above danger mark
Tens of thousands of people in Sunamganj, Sylhet, and Barishal districts have been marooned due to sudden flood water causing immense suffering to the residents.
Water in the rivers of Sunamganj and Sylhet were flowing above the danger level on Tuesday due to the onrush of upstream hilly waters from India while five rivers in Barishal breached the danger mark because of tidal bores.
In Sunamganj, around 10 lakh people remained marooned in the district as the flood situation worsened in several areas including Chhatak upazila.
More than five lakh people, 500 villages of Chhatak remained marooned since Monday. Water flooded more than two hundred primary schools and a hundred secondary schools and madrasas in the upazila.
Around 10 kilometers of Gobindaganj-Chhatak-Tajpur road has been inundated due to the floodwater.
Mamanur Rahman, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Chhatak, said the administration has announced Boula Govt Primary School, Tatikona Govt Primary School, Paper Mill Primary School, and SPPM High School as flood shelter centers for the flood victims.
At least 70 families have already taken shelter at Paper Mill Primary School as water flooded their houses.
READ: Flood situation worsens in Sylhet; low-lying areas in city inundated
Water levels in the upazila have crossed 152cm in the Surma River.
Meanwhile, residents of low-lying areas in Sunamganj city have been forced to leave their houses, with the flood situation worsening in the wake of the Surma River breaching the danger mark.
UNB correspondent saw water entering the residential areas of Shoalaghar, Nabinagar, Dharargaon, Jail Road, North Arpin Nagar, Tegharia, and Barapara in the Sunamganj municipal area on Tuesday morning.
Due to incessant rains in neighbouring India’s Meghalaya district over the last few days and the onrush of upstream hilly waters, many rivers in Sunamganj have breached the danger mark.
“Water is flowing above the danger level at Sholaghar point of the Surma River in the city, along with other rivers like Jadukata River in Tahirpur. Adding to the woes, 102mm of rainfall have been recorded in Sunamganj in the last 24 hours," said Jahurul Islam, executive engineer of the Water Development Board.
On the outskirts of the city, villages along the riverbank like Ibrahimpur, Sadargarh, and low-lying areas of Chatak, Tahirpur, Derai, Shalla, and Jamalganj were also flooded.
Tahirpur and Bishwambarpur upazilas have been cut off from Sunamganj city, with the connecting road getting submerged.
In Sylhet, thousands of city dwellers marooned in their inundated homes in the city as heavy rains and onrush of upstream hilly waters have worsened the flood situation.
The floodwater entered dwelling houses, shops, and other establishments as the Surma River burst banks flowing above its danger point, inundating the suburbs of Sylhet city including Sobhanighat, Kalighat, Chandnighat, Chararapar, Sheikhghat, Taltala, Kalapara, Majumdarpara, Machimpur.
People spent sleepless nights in different parts of the city on Monday as the water level continued to rise. The city dwellers were extremely busy shifting their important and urgent belongings and arranging safe shelter.
Shelters have been opened at Kishori Mohan and Machimpur schools in the city for the flood victims, said Nur Azizur Rahman, chief executive officer of Sylhet City Corporation.
According to Sylhet Water Development Board, the Surma River at Kanaighat point was flowing at 1.43 metres above the danger level at 9am on Tuesday which was at 1.25 metres above the danger level on Monday.
At Sylhet point, Surma was flowing 29 cm above the danger level.
The Kushiara River was flowing 45 cm above the danger level at Sheola Point. The water of this river has also increased at Sherpur point.
In Barishal, five of the 23 rivers in the Barishal division breached the danger mark Monday night due to tidal bores.
Ahsan Alam, a surveyor of the Barishal Water Development Board, said that the Surma and Meghna rivers flowed 3cm and 41cm, respectively, above the danger mark in Daulatkhan and Tajumuddin upazilas.
Similarly, the Tentulia, Bishkhali, and Biskhali rivers flowed 5cm, 6cm, and 7cm, respectively, beyond the red level.
Meanwhile, the low-lying areas of the division were also inundated, causing immense suffering to the residents.
HC asks for list of closed brick kilns around Dhaka
The High Court on Tuesday ordered the Directorate General of the Department of Environment and deputy commissioner of five districts adjacent to Dhaka to submit a list of the closed brick kilns, which were listed as illegal, within two weeks.
The HC bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim passed the order after hearing a petition.
Earlier, on April 20, the HC asked the deputy commissioners of five districts, Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Manikganj and Gazipur district and Directorate General of DOE to appear before the court today (May 17) for not fully complying with its order to raze illegal brick kilns in Dhaka and its adjacent districts to check air pollution .
Advocate Manzill Murshid stood for the petitioner while Amatul Karim stood for the DOE. Deputy Attorney General Mainul Islam represented the state while Advocate Anik R Haque stood for the brick kiln owners.
“After appearing before the court, the five deputy commissioners said they were able to close 95 % brick kilns while DoE director General provide a list of 411 illegal brick kilns in the five district, of them 65% were closed. But actually it is seen that the unauthorised brick kilns are still operating,” said advocate Manzill Murshid.
READ: HC issues rule on extending former ACC director Enamul Basir's sentence
On January 21, 2019, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, a human rights organisation filed a writ petition seeking steps to close the unauthorised brick kilns.
On January 13, 2020, the High Court issued nine directives and asked to implement them.
Manzill Murshid, said the authorities concerned started to take steps against illegal brick kilns from February last year and after going into operation, the air pollution started to decrease from the country.
But nowadays, Dhaka is again identified as the most polluted city, he said.
On January 30, a supplementary petition was submitted on behalf of the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh seeking order to close illegal brick kilns.
On February 1, the HC summoned the deputy commissioners of five districts and Directorate General of DOE as they failed to comply with the court order.
Recently, a journalist in an investigative report said many brick kilns in Savar are still continuing their operation but the DCs said they had taken steps to stop their operation, said Manzil.
Govt to allow private sector to commercially use national grid for power transmission: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that the government will allow the private sector to commercially use the national grid for power transmission.
“A draft policy guideline has been framed to facilitate the private sector to commercially use the national grid”, he told the Asia Pacific Ministerial Roundtable titled: ‘Progress and Opportunities for attracting Private Investment over the next Five Years for their National Energy Transition’.
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and Sustainable Energy for All jointly organised the function on Tuesday.
He mentioned that the government has been encouraging private sector investment in the power and energy sector.
“We have already introduced a 15 years tax waiver, duty exemption on import of equipment. Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) is providing logistic and technical support to the investors,” he told the roundtable.
READ: Overhead electricity cables to go underground in major cities: Nasrul Hamid
The roundtable was also addressed by chief executive officer of Sustainable Energy for All Damilola Ogunbiyi, executive secretary of UN ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjabana, Indian Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy Raj Kumar Singh, Indonesian Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif, Member of the Nepal Planning Commission Dr. Surendra Labh Karna and Energy Affairs Director of Fiji Mikaele Belena.
Nasrul Hamid said the government’s incentives to the private sector have resulted in $12 billion investment in the country’s power sector in the last one decade.
“We’ve planned to attract $50 billion private sector investment in the power sector in the next 12 years,” he added.
He informed that the country’s 44 per cent of electricity is coming from the private sector. Some 5 of the eight on-going renewable energy projects are from the private sector.
“Agreements have been signed to set up 10 renewable energy plants in the private sector”, he added.
He said the government has prepared a draft National Solar Energy Roadmap 2021-2041.
Clean energy received importance in the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan and Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan.
Nasrul Hamid said that some 29 companies have expressed their interest to invest in different segments of renewable energy.
He mentioned that investment in offshore wind, green hydrogen, floating solar; waste to energy, solar rooftop will add a new dimension in the country’s energy sector.
He said the government has estimated a target to invest $21 billion to promote renewable energy, enhance the energy efficiency and transport sector under the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan.
Flood situation worsens in Sylhet; low-lying areas in city inundated
Low-lying areas in Sylhet city have been inundated as flood situation worsened in the district due to heavy rains and onrush of water from the upstream.
Floodwater started to enter dwelling houses, shops and other establishments as Surma River is flowing above its danger level, inundating the suburbs of Sylhet city, Sobhanighat, Kalighat, Chandnighat, Chararapar, Sheikhghat, Taltala, Kalapara, Majumdarpara, Machimpur.
People spent sleepless nights in different parts of the city on Monday as they had to shift their important belongings to safer places.
Also read: Flood situation worsens in Sunamganj, Sylhet; thousands marooned
Shelter centers have been opened at Kishori Mohan and Machimpur schools in the city for the flood victims, said Nur Azizur Rahman, chief executive officer of Sylhet City Corporation.
Joynal Abedin, a resident of Charapar in the city, said, "It is true that rain and onrush water are responsible for this flood situation. But the poor navigability of the Surma River, the city's clogged drains, sewerage line clogged with garbage and the lack of proper supervision of the authorities concerned are all responsible for this misery.”
Senior Lawyer and Journalist of Sylhet Taj Uddin said the rainwater in the city used to drain out through various canals through Shahparan area. But the path of drainage got clogged due to different developmental works. “Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) did not take any measure in this regard.”
In order to solve water logging problem,, Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) started the work of repairing about 1100 kms of drains in the metropolitan area in 2012.
According to SCC, 75 per cent of the work of this project involving Tk 300 crore has been completed.