Bangladesh
PM opens Bangabandhu 9th Bangladesh Games
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened multi-sport extravaganza Bangabandhu 9th Bangladesh Games on Thursday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital.
She joined the inaugural ceremony from her official residence Ganobhaban virtually in the evening.
Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) is organising the Bangladesh Games at 29 separate venues across the country.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Hasina urged all athletes of 31 sports disciplines of the Games to make themselves fit enough to compete in the Olympics in the future.
“Alongside showing your skills in (9th Bangladesh Games), make yourselves properly fit to participate in the Olympic Games anywhere in the world in the future,” she said.
She said the government will take steps to arrange international training to make sportspersons prepared so that they can take part in some events of the Olympic Games. “We want to develop our athletes in such a way,” she said.
The PM urged all the athletes to follow the health protection rules as it is being held amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also read: Avoid public gatherings, wear masks to fight Covid surge, PM urges all
She also asked the organiser to pay attention so that health rules are maintained during the Bangabandhu 9th Bangladesh Games.
Sheikh Hasina said sports are absolutely needed, particularly for our small children and youths.
Sreda, BGMEA sign deal for rooftop solar power promotion in RMG sector
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understating (MOU) under which the state-owned agency will help garment industries to install rooftop solar power in order to transform them into green industries.
Welcoming the agreement between the two private and public bodies, Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said the initiative will create some foots and grounds for promotion of renewable energy in the garment sector.
Read: Rooftop solar power: ‘Net metering can ensure cheaper electricity for garment factories’
“This will open up the door for others to follow”, he told the agreement signing function joining it virtually.
Sreda secretary Niaz Rahman and BGMEA Secretary Abdur Razzak signed the MOU on behalf of their respective sides while Sreda chairman Mohammad Alauddin and BGMEA president Rubana Huq, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Kaikaus addressed the function.
As per the agreement, the Sreda and BGMEA will create coordination in raising awareness about renewable energy in the garment sector, pursue for central bank’s green funding and also investment from banking sector.
Read: Rooftop solar: Power companies instructed to float net metering promotion plan
Nasrul Hamid said the country’s industrial sector consumes nearly 48 percent of their total power generation and garment industries lead the sector by consuming 30 percent of total industrial load.
If the garment industry pursues energy efficiency, it will reduce their 17.6 percent consumption, he added.
Sreda chairman Mohammad Alauddin said there is huge scope for renewable energy promotion in garment sector.
Read Green energy's share of power generation lagging far behind conventional sources
Covid 19: Movement of tourist ships on Teknaf-St Martin's route suspended
Movement of all tourist ships on Teknaf-Saint Martin's Island route has been suspended in the wake of fresh surge in Covid-19 cases.
However, movement of other vessels carrying regular passengers and daily essentials will remain normal, subjected to maintaining health guidelines.
Cox's Bazar district administration issued a directive in this regard on Thursday.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records highest-ever daily cases, 59 deaths
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Mamunur Rashid said that tourist ships usually operate till March 31 every year.
This period was extended by 15 days but due to the corona situation tourist ships movement has been stopped from Thursday.
Amjad Hossain, coordinator of the Teknaf station of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (BIWTA), said eight ships were approved to carry tourists on Teknaf-Saint Martin’s route from November 12 last year.
Also read: Bangladesh bans entry of passengers from Europe & 12 countries for two weeks
But the service has been suspended due to the recent hike in coronavirus cases.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Parvez Chowdhury said strict legal actions will be taken if this decision is disobeyed.
1 killed in Sathia AL infighting
A man was killed and 11 others were injured in a clash between two factions of Awami League over the formation of a ward-level committee in Pabna on Thursday.
Police identified the deceased as Alhaz Sheikh, 35.
Locals said two factions of the ruling party, led by Sharbesh Sheikh and Moslem Master, were at loggerheads over the formation of committee at ward number 9 of Gourigram Union in Santhia upazila.
Also read: AL infighting leaves 2 injured in Bogura on Bangabandhu's birth centenary
Sheikh was elected president of the ward, prompting Master’s supporters to attack Sheikh’s men.
They fought with sticks and sharp weapons. Several people, including Alhaz, were injured during the clash.
Locals took them to the Upazila Health Complex where the doctor declared Alhaz dead. Five others, who had been severely injured, were admitted to the hospital.
Also read: 1 killed in clash over dominance at Santhia; 10 injured
Pabna Additional Superintendent of Police Masud Alam told UNB that the situation is under control.
Several people, including Master, have been detained, he said.
Bus fare raises by 60% for maintaining social distance
The number of Coronavirus infections and deaths in Bangladesh has been rising at an alarming pace in recent weeks. The Bangladesh government released a notification on March 29 (Monday) with 18-point directives to curb the covid-19 infection.
The guidelines stipulate that all forms of public events, including social, political, and religious gatherings, be restricted, as well as public gatherings in highly infected areas are also being prohibited. Furthermore, according to the notification guidelines, public transports are only permitted to carry 50% of its total capacity. To make things work, bus fare has raised by 60% for maintaining social distance.
The main reason for the government's decision to raise bus fare
To ensure social distancing, the government has ordered that passenger movement on public transportation be limited.
On the other hand, inter-district bus services have been instructed to be stopped if necessary. Coronavirus infection can be prevented by limiting people's movement in public places. This would lower the rate of infection and the number of people who die as a result of it across the country.
The government's decision to raise bus fare is primarily motivated by this. Meanwhile, the bus owners' association requested a 60% rise in per-person fare, citing the directive's obligation to transport half of the capacity. In response to their requests, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges accepted a proposal to raise bus fare by 60%, which will remain in effect from March 31 for two weeks (Wednesday).
Read Prices in kitchen markets on the up ahead of Ramadan
However, Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader advised the transport owners to take the required measures to ensure that passengers adhere to the hygiene laws, such as wearing masks and using hand sanitizers.
Public opinions in regards to the increase of bus fare
Due to the low cost of travel, the city's local bus services are the primary mode of transportation for daily workers to reach their workplace in the capital. But the sudden rise in bus fare has exacerbated the plight of low-income people.
Furthermore, people are unable to arrive at their destination on time due to a shortage of transportation. Despite this, the public has backed the government's decision to fight the pandemic. “This is a good move. Since saving lives costs a lot of money given the current condition of the coronavirus, we should accept the government's decision,” A student said while traveling the BRTC bus in Gulistan on Wednesday. “This is a good initiative. If we only consider money, this decision would bring us difficulties.
However, it is important that everyone follow the hygiene rules at this moment,” A jobholder reflected on the government's decision. Meanwhile, when speaking with long-distance travelers, there was a mixed reaction. Some bus companies are collecting nearly double the fare by taking advantage of the government's notice. However, reputable bus services have raised fares by 60% in compliance with government instructions and have also installed hand sanitizers in accordance with hygiene guidelines.
Law enforcement authorities must constantly monitor bus service providers' activities in order to fully execute the government's decision. Apart from that, everybody, including the general public and transport companies, needs to be more sincere.
The potential effects of the coronavirus in Bangladesh in the summer
Although the coronavirus outbreak in Bangladesh has recently risen, experts predict that the number of covid-19 patients will not increase massively in the coming summer. Because people have begun to develop antibodies.
According to a report, approximately 74 percent of slum dwellers had antibodies. Furthermore, if vaccine activities continue, the effect of the coronavirus outbreak in Bangladesh will gradually decline. Besides that, if passenger movement in public transportation can be controlled for a period of time, the coronavirus infection could be controlled more effectively. Once the national vaccination campaign is finished, the situation is expected to improve even further.
Despite the fear of a covid-19 pandemic, if the expert's predictions come true, the general public will at least feel some relief in public transportation this summer.
Bottom Line
The government has taken some important decisions as a precautionary measure for two weeks as the covid-19 situation in Bangladesh has unexpectedly worsened.
Coronavirus infections can be controlled by maintaining social distance and adhering to health laws, according to experts. In this case, low-income people have suffered financially. However, the majority of the population has welcomed the government's decision to raise the bus fare by 60% for maintaining social distance because it is in the country's best interests.
Read Covid surge in Bangladesh: Experts for tightening the grip with nighttime curfew
Bangladesh reached unique height in last 50 years: Indian Minister
Indian Railway, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said Bangladesh has come a long way and reached a unique height since its independence five decades ago.
Speaking as the chief guest at a reception hosted by the Bangladesh High Commission on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Independence on Wednesday evening, he said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is leading the wonderful success of Bangladesh.
"When Sheikh Hasina last visited India, I talked to her. Then I realised that Sheikh Hasina thinks deeply about the welfare of the country and the people," Goyal said.
Also read: Dhaka, Delhi to accelerate momentum; eye next 50 years of diversified ties
The Railway Minister said that this time on the centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth, the government of India has rightly bestowed on him Gandhi award.
No alternative to increasing hospital capacity: Health Minister
Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said that there is no alternative to increasing the capacities of hospitals to tackle the surge in Covid-19 cases.
“There’s no alternative to increasing the number of hospital beds as Covid cases are increasing day by day. That’s why the government is increasing the number of beds at all covid-dedicated hospitals,” he said while inaugurating 10 ICU beds at Dhaka Medical College Hospital at an online event.
He said the number of covid-designated hospitals are also being increased.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records highest-ever daily cases, 59 deaths
Minister Maleque said that a market of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has been turned into a Covid-dedicated hospital with 1,250-bed capacity.
“There are 50 ICU beds and 200 SDO beds,” he said. “It also has 1,000 isolation beds.”
Maleque said the number of covid beds is being increased at government hospitals in the capital.
Also read: Avoid public gatherings, wear masks to fight Covid surge, PM urges all
In this regard, the minister said that 10 more ICU beds have been added to Dhaka Medical College Hospital today.
Dhaka for expediting BIMSTEC process with enhanced trade, investment
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday urged Member States to expedite BIMSTEC process noting that an enhanced trade and investment in this region will facilitate income and employment generation.
"Seamless multi-modal connectivity is a precondition for trade and investment promotion and people to people contact," he said.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks at the 17th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting virtually held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Also read: Bimstec SG lauds Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development
The meeting approved/endorsed several BIMSTEC agreements, conventions, MoUs and other important documents /instruments envisaged to be signed/adopted at the fifth BIMSTEC Summit.
The Foreign Ministers and Senior Officials of all the seven BIMSTEC Member States joined the meeting.
Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen accompanied the Foreign Minister in the meeting
The 5th BIMSTEC Summit is expected to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka this year subject to the COVID situation.
Dr Momen said BIMSTEC is a member driven organization and members organize the meetings and events to build consensus on cooperation and undertake programme of action in various sectors.
"We need to work simultaneously on a faster pace in all priority sectors to bring synergy in our cooperation to make BIMSTEC a result oriented regional forum," he said.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh is celebrating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th Anniversary of Independence.
"The Father of the Nation was a visionary leader. In early 1972 he thought of working together with the neighbours in the region for collective progress and prosperity of our peoples. Regional cooperation has been our foreign policy priorities since then," said the Foreign Minister.
He said the Father of the Nation’s able daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s decision to join BIMSTEC as its founding member in 1997 bears the testimony of our commitment to regional cooperation.
Also read: Bimstec offers huge prospects for economic cooperation: Dhaka
"It is manifested in hosting the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka. As the host country Bangladesh is committed to extend all possible support to strengthen the Secretariat," he said.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh facilitated and supported the consideration and adoption of a series of vital documents in the meeting chaired by Dinesh Gunawardena, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and Chairman of the said Meeting.
The meeting approved and recommended the finalized draft text of the BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, the finalized draft text of the Memorandum of Association on the Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility (TTF) in Colombo, Sri Lanka and the draft text of the MoU on Mutual Cooperation between Diplomatic Academies/Training Institutions of BIMSTEC Member States for signature during the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit.
It approved the rationalization of sectors and sub-sectors of BIMSTEC and the Template of the Memorandum of Association (MoA) on the Establishment of the BIMSTEC Centres/Entities for adoption during the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit.
Also read: Dhaka for greater intra-OIC trade, contract farming
It also adopted Joint Statement of the 17th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting and BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity for onward submission to the 5th BIMSTEC Summit and recommended the draft Text of the Summit Declaration as per recommendation of the Special SOM held virtually yesterday in Colombo.
"We need the legal documents to be ready for signature at the earliest," Dr Momen said adding that hosting meeting regularly and concurrences and participation of Member States in those meetings are very much crucial in this regard.
Covid-19: Bangladesh records highest-ever daily cases, 59 deaths
For the third time in four days, Bangladesh recorded its highest daily coronavirus cases as the health authorities confirmed 6,469 new infections on Thursday afternoon.
The infection rate jumped to 22.94 percent from 19.9 of Wednesday’s when the country recorded 5,358 cases, the highest in months.
On Tuesday, 5,042 cases were recorded and the number was 5,181 on Monday.
Also read: Avoid public gatherings, wear masks to fight Covid surge, PM urges all
Bangladesh had seen a sharp decline in cases and the daily infection rate dropped below 5 percent but the sudden spurt appears to have caught the health sector unawares. There is hardly any bed available at hospitals treating coronavirus patients.
The country’s covid caseload soared to 617,764 after it recorded its highest-ever single day case count, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
During the 24-hour period until Thursday morning, 2,539 coronavirus patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 544,938.
Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 last year and confirmed the first death from the virus 10 days later.
The country has so far tested 4,698,774 samples, including 28,198 in the last 24 hours, the DGHS said.
Dhaka sees highest deaths
Meanwhile, the fatalities reached 9,105 with 59 new deaths. The mortality rate slipped slightly to 1.47 percent.
Coronavirus claimed 568 lives in January this year, 281 in February and 638 in March.
Among the latest victims, 40 people died in Dhaka division, five in Chattogram, two each in Rajshahi and Rangpur, four in Khulna, one in Barishal and five in Sylhet division.
So far, 5,192 coronavirus patients died in Dhaka division, 1,645 in Chattogram, 506 in Rajshahi, 586 in Khulna, 274 in Barishal, 325 in Sylhet, 376 in Rangpur and 201 in Mymensingh divisions.
So far 6,847 men (75.20) and 2,258 women (24.80) died of the virus.
Also read: New variant may be behind Covid surge in Bangladesh: Experts
Govt strengthens protective steps
The daily surge prompted the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to issue an 18-point directive on Monday to prevent the virus’ transmission.
On the same day, the Health Ministry proposed strict measures like partial lockdowns for some places with higher Covid-19 transmission rates.
Other recommendations made by the ministry include closure of amusement centres, picnic spots, religious gatherings, limiting wedding ceremonies, strengthening quarantine systems, limiting passengers in public transports, and limiting attendance in offices.
It also suggested strong enforcement of the ‘no mask no service’ policy, increasing numbers of mobile courts and slapping fines on health guideline violators.
The administrations in various districts have shut down the amusement centres and are urging people to mask up. But a large number of people are still reluctant to follow covid health guidelines, putting themselves and others around them at risk.
Vaccination drive
The government launched a countrywide vaccination campaign on February 7 with doses received from the Serum Institute of India.
Bangladesh inked an agreement with Serum in December last year for 30 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Serum is supposed to supply the doses between January and June this year – 5 million each month.
Also read: Covid surge in Bangladesh: Experts for tightening the grip with nighttime curfew
Global situation
Coronavirus cases were first reported in China in December 2019. Since then, countries around the world have reported 128.8 million cases and 2.8 million deaths so far, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
A number of vaccines have been developed to fight the virus. Most notable of them are those made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Oxford-AstraZeneca.
Foreign envoys to visit Bhasan Char on April 3
Envoys representing Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America will visit Bhasan Char on April 3 to see the facilities in place for Rohingyas.
The Ambassadors and the High Commissioners of the diplomatic missions were invited to participate in a government-led visit to Bhasan Char.
Also read: Rohingya relocation: 2,495 going to Bhasan Char in 6th phase
This visit by resident diplomatic envoys follows the UN team’s first visit to Bhasan Char that took place from 17 – 20 March.
During this first visit to Bhasan Char by some of the heads of mission whose countries are contributing to the Rohingya response, participants will have an opportunity to see some of the facilities and services on the island.
They will have a chance to meet with relocated Rohingyas, authorities, and others living and working there.
Also read:Bhashan Char: 'No place for the curious to flock to the island'
COVID-19 protocols will be followed in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of the Government of Bangladesh, said a joint media release on Thursday.
Envoys look forward to continuing the dialogue with the Government of Bangladesh on its Bhasan Char project, as well as with the UN and other relevant partners following the visit.
Further conversations are needed, especially between the Government of Bangladesh and UN to discuss the policy and technical issues in detail, it said.
The government has planned to relocate 1 lakh Rohingyas to Bhasan Char to decongest the overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar that have temporarily been accommodating nearly a million of Rohingyas with many more thousands born each year.
The government said the deteriorating security situation due to prolonged stay of these frustrated people in Cox’s Bazar also compelled the government of Bangladesh to come up with a contingency plan and develop Bhashan Char from its own budgetary allocation.
Accordingly, the government invested more than $350 million to develop the island.
The 13,000-acre island has all modern amenities, year-round fresh water, beautiful lake and proper infrastructure and enhanced facilities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
These include uninterrupted supply of electricity and water, agricultural plots, cyclone shelters, two hospitals, four community clinics, mosques, warehouses, telecommunication services, police station, recreation and learning centers, playgrounds, etc.
Also read: Another batch of Rohingyas reaches Bhasan Char
In contrast to the makeshift structures of the camps in Cox’s Bazar, the accommodation in Bhashan Char is strongly-built with concrete foundation which can withstand natural disasters such as cyclones and tidal waves, said the government.
Super Cyclone Amphan proved the strength of the structures of Bhashan Char, it said.
Contrary to the apprehension of some quarters about the feasibility of the island, Bhashan Char stood firm against the massive storm, said
Despite the heightened tidal wave, all the 1,440 houses and 120 shelter stations in the island remained unharmed, the statement said.
The island is connected with the mainland through waterways.
Facilities for Rohingyas
The MoFA said the government of Bangladesh has ensured adequate supply of food along with proper sanitation and medical facilities for Rohingyas in Bhashan Char.
Appropriate hospitals with highly-qualified health professionals, adequate Covid-19 testing and treatment facilities are there in place, it said.
In addition to government agencies, around 22 NGOs are already there to extend all possible support to the relocated Rohingyas.
Adequate security has been ensured in the island by deploying police personnel, including policewomen, and the area is fully covered with CCTV cameras.
On the relocation, the government said its position was very clear and transparent from the very beginning that any relocation would be entirely on a voluntary basis.
Accordingly, a good number of Rohingya representatives undertook a “go-and-see” visit to Bhashan Char to see the facilities and make an independent and informed choice, MoFA said.
A number of NGOs and journalists also visited the island.
All of them expressed their high satisfaction at the available facilities in Bhashan Char, MoFA added.
More importantly, the relocation was preceded by adequate preparations and consultations held with different stakeholders, MoFA said.
The MoFA said the skill development and livelihood opportunity that the Rohingyas would be able to avail in Bhashan Char would prepare them for their reintegration in the Myanmar society on return.
The types of economic activities such as fishing, agriculture, goat rearing, etc that they used to pursue in Rakhine state are available in Bhashan Char.
Repatriation attempter failed twice in November 2018 and August 2019 amid Rohingyas' lack of trust in the Myanmar government.
Bangladesh and Myanmar signed the repatriation deal on November 23, 2017.
On January 16, 2018, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a document on “Physical Arrangement”, which was supposed to facilitate the return of Rohingyas to their homeland.
Bangladesh thinks Rohingyas will "jeopardise regional and international security" if the 1.1 million people are left unattended and not given the opportunity to return to their homeland.