Bangladesh
Child marriage rate still over 80% in Bhola
Although the overall rate of child marriage has dropped in the country, the number in the Bhola district is still alarming.
The national child marriage rate for children under the age of 15 is 15.5% but it is 19% in Bhola.
Also, the national rate of marriage of children under 18 is 51.4%, but it is 80.3% in the district.
COAST Foundation Joint Director Iqbal Uddin Saturday came up with the findings at the webinar "Causes, Impact and Ways to Prevent Child Marriage."
Also read: 13,886 child marriages in 7 months during Covid-19 outbreak: MJF
The COAST study notes that "insecurity" among parents is one of the major causes of child marriage as 41.7% of those surveyed identified insecurity as the main cause of child marriage.
Other factors included protection of family honour (41%), lack of awareness (44.9%), and poverty (50.9%). The study found that 67.3% of girls get married after passing eighth grade.
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Women and Children Affairs Ministry Chairman Meher Afroz Chumki said despite many initiatives of the government, there is still a problem of attitude towards girls in society.
Also read: 10 million additional girls at risk of child marriage: Unicef
Shireen Huq, member of Naripookho, said: "Not only punishment but also cultural change and social movement are needed to prevent child marriage. Integrated sex education can play an important role in preventing child marriage."
Manusher Jono Foundation (MJF) Executive Director Shaheen Anam said, "To prevent child marriage and its negative impact, it is crucial to bring the girls back, who have dropped out, to school."
Also read: Bangladesh has the highest prevalence of child marriage in S Asia: UNICEF
SM Latif said a study found that 33% of parents find child marriage acceptable. "This situation must change. The primary reasons for child marriage vary widely in different areas. So solving the problem will require division-based programs."
Dhaka, Delhi want enhanced connectivity for prosperity
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Saturday reiterated the importance of enhancing connectivity for facilitating regional economic integration for the benefit of all parties involved.
To facilitate better connectivity and simplify movement of passengers and goods between the two neighbouring countries, both leaders agreed to an early operationalisation of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement through expeditious signing of the enabling MoU for Bangladesh, India, and Nepal to commence the movement of goods and passengers, with provision for Bhutan to join at a later date.
India expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Hasina’s initiative of revitalising the pre-1965 rail connectivity as well as for Bangladesh’s support for the numerous connectivity initiatives through rail, road and waterways, according to joint statement issued on the occasion of the visit of Prime Minister of India to Bangladesh.
In the same spirit, Bangladesh reiterated its eagerness to partner in the ongoing initiative of the India–Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project.
Bangladesh side also requested India for favourable consideration of the new connectivity routes proposed by Bangladesh, namely allowing additional land ports of Bhadrapur-Bairagi Galgalia, Biratnagar-Jogmani and Birganj-Raxaul to be connected with Banglabandha-Fulbari and Birol-Radhikapur by road as alternative routes.
India was also requested to consider connecting Birol-Radhikapur and Rohanpur-Singhabad rail-interchanges with Biratnagar-Jogmani as this would help reduce the distance and cost of transportation of goods by rail from Bangladesh to Nepal.
Bangladesh side also sought rail connectivity with Bhutan through the newly inaugurated Chilahati-Haldibari route.
Also read: Hasina seeks fair share of Teesta water
Hasina seeks fair share of Teesta water
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday reiterated Bangladesh’s long-pending request for concluding the interim agreement on the sharing of water of the Teesta River with Bangladesh's fair share to alleviate sufferings of millions.
It is necessary that Bangladesh receives its fair share of the Teesta water, the draft agreement of which has already been agreed upon by both governments in January 2011 to alleviate the sufferings and save the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on the Teesta River basin, she underscored.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts to conclude this agreement, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
“There’s positive approach (from Indian side) but a date has not been fixed when it will be delivered. They can’t spell out that it’ll happen within a week,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters at a briefing at Sonargaon Hotel.
India will always stand by Bangladesh: Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India will always stand by the progress and development of Bangladesh as a faithful friend.
He said this when he paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban in the evening.
Modi said Bangladesh has always been considered a trusted friend of India.
Also read: Ground-level cooperation needed to check all border incidents: Modi
He also lauded the continuous socio-economic development of Bangladesh under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told UNB after the meeting.
President Hamid welcomed the Indian Prime Minister at Bangabhaban and thanked him for attending the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence.
He said Modi’s visit would be a unique milestone in strengthening the existing diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Also read: Bangladesh, India for progress of whole world: Modi
During the meeting, President Hamid expressed sincere thanks to the Government of India for conferring the ‘Gandhi Peace Prize 2020’ on Bangabandhu posthumously in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.
The President also thanked the Government of India for sending Coronavirus vaccine doses to Bangladesh as gift. He hoped that vaccine doses would come to Bangladesh from India on a commercial basis would also arrive in time.
Referring to India's support in 1971, the President thanked the Government and people of India for their support and cooperation in the Great War of Liberation.
Also read: Dhaka-Delhi to accelerate momentum; eye next 50 years diversified ties
The Indian PM also signed the visitors' book at Bangabhaban.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Momen, Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, among others, were present there.
One out of 150 candidates was eligible to be energy auditor: Prof Haque
Only one out of 150 candidates fulfilled the eligibility criteria for being energy auditor, in an examination of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda).
Such experience was shared by BUET Prof Dr Mohammad Zahirul Haque at a webinar organised by Energy and Power magazine on Saturday.
The exam was held by Sreda last year just before the outbreak of Covid-19 in the country to appoint independent energy auditors.
Dr Haque said although most of the candidates were BUET students, they forgot how to calculate the efficiency in energy use.
The virtual seminar, tiled “Energy Efficiency Opportunities in RMG & Textile Industry”, was also addressed, among others by Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Sreda Chairman Mohammad Alauddin, President of Bangladesh Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Dr Rubana Huq, energy expert Prof Nurul Islam, former president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry Asif Ibrahim and Idcol’s chief financial officer Nazmul Haque.
Energy and Power editor Mollah Amzad Hossain conducted the seminar.
Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi said the government entities should hear from the industry owners to remove their bottlenecks in pursuing their energy efficiency mechanism.
“There should be proper coordination between Sreda, banks and industry owners so that the industry operators can easily avail the low-cost loans for making their industries energy efficient.
Mohammad Alauddin said setting up Sreda itself reflects the government’s good intention to promote energy efficiency.
He said Sreda has so far conducted energy auditing at 12 industries in the country and their results will be released soon through a publication.
Sreda member Farzana Momtaz, who made the keynote presentation, said the readymade garment sector can reduce their energy cost by 16 percent if they pursue energy efficiency mechanism.
It will reduce their cost and they will derive most benefits from global market being treated as green industry owners, she said.
Rubana said although there is no adequate government support for energy efficiency, the garment sector itself made progress turning many of their industries into efficient.
Some seven green factories, out of 10 which were recognised as most energy efficient across the globe, belong to Bangladesh, she said adding that so far 130 industries were converted into green industries and some 500 are now in the line of turning into efficient industries.
She said the government incentives for such initiative are very inadequate.
Prof Nurul Islam said the successful case industries of the energy efficiency should be published so that others can be encouraged to see the success.
Asif Ibrahim said the government has to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks in providing support to the industries to make them efficient.
Clashes in Brahmanbaria leave five dead
At least five people were killed and around 50 others, including 25 police members, injured in clashes between law enforcers and locals during demonstrations at Nandanpur in Sadar upazila on Saturday.
They staged the demonstrations against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh and chanted various slogans against his visit.
Police and witnesses said a group of activists of Hefazat-e-Islam took position on Dhaka-Sylheht Highway in Nandanpur area in the afternoon and started demonstrating right there against Modi’s visit and the killing of people in Brahmanbaria and Chittagong on Friday.
Also read: Four killed in clashes with cops in Chattogram
The clash began as the members of police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) tried to disperse them.
Hearing the news of the clash, local people also joined the demonstrations and attacked the law enforcers, forcing them to fire several rounds of bullet, leaving many people injured.
Also read: Protest against Modi’s visit: 50 injured as Muslim devotees, cops clash in Dhaka
Scores of injured people were taken to Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital, said Rana Nurus Shams, resident medical officer (RMO) of the hospital.
He said they have so far declared five of the injured dead.
Also read: Modi visit: Protesters clash with cops at Motijheel; 20 injured
Four of the dead were identified as a workshop owner Juru Alam, 35, day-labourers Badal Mia, 24, Sujon Mia, 22, and plumber Kausar, 25.
The identity of another dead could not be known yet.
Ground-level cooperation needed to check all border incidents: Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said ground-level cooperation is needed to check all those incidents happening along the India-Bangladesh border.
The Indian Prime Minister came up with the remark when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested him to look after the matter properly so that the sad border incidents could be reduced to a zero level.
The border incidents between the two neighbouring countries were discussed during the bilateral meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office.
PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
“Ground-level cooperation will help check this kind of incident,” PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted the Indian Prime Minister as saying.
Water sharing
Talking about the water-sharing of common rivers, including that of the Teesta River, Sheikh Hasina said the decision of signing the Teesta water-sharing treaty was taken jointly nine years back.
“But it’s yet to be implemented," she said adding that the people living in the vicinity of the Teesta River have been suffering a lot.
In reply, the Indian Prime Minister said, "We’re committed to a reasonable solution to sharing of water of all the rivers."
Regarding the Rohingya issue, Sheikh Hasina expected more active role of India regarding the repatriation of over one million Rohingyas.
She mentioned that the Rohingyas should be repatriated as soon as possible for preventing their involvement in drug business and terrorist activities. “The sooner the better,” she said.
Also read: Dhaka-Delhi to accelerate momentum; eye next 50 years diversified ties
In reply, Narendra Modi said Indian wants sustainable return of the refugees.
Thanks for vaccine
Sheikh Hasina thanked the Indian government for sending Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh and said this reflects India’s ‘neighbour first’ policy.
She said the first commercial consignment of Covid-19 vaccine has been used and hoped that the rest of the consignments will be delivered soon.
Sheikh Hasina also thanked the Indian Prime Minister for giving 1.2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine as gift.
The Indian Prime Minister said that his country gifted another consignment of 1.2 million Covid-19 vaccine and 109 life-saving ambulances.
Meaningful cooperation
Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh and India are the biggest producers and users countries. “So we must need to cooperate more meaningfully for this sector,” she said.
She invited foreign direct investment in state-run jute mills under the public-private partnership.
In this context, she said that indiscriminately anti-dumping duties imposition is creating unnecessary conflict between our cooperation.
She drew the attention of the Indian Prime Minister for quick solution.
The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh is keen to effectively use the Indian lines of credit. She put emphasis on axing ineffective projects from the list under the Indian line of credit.
Also read: Dhaka, Delhi ink five MoUs to boost cooperation
She asked her Indian counterpart to take steps to quickly disburse line of credit so that the projects could be implemented swiftly.
Modi put emphasis on increased contacts between entrepreneurs of the two countries.
The Indian prime minister also expressed his desire to be a partner to launch the Bangabandhu-2 satellite.
Enhanced connectivity
Sheikh Hasina said that the introduction of Moitree Setu between Bangladesh and India has added a new dimension to cooperation in the communication sector.
She said that Indian state Tripura can use Chattogram Airport alongside Chattogram and Mongla ports.
Stating some routes to connect Bangladesh with Nepal and Bhutan, Sheikh Hasina expected consideration from India.
She said that if the motor vehicles agreement among Bangladesh, India and Nepal is signed, all three countries will be benefitted.
Also read: Bangladesh, India for progress of whole world: Modi
Important milestone
They also reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries marking the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation, the Press Secretary said.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister termed 50 years of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and India as an important milestone.
Sheikh Hasina extended her thanks to Narendra Modi for accepting positively the proposal of Bangladesh for naming “Mujibnagar-Nadia Road” as Shadhinata Sharok.
During the meeting, the Indian Prime Minister put emphasis on expediting the ongoing projects between Bangladesh and India.
Besides, Narendra Modi said, India is going to establish “Bangabandhu Chair” at Delhi University in memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Dhaka, Delhi to accelerate momentum; eye next 50 years of diversified ties
Bangladesh and India have agreed to accelerate the momentum that exists between the countries with an eye on the next 50 years of cooperation in diversified areas.
Emphasis was also put on enhanced connectivity, not just between Bangladesh and India but beyond the two countries to ensure broader economic benefits.
“We not only need to continue the momentum, we need to accelerate the momentum,” Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said sharing the outcome of talks between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Saturday evening.
Modi had a “productive meeting” with Hasina and reviewed the full range of Bangladesh-India relations and discussed ways to deepen economic and cultural linkages in the times to come.
He said Prime Minister Hasina raised the Teesta issue while the Indian Prime Minister reiterated India's commitment to that end, sharing India’s sincere and continued efforts to conclude the agreement.
Also read: Hasina seeks fair share of Teesta water
The Indian Foreign Secretary said cooperation in the areas of common rivers water is an important issue.
Dhaka, Delhi ink five MoUs to boost cooperation
Bangladesh and India on Saturday signed five MoUs to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including disaster management, resilience and mitigation, trade, ICT and sports.
Those are: MoU on Disaster Management, Resilience and Mitigation, MoU between Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) and National Cadet Corps of India (INCC) and MoU on the Establishment of a Framework of Cooperation in the Area of Trade Remedial Measures between Bangladesh and India.
Also read: Hasina, Modi jointly open five projects
Besides, a tripartite MoU on Supply of ICT equipment, courseware and reference books and training for Bangladesh-Bharat Digital Service & Employment and Training (BDSET) Centre and another tripartite MoU on Establishment of Sports facilities in Rajshahi College field and surrounding areas.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the MoU exchange ceremony after the bilateral talks between Bangladesh and India that took place at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami and Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief of Bangladesh Md Mohsin exchanged the MoU on Disaster Management, Resilience and Mitigation on behalf of the respective governments.
Director General of Bangladesh National Cadet Corps Brigadier General Nahidul Islam Khan and High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami exchanged the MoU between Bangladesh National Cadet Corps and National Cadet Corps of India.
Also read: Bangladesh, India for progress of whole world: Modi
The Indian High Commissioner and Commerce Secretary Dr Md Jafar Uddin exchanged the MoU on the Establishment of a Framework of Cooperation in the Area of Trade Remedial Measures between Bangladesh and India.
Senior Secretary to the Information and Communication Technology Division of the Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology Ministry Bangladesh NM Zeaul Alam and Vikram K Doraiswami exchanged the MoU on Supply of ICT equipment, courseware and reference books and training for Bangladesh-Bharot Digital Service & Employment and Training (BDSET) Centre.
Also read: Hasina-Modi Talks: Focus on connectivity, trade, health
The Indian High Commissioner and Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh Md Mahbub Hossain exchanged the MoU on Establishment of Sports Facilities in Rajshahi College field and surrounding areas” on behalf of their respective governments.
Journalists condemn BCL attacks on colleagues covering anti-Modi protest
Various organisations of journalists condemned attacks by Bangladesh Chhatra League activists on two journalists covering anti-Modi protest on the Dhaka University campus on Thursday.
The injured journalists are Asif Himadri, Dhaka University correspondent of Daily Prothom Alo, and Abid Hasan Rasel, the university correspondent of Bangla Tribune.
Also read: BCL men 'beat up' journalist for covering anti-Modi protest
Journalists’ organisation at various universities including Dhaka University, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Comilla University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, Dhaka College and others condemned the attack and demanded exemplary punishment of the attackers.
In a statement on Friday, Dhaka University Journalists Association President Mehedi Hasan and General Secretary Sazzadul Kabir issued said, “… Attacks on journalists are an extreme threat to independent journalism. Such attacks will recur if the culprits are not punished.”
They noted that Himadri said he was attacked by Chhatra League leaders, including central Vice President Mijanur Rahman Pikul, Salimullah Muslim Hall unit General Secretary Milon Hossain and others attacked.
Chhatra League leaders including Bangabandhu Seikh Mujibur Rahman Hall unit’s International Affairs Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Jahurul Haque Hall’s Joint General Secretary Amir Hamza, Bangabandhu Hall’s Deputy Cultural Secretary Tansen Seikh, Bijoy Ekattor Hall’s Office Secretary Majharul Islam Tamim attacked Rasel, the statement added.
Also read: 27 including 2 journalists injured as BCL attacks anti-Modi protesters
Journalists’ organisations said that they would start an intense movement if the attackers are not arrested immediately.
The students of Dhaka University’s mass communication and journalism department will arrange a human chain on Sunday morning at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla on the campus protesting against the attack.
BCL activists attacked Himadri in front of VC Chattar around 7pm on Thursday. Rasel came under attack around 5:30pm. They were taken to Dhaka Medical College for treatment. Later, Himadri was admitted to Dhanmondi’s LabAid Hospital.
At least 20 people were injured after BCL activists attacked the leftist progressive student alliance on Fuller Road, said Anik Roy, a former general secretary of the student union.