COVID-19
Bangladesh to operate special flights to carry overseas workers
The government has decided to operate special flights to five countries for carrying Bangladeshi overseas workers amid the lockdown imposed on Wednesday to stem the spread of Coronavirus.
“Special flights will be arranged for the overseas workers who have got stuck in the country following the government’s strict lockdown. Bangladeshi workers who work in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Singapore can leave the country under the special arrangements,” Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad told UNB on Wednesday.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) will formulate a work plan in this regard, Imran Ahmad said.
Replying to a question when the special flight operation will begin, the minister said, “It can be said that the decision is almost final as we held two meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. There’ll be another meeting on Thursday where the process of operating flights will be finalised.”
Also read: Bangladesh put under complete lockdown amid Covid spike
The five countries are still open for Bangladesh as there is no problem in those countries, he said.
Ex-law minister Abdul Matin Khasru dies
Former law minister and valiant Freedom Fighter Abdul Matin Khasru passed away on Wednesday afternoon at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka. He was 72.
His personal assistant Advocate Md Mohin said the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president breathed his last at 4:45pm.
Khasru was put on life support on Tuesday as his condition deteriorated.
He had been receiving treatment at the CMH since March 16, the day he tested positive for Covid-19.
Towards the end of March, and right at the beginning of April, Khasru seemed on the road to recovery. He was out of the ICU, and a Covid-19 test result came out negative on April 1.
But his physical condition started worsening after that, and on April 6, he had to be shifted back to the ICU.
The freedom fighter is survived by his wife and two children.
Born on February 12, 1950, Khasru was a five-time MP for Cumilla-5 (Brahmanpara-Burichang) constituency. He served as the law minister during the Awami League-led government of 1996-2001.
He was elected president of SCBA on March 16 this year.
‘An irreparable loss’: PM leads tribute
Tributes poured in for the valiant freedom fighter as the news of his death spread.
Cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Railways Minister M Nurul Islam Sujan and Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, expressed deep shock at the demise of the Awami League presidium member.
In a condolence message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described Khasru “as a learned lawyer and leader of the mass people” and said he would live forever in the heart of the people.
“We lost a public leader and a solider of Bangabandhu’s ideology who worked skillfully in establishing justice through playing a responsible role as a lawyer in various nationally important cases including Bangabandhu murder case,” she said.
She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
Foreign Minister Momen said the nation has lost one of its most prominent lawyers.
“The nation will forever commemorate the contribution of this five-time MP,” he said.
Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh described Khasru as a “bright star” in the legal field.
“He was an ideal lawyer [and] an exemplary leader for the lawyers. His death is an irreparable loss for the legal arena and the country,” Taposh said in a statement.
Bangla Academy Chairman Shamsuzzaman Khan loses battle with Covid-19
Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, legendary folklorist and Chairman of Bangla Academy, passed away at a city hospital Wednesday (April 14, 2021) after losing his battle with Covid-19.
The 80-year-old was on life support after being tested Covid-19 positive and was undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital for other illnesses as well.
Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Siraji confirmed the news to UNB, saying: "Professor Shamsuzzaman breathed his last at around 2pm at BSMMU after fighting with Covid-19 for two weeks."
Read Prothom Alo joint editor Mizanur Rahman dies of Covid-19
The folklorist will be laid to rest at his family graveyard in Manikganj later in the day.
Professor Shamsuzzaman was put on life support on Monday as his condition had worsened. He and his wife tested positive for Covid-19 on March 30.
Born in 1940 in Manikganj's Charigram, Shamsuzzaman is recognised as one of the most respected folklorists of the country.
As a folklorist, researcher and writer, Shamsuzzaman penned and edited more than 100 books including "Folklore Charcha," "Muktabuddhi," "Dharmanirapekshata O Samakal," "Bangarashtrer Galpasamagra," "Kishore Rachanasamagra," and "Bangladesher Utsab."
Read Ustad Shahadat Hossain Khan dies of Covid-19
He was awarded the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2001, Ekushey Padak in 2009 and Independence Award in 2017 for his great contribution to the arts and culture of Bangladesh.
The folklorist completed his post-graduation from the University of Dhaka and started his career as a lecturer for Haraganga College in Munshiganj and Jagannath College (now university) in 1964.
He was appointed as the director-general of Bangla Academy on May 24, 2009, and continued till May 23, 2018.
Read A book fair unlike any other
Shamsuzzaman was named the new Bangla Academy Chairman in June 2020 after the death of former president National Professor Anisuzzaman, who also died from Covid-19.
In his esteemed career, Shamsuzzaman also served as the director-general of Bangladesh National Museum and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Shamsuzzaman worked as a faculty member of Bangladesh Agricultural University from 1968 to 1973 and National University from 1998 to 2001, too.
Read Eminent Rabindra Sangeet singer Mita Haque passes away
Covid-hit Katrina Kaif shares selfie of life in quarantine
Bollywood's highest-paid actress Katrina Kaif, who recently contracted coronavirus, took to social media Wednesday to describe her life in home isolation.
"Just me for company," she wrote in an Instagram post, sharing selfies of her life in quarantine without makeup.
Last week, the actress announced on social media that she had tested positive for Covid.
"I have tested positive for Covid-19. Have immediately isolated myself and will be under home quarantine. I am following all safety protocols under the advice of my doctors. Requesting everyone who came in contact with me to get tested immediately too. Grateful for all your love and support," she wrote.
Also read: Katrina Kaif expresses her desire to work on an English film
The Hong Kong-born actress was last seen in 2019 patriotic film Bharat. Two of her films -- horror comedy Phone Bhoot, and action film Sooryavanshi -- are likely to be released later this year.
Basically a model, Kaif began her Bollywood career with Boom, an action film, in 2003 that flopped. Two years later, she earned
commercial success in Bollywood with the romantic comedy Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya.
What followed was a series of box-office hits -- Namastey London (2007), New York (2009), Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009), Raajneeti (2010), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Mere Brother Ki Dulhan the same year, Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Dhoom 3 (2013), and Bang Bang! (2014).
Her other highest-grossing Bollywood films are Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and Bharat (2019), co-starring Salman Khan.
Also read: Zero movie review: Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka, Katrina get A for effort in outlandish film
A number of Bollywood celebrities, right from singer Kanika Kapoor to actors Aamir Khan, Sunny Deol, Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek, have been tested positive for the deadly virus since the pandemic broke out in March last year.
Luckily, all of them have recovered from Covid.
Pandemic dampens Pahela Boishakh celebrations in Bangladesh
For the second year in a row, Pahela Boishakh celebrations remained muted across Bangladesh due to the lockdown enforced by the government to curb the rising cases of Covid-19.
All television channels aired a special programme on Wednesday morning as people stayed indoors on the first day of the Bangla calendar.
Pahela Boishakh is celebrated every year in Bangladesh on April 14. But this year, all programmes have been cancelled to avoid mass gatherings in a bid to break the chain of the virus transmission.
Pahela Boishakh celebrations have become an integral part of the Bangalis since it began more than six centuries ago.
Mughal Emperor Akbar introduced the Bangla calendar in the year 1556 of the Gregorian calendar in a bid to streamline the timing of land tax collection in the then ‘Subah Bangla’ region, much of which now falls in Bangladesh.
Also read :Online celebrations of Pahela Baishakh continue under shutdown
The day is a public holiday.
Renowned cultural organisations and institutions, including Chhayanaut, the Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA) of Dhaka University, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) and Liberation War Museum Bangladesh (LWM), have all lined up online events to welcome the new year 1428.
The marquee events of the day -- the traditional Borsho-Boron programme by Chhayanaut and the Mangal Shobhajatra parade by FFA, Dhaka University -- have all been cancelled. Both Chhayanaut and FFA broadcast pre-recorded programmes on national TV.
First observed in 1989 by FFA as a colourful procession celebrating the Bengali New Year with the participation of people from all walks of life, the annual Mangal Shobhajatra received the recognition of UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage on November 30, 2016.
Also read: Coronavirus: Chhayanaut cancels Pahela Baishakh programme at Ramna
Unfortunately, the plan to organise the event this year had to be shelved this year due to the Covid pandemic.
"Initially, the Dhaka University authorities decided to arrange a symbolic event on the FFA premises on Pahela Boishakh, as it has always been culturally very significant and this year marks the Golden Jubilee of our Independence. As per the government's lockdown restrictions, we pre-recorded a symbolic Mangal Shobhajatra for 1428 with the participation of our State Minister for Cultural Affairs and fewer than 20 people, showcasing our banner and 100 prop items made by our students and teachers, including face shields and masks," Nisar Hossain, Dean of the FFA, told UNB on Tuesday.
On Monday, Chhayanaut general secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa said, “As we could not celebrate Pahela Boishakh 1427, we had been preparing to organise the programme this year without the crowd at the venue.
But sadly this time too, we have decided to broadcast this year’s event on Bangladesh Television (BTV)."
“The programme showcase a compilation of some of the new and previous performances of Chhayanaut artistes, and this year we are featuring performances focusing on the Golden Jubilee of our glorious Independence. Apart from BTV, Chhayanaut will also broadcast the programme on its YouTube Channel Chhayanaut Digital - Platform," she added.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) also broadcast a live webinar and cultural programme on its official Facebook page and YouTube channel, which was joined by former Cultural Affairs Minister and eminent thespian Asaduzzaman Noor.
BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky presidedbover the virtual event, which was also be joined by prominent educator Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam, Nazrul Sangeet maestro Khairul Anam Shakil, folk singer Akramul Islam and Rabindra Sangeet singer Lily Islam.
Liberation War Museum and Wrishiz Shilpi Goshthi also held online programmes on Facebook on the occasion.
This year, April 14 also marks the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Bangladesh and some other Muslim countries in the world.
On the occasion, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate massages greeting the countrymen and all Bangla-speaking people across the globe.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged everyone to follow health guidelines and celebrate Pahela Boishakh at home, in the wake of a surge in Covid-19 cases.
"We have to remember that the lives of the people come first. If (we) survive, we’ll be able to rearrange everything," she said, while addressing the nation on the eve of Pahela Boishakh.
Global Covid-19 case surpassed 137 million
More than 137 million people have been found infected with Covid-19 globally with 2.95 million fatalities on Wednesday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
The total case count reached 137,442,147 while the death toll from the virus mounted to 2,959,078 as of Wednesday morning.
The US has logged 31,345,312 cases while the country’s total death tally reached 563,440 on Wednesday morning.
With the overburdened hospitals, Brazil on Tuesday reported 3,808 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, raising its pandemic death toll to 358,425.
According to the Ministry of Health, during the same period, tests detected 82,186 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections to 13,599,994.
Besides, India’s national tally reached 13,873,835 with 172,085 deaths.
Situation in Bangladesh
The number of Covid-19 deaths in Bangladesh fell slightly in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, after registering a record breaking single-day death count for the past two days.
The country saw 83 Covid-related deaths on Monday and 78 on Sunday.
Also read: Covid-19: Hasina for balancing livelihoods and public health
Now the fatalities from Covid-19 rose to 9,891 with the new deaths but the mortality rate remained static at 1.42 percent for the fourth consecutive day, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in a handout.
The deadly virus claimed 568 lives in January this year, 281 in February and 638 in March.
Lockdown in Bangladesh
The government has enforced a fresh strict lockdown for eight days from Wednesday in an effort to stop the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
Under the fresh lockdown all government, semi-government, autonomous, private offices and financial institutions will remain closed but the officers and employees will have to stay in their respective work stations.
The Cabinet division issued a notification in this regard on Monday. The lockdown will remain in force from 6:00 am Wednesday (April 14) till April 21 midnight.
Also read: Govt considering complete lockdown from April 14: Quader
Covid-19 Vaccine
The government launched a vaccination campaign on February 7 with doses received from the Serum Institute of India.
Experts are calling for ramping up the drive and urging people to follow the health guidelines to keep themselves and others around them safe.
On April 8, Bangladesh began its second phase of inoculation amid uncertainty over vaccine availability.
Fresh lockdown in Bangladesh: Experts skeptical about having any great result
A fresh lockdown with harsher measures is going to be enforced in the country from Wednesday (April 14, 2021) in an effort to rein in Covid transmission, but experts say the lockdown is unlikely to help reap any great results for lack of preparations to implement the restrictions.
They said a curfew-like situation must be created during the lockdown by engaging the members of the Army and BGB alongside the regular law enforcers to force people to maintain health safety rules and stay indoors.
The experts also opposed the government’s decision to keep mills and factories open during the lockdown as they fear it will help the virus continue to spread.
Read Local administration ‘vigilant’ in enforcing lockdown in Faridpur
They said the government should have provided the destitute, day-laborers, and slum-dwellers with a specific amount of money to manage their food and livelihood before enforcing the lockdown.
On April 5, a nationwide lockdown was enforced for a week keeping almost everything open. No positive impact of the lockdown is visible as the country witnessed the highest weekly increase in virus infections and fatalities with 47,518 new cases and 504 deaths during the period.
Under the circumstances, the government on Monday issued a set of new directives to enforce a seven-day strict lockdown from Wednesday shutting all the offices and public transports. However, factories will remain open during the lockdown.
Also read: Bangladesh put under complete lockdown amid Covid spike
Lockdown preparations
Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, former director (disease control) of the DGHS, said extensive preparations are needed to implement the lockdown strictly.
"The big problem is that the government is going to enforce the lockdown again without any preparation. “When you want to keep 17 crore people indoors for seven days, it’s a matter of serious preparation. A large number of people are supposed to be engaged in such a move for its successful implementation,” he said.
Ex-law minister Abdul Matin Khasru on life support
Former law minister and current president of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Abdul Matin Khasru was put on life support at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka on Tuesday as his condition deteriorated.
His nephew Taslim khan, also a lawyer, confirmed the development to the media, asking everyone to pray for the quick recovery of his uncle.
Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kajol, newly elected general secretary of SCBA said that Khasru was put on life support as his condition worsened due to low blood pressure.
Abdul Matin Khasru has been receiving treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka since March 16, the day he tested positive for Covid-19 from a sample taken the day before.
Towards the end of March, and right at the start of April, Khasru seemed on the road to recovery. He was out of the ICU, and a Covid-19 test result came out negative on April 1- that however would be the last of the good news. His physical condition started worsening after that, and on April 6th had to be shifted back to the ICU.
Abdul Matin Khasru is also the 5-time MP for Comilla-5 (Brahmanpara-Burichang) constituency.
He served as the law minister during the Awami League led government of 1996 to 2001.
After lives & livelihoods: Covid strikes at culture, with Pahela Baishakh forced indoors
The country will be forced to abandon its traditional Bengali New Year celebration on April 14 for a second consecutive year, as the local outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic witnesses a resurgence, forcing the festive occasion of Pahela Baishakh to be welcomed and celebrated once again through online platforms and symbolic programmes like the last year.
Although millions are bound to be disappointed by the turn of events, most of them would not be surprised that it came to such a pass, where the year 1428 in the Bengali calendar will be ushered in by most people indoors, same as 1427 was a year ago.
With its celebration of the changing of the seasons, rooted in nature through its relation with the spring harvest, and rife with symbolism drawn from the region's flora and fauna, Pahela Baishakh is an essentially outdoor event. No one can look forward to recreating any of its traditional magic in an indoor setting. Besides, Covid restrictions mean very few can even gather under the same roof to be with their near and dear ones at least.
Renowned cultural organizations and institutions including Chhayanaut, the Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA) of Dhaka University, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Liberation War Museum Bangladesh (LWM) and more will observe the day with online-based festivities and programmes, to welcome the new calendar year 1428.
Also read: People’s lives come first: PM Hasina
The marquee events of the dawn are the traditional Borsho-Boron programme by Chhayanaut at Ramna Batamul in the capital and the Mangal Shobhajatra parade of the Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), Dhaka University, which will not be arranged live this year.
However, both Chhayanaut and FFA have informed UNB that they are going to showcase pre-recorded programmes on national televisions in the morning.
First observed in 1989 by FFA as a colourful procession celebrating the Bengali New Year with the participation of people from all walks of life, the annual Mangal Shobhajatra has received the recognition of UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage on November 30, 2016.
With the theme "Kal Bhoyankorer Beshe, Abar Oi Ashe Sundor", FFA was forwarding to celebrate this year's procession and started preparation for making props on April 6, as it could not organize the parade last year due to the lockdown and COVID-19 restrictions.
Also read: Bangladesh’s complete lockdown set to begin on Apr 14; notification issued
Unfortunately, plans for organizing the large procession this year had to be cut down, and instead of cancelling the event, FFA has pre-recorded a symbolic programme at the premises of the Faculty of Fine Arts.
"Initially, the Dhaka University authorities decided to arrange a symbolic event on FFA premises on the day of Pahela Baishakh, as it has always been culturally very significant and this year marks the Golden Jubilee of our Independence. As per the government's directive regarding the lockdown restrictions to curve the ongoing pandemic, we decided and pre-recorded a symbolic Mangal Shobhajatra for 1428 on a very limited scale at the premises of FFA with the participation of our State Minister for Cultural Affairs and fewer than 20 people, showcasing our banner and 100 prop items made by our students and teachers including face shields and masks," Nisar Hossain, Dean of the FFA, told UNB on Tuesday.
The press and electronic media were not allowed to broadcast the recording, however, The DU authority will provide a video and press elements of the programme to the press and electronic media tomorrow, he informed.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: 69 more die, 6,028 infected
On Monday, Chhayanaut general secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa stated, “As we could not celebrate Pahela Baishakh 1427 through arranging our traditional cultural festivity under the banyan tree at Ramna Park, we had been preparing and rehearsing to organize the festivity this year without the crowd at the venue and also we had plans to pre-record the programme if the situation restricts us to arrange on that day. Sadly, as we have been observing the recent surge of the pandemic and also as some of our artists are being infected with COVID-19 - we have decided to broadcast this year’s festivity through a special collaborative programme with Bangladesh Television (BTV) as last year."
“The programme will broadcast from 7 am to 8 am, and it will be showcasing a compilation of some of the new and previous performances of Chhayanaut artists, and this year we are featuring performances focusing on the Golden Jubilee of our glorious Independence. Aside from BTV, Chhayanaut will also broadcast the programme on its YouTube Channel Chhayanaut Digital - Platform," she added.
Also read: Chhayanaut cancels Pahela Baishakh festivities at Ramna, goes back to virtual celebration with BTV
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) will broadcast a live webinar and cultural programme on its official Facebook page and YouTube channel from 11 pm onwards, which is scheduled to be joined by former Cultural Affairs Minister and eminent thespian Asaduzzaman Noor as its chief guest.
BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky will preside over the virtual event, which will also be joined by prominent eductator and writer prof Syed Manzoorul Islam as the speaker and renowned cultural personalities including Nazrul Sangeet maestro Khairul Anam Shakil, folk singer Akramul Islam, Rabindra Sangeet singer Lily Islam, performing students from the Govt Music College and more.
Liberation War Museum (LWM) will also broadcast a virtual programme on its official Facebook page at 11 am.
Also read: Pahela Baishakh celebrated without outdoor programmes
Wrishiz Shilpi Goshthi will arrange an online programme on Facebook as well. It will be broadcast at 9 am on Pahela Baishakh, according to legendary folk icon Fakir Alamgir, President of the cultural group.
Earlier, the government restricted all sorts of outdoor celebrations of Pahela Baishakh and asked to organize virtual events for online celebrations. Therefore, all the major outdoor celebrations of Pahela Baishakh are called off for the second consecutive year due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
This year, April 14 also marks the first day of Ramadan in Bangladesh and some other Muslim countries in the world.
Lockdown: 60,000 people register for movement pass
Sixty-thousand applicants have registered for the movement pass until Tuesday evening, a police clearance which will be needed to travel during the strict lockdown that begins Wednesday.
Around 30,000 passes have been issued by 6:30 pm, said sources at the Police Headquarters. Since the launching of the app, around 600,000 people visited the site for the pass, it said.
Among them, around 60,000 completed registration by that time.
Inspector-General of Police Benazir Ahmed inaugurated the movement pass app.
Also read: Police to issue movement pass during lockdown
“Five thousand applications have been submitted in just one hour. Anyone planning to go outside Dhaka will require the pass,” the police chief said.
Conditional permission will be granted for a specified period of time.
Who’s eligible for a movement pass
According to Police Headquarters, the pass will be required to go out during lockdown in case of emergency.
People going for official work, getting Covid-19 vaccine jab, grocery shopping, going to kitchen markets and medicine shops are eligible for the pass.
Those going to receive medical services, joining agricultural works, goods transportation, supply, relief materials supply, burial or cremation activities among others, will also require the pass.
Also read: Bangladesh’s complete lockdown set to begin on Apr 14; notification issued
How to apply for movement pass
A pass can be used once. People will need separate passes every time they travel during the lockdown.
To register, one has to visit movementpass.police.gov.bd, and put his or her mobile phone number. They will be redirected to a page where one has to enter her/his date of birth.
From there, the applicant will be redirected to another page where detailed information will have to be entered.
Necessary information
People need to enter their name, gender, age, reason for movement, date and time of movement, information about vehicles and their photo.
Also read: People’s lives come first: PM Hasina
However, all are not allowed to have the pass. Only those who have emergency reasons for movement will be granted it.
The government is going to enforce a nationwide strict lockdown on Wednesday to curb the Coronavirus transmission.