Bangladesh can be an example for other countries if people from all disciplines, not just the architects, can put in their best efforts for the country, says a young architect.  “We got the recognition relatively in a very early stage. It proves that those in the architecture discipline are demonstrating world class examples,” architect Saad Ben Mostafa told UNB. Mostafa is one of the three young architects whose project titled “Community Spaces in Rohingya Refugee Response, Cox’s Bazar” won the prestigious 2022 Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA). Six winners, who will share the USD 1 million award, one of the biggest in architecture, show promise for communities, innovation and care for the environment. Read more: 2 Bangladesh projects win 2022 Aga Khan Award for Architecture Mostafa along with his two teammates — architects Khwaja Fatmi and Rizvi Hassan — will receive the award with other winners on Monday. The graduate from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) laid emphasis on focusing on work while understanding people’s needs and roots, not just replicating foreign designs. “I would say, we are going to receive the award on behalf of all. I see it as a big recognition for Bangladesh,” architect Fatmi told UNB. Architect Hassan said they wanted to see whether they can work based on local elements – taking materials and creating a beautiful, sustainable and an advanced design. Read More: Bangladesh project among Aga Khan Award for Architecture Winners In future, he said, they want to work in rural areas. “We want to engage people from the villages in our work. We want to see them join hands with us. We will work together.”

The families of freedom fighters and martyrs have demanded the global recognition of the Pakistan Army's brutal massacres of unarmed Bengalis in 1971 as 'genocide'. At the same time, they demanded that Pakistan punishes those responsible for the atrocity. They made the demands at a discussion on '1971’s Genocide and Pakistan's Barbarism'organized by Sampriti Bangladesh at the Jatiya Press Club on Friday. Read:AL appeals for global recognition of 1971 genocide Minister for Industries Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said Pakistan has to apologize for the killings that took place during the Liberation War in 1971. “Today it is proved that there has been massacre, genocide, 3 million of our people have been martyred, innumerable mothers and sisters have been tortured.” “We will try to establish March 25 as the Genocide Day,” the minister added. Although, March 25 has been observed nationally as Genocide Day since 2017, the day has not yet been recognized globally, said Convener of Sampriti Bangladesh Pijush Bandyopadhyay. “The United States has recently acknowledged the persecution of the Rohingya, but no country has acknowledged the horrific massacre of March 25 in 1971 in Bangladesh,” he said. Meanwhile, speakers at the event said that there was an attempt to distort the history of the horrors of March 25 after August 15, which is still going on. And so, they are trying to spread the spirit of the liberation war from house to house, the events of the genocide of March 25 in 1971, to give the ‘history’ to the new generation. Read: One-min blackout to mark Genocide Day tonight Sampriti Bangladesh Member Secretary Dr Mamun Al Mahtab, Member of Parliament Aroma Dutta, Bir Pratik Lt. Col. Sajjad Ali Zahir (Retd.), Col. Taufiqur Rahman (Retd.) and martyred intellectual's son Noto Kishore Aditya also spoke at the discussion.

The readymade garment industry of Bangladesh has made significant progress in the areas of sustainability, especially workers wellbeing and industrial relations, says BGMEA chief. “Starting from the elimination of Child Labour in mid-nineties, and the emerging compliances issues including timely payment of wages, ensuring the minimum wage, overtime, hygiene at workplace, and so on, the industry has responded well on all the issues of compliance and workers’ rights”, said Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan. He made the remarks while addressing a seminar on inclusive business as the chief guest. Dutch-Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DBCCI) organized the “Seminar on Wellbeing of RMG Workers through Inclusive Business Initiative” at a city hotel on Saturday evening. READ: BGMEA wants end of RMG goods theft on highways The BGMEA President said since the tragic building collapse accident in 2013, a paradigm shift had taken place in the areas of structural, fire and electrical safety at workplace which was supported by the international brands and donors like ILO, in addition to the lead role played by our government. Moreover, the Labour Law was amended twice in 2013 and in 2018, and Labor Rules was promulgated in 2015 to ensure workers well-being and safety at workplace. Formation of safety committee in every factory has been made mandatory, workers participation committee has also been made mandatory through elections. A central fund has been created under the supervision of the government where garment factories are contributing $10 million of their export receipts to be used for the workers’ welfare purposes, he added. Faruque Hassan said the industry earned global recognitions through these unprecedented strides over the years. A recent survey report by Hong Kong-based supply chain compliance solutions provider, QIMA, ranked Bangladesh’s garment industry second in “Ethical Manufacturing”. Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the program as guest of honour while Md. Anwar Shawkat Afser, President, DBCCI made the concluding remark. Shaikh Saif Al Rashid, CEO, Apon Wellbeing Ltd.; Tawhida Shiropa, Founder & CEO, Moner Bondhu; Mamunur Rahman, Founder, Ella Pad; Md. Jalalul Azim, CEO, Pragati Life Insurance Ltd; Syful Alam Mallick, Compliance Manager, South Asia, Auchan took part in the seminar as discussants. Jamal Uddin, Inclusive Business Advisor, SNV made the keynote presentation at the seminar. READ: BGMEA wants better cargo handling services from Biman

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