UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said with a global network and universal service mandate to ensure access for all, the postal sector is a key partner in the drive to deliver the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."On World Post Day, we celebrate the critical contributions of postal workers in connecting people around the world with essential services that improve their daily lives and boost the development of their communities," said Guterres, in a message marking World Post Day that falls on October 9 (today).The theme of this year’s World Post Day – “Post for Planet” – recognizes the many ways in which postal services are finding cleaner, greener means to reach our doorsteps day in, day out.   Read: "On World Post Day, we celebrate critical contributions of postal workers" “Post for Planet” is also a call to action for the postal sector to use its position as a connector between governments, businesses, and people to take a leading role in our fight against climate change, said the UN chief.Working with partners from across the logistics, financial and digital spheres, postal services have the power to catalyze positive actions across a wide range of other sectors, Guterres said."I thank the Universal Postal Union for leading this call to action and look forward to working together towards a more prosperous and sustainable future for all," he mentioned.

Installation of CCTV cameras have been made compulsory at all puja mandaps ahead of Durga Puja to ensure security, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said. Durga puja will be celebrated across the country from October 1 to October 5 and this year there will be 32,168 Puja mandaps across the country, he said while talking to reporters after a meeting held at the Secretariat over law and order situation for ensuring smooth celebration of Durga Puja. Talking over the security arrangement, Asaduzzaman, said, “We have taken decisions to ensure security at the puja mandap and additional forces of law enforcement agencies will be deployed as per necessary.” Also read: Shahjahanpur murders: Perpetrators not to be spared Besides, Durga Puja organisers have been told to deploy volunteers to ensure security. The authorities concerned have been asked to provide wristbands to volunteers with which police can identify them. Ansar members will be deployed and arrangements will be taken for them. Replying to a question about untoward incidents that happened in Cumilla last year, during Durga Puja, the minister said, “If we think that there is a need to take special security measures then we’ll definitely go for it. Security personnel will patrol the big mandaps.” Read The struggle for Bangladesh's secular soul Besides, the patrolling team will also take steps to prevent stalking, drug use and any untoward incident at the mandaps, he said. People have been asked to make emergency phone calls to 999 to avail any kind of services from the law enforcement agencies, he added. Referring to the traffic congestion, Asaduzzaman, said steps will be taken to ensure smooth traffic management and a team will keep monitoring social media and rumours, and take action. Read No doubt govt behind communal violence: Fakhrul He also urged the authorities concerned to arrange two gates for female and male visitors.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has celebrated the inauguration of the much-awaited Padma Bridge with much fanfare. Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran started off the celebration at 9:00am by placing a wreath at the effigy of Father of The Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman inside the High Commission premises. Read: Opening of Padma Bridge celebrated in Washington DC A discussion was held by the High Commission to commemorate the event where messages from President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were read. In his speech, Imran said that the construction of Padma Bridge has taken Bangladesh closer to becoming 'Sonar Bangla’ envisaged by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “The Padma Bridge is a symbol of self-respect, courage, aim and ability of Bangladesh. The bridge also portrays the firm leadership capability of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” said Imran. Later, the High Commission staff joined the inauguration ceremony of Padma Bridge virtually and took part in the special prayer.

As people went to have fun with families and friends with fireworks to mark the New Year, seven Incidents of fire were reported from different parts of capital Dhaka. The fire incidents were caused by flying lanterns (fanus) and luckily there was no casualty in the fire incidents, sources at the Fire Service said. Deputy Assistant Director (Media) of Fire Service headquarters Shahjahan Sikder said such fire incidents were reported from Dhaka's Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Khilgaon, Demra, Sutrapur, Lalbagh and Keraniganj areas. READ: 3 dead, 44 injured in India refinery fire He said a case of firework explosion occurred on the rooftop of a three-storey building in the city’s Matuwail area when the New Year revellers ignited lanterns around 12.15 am. Two units of firefighters responded to the call and doused the fire at 1.38 am. READ: Fire at Rangpur Medical College & Hospital under control; 5 hurt Another fire incident happened when a firework detonated on the rooftop of a five-storey building at Dholaikhal around 12.40 am and firefighters put out the fire at about 1.29 am, the sources said. In the early hours of Saturday, thousands of flying lanterns and fireworks were seen in the city sky. The New Year celebration across the city continued until late into night.

The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) recently organised online events on June 26, 28, and 30 to celebrate the achievement of being the only educational institution from Bangladesh to be featured as one of the top 100 innovative universities in the World's Universities with Real Impact (WURI) ranking 2021. Among the five WURI categories, ULAB ranked 27th in crisis management, 28th in entrepreneurial spirit, and 39th in ethical value categories. Read Govt ready for any regional collaboration in fostering higher education: FM In the crisis management category, ULAB showed how it set up central and departmental e-learning committees, an online learning community; and managed student well-being and learning effectiveness amid the pandemic. The inaugural event of the weeklong celebration started on June 26 with "Celebrating WURI Ranking: The Rise of Online Learning." Read: ULAB's DIMFF places 28th in 2021 WURI Ranking ULAB's inclusion in the ethical value category was a recognition of its Building Resilient Universities Project (BRUP). The project created a curriculum to promote diversity, tolerance, and pluralism among university students. The university made it into the entrepreneurial spirit category for the Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival organised by its media studies and journalism department. READ: WURI Ranking 2021: ULAB among global top 100 innovative universities ULAB's global standing was officially cited by the WURI founding director, project leader, and Professor Emeritus of Seoul National University Dr Moon Hwy-Chang at a virtual ceremony on June 10.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday launched the celebration of “Mujib Borsho”, the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with a resolve to work for realising his dream of building a ‘Sonar Bangla’.

People are set to witness a more colourful and joyous day on Friday as this year both Pahela Falgun, the first day of Spring, and the Valentine’s Day will be celebrated on the weekend.

Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad celebrated the symbolic launch of countdown of birth centenary celebration and Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Friday with due solemnity.

Bangladesh high commissions in Islamabad and New Delhi, Deputy High-Commission in Kolkata and embassy in Hanoi celebrated the inauguration of the countdown for celebrating the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Search engine giant Google is celebrating the 105th birthday of renowned Bangladeshi painter, educator and activist Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin.