Bangladesh
Edu Ministry to request heads of higher edu intuitions to sit with students’ bodies to resume classes
The Ministry of Education will request the heads of the higher educational institutions to discuss with the students’ organisations to resume academic activities after ensuring safe and congenial atmosphere.
Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel revealed the information, said MA Khayer, public relations officer of the ministry.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) on July 16 announced a closure of all public and private universities until further notice considering the issue of students' safety in the wake of widespread protests for reforming quota.
HSC exams for July 28, 29, 31 & Aug 1 postponed
A press release, signed by UGC secretary Dr Ferdous Zaman, said academic activities of all public, private universities, medical, textile, engineering colleges affiliated to the university and other colleges will remain shut until further notice.
The UGC has taken the move in line with the Education Ministry’s decision, said the release.
HSC exams for July 28, 29, 31 & Aug 1 postponed
The HSC and equivalent examinations of all education boards scheduled for July 28, 29, 31 and August 1 have been postponed due to unavoidable reasons.
The new schedule for the postponed examinations will be notified later, according to a notification signed by Prof Tapan Kumar Sarkar, chairman of the Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and chairman of the Dhaka Education Board.
Read more: Edu Ministry to request heads of higher edu intuitions to sit with students’ bodies to resume classes
Earlier, the HSC and equivalent examinations scheduled for July 18, 21, 23, 25 were also postponed in the wake of violence amid students’ demonstration for reforming quota in public service.
Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi protests India Today NE news with false information
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has protested a news article with false information, titled “Indian students flee Dhaka amid violent clashes, PM Sheikh Hasina airlifted,” published online as well as a related post on the X handle of India Today NE on July 21, 2024.
"We request all the news outlets, including the India Today NE, to remain vigil and ensure objective and balanced reporting taking account of the sensitivity of the issue," reads a rejoinder sent by the Bangladesh High Commission.
Shaban Mahmood, Minister (Press) sent the rejoinder to the media outlet on behalf of the High Commission on July 22.
While the article was premised on misleading information in more detail, the X post reads: “Amidst this chaos, reports confirmed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was airlifted from her residence in Dhaka. Her current whereabouts remain unknown.”
Read more: It's your internal affair but we are with you: Diplomats to govt
Although both the article and the post were subsequently taken down within a few hours, the misinformation on the status of the Government of Bangladesh went viral within a short span of time, and triggered huge confusion and anxiety among people at home and abroad, the rejoinder reads.
"On behalf of the High Commission of Bangladesh, I express my sheer disappointment at the aforesaid erroneous article and post. As you are well aware, our country is going through a challenging time due to the ongoing student protests," reads the rejoinder.
“This kind of misinformation and reporting based on rumour at the time of such critical moment of any country may misguide the people and even add fuel to the crisis and turn the situation into more chaotic,” said the High Commission.
Moreover, such kind of reporting, without gauging the sensitivity, does not only negatively affect the people and the society at large, but also puts the credibility of any news outlet in question.
On July 21, 2024, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh delivered a historic verdict on reforming the quota system in the public service employment.
Read more: Diplomats witnessing destruction in Dhaka were stunned: Foreign Minister
The court ordered 93% of the government jobs to be allocated on a merit-based system, which has been the demand of the students.
While welcoming the order of the apex court of the country, the Government of Bangladesh has also taken a slew of measures to ensure safety and security of the people and property, said the High Commission.
With this, the situation has significantly improved, and it is expected that normalcy will return soon, it said.
PM Hasina visits vandalised Metro Rail station at Mirpur-10
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (July 25, 2024) morning visited the vandalised metro rail station at Mirpur 10.
She inspected different parts of the station which was totally devastated in the recent mayhem centering the student movement for reformation of quota in public service.
Senior officials of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) briefed the PM regarding the destruction and the future plan to reopen the Mirpur-10 and Kazipara stations.
Some unidentified people went on a rampage at Mirpur-10 and Kazipara metro stations last Friday causing significant damages.
Read more: It was a target by BNP-Jamaat to destroy the economy: PM Hasina on recent mayhem
Metro rail services were suspended on July 18 amid demonstrations by students demanding quota reform in public service.
Officials at DMTCL indicated that the reopening schedule will be declared once the inquiry committee, formed to assess the damages, submits its report within 10 working days.
The inquiry committee was formed on July 22 to assess the extent of the damages to the metro rail and to determine when it can be made operational again.
Additional Secretary Mohammad Zakaria, who is additional director of the metro rail MRT Line-6 project, is leading the committee.
The government opened the metro station for public on March 01, 2023), nearly two months after the inauguration of the country’s much-awaited metro rail.
The main construction work of the project started in 2017.
The cost of the country’s first ever metro rail project stood at Tk 33,472 crore. Notably, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided Tk 19,719 crore in the form of a loan to support the project, while the Government of Bangladesh funded the remaining amount.
Read more: PM urges AL members to stand by the poor affected by violence
In the beginning, the estimated cost of this project was about Tk 21,000 crore. The cost increased due to the construction of an additional 1.6 km section from Motijheel to Kamalapur, acquisition of new land for each station, and the addition of various new facilities.
The prime minister formally inaugurated the Uttara-Agargaon section of MRT-6 line of the Metro Rail on December 28, 2022.
Shafin Ahmed, band music icon and former Miles frontman, no more
Shafin Ahmed, unanimously regarded as Bangladesh’s one of the most popular and iconic band artists and former frontman of the legendary Bangladeshi band Miles, has passed away at age 63.
The popular Bangladeshi rock bassist, singer-songwriter, and record producer breathed his last while on life support in a hospital in Virginia, United States, on Wednesday (local time) due to heart and kidney failure, according to the Bangladesh Band Music Fans Community (BBMFC).
Born on February 14, 1961, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, to the subcontinent’s pioneering music artists Kamal Dasgupta and Feroza Begum, Shafin Ahmed joined the Bangladeshi rock band Miles in 1979.
Alongside his brother and another iconic Bangladeshi music artist, Hamin Ahmed, he performed in Miles first as an acoustic guitarist and later became the band’s lead singer and bassist in 1991.
After moving to Dhaka during childhood, Shafin Ahmed began his musical career at the age of nine by taking lessons about Nazrul Sangeet, courtesy of his iconic parents. He was exposed to Western musical influences since he studied in England, along with his elder brother Hamin Ahmed, after completing his schooling at the St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Continuing with Miles as the vocalist, songwriter, composer, and bass guitarist from 1979, Shafin Ahmed first left the band in 2009. He rejoined in 2014 and continued till 2017, left for the second time, and rejoined for his final run with the band in 2018, after permanently leaving the band in 2021.
Despite his creative disputes with his bandmates at Miles, Shafin Ahmed performed and collaborated on every album of the band, starting with Miles (1982) and progressing to A Step Farther (1986), Protisruti (the band’s maiden Bengali album, 1991), Prottasha (1993), Prottoy (1996), Proyash (1997), Probaho (2000), Protiddhoni (2006), Proticchobi (2015), and Proborton (2016). After leaving Miles in 2009, he formed his own band, Rhythm of Life, in 2010, which continued till 2014.
Shafin Ahmed simultaneously made his place in the country’s music industry as one of its most popular and iconic singers, courtesy of his popular songs, including ‘Aj Jonmodin Tomar’, which is often considered as the anthem of birthday celebrations in the country. Written and composed by eminent music producer Prince Mahmud, the song was first featured in Prince’s mixed album Daag Theke Jay (2004).
As the frontman of Miles, Shafin Ahmed is also acclaimed for many popular and superhit tracks, including ‘Phiriye Dao’, ‘Dhiki Dhiki’, ‘Neela’, ‘Chad Tara Surjo',''Ki Jaadu’, ‘Jani Tumi’ and more.
He also released several solo albums, including Tomakey (1987), Pagla Ghonti (1998), Chobi Ar Sritigulo (1999), Best of Shafin Ahmed (2001), Kotodin Dekhina Tomay (2006), Virus (2006), Harano Shukh (2007), My Love Songs (2010), and Mone Pore Aj (Nazrul Songs, as a tribute to his mother Feroza Begum, 2016).
Besides his successful musical career, Shafin Ahmed also took part in the nation’s politics and even contested at the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) in 2019 for the mayor position from the Jatiya Party.
Read more: Will accept whatever results may be, says Shafin
Rashid Askari takes charge as Bangla Academy DG
Dr M Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari, a former vice-chancellor of Islamic University in Kushtia, took over as the director general of Bangla Academy on Wednesday (July 24, 2024).
The government appointed him to the post for the next three years on July 18.
He was replaced by Nurul Huda as his tenure came to an end. The officials of the Bangla Academy, however, welcomed the newly appointed DG with floral reception.
While taking charge, Dr Rashid Askari sought cooperation from all to work for the improvement of the academy’s ranking in the international arena and maintain transparency and accountability in all sectors.
Rashid Askari, who previously served the IU in Kushtia as its 12th VC, joined the university as lecturer in English in 1990.
Read more: 'Winds of Flavour': Jahangir Hossain's solo exhibition begins at Abinta Gallery of Fine Arts
He, as a vice-chancellor, introduced considerable measures to secularize and internationalize the academic trajectory of the university as well as adopted down to earth policies to help the university cope with various challenges of the 21st Century.
He has facilitated the development of the understanding of cultural diversity of humankind in order to prepare students to go forth with skills, knowledge and wisdom to serve and advance the communities in which they live and work.
Banks won’t charge extra fees for late payment of credit cards bills, loan installments: Bangladesh Bank
Considering the current situation, Bangladesh Bank has instructed all banks and financial institutions to not charge any extra fees for late payment of credit card bills, and loan installments.
The central bank issued a directive to banks and financial institutions in two separate notifications in this regard on Wednesday.
Those who had time to pay their loan installments, credit card bills, and savings deposit installments during the curfew and public holidays can make the payments till July 31. Bangladesh Bank has said that banks and financial institutions will not collect any additional interest, penalties or late fees for installments/card bills payable between July 18 and 25. No savings scheme can be canceled due to failure to pay installment during this time.
According to the central bank notification, many borrowers and credit card users have not been able to pay their dues to the banks on time due to the current situation.
Read more: Offices, banks reopen for four hours; Commuters suffer amid traffic gridlock
Besides, many depositors could not deposit installments of various savings schemes including Deposit Pension Scheme (DPS) on time. Under the circumstances, the new guidelines will be effective from July 18 to 25 in respect to dues of loans, credit card bills, and installments of various savings schemes including DPS.
The Bangladesh Bank directive stated that if the loan and credit card dues are paid by July 31, any interest or profit and penalty interest, additional interest, excess profit, late fee on the outstanding amount will be deducted. If installments of savings schemes are paid by July 31, no late fee or penalty can be collected.
Apart from this, interest or profit and penalty interest or late fee on any loan or credit card and any kind of late fee or penalty on various savings schemes that has already been collected has to be refunded or adjusted.
Read more: Overcrowding and long queues as banks reopen today for only 4 hours
Commuter trains to run on short distances from July 25: Railway Additional DG
Commuter trains will run on short distances from tomorrow (July 25, 2024), Additional Director General of Bangladesh Railway Md Arifuzzaman said on Wednesday.
“One or two commuter trains will operate from tomorrow on short distance routes. It will take time to resume operation of inter-city trains once the current situation improves,” he told UNB.
Besides, network disruption also causes delay of train services as tickets are available online, he added.
Read more: AP report: Bangladesh moves back to normalcy after violent clashes that killed nearly 200 people
Under the circumstances, commuter trains will operate on the Dhaka-Narayanganj and Ishwardi routes while the authorities will try their level best to resume commuter trains on Dhaka-Joydebpur route, he said.
The Burimari commuter train will operate from Lalmonirhat district, said the additional DG.
He also said that freight trains or oil-carrying trains were operating since Monday.
70-80% of broadband internet services to be restored by tonight, ISPAB says
Around 79-80% of broadband internet services will be restored by tonight (July 24, 2024), according to Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB).
ISPAB President Emdadul Hoque told UNB that they are aiming to fully restore broadband internet services by tonight.
“We are working on this; hope at least 70-80% will be restored,” he added.
Govt offices to operate from 11 am to 3 pm Wednesday, Thursday: Ministry
Internet services in some areas were restored last night. Important establishments including government institutions, banks, gas and electricity service providers had broadband internet services restored on a priority basis.
State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak will speak in detail on this matter at the BTRC Bhaban this afternoon.
PM invites Malaysia to install full manufacturing facilities for Perodua cars in Bangladesh
- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (July 24, 2024) invited Malaysia to install full manufacturing facilities for their Perodua cars in Bangladesh.
She said this when outgoing Malaysian High Commissioner Haznah Md. Hashim called on her at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Prime Minister’s Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan briefed reporters after the call on.
At the meeting, the envoy mentioned that the local PHP Motors is assembling Perodua cars here.
China agreed to provide Bangladesh with assistance equivalent to $2bn across 4 packages: PM Hasina
PHP Motors, a concern of PHP Family, has tied up with Perodua, a top Malaysian automobile brand, to assemble their cars and SUVs in Bangladesh and sell them in the local market.
During the meeting, both the Prime Minister and the Malaysian envoy also discused the longstanding and continuing relationship between the two countries since the government of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
PM’s Press Secretary also said that speaking on the issue of the current situation, the envoy said she has confidence in the Prime Minister’s ability to restore normalcy.
“You’re handing the situation well and the matter is purely Bangladesh’s domestic affairs,” PM’s Press Secretary quoted the Malaysian envoy as saying.
The high commissioner said that Malaysian business entities’ cumulative investment rose to USD 5 billion in Bangladesh – mainly propelled by the two telecommunication companies, Robi and Edotco Bangladesh as they reinvested their profits here.
Explore new markets for Bangladesh products: PM to exporters
She mentioned that a good number of Malaysian students are studying in agricultural universities, medical colleges and other institutions in Bangladesh.
To this end, the high commissioner extended gratitude to the premier for it.
Highlighting their health faculties, the envoy said many Malaysian hospitals are comparable to those in Singapore considering the services offered and lower costs.
“Bangladeshis can avail the health facilities there as more than 70 of the physicians in Singapore are from Malaysia,” she added.
Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin was present among others during the meeting.