Bangladesh
PM distributes Swadhinata Padak among recipients
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday handed over Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award) to nine individuals and one institution for 2021 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country.
The programme to distribute the highest civilian award was held at the Prime Minister’s official residence Ganobhaban.
AKM Bazlur Rahman, Shaheed Ahsanullah Master and Brig Gen (retd) Khurshid Uddin Ahmed and Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu were given the award posthumously in recognition of their contributions to Independence and the Liberation War. Their family members received the award from the Prime Minister.
Read:10 named for Independence Award 2021
Dr Mrinmoy Guha Neogi received the highest state award for his contributions to science and technology, Mohadev Saha for literature; Ataur Rahman and Gazi Mazharul Anwar for culture, and Dr M Amjad Hossain for social work.
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council received the award in the research and training category.
Bangladesh has been recognising individuals and institutions with the award every year since 1977.
Bubble-fatigued Mustafizur lacks confidence
Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman clearly lacks confidence ahead of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting from May 23 in Dhaka.
Mustafizur joined the team bio-bubble on Monday, but he only took the ball on Wednesday as the first day of practice camp was hit by the rain on Tuesday.
While talking to the media at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mustafizur expressed his concern over doing well after spending a lot of time in quarantine.
Read:Shakib, Mustafiz join national team ahead of SL series
He played his last game for the Rajasthan Royals in the truncated Indian Premier League (IPL) on May 2. Since then, he had been in bio-bubble in India and in Bangladesh along with the allrounder Shakib Al Hasan who also played the cash-rich league for Kolkata Knight Riders.
“I was in quarantine in India and after coming back home, I was also in quarantine for days,” Mustafizur said. “I just played one game and joined a practice session this month. We only get two more days of practice before the series takes place. Now everything depends on God.”
The left-arm pacer was unwilling to rush with his bowling on Wednesday as he just came out of the in-room quarantine. He only did some fitness work while being in the hotel.
“Bio-bubble is tough,” Mustafizur added. “It’s tough and not only for me but for all players. I just joined the practice cam and took the ball today (May 19). It may create pain in my hand (if I bowl much on the first day).”
Mustafizur did well for the Royals in India. He bagged eight wickets in seven games. Had not the Rajasthan fielders missed a few catches off his bowling, he might have taken more scalps.
The pacer believes that it won’t be tough for them to do well against the Sri Lankans. According to him, both teams are equal in the 50-over format though Sri Lankans have more reliance on the young players.
Bangladesh are set to miss the service of Rubel Hossain in this series as the right-hander has been suffering from a back injury since the New Zealand series earlier this year.
Read: BCB trying to relax quarantine rules for Shakib, Mustafiz
In the absence of Rubel, the onus will be on Mustafizur to lead the pace-bowling attack in this series. He will be accompanied by Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Mohamad Saifuddin. However, the final squad for the series is yet to be announced.
The Tigers are set to play an intra-squad 50-over game on May 20 at BKSP, Savar. The final squad is expected to be announced after this game.
While the first match of the series will take place on May 23, the remaining matches will be played on May 25 and 28 respectively. All the matches will be hosted at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Joint India-Bangladesh feasibility study on CEPA gains momentum
The Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) virtually organised the first stakeholder consultation meeting of the joint study on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Bangladesh and India on Wednesday.The meeting was solely focused on the investment section of the joint study.Dr Md JafarUddin, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and the Chief Guest of the meeting, said, “Mutual recognition in the area of investment and trade between Bangladesh and India can strengthen the historical bonding and create more opportunities for growth.”Md Obaidul Azam, Chief Executive Officer (In-charge), BFTI who chaired and moderated the event, put emphasis on increasing bilateral investment flows between two countries considering the potentials.Md Shawkat Ali Waresi, former aditional secretary, Ministry of Commerce and sectoral consultant of the study, presented the key-note presentation at the meeting. Stakeholders from diverse sectors provided their inputs for the enrichment of the study.
Read: 50 Years of Friendship: Bangladesh Mission, ICCR jointly host cultural prog in Delhi
They urged the Ministry of Commerce to include a joint testing facility, a one-stop service in India, and opening investment for Bangladeshi investors in India in the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Bangladesh and India.All the stakeholders were optimistic that the proposed CEPA agreement will result in removing the investment barriers and higher investment inflow between two neighbouring countries.Officials from public sectors, business leaders, Indian investors and academicians participated in the meeting as stakeholders. DCCI President Rizwan Rahman, Nihad Kabir, President of MCCI, Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA, Syed Almas Kabir, President of BASIS, Mahbubul Alam, President of CCCI, and Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President of India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry attended the meeting as business leaders.The Centre for Regional Trade (CRT) under the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has been nominated to conduct the joint study by the Government of India.
Climate change affects increasing urbanisation: Study
Air density of Dhaka’s two of the most marginalised low-income slums is four to five times higher above the permission limit of Bangladesh for 24 hours.
As a result, residents suffer with air pollution induced diseases like laryngeal problems, asthma and bronchial problems.
A study report published Wednesday titled “Urban Localized Pollution in the Context of Climate Change” revealed such information during its virtual launching and discussion event.
According to the study report, the major source of indoor air pollution in both the marginalise areas are earthen stoves for cooking, using biomass as fuel. Women are the most severely affected by air pollution as they are exposed to smoke for long stretches of time during cooking.
The study was carried out in two large slums of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) – Dholpur Citypolli slum and Dhaka Match Colony, Shyampur.
It focused on four issues- water supply, sanitation, indoor air pollution, and solid waste management.
These low-income settlements are surrounded by many air polluting industries like steel mills, plastic factory, melamine factory, and brick kiln among others.
Read: Leaders' Summit on Climate: Dhaka optimistic about $100 billion fund
The research was conducted under ‘The Featuring Green Earth Project’, which is jointly implemented by Plan International Bangladesh, Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative (BYEI) and Population Services and Training Center (PSTC).
The project initiated the research in collaboration with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (URP), BUET and International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD).
The study was carried out from December 2020 to January 2021 and followed a mixed methodology involving both qualitative and quantitative data.
Professor Afsana Haque, Department of Urban and Regional Planning (URP), BUET and Sarder Shafiqul Alam, Coordinator, ICCCAD shared the research findings in the event.
Mentioning a study report of UNICEF, Afsana Haque said, there are about 4 million people dwelling in 5,000 slums where meeting the basic needs and services is a huge challenge for this population, climate change has made their reality more complex.
Under this research, Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), Stamford University Bangladesh tested water and air of the research areas.
The air quality report of CAPS team reveals that PM2.5 and PM10 are found four to five times higher above the permissible limit of Bangladesh standard for 24 hours (116.96 µg/m3 and 164.71 µg/m3 in Dholpur and 83.96 µg/m3 and 155.50 µg/m3 in Dhaka Match Colony respectively).
According to the national guideline of Bangladesh, the standard is 2.5 µg/m3 and 10 µg/m3.
The water test report of CAPS reveals that the sample water is contaminated with foreign particles exceeding standard limits in both the study areas.
They found E. Coli (seven or more) and ‘uncountable colonies of total coliform’ in the water. The Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and Chlorine concentration have been reported excessive in the study areas.
Japanese company to invest $25m in Ishwardi EPZ
Roulin (BD) Limited, a Japanese apparel manufacturing company, is going to expand its business in Ishwardi EPZ and create employment for 3,500 Bangladeshis.
The enterprise signed an agreement to this effect with BEPZA on Wednesday.
Recently, the major share of the company was taken over by Matsuoka Corporation, a major player in the wholesale sector of Japan. Now the new shareholder will expand the existing operation of Roulin (BD) by investing $25 million where 3,500 Bangladeshis will be employed.
Read: BEPZA gives highest priority to workers’ safety, welfare: Law Minister
Roulin (BD) has been operating their business in IEPZ since 2011 and invested $4.53 million.
In presence of the Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority Major General Md Nazrul Islam, Member (Investment Promotion) Md Mahmudul Hossain Khan for BEPZA and Representative of Matsuoka Corporation Osamu Sasaki on behalf of Roulin (BD) signed the agreement at BEPZA Complex, Dhaka.
BEPZA is trying its best to attract foreign and local investment in the EPZ even during the Covid-19 pandemic. Investment-friendly policies of the government and favourable investment atmosphere of EPZs are encouraging Japanese investors including others to invest in EPZs.
Read Dekko ISHO Group joins hands with Markopolo.ai to contribute to IT industry growth
Presently, 31 Japanese enterprises have invested $525 million in the EPZs and created employment opportunity for 13,500 Bangladeshis.
Among others, Member (Engineering) Mohammad Faruque Alam, Member (Finance) Nafisa Banu, Secretary Md Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, General Manager (Public Relations) Nazma Binte Alamgir and General Manager (Investment Promotion) Md Tanvir Hossain of BEPZA including Managing Director of Roulin (BD) Md Mahbubar Rahman were present at the signing ceremony.
Read: Korean envoy discusses investment issues with BEPZA Executive Chairman
US-Bangla Airlines announces attractive Doha-Dhaka packages
Leading private carrier US-Bangla Airlines has announced attractive packages for Dhaka-bound passengers from Doha, with special fares and safe quarantine management amid Covid.
The airlines is currently operating Dhaka-Doha flights four days a week, according to a release.
Read: US-Bangla to operate international flights on four routes from Saturday
The packages include comfortable stay at various hotels in Dhaka, designated as institutional quarantine centres by the government, with breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as drop facilities.
The minimum Doha-Dhaka package cost is Tk 31,990 for three nights and four days, which includes accommodation in a triple-sharing room. For a twin-sharing room, one has to shell out Tk 34,990, while it's Tk 39,990 for a single occupancy room.
Read US-Bangla’s fleet expands to 14
US-Bangla Airlines flies from Doha to Dhaka at 11.30 pm local time on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and lands at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 8 am the next day.
For any information including quarantine facility, one can contact US-Bangla Airlines Sales Centre at +8801777777800-806 or 13605 and +97450084440.
Read US-Bangla adds two new ATR 72-600s to its fleet
PM to distribute Swadhinata Padak Thursday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will distribute Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award), the highest civilian award, to nine individuals and one institution for 2021 on Thursday in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country. The award-distribution programme will be held at her official residence Ganobhaban, according to sources at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). AKM Bazlur Rahman, Shaheed Ahsanullah Master and Brig Gen (retd) Khurshid Uddin Ahmed and Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu have been named posthumously for the award in recognition of their contributions to Independence and the Liberation War.
Read: PM Hasina hands over Ekushey Padak Dr Mrinmoy Guha Neogi will receive the highest state award for his contributions to science and technology, Mohadeb Saha for literature; Ataur Rahman and Gazi Mazharul Anwar for culture, and Dr M Amjad Hossain for social work. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council will receive the award in the research and training category. Bangladesh has been recognising individuals and institutions with the award every year since 1977.
That's something concerning: UN on Rozina's arrest
The United Nations has said journalist Rozina Islam's arrest is obviously "something concerning”, noting that journalists need to be able to do their work free of any sort of harassment or physical threat anywhere around the world. "Look, I've seen…we've seen the press reports on the journalist that was arrested in Bangladesh. It’s, obviously, something that we’re looking at. It’s something that's concerning," said Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, in a regular briefing on Tuesday.
Read: Journalists demand unconditional release of Rozina Islam The spokesperson said their position has been clear and obviously that includes Bangladesh and every other country. "I think we’ve seen the very important work that journalists all around the world have done during the pandemic, and they need to be able to continue that work, wherever they may work," he said. A Dhaka court on Tuesday sent journalist Rozina Islam to judicial custody after rejecting the demand of police to take her on a five-day remand.
Read:Rozina’s arrest a black chapter in history of Bangladesh journalism: Editors’ Council
She was arrested in a case under the Official Secrets Act on Monday night.
Journalists demand unconditional release of Rozina Islam
Journalists on Wednesday formed a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding unconditional release of journalist Rozina Islam and punishment of those involved in harassing her at the Secretariat.
Dhaka Reporters Unity, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalist, Barishal Divisional Journalist Association, Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum, Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association and other organizations joined the human chain around 11 am.
Read:That's something concerning: UN on Rozina's arrest
They also demanded withdrawal of false case filed against Rozina.
Besides, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) held a protest rally in front of its office demanding the same.
Rozina, senior journalist of Prothom Alo, was handed over to police on Monday night after being held at the Secretariat for over five hours.
Rozina was arrested for allegedly attempting to illegally “collect sensitive government documents and taking photos of them” from the Secretariat on Monday.
An FIR was filed against Rozina under the Official Secrets Act and sections 379 and 411 of The Penal Code on a complaint filed by the Health Services Division at Shahbagh police station.
Read: Journalist Rozina must get justice: Law Minister
Later, a Dhaka court on Tuesday sent Rozina, to jail after rejecting the police's demand for her five-day remand.
Rozina Islam was taken to Kashimpur Central Women's Jail on Tuesday afternoon after a Dhaka court rejected police’s remand plea.
Besides, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has formed a three-member probe committee to look into the confinement and later handover to police of journalist Rozina Islam at the Secretariat on Monday.
36 India returnees sent to Cumilla for institutional quarantine
As many as 36 Bangladeshi nationals, who returned from India through the Akhaura land port on Tuesday, have been sent to Cumilla to undergo institutional quarantine as all the isolation centres in Brahmanbaria are full, officials said on Wednesday.
The 36 Bangladeshis returned home from India on Tuesday after obtaining a 'no-objection certificate' from the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala. Similarly, 27 Indian nationals have returned home through the land port.
Mohammad Nur-e-Alam, Upazila Nirbahi officer, said these 36 Indian returnees have been sent to Cumilla as all the institutional isolation facilities in the district are full. "Those who have completed their 14-day quarantine at the centres will be released soon," he said.
Read: Another India returnee dies in Jashore quarantine
So far, 718 Bangladeshis have returned from India through the Akhaura land port in the past three weeks.
Dr Mohammad Rashedur Rahman, Akhaura upazila health and family planning officer, said at present 346 people are staying at the nine quarantine centres of the district and of them three tested positive for Covid.
As India has been experiencing a new strain of Covid-19, the government has imposed restrictions along the border areas of Bangladesh. According to the World Health Organisation, the Indian variant has already spread to 60 countries across the world.
The Bangladeshi citizens currently travelling to India for treatment and having visas with validity for less than 15 days could enter Bangladesh only through Benapole, Akhaura and Burimari after taking permission from Bangladesh diplomatic missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala and with a mandatory Covid-negative certificates done through PCR test within 72 hours of entry.
The highly contagious Indian variant of the coronavirus has been detected in three more samples of Bangladeshis who recently returned from the neighbouring country, Prof Iqbal Kabir Zahid, assistant director of the genome centre of Jashore Science and Technology University, said.
The three infected persons are currently under institutional quarantine at Jashore and Narail, he told UNB.
On Monday, the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) announced that the Indian variant was found in six Covid-19 patients in Bangladesh.
Read: 3 India returnee students test Covid positive
The Indian strain of the virus was detected in a sample test at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka and it has been published on Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), said chief scientific officer of IEDCR ASM Alamgir.
Earlier, the government closed the border with India for 14 days with effect from April 26 but cargo services were allowed to operate as usual.
On May 8, the government decided to extend the closure of border with India for another 14 days as the Covid-19 situation keeps worsening in India.