The Bangabandhu Foundation has paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking its 21st anniversary.   Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, also president of the Bangabandhu Foundation, paid homage by placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka on Wednesday. Leaders and members of the foundation were also present at that time. The foreign minister later celebrated the anniversary of the Bangabandhu Foundation by cutting a cake with the leaders and members.  Read more: Bangabandhu Foundation pays homage to ‘Father of Nation’ at Tungipara

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana on Saturday laid the foundation of 'Mujib Pathagar' (library) at 32 Dhanmandi in the city. Speaking on the occasion the prime minister said that the library being built by Bangabandhu Memorial Trust will help the younger generation know true history of Bangladesh and the supreme role played by the father of the nation in achieving the country's independence in 1971.  She said that the nation was deprived of knowing the true history on Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for many years after his assassination in 1975. Also read: PM: Encourage children to take to sports to become good citizens  The PM said repeated attempts were made by anti-liberation forces to erase the name of Bangandhu from history. "It won't be possible now as the new generation is aware of true history," she said. Briefing reporters Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary K M Shakhawat Moon said Hasina and Rehana, daughters of Bangabandu, offered munajat on the occasion. The premier recalled that the anti-liberation forces had promulgated an indemnity ordinance to prevent the trial of Bangabandhu's killers in 1975.  Back to power in 1996 the Awami League government revoked the black ordinance paving the way for  holding the trial of the killers and relieving the nation of years of stigma.    Also read: PM urges US companies to boost investment in Bangladesh  Hasina said her only goal has been to build  a happy and prosperous “Sonar Bangla” and bring smiles on the faces of the people as dreamt by Bangabandhu. Bangabandhu's grandson Radwan Mujib Siddiq was present at the event.

The SME Foundation is organizing SME products fair in divisional headquarters to promote the product of small and medium enterprises in the country. Dr. Md. Mafijur Rahman, Managing Director of SME Foundation told UNB that the foundation  organizes  ‘Regional SME Products Fair’ every year. Apart from that, a decision was taken to organize 'Divisional SME Products Fair' in six divisions under the supervision of the Divisional Commissioners, he said. The first SME products fair will be inaugurated on Thursday at Rangpur Town Hall Premises and it will continue till March 30. READ: SME Foundation disburses Tk300 crore stimulus loans to 3,106 entrepreneurs Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Abdul Wahab Bhuiyan will present as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the fair.  Dr. Md. Mafijur Rahman, MD of SME foundation, Mirza Nurul Gani Shovon, Director of SME Foundation Deputy Commissioner of Rangpur will be present on the occasion. Besides, the fair will be held at Khulna Circuit House from March 27 to April 2, Sylhet Alia Madrasa Field from March 28 to April 3 and Mymensingh Town Hall from April 7 to April 13. Divisional SME product fair in Barisal and Rajshahi may be held in May or June, said the SME Foundation. In each fair, 50/55 small and medium entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to display and sell products. 

On the occasion of golden jubilee of country’s independence Quantum Foundation on Saturday has honored 50 people, including a woman who donated blood 50 times voluntarily.   Education Minister Dipu Moni attended the reception program as chief guest, held at city’s Institution of Diploma Engineers (IDEB) auditorium on Saturday noon.   She said voluntary blood donors have played the role of pioneers in breaking the social barrier, emotional and social fears regarding blood donation. READ: Quantum Foundation honours 300 voluntary blood donors “It is the reflection of blood donor’s good work that 50 people in the country have donated blood 50 times on the 50th year of country’s independence,” said the Education Minister.   Dipu Moni thanked and welcomed the blood donors and urged them to create new blood donors.  Mizanur Rahman Sajal, who donated 56 times, spoke on behalf of the donors at the program. READ: Covid-19 burials: Quantum volunteers working through this lockdown too Professor Dr. Nezamuddin Ahmad, Department Head of Centre for Palliative Care (CPC), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University attended the program as special guest chaired by Nahar El Bukhari, Chief Coordinator of Voluntary blood donation campaign, Quantum Foundation. 

As part of its "Stop the Spread" initiative, The Coca-Cola Foundation is supporting the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society's efforts to strengthen the government's nationwide vaccine rollout and registration process. The project will assist citizens with the online registration process; facilitate inoculations of people under the vaccination programmes organised by the government; provide PPE kits to health workers and vaccination campaign volunteers, and members of underprivileged communities. It targets 20,000 health workers and volunteers in 40 highly impacted districts and aims to promote hygiene and sanitation practices in 35 districts. READ: COVID-19: Efforts of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society volunteers, staff lauded "We know the Covid-19 crisis is far from over," said Saadia Madsbjerg, president of The Coca-Cola Foundation. "We are proud to use our resources to support Bangladesh Red Crescent Society's efforts to help #StopTheSpread." Major General (retd) ATM Abdul Wahab, chairman of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, appreciated the initiative and urged other multinational companies to support life saving activities. "Red Crescent and Coca-Cola have teamed up to help people in this difficult situation in Bangladesh." The Coca-Cola Foundation has created a special "Stop the Spread" fund worldwide to help support initiatives that help contain the virus. READ: Coronavirus: ICRC donates 500,000 CHF to Bangladesh Red Crescent Society The fund is being channelised towards facilitating vaccine distribution, Covid safety kits and creating awareness around vaccination and sanitary practices to contain the spread of the pandemic.