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SIM data: Over 35 lakh exited Dhaka on Friday before Eid
Over 35 lakh SIM (subscriber identity module) subscribers of different mobile operators left Dhaka for their respective home districts on Friday, to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with their near and dear ones.
A total of 3,530,732 SIM subscribers left the capital on July 8, according to Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar. He shared the information through a Facebook post on his verified account Saturday.
Also read: BTRC places indefinite suspension on GP SIM card sale
He shared a list provided by mobile operators that showed that of them, 1,583,332 were Grameenphone users, 975,613 Robi users, 849,460 Banglalink users, and 122,327 Teletalk users.
Third gender community got recognition through Hasina in Bangladesh: Hasan Mahmud
It is Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through whom the third gender community in Bangladesh got recognition which was non-existent priorly, said Information Minister and Joint General Secretary of Awami League Hasan Mahmud.
He made the remark while distributing the PM's Eid gift among the third gender community and freedom fighters at a programme in Chattogram on Saturday.
“There were many people who held power but could not introduce the option to write third gender in government forms or passports. PM Hasina created quotas for them in many jobs and made specific allocations for them,” said Hasan Mahmud.
Also read: BNP's statements outlandish, insane: Hasan Mahmud
He said,”Even when their families don’t accept them, the PM has thought about them and she can be called the mother of the third gender community people.”
Hasan Mahmud said that today there are people of third gender doing jobs in higher positions in government offices and banks are giving them special incentives.
“Giving the third gender community priority in social safety nets are also being discussed. Bangladesh has never seen such development of the neglected and marginalized population that happened in the last thirteen and a half years,” he added.
After opening of Padma Bridge people are saying their Eid journey has become much more comfortable, he said.
Also read: Abandon those who want to make Bangladesh a communal country: Hasan Mahmud
“But BNP leaders are saying that people are suffering during the journey. Actually they are in a bad mood seeing people being fine,” said Hassan Mahmud.
Abe to be remembered with great respect, admiration: BGMEA
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said assassination of Shinzo Abe is a tragedy not only for Japan but also for Bangladesh and the whole world as well.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden death of former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe," said BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in a message on Saturday.
Shinzo Abe, a great statesman, had immense contributions to strengthening relation between Bangladesh and Japan and taking it to a new height.
Also read: Abe's body arrives in Tokyo as country mourns ex-PM's death
"He will be remembered with great respect and admiration for the role he had played and the contribution he had made," said the BGMEA President.
He said with Abe's death they have lost a true friend and great ally to Bangladesh.
On behalf of the BGMEA and the RMG industry of Bangladesh, the BGMEA chief expressed their deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his family and people of Japan.
Japan has been a long-standing friend of Bangladesh in its journey towards development and the time-tested friendship has grown stronger and warmer over the years, he said.
The BGMEA President said 2022 is a milestone year for the partnership as Japan and Bangladesh are celebrating 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations.
As a major development partner for Bangladesh, he said Japan is extending support to the efforts of Bangladesh for its economic and social development.
Also read: Bangladesh observing state mourning paying respect to Abe
The Matarbari deep-sea port and power plant, the metro rail in Dhaka city and the building of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are some of the game-changing projects of Bangladesh that are supported by Japan and bear testimony to a trusted partnership.
PM greets nation invoking Eid-ul-Azha's spirit of sacrifice
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday urged all Bangladeshis to devote themselves to the welfare of the country and its people in the spirit of sacrifice.
"Eid-ul-Azha means the festival of sacrifice. Let us devote ourselves, Engulfed with the spirit of sacrifice, for the welfare of the country and its people," she said in a video message to the people of the country on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
Also read: Complete qurbani by second day so cleaners too can enjoy Eid: TaposhShe also urged all to share the joy of Eid-ul-Azha, the biggest religious festival for Muslims alongside Eid ul Fitracross the globe, with all maintaining the tie of brotherhood.She also urged people to maintain the safety measureps to remain healthy."Everyone remain healthy and safe, Eid Mubarak," she said.
Also read: Security beefed up in Dhaka for Eid celebrations
Bangladesh reports 3 more Covid-related deaths, 939 new cases
Three more people died from Covid, and 939 tested positive for the virus in the 24 hours till Saturday amid a surge of cases again in Bangladesh.
While the country's total fatalities reached 29,198, the new number took its caseload to 1,989,040, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
As Covid is spreading fast, the daily case positivity rate declined to 15.59 per cent from Friday's 16.82 percent from as 6,024 samples were tested during the period.
Also read: Covid numbers rising in Bangladesh: 7 more deaths, 1,611 cases reported
Of the deceased, two were women and another was man; two were from Dhaka and one was from Barishal division.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.47 percent. The recovery rate remained unchanged at 96.14 percent with 837 petients recovering during the period.
In June, the country reported 18 Covid-linked deaths and 20,201 new cases, according to the DGHS.
Bangladesh reported its first zero Covid death on November 20 last year since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
Also read: Covid claims 3 more lives in Bangladesh infects 1,790 others
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
Dengue: 17 patients hospitalised in Dhaka in 24hrs
A total of 17 new dengue patients were hospitalised in 24 hours till Saturday morning amid a rise in the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh, authorities said.
All the new patients were hospitalised in Dhaka division, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
As many as 128 dengue patients, including 124 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
The dengue cases are rising in the capital allegedly due to insufficient measures taken by the two Dhaka city corporations for preventing mosquito-borne diseases like dengue.
Also read: Dengue: 29 patients hospitalised in Dhaka in 24hrs
On June 21, the DGHS reported the first death of the season from the mosquito-borne viral disease.
This year, the DGHS has recorded 1,393 dengue cases and 1,264 recoveries so far.
Although dengue – a leading cause of serious illness and death in some Asian and Latin American countries – was first reported in Bangladesh in 1964, the first epidemic occurred in 2000, claiming 93 lives that year. It has since become endemic in the country, with outbreaks recorded every year since. Although for a three-year period at one point, the number of deaths from the virus fell almost near zero, its most fatal year yet was in 2019, when 179 died experiencing the severe form of the disease.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, it seemed to take a backseat, as only 3 deaths were reported from dengue that year.
However, 105 dengue patients, including 95 in Dhaka division, died in 2021.
Also read: Dengue: 31 new patients hospitalised in 24hrs
Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.
About 4 billion people, almost half of the world's population, live in areas with a risk of dengue, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Each year, up to 400 million people get infected with dengue while approximately 100 million get sick from infection, and 40,000 die from severe dengue, it says.
"There is no specific treatment for dengue or severe dengue. Early detection of disease progression associated with severe dengue, and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates of severe dengue to below 1 per cent," according to the World Health Organization.
Complete qurbani by second day so cleaners too can enjoy Eid: Taposh
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh has called upon the capital's residents to get their sacrificial slaughters done by the second day of Eid ul Azha, set to be observed from Sunday.
He made the call while talking to journalists after observing the last-minute preparations for the Eid jamaat (congregation) at National Eidgah Maidan on Saturday.
“I urge the city dwellers to complete their qurbani (sacrificial slaughter) by the second day of Eid (Monday), not to wait for the third day as workers of the corporation will be removing animal waste from different spots for 72 hours continuously, and they too should get some rest and some time off to celebrate Eid themselves," Taposh said.
Elaborating on the massive clean up operation that will be taken up to allow people to enjoy one of the two biggest festivals in the Muslim faith, the Dhaka South mayor informed that the corporation’s workers would start cleaning up around the makeshift cattle markets (haats) from 11: 00pm tonight, and the first slaughter sites from 2pm on the day of Eid (tomorrow).
He hoped that the city corporation would be able to remove all wastes within 24 hours as earlier.
Taposh informed that all kinds of preparations have already been completed to hold the Eid jamaat at the National Eidgah Maidan where some 35,000 people will be able to pray together.
Also read: DSCC Control Room to oversee waste disposal on Qurbani Eid
Dhaka district Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Shahidul Islam, DNCC Chief Executive Officer Farid Ahamad, Secretary Akramuzzaman, Chief Engineer Saleh Ahmed and among others were present during the visit of the mayor.
Eid holiday rush triggers 35km-long tailback on Dhaka-Tangail Highway
Commuters heading home ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Azha had to suffer through a 35km-long tailback on the Dhaka-Tangail-Bangbandhu Bridge Highway in the district on Saturday.
What began as usual snarls on the high-speed corridor late on Friday night turned into monster jams by this morning -- all due to a mad rush of vehicles carrying home-bound people and sacrificial animals ahead of the festival.
Ataur Rahman, in-charge of Elenga Highway Police, attributed the 35km-long tailback to some unruly motorists "who have scant regard for traffic rules". "The highway police and the district police are working jointly to bring the traffic situation under control.”
The tailback triggered jams on many internal roads of the district -- the stretch near Government Shamsul Haque College being one of the worst hit with some motorists trying to use it as an alternative route to reach their destinations.
At few other places, jams intensified as few motorists tried to reverse their vehicles to take internal roads to bypass some stretches of the highway.
Also read: Mawa-Bhanga expressway witnesses huge traffic snarl on first day of toll collection
Unable to bear the sweltering heat, many women got off vehicles with their babies on the highway. Roadside mosques allowed passengers to use their toilets while local residents offered drinking water to the travellers.
UNB Sirajganj Correspondent reports: A 15km-long gridlock was seen on the Bangabandhu Bridge Highway at Kaddar intersection, causing immense sufferings to the northern district-bound people a day before Eid.
The tailback stretched from Golchattar to Nalka Bridge, forcing vehicles to crawl on the highway.
Mosaddek Hossain, officer-in-charge of Bangabandhu Bridge West Police Station, said "the heavy pressure of vehicles and home-bound people are responsible for the tailback".
Law enforcers and volunteers have been working on the highway since morning to ease the gridlock, he added.
Though the Eid vacation began on Saturday, a large number of people left the capital on Friday itself taking advantage of the long weekend.
Secretary Blinken wishes Muslims around world a blessed Eid-ul-Adha
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has wished Muslims around the world a blessed Eid-ul-Adha.
On behalf of the United States, Blinken in a message said Eid al-Adha is a powerful reminder of their common humanity and obligation to take care of one another.
"The rituals of Eid and Hajj commemorate Abraham and his son’s dedication to God and reflect Islam’s commitment to equality. During this time of celebration, people of all walks of life put their personal commitments aside to provide assistance to those in need," the message reads.
Read: Denied Eid dress, teen ends life in Pabna
Blinken also wished a Hajj Mabroor to pilgrims around the world making their sacred journey to Mecca and Medina. "May this special holiday remain a celebration of togetherness and a devotion to service. Eid Mubarak."
12 killed in Bangladesh road accidents
As many as 12 people have been killed in separate road accidents in Gazipur, Tangail, Cumilla, Bogura, and Chattogram districts in the past 24 hours, police said on Saturday.
In Cumilla, three people on a bike were killed after being hit by a bus on the busy Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Bekinagar village on Saturday morning.
The deceased were identified as Russel, 30, son of Abdul Haque, and Shariful Islam, 30, and Tashfi Ahmed, 18, both sons of Shahjalal of Bekinagar.
The accident occurred around 11am when the Dhaka-bound bus from Chattogram crashed into the bike, leaving the three dead on the spot, said sub-inspector of Eliotganj Highway Police, Mostafa Kamal.
In Gazipur, three people including father and daughter were killed when a bus crashed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw on Rajendrapur-Tok Road in Kapashia upazila in the early hours of Saturday.
The deceased were identified as Selim Mia,40, his daughter Sadia,8, and Nurjahan, 35, all hailing from Kishoreganj, said ASF Nasim, Officer-in-Charge of Kapashia police station
READ: College student killed in Narayanganj road accident
The accident occurred when the bus hit the Kishoreganj-bound CNG-run auto-rickshaw at Cheorit Ilu intersection, leaving at least five people injured.
Of the injured, two people died on the way to Shaheed Tajuddin Medical College and Hospital while another one passed away during treatment.
In Tangail, four people, including two siblings, were killed when a bus hit a van at Nalla Bazar in Dhanbari upazila on Friday night.
The deceased were identified as Saiful Islam, 22, and Mridul, 15, both sons of Shahid Mia, Hasan, 19, son of Bazlu Mia, and Babul Karmakar, 50, the van driver belonging to Ramnagar village of Sadar upazila in Jamalpur district.
The accident occurred around 11.45pm when the Dhaka-bound bus from Jamalpur crashed into the three-wheel van, leaving the van driver and Saiful dead on the spot and two others injured, said assistant sub –inspector Ashiquzzaman, duty officer at Dhanbari Police Station.
The injured were taken to a local hospital, where doctors declared one of them dead. The other victim succumbed to his injuries during treatment early on Saturday.
In Bogura, a 19-year-old college student was crushed to death by a speeding bus when he fell off his bike after being hit by an ambulance on the busy Dhaka-Bogura highway on Friday night.
The deceased was identified as Sakib Hasan, a student of Institute of Information Technology Bogra (IITB) and son of Rafiqul Islam.
Also read: Woman killed in Chapainababganj road accident
The accident occurred when the Dhaka-bound ambulance from Bogura hit Sakib's bike near the Noymile Bus Stand area in Shahjahanpur upazila.
"The deceased was riding the bike, while his friend Sunny Ahmed was riding pillion. Both of them fell off the bike in the impact. But before Sakib could get up, he was run over by the commuter bus," said AKM Baniul Alam, in-charge of Sherpur Highway Police.
"We have seized the bus and sent the body to the local hospital morgue," he added.
In Chattogram, a driver of auto rickshaw was killed as it was hit by a microbus at Sitakundu upazila on Dhaka Chattogram highway.
The deceased was identified as Md Tareq,19, son of Nurul Islam from Akilpur village in Bashbaria union, said Najmul Hasan, Officer-in-Charge of Baroawlia highway police station.
The accident occurred around 8 am near Choto Kumira area when a Dhaka-bound microbus hit the auto rickshaw as it was crossing the road from the wrong side after filling fuel from a nearby filling station.
The driver died on the spot and legal actions will be taken in this regard, said the OC.