United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday stressed the need for coordinated joint research with Japan, Indonesia and the Maldives to explore marine resources, mentioning that Bangladesh has a maritime area almost equal to its landmass. “The problems need to be identified. Research must be coordinated with those who have expertise in this area. Through such efforts, new horizons of the economy will open,” he said. Prof Yunus pointed out that although Bangladesh’s water area is comparable to its land area, the country has failed to utilise its marine resources effectively. “We have not even been able to determine the volume of resources and their potential. These resources must be properly utilised, which will require extensive research and policy support,” he added. Prof Yunus made the remarks when a survey and research report on marine fisheries and ecosystems, conducted by the research vessel RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen, was submitted to him by the committee at the State Guest House Jamuna. Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Prof Sayedur Rahman Chowdhury of the Institute of Marine Sciences at Chittagong University, and Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Abdullah Al Mamun were present at the meeting. The survey was carried out from August 21 to September 21 last year. A total of 25 scientists from eight countries participated, including 13 from Bangladesh. Prof Sayedur Rahman presented the research findings at the meeting, revealing the existence of 65 previously unidentified aquatic species. “The excessive abundance of jellyfish in Bangladesh’s deep sea is a sign of ecological imbalance, largely caused by overfishing,” he said. The study also found plastic waste at depths of up to 2,000 metres, which researchers described as a matter of serious concern. Compared to a similar study conducted in 2018, the report shows a decline in large fish populations in deep-sea areas, while fish stocks in shallow waters are decreasing at an alarming rate. It was revealed that 270 to 280 large fishing trawlers operate in deep-sea areas, with around 70 using sonar for targeted fishing. Researchers described this as an aggressive practice that benefits deep-sea operators while causing losses for small-scale fishers in shallow waters. Fisheries Adviser Farida Akhter warned, “If targeted fishing continues in this manner, there is a risk that the Bay of Bengal will be depleted of fish. The government will take a decision regarding sonar-based fishing.” The study also found a significant abundance of tuna in Bangladesh’s deep-sea waters, highlighting strong potential for commercial exploitation. Besides, a fish breeding nursery was discovered beneath the Sundarbans, which the government has already ordered to be preserved. The meeting was informed that the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy is in the process of handing over its multipurpose hydrographic and oceanographic survey vessel, HMS Enterprise, to the Bangladesh Navy. The vessel will collect seabed, depth and other marine data, significantly enhancing Bangladesh’s marine research capabilities.

The Jatiya Press Club (JPC) has expressed deep sorrow at the demise of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. On behalf of the JPC, its President Hasan Hafiz and General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan conveyed their profound condolences. A condolence meeting was held at the club at 11am in place of its scheduled annual general meeting. At the outset of the meeting, a one-minute silence was observed in solemn tribute to Khaleda Zia. Following the condolence meeting and discussion, a special prayer was offered seeking eternal peace for the departed soul. The meeting was chaired by President Hasan Hafiz and conducted by General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan. Management Committee members Abdul Hye Sikder, Kader Gani Chowdhury, Bakhtiar Rana, Quazi Rownak Hossain, Shahnaz Begum, Mohammad Momin Hossain, Masumur Rahman Khalili and AKM Mohsin attended the meeting.

Masud Hasan Jamaly, an avid sports enthusiast, passed away on Monday night at the age of 91, following prolonged health complications. He was laid to rest at Azimpur Graveyard following Zuhr prayers on Tuesday, said a media release. He is survived by his wife Raushan Ara Masud , daughter Rumana Jamaly and a host of relatives. After graduating in Electrical Engineering from Ahsanullah Engineering College in 1958, Hasan Jamaly served the Water and Power Development Board (WAPDA) for nearly 30 years. He retired as Member (Generation) of the Power Development Board. He earned the distinction of being a “University Blue” in football during his student years at Ahsanullah Engineering College. He also served as General Secretary of the Bangladesh Tennis Federation.

Sukumar Ranjan Ghosh, former MP of Munshiganj-1 constituency, passed away at a hospital in Dhaka early Monday. He was 70. After being diagnosed with pneumonia a few days ago, Sukumar was put on life support at a hospital in the capital and breathed his last early Monday morning, said his family. Sukumar had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for about 18 years and had been staying at his Dhanmondi residence. He is survived by his wife, one son, two daughters and a host of relatives. Sukumar’s cremation was held at Baradeshwari Kali Temple in the capital, said his wife Ava Rani Ghosh. He was elected MP of Awami League from Munshiganj-1 constituency twice in 2008 and 2014. Apart from politics, he was also associated with the film industry and produced the popular movie ‘Keyamat Theke Keyamat’. He had served as president of the Awami League’s Srinagar upazila unit.

Inquilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi was laid to rest beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University Central Mosque. Hadi was buried beside the mosque beside Kazi Nazrul Islam’s grave at around 3:30 pm. Read more: Hadi’s brother questions failure to arrest killers After the namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, his body was brought to Dhaka University in a procession for burial. For security reasons, all entry points to Dhaka University were kept closed.  

Former Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force, Air Vice Marshal AK Khandker (Bir Uttam), passed away on Saturday due to complications related to old age. He was 95. AK Khandker, who served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Mukti Bahini during the Liberation War, breathed his last at around 10:35am, according to an ISPR press release.  

Momena Khatun, the mother of Masumur Rahman Khalili, Executive Editor of the Daily Naya Diganta, member of the National Press Club Management Committee passed away on Wednesday afternoon. She breathed her last at Highcare Hospital in Sector 7, Uttara, Dhaka, due to age-related complications. She was 90 years old. The deceased leaves behind three sons, five daughters, and a host of relatives to mourn her loss. Her sons hold prominent positions in various sectors: Elder son Mahfuzur Rahman Khalili, a Chartered Accountant residing in Canada, second son Mamunur Rahman Khalili, a retired Additional Secretary, currently serving as the Treasurer of the Islamic Arabic University in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, third son Masumur Rahman Khalili, the Executive Editor of the Daily Naya Diganta. Following her passing on Wednesday, her body was transported to her ancestral home in Rampur village under Satkania Upazila in Chattogram. Her funeral prayer (Janaza) is scheduled to be held today, Thursday, after the Isha prayer, followed by her burial at the local family graveyard.

Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Anwara Begum, mother of DCAB member and Special Correspondent of Daily Manabzamin Mizanur Rahman. Anwara Begum, mother of Mizanur Rahman, breathed her last at a hospital in Dhaka on Monday evening. The namaz-e-janaza of the deceased will be held at her village home in Rajnagar upazila of Moulvibazar district on Tuesday. Later, she will be buried at a family graveyard. She is survived by three sons, three daughters and a host of relatives. In a condolence message, DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.    

Election campaigns must be intensive and people-friendly to increase public participation in the upcoming polls, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farzana said on Wednesday. She made the remarks at a Zoom meeting held to guide district information officers on field-level strategies for the 13th National Parliament Election and the referendum. The meeting was organized by the Department of Mass Communication. Director General of the Department, Md. Abdul Jalil, presided over the event, which was joined by employees from 68 field offices. Mahbuba Farzana said the upcoming polls will be “unique and unprecedented,” as instructed by the Chief Adviser. She noted that district information offices will have a major role in promoting the election and shaping public opinion, and directed officers to begin campaign activities immediately. She highlighted that, for the first time, the national election and a referendum will be held on the same day, making communication at the grassroots level—from unions to villages—a significant challenge. She expressed confidence that information officers would meet this challenge successfully. The Secretary said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will work jointly with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for election publicity. She also instructed information officers to stay connected with Bangla Fact, led by PIB, for rumor control and fact-checking. Officers were told to work innovatively and maintain close coordination with district administrations and election officers. Speaking at the event, the Director General said the Department of Mass Communication has 102 years of experience in campaign work. He shared that 34 election-related songs have been prepared in line with the code of conduct, to be performed in regional languages across different areas. Demonstrations on how to vote “yes” or “no” will also be shown in village markets. Yunus calls for joint effort to make national election festive He said efforts are being made to make the campaign more modern and appealing to encourage voter participation. Additional Secretary Dr. Mohammad Altaf-ul-Alam, Joint Secretary Mahfuza Akhtar, and Directors Mir Mohammad Aslam Uddin and Syed A. Mu’men also spoke at the event.    

Hallmark Group Managing Director (MD) Md. Tanvir Mahmud, who had been serving a jail term in connection with the Hallmark loan scam, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Saturday night (November 29). He was 55. AIG (Development) of the Prisons Department Md. Jannat-ul Farhad confirmed that Tanvir Mahmud passed away around 10:30 pm. Tanvir had been imprisoned in cases filed with Ramna Police Station and Kafrul Police Station. Read more: HC rejects Hallmark chairperson’s bail plea in graft case Prison authorities said he had been suffering from multiple health complications, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension, diabetes, benign prostatic enlargement (BEP), bronchial asthma, chronic pancreatitis, vomiting, and urinary retention. As his condition deteriorated, he was taken from Dhaka Central Jail to DMCH at 1:35 pm on Saturday and admitted around 4 pm. He was placed in Bed No. 19 of ward number 602 under medical supervision. His health worsened rapidly after admission, and doctors later declared him dead at around 10:30 pm, the prison official said. Read more: Dhaka court sentences 9 including Hallmark MD Tanvir, wife to life imprisonment