Day: August 1, 2023

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Monnujan pays tribute to Bangabandhu

State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian today paid rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Officials and employees of the ministry led by Monnujan Sufian paid the tribute to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the city's Dhanmondi-32, marking the National Mourning Day and martyrdom anniversary of the Father of the Nation.

She also participated in a special doa and munajat seeking salvation of the departed souls of Bangabandhu, Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib and their family members, who were killed on August 15, 1975.

Additional secretaries of Labour and Employment ministry - Fahmida Akhter and Md Saif Uddin Ahmed, joint secretaries - Md Mohidur Rahman, Md Humayun Kabir, Hazera Khatun and Morsheda Akhter, among others, were present.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

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Today’s weather forecast: heavy rain likely in four provinces

Currently, the country experiences the impact of monsoon wind.

The axis of monsoon trough towards the West remains in north and towards the east from its average position, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division.

The weather is partly to generally cloudy throughout the country today. Light to moderate rain is predicted at some places of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali provinces and at a few places of rest of the provinces.

There remain chances of heavy rain with thunder and lightning at one or two places of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali, the Division said.

Likewise, tonight it will be partly to generally cloudy throughout the country while light to moderate rain is likely to occur at some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini, and at a few places of rest of the provinces.

Heavy rain with thunder and lightning is expected to occur at one or two places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

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Province does not invest in unproductive sectors: Chief Minister Pandey

Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey has said the province government shall not invest in unproductive sectors.

Speaking in a programme organized by Gorkha Municipality Judicial Committee today in Gorkha district headquarters, he said the provincial government will invest in development and construction works only on the basis of priority.

"There is more investment in the unproductive sector, the province does not have the policy of investing in unproductive sectors. Wanton investment never gives results," Chief Minister Pandey reiterated.

He called on the people's representatives in the local level to select, propose and formulate plans giving priority to sectors capable of giving maximum benefit. CM Pandey claimed the Gandaki province has put to an end the tradition of allocating budget being focussed on personal interest or keeping one's vote bank secure.

"It is found that budget is sought for constructing bridges at a distance of one kilometre on the same rivulet. The politicians and leaders also exert pressure for constructing bridge only at a location which is deemed beneficial to them. The local people's representatives should formulate plans by identifying the real need," he said.

Chief Minister Pandey shared on the occasion that nearly 2 billion budget has been allocated for Gorkha district alone in the current fiscal year 2023-24 and more than 1,000 projects have been selected under this.

"We have started discussions on keeping a legal assistant to help in justice administration through the Judicial Committee at all the 85 local levels in the province," he said. Stating that problems have been encountered due to the local level's failure to monitor the development and construction works carried out from the budget allocated by the provincial government, he said the province government is effortful to making an effective system of monitoring in collaboration with the local levels.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

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Dengue surge: 10 districts alone have 87 percent infection

More than 5,000 people have been infected with dengue in the country. Sunsari district alone has more than half of them, according to Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.

Division Director Rudra Prasad Marasini informed that country recorded the dengue infection among a total of 5,688 persons since last January. Among them, Sunsari district alone recorded 3,486 dengue cases.

Marasini blamed people's recklessness behind such surge of infection. It has been raining continuously for some days and people have not paid attention to sanitation, thereby contributing to alarming rise of dengue spread.

As recent as a week back, there were only 4,619 dengue cases in Nepal, but it ratcheted up quickly within a week, reaching 5,688.

Dengue is caused by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species of mosquito. They lay eggs on clean water. The eggs turn into larva and larva to adult mosquito. Bite of such mosquito is dreadful, for it causes the dengue infection. So, puddle must be removed around houses.

10 districts affected most

Sunsari, Dhading, Kaski, Darchula, Kathmandu, Sankhuwasabha, Myagdi, Morang, Kanchanpur and Jhapa are the most affected districts. Sunsari alone has 3,486 cases while Kathmandu 96 and Jhapa 56.

The Koshi Province is the most affected one with 3,821 dengue cases while Madhes Province has least number, 26.

Four persons have lost lives to dengue fever since last January in Nepal.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

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Tourism police training for special service

The 'tourism police training' has kicked off here in a bid to provide special service to the foreign tourists in Nepal.

The 18-day training began in Kathmandu in collaboration with Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation; Tourism Police Office, Bhrikutimandap; and Nepal Tourism and Hotel Management Institute.

The event was inaugurated by Ministry Secretary Bharat Mani Subedi. He hoped the training would be a significant platform to learn on how foreign tourists could be provided special services. Professional capacity will be built among the tourism police so that they play a role to retain unique identity of the country and people. The concept of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' will be further enhanced, Secretary added.

Deputy Inspector General of Nepal Police who is the also the Director of National Police Academy, Rabindra KC, said the trainees would be devoted to their works and help bolster country image. He lauded that tourism police were playing important role in security of tourists despite limited means and resources.

Similarly, Director General at Tourism Department, Hom Prasad Luitel, viewed tourism sector plays a vital role on boosting country's economic activities where the tourism police can be linked.

Travel and Research Department Chief of Nepal Tourism and Hotel Management Institute, Ajay Kumar Dhakal, believed the training would be a milestone to the development and promotion of tourism.

A total of 30 police persons are attending the training.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

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Qualification round of World Archery held

The recurve men's and women's qualification round

of World Archery Championship held in Berlin, Germany on Tuesday.

In the recurve men's section, Ramkrishno Saha of Bangladesh finished 31st

scoring 658, Mohammad Hakim Ahmed Rubel finished 75th scoring 644 and Md

Sagar Islam finished 113th scoring 628 among the 167 archers.

In the women's section, promising archer Diya Siddique finished 63rd among

the 140 archers after scoring 618.

In the recurve men's team event, the Bangladesh archery team featuring

Ramkrishno Saha, Mohammad Hakim Ahmed Rubel and Md Sagor Islam finished 35th

among the forty seven teams after scoring 1930 while in the recurve mixed

team event Bangladesh archery team comprising Ramkrishno Saham and Diya

Siddique finished 27th among the fifty seven teams after scoring 1276.

Bangladesh National archery team comprises six archers (four men's and two

women's) are participating in seven events of the championship.

Earlier on Sunday last, a nine-member Bangladesh archery team left Dhaka for

Germany to participate in the World Archery Championship' 2023 to be held in

Berlin from July 31 to August 6.

Bangladesh National Archery team comprises one manager, one head coach, one

coach and six archers (four men's and two women's) and it will compete in

seven events.

Participating events of Bangladesh are recurve men's team, recurve men's

singles, recurve women's singles, recurve mixed doubles, compound men's

singles, compound women's singles and compound mixed doubles.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

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16th periodic plan: good governance, social justice and prosperity in focus

Good governance, social justice and prosperity are major focuses of government in the forthcoming 16th periodic plan.

The plan is to ensure social justice in health, education, employment and housing while good governance in political, administrative and judicial fronts, according to the National Planning Commission, the government body responsible for the planning. Similarly, prosperity in social life, economic development and national economy are key issues,

NPC Vice Chairman Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha said, "All levels of government and stakeholders need to build capacity for smooth and effective coordination and collaboration so that the plan would be implemented in a result-oriented manner."

The 16th periodic plan will identify and address the structural barriers surfaced in the strategic development endeavours, he said, adding that that efforts of self reliance in agricultural production, export promotion, development of tourism and industries, power trade, irrigation expansion, establishment of metal industry, complete use of labour force would help achieve national development and prosperity.

Similarly, reform in service delivery, infrastructure development, strengthening of economic foundation and creation of decent and inclusive employments, quality education, urban management, social empowerment, social security, capacity enhancement on capital spending are other important areas.

Biodiversity, SDGs, priority to trade and industry, corruption control, adoption of result-oriented work, environmental issues, strict implementation of projects would also be paid heed.

It was mentioned in the presentation made by Vice Chairman Dr Shrestha during a parliamentary committee on Monday.

Nepal had embarked on periodic plan since 2013BS. Currently, 15th periodic plan and 25-year long term plan are in effect.

Source: National News Agency-Nepal

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Fugitive JMB member held in capital

The Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of Police arrested an active member of the banned militant outfit 'Jamatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB), from the city's Kuril Bishwa Road area last night.

The arrested Md Monwar Hossen, 28, is the son of Ayub Mia of Golamunda village under Joldhaka thana of Nilphamari district.

"A team of the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of Bangladesh Police arrested Monwar during an overnight drive in the city's Kuril Bishwa Road under Vatara thana at around 9:45pm on Monday night," ATU ASP (media) Wahida Parveen told BSS.

The arrestee, who has been hiding in different parts of the country for 12 years, is a fugitive accused in a case filed under the Explosive Substances Act with the Hathazari police station of Chattogram.

Necessary legal actions have been taken against him, she added.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

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Festivity, enthusiasm surround Rangpur marking PM’s visit

Rangpur city has worn an unprecedented festive look with unbridled enthusiasm among the common people ahead of the visit of Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina here tomorrow.

She will attend a mammoth public rally organised by the Rangpur district and city units of Awami League to launch the campaign for the national election to be held at the end of this year or the beginning of the next year.

The ground and stage decoration works are nearing completion and extensive security measures have been taken to make the arrival and departure of people in safe and secured with utmost caution.

Official sources said suspicious vehicles and persons are being checked along the entry routes of the city where more than 1000 CCTV cameras have been installed and car parking has been arranged at 21 points.

The organizers said the public rally will turn into a human sea from where the Prime Minister will start the election campaign.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also daughter-in-law of Rangpur, is coming to the divisional city after almost an era since her last visit to the city on January 8, 2011 when she took responsibility for the development of Rangpur on her own shoulder.

Leaders and activists of Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League, Mahila Awami League, Swechchasebak League and other associate organizations are excited as a wave of unbridled enthusiasm prevails among them centering the Prime Minister's visit.

A massive and colorful campaign is going on. The entire city is covered with colorful posters, banners, festoons and billboards welcoming the Prime Minister.

Electric poles, lamp posts, walls and trees are not empty anywhere in the city while the roads and road dividers have been washed, polished and colorfully decorated.

Singing and dancing to the rhythm of musical instruments and music is going on in addition to public meetings. Loudspeakers have been set up at the Intersections of Bangladesh Bank, Zilla School, Post Office, Surovi Udyan, Police Lines, City Bazaar and different other points.

Central leaders including Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Joint General Secretary and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Awami League Presidium Members and other senior leaders have come to Rangpur and supervising the preparations.

Rangpur District Awami League Joint Convener Advocate Md Anwarul Islam said, "We have made extensive preparations. Meetings have been held starting from yard meetings in neighborhoods and rallies at different places."

Besides, processions are being organized in villages, cities and business centres. Extensive mass communication has been carried out across all unions, upazilas and district headquarters of Rangpur division.

"The massive developments of the Awami league government during the last 15 years are highlighted. People eagerly waiting to join the mammoth public meeting and hear the Prime Minister," he added.

Rangpur District Awami League former Publicity and Publication Secretary Rosy Rahman said, "We are very happy and excited. We are all united in excitement over the visit of Sheikh Hasina, the daughter-in-law of Rangpur, the daughter of Bangabandhu."

Former President of Rangpur District Chhatra League Mehedee Hasan Siddiqui Rony said the Prime Minister's visit to Rangpur and the mammoth public meeting will definitely have a great impact on the upcoming national elections.

Meanwhile, a member of state agencies including SSF are working in the Rangpur Zilla School ground rally venue with utmost caution.

In the southwest corner of the field, a platform has been built in the shape of a boat and the media, freedom fighters and guest corners are in the next. The crowd will be in front.

Sujit Roy Nandi, Organizing Secretary in charge of Awami League's Rangpur division, said the whole division of Rangpur is in a festive mood centering the Prime Minister's public rally.

"As the Prime Minister is Bangabandhu's able daughter, her charismatic leadership will sway people regardless of party affiliation. The whole city will be crowded with people," he said, hoping that people from all walks of life and professionals will participate in this rally.

"Not only the Zilla School grounds, the entire city will become a sea of people with overflowing crowds," Nandi added.

Awami League Presidium Member Jahangir Kabir Nanak said all preparations of the Prime Minister's rally have already been completed where 10 lakh people will gather and the whole Rangpur city will be transformed into a crowd of 'Joy Bangla' and 'Human Sea'.

"InshaAllah, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will begin election campaign from this northern city of Rangpur against BNP-Jamaat's terrorism, arson, murder and anti-state activities," he added.

Meanwhile, the law enforcement forces covered the entire city with a security blanket centering the public rally.

The Traffic Department of Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RpMP) has fixed 21 points in the city for parking vehicles coming from different routes. More than 1000 CCTV cameras have been installed. Surveillance has been increased at entrances and important road junctions.

Deputy Commissioner of Police of RpMP (Crime) Md Abu Maruf Hossain said, "We have arranged all kinds of security centering the public rally. In addition to the uniformed police, there will be armed and plainclothes law enforcement personnel."

Apart from the public rally venue, there will be routine duty at check posts, important entrances and junctions of the entire city and trained law enforcement personnel will be on the roofs of high-rise buildings and on every floor of high-risk buildings.

Abu Maruf said, "We have brought the public rally place, the entire city and the circuit house under CCTV coverage. We have installed more than 1,000 CCTV cameras with the cooperation of Rangpur City Corporation. We will monitor it digitally."

Besides, an adequate number of law enforcement personnel will be present in the field and throughout the city.

"The organizers will be accompanied by volunteers. All our preparations are done so that people can come to the field smoothly; listen to the rally in a beautiful environment and go back home smoothly," he said.

Abu Maruf said, "We will not tolerate any untoward incident in Rangpur city on the occasion of the arrival of the Prime Minister. Anyone who tries to do so will be severely dealt with. We have all kinds of preparations and the ability to prevent any kind of incident."

According to the tour schedule, the Prime Minister will arrive in Rangpur by helicopter from Tejgaon Airport in the capital on Wednesday at 12:30 noon.

At 2 pm the helicopter carrying the Prime Minister will land at the helipad of Rangpur Cantonment from where she will leave for Rangpur Circuit House by road at 2:05 pm.

After reaching the Circuit House, the Prime Minister will exchange views with division level government officials.

Later, she will reach the grand rally place at Rangpur Zilla School ground at 3 pm and inaugurate various projects taken for the development of Rangpur division.

The Prime Minister will announce the inauguration of 27 development projects and lay the foundation stones of five projects in Rangpur.

The Prime Minister will leave for Dhaka again on the same route in the afternoon after addressing the mass rally.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last visited Rangpur on December 23, 2018 and addressed two election rallies in Pirganj and Taraganj upazilas of Rangpur.

She is coming to Rangpur again after more than four and a half years.

Earlier, Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had promised to shoulder the responsibility of development in the public rally of the Grand Alliance at Rangpur Zilla School ground on January 8, 2011.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

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BNP resorts to terrorism at Tarique’s directives like 2013-14: Joy

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said BNP leaders and activists resorted to terrorist activities again as they did in 2013, 2014 and 2015 at the directives of fugitive convict Tarique Rahman.

“Arson attacks on public vehicles and cops by armed BNP men evoke similarities of BNP-Jamaat orchestrated street violence back in the run up to 2014 national polls,” he wrote in a facebook post from his verified account on Sunday.

Sajeeb Wazed Joy said that BNP’s sit-in programme at the key entry points of Dhaka city was marred by clashes and violence on Saturday, leaving an unspecified number of police and general people injured.

In the post both in Bangla and English with a Bengali title “Previous and current eras of BNP’s arson terrorism”, he also uploaded a video clip of violent acts carried out by BNP men in 2013-14 and 2023.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha