Day: September 15, 2023

The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, marking the anniversary of the birth and demise of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM), will be observed across the country on September 28 with due religious solemnity.

The decision was taken at the National Moon Sighting Committee's meeting held at the Islamic Foundation (IF) Conference Room at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque this evening with Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Md Abdul Hamid Jamaddar in the chair, said a press release.

The meeting informed that as the moon of Rabiul Awal of 1445 Hijri was not sighted in the sky of Bangladesh today, the holy month of Rabiul Awal will begin on September 17 (Sunday).

On this day in 570, the 12th of Rabiul Awal of the Hijri calendar, Prophet Muhammad (SM) was born in Makkah of Saudi Arabia with divine blessings and messages of peace for mankind. He also passed away on the same day.

The day is a public holiday.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Faruque Hassan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), has called for collaboration to create an enabling environment for responsible business practices.

He made the call while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on German Due Diligence Supply Chain Act in the city on Thursday, said a press release.

Bangladesh-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BGCCI) hosted the seminar.

The event brought together distinguished industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the significance of human rights and environmental due diligence in the global business landscape.

Dr. Michael Klode, Project Manager, Programme for Sustainability in the Textile and Leather Sector (STILE), GIZ gave a presentation on German Due Diligence Supply Chain Act, focusing on different aspects of the new law.

M. Maksud, President, and Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, Senior Vice President of BGCCI also spoke at the seminar.

In his speech as the chief guest, Faruque Hassan emphasized the critical importance of addressing human rights and environmental concerns in today's interconnected global economy.

Highlighting Bangladesh's vision for sustainability, President Faruque Hassan outlined BGMEA's Sustainability Vision 2030, which includes ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions, sustainable raw material usage, groundwater usage, chemical usage, energy consumption, and deforestation.

The vision also emphasizes inclusive work practices, gender equality, and good governance, with an online data platform to monitor progress, he added.

He stressed the need for learning about due diligence protocols, capacity building, and transparency to ensure future business success.

BGMEA's commitment to supporting manufacturers in adapting to new regulations was highlighted with the establishment of the 'Responsible Business Hub.' This dedicated unit, supported by GIZ, serves as an information center, providing training, awareness, and guidance on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence.

The President also called upon stakeholders, particularly buyers, to consider the cost of compliance and collaborate to share the burden, ensuring competitiveness and fairness.

He emphasized the need for uniformity among different international legislation to avoid conflicting obligations.

President Faruque Hassan stressed the importance of continuous attention and collaboration among supply chain stakeholders to create an enabling environment for responsible business practices.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-13 arrested four alleged active operatives of banned militant outfit 'Ansar Al Islam' in overnight raids from different places in Thakurgaon and Dinajpur districts last night.

"Acting on intelligence information, an operational team of RAB-13 conducted a raid and arrested one militant from Thakurgaon Sadar upazila last night," said a press release issued tonight by Senior Assistant Director (Media) of RAB-13 Flight Lieutenant Mahmud Bashir Ahmed.

The arrested 'Ansar Al Islam' operative is Md Yasin, 17, son of Md Mohsin Ali of Sadar upazila in Thakurgaon district.

As per information delivered by Md Yasin, the elite force conducted separate raids at Sadar and Biral upazilas of Dinajpur district and arrested three more operatives of the banned militant organisation.

The three arrested militants are In-charge (Dawati Branch) of 'Ansar Al Islam' for Northern region Md Muntaseer Billah, 36, son of Md Keramat Ali, Abdul Malek, 33, son of Rezaul Islam and Sabbir Hossain, 20, of different places in Dinajpur district.

"The elite force seized different 'Dawati' books (hard and PDF copies), four mobile phone sets and four SIM cards from the possessions of the arrested persons during the raids," the release said.

The raids were conducted as a continuation of arresting five 'Ansar Al Islam' members of Khulna, Bagerhat and Gopalganj regions on August 31 last as per intelligence received from DGFI," the release said

During interrogation, the detainees confessed that they are active members of 'Ansar Al Islam' and had been conducting activities of the organisation in line with the ideology of Al-Qaeda after being inspired by the success of Taliban in Afghanistan.

They followed online speeches of Tamim Al Adnani, Harun Izhar and Gunobi and became inspired in militancy, joined 'Ansar Al Islam' and conducted its organisational and 'Dawati' activities in the northern region to collect new members.

"The raids were conducted as a continuation of arresting five 'Ansar Al Islam' members of Khulna, Bagerhat and Gopalganj regions on August 31 last," the release said, adding that further legal actions are being taken against the detainees.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, MP, has called for ensuring care of children for making them worthy citizens through flourishing their latent talents.

"Scopes of sports side by side with studies should be created for the growing boys and girls for generating competitive mentality among them," he mentioned.

State Minister was distributing prizes among the winners in the final match of Bangabandhu and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Football Tournament-2023 in Bagha Upazila in the district today as chief guest.

Upazila administration and Upazila Education Office organized the two-football tournament at Bagha Model High School playground.

In the boy's event, Bausha Government Primary School clinched the championship defeating Arani Government Primary School in 1-0 goal, while, in the girls, Jhina Government Primary School bagged the championship defeating Amadpur Government Primary School in 1-0 goal.

Divisional Deputy Director of the Department of Primary Education Muhammad Sanaullah, District Primary Education Officer Saidul Islam and Upazila Education Officer Meer Mamunur Rahman also addressed the ceremony with Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sharmin Akhter in the chair.

Shahriar Alam said more talented football players are expected to come out from the tournament and they will play with national teams.

The present government under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been implementing diversified programmes to elevate the country's sports sector, he added.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Two motorcyclists were killed in a road accident on the Sylhet-Zakiganj road in Shahbag Mahidpur bridge area under Kanaighat upazila of the district today, police said.

The victims were Mehedi Hasan, 25, son of Husain Ahmed,

a resident of Sutergoan village under Kanaighat upazila and Rahat Ahmed, 24, son of Bulbul Ahmed, of the same area.

On their way to home from a local bazar a bus hit their motorbike from behind around 5pm, wounding both of them seriously, officer-in-charge of Kanaighat Police Station Golam Dastagir said.

Later, they were rushed to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical Hospital where on-duty doctor declared Mehedi and Rahat dead.

A case was filed in this connection, he added.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu, Sept 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said the government was committed to protect, promote and fulfil child rights in child-friendly environment.

In a message today on the occasion of National Children's Day, 2080, PM Dahal said the government was proactive in implementing legal, policy and institutional arrangements of the constitution, law and policy on child rights.

It was the state responsibility to arrange alternative care and family support to the children requiring special protection through local level, he said, emphasizing the need to increase public investment for fulfilling children's rights and development.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal has appealed to the federal, provincial and local level governments to spur investment for children rights protection and promotion.

The Prime Minister further said it was the shared responsibility of families, societies and entire country to check violence against children, including sexual harassment and child trafficking.

"For this, all three tiers of governments, non-government institutional child protection mechanisms, National Child Rights Council, provincial child rights committees and local child rights committees should be made active by equipping them with resources and means", the PM added.

Calling for national and international stakeholders for coordinated efforts for children's overall development, he urged all sectors to effectively work in this sector.

PM Dahal wished for the happy, healthy, prosperous life and child-friendly livelihood of all children on the occasion of the National Children's Day.

The 59th National Children's Day is being marked across the country with the theme 'Investing in our future means investing in our children'. ---

Source: National News Agency - Nepal

Kathmandu, Sept 15: Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav has laid emphasis on mandatory formulating and enforcing education, health, sports, entertainment and personality development plans of children as per the arrangements specified in the Constitution.

In a message delivered today on the occasion of National Children's Day, 2080, he said the local level child clubs and adolescent groups should lay emphasis on creative and personality development works.

Stressing the need to run technical education and skill enhancing training for children, he said the society should strictly prohibit child labour, unauthorized recommendations for child home, child violence and misbehave as well as protection of child marriage.

He also stressed the urgency of instituting children funds at all local levels and deliver socialization services, emergency relief for at-risk children and health treatment aid service.

"As the people's representatives have crucial role for the protection and promotion of child rights, the child-friendly programme operation is a must. The role of health workers is equally important for the management of child protection cases", he added. ---

Source: National News Agency - Nepal

Triveni (Nawalparasi): Sept 15: Police have restricted night-time vehicular movement along the Kaligandaki corridor in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat-Susta-East).

The restriction has been imposed due to ongoing construction in the corridor.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) at the District Police Office, Nawalpur, Bed Bahadur Poudel, the night-time vehicular movement has been restricted taking into consideration the high risk of accident in the corridor construction areas.

The Kaligandaki corridor is around 87 kilometer long in Nawalpur. DSP Poudel said ban on vehicular movement has been imposed to minimize risks. As mobile connectivity was a big problem in almost half of the corridor section, it was difficult to carry out rescue works if accident took place, he added.

"The corridor is under construction. It has increased accident risks. Rescue has been a big issue in the night time here", he further shared.

DSP Poudel said coordination was being made with the Nepal Telecom in regard to the installation of a mobile tower in the areas having less access to communications.

Vehicular movement will be allowed after establishing access to communications and completing the construction of corridor, he informed.

Almost 80 percent of the under-construction Nawalpur section of the Kaligandaki corridor has completed.

Small vehicles were being operated along the Kaligandaki corridor from Nawalpur to other mountainous districts. ---

Source: National News Agency - Nepal

Kathmandu, Sept 15: House of Representatives (HoR) member Ram Prakash Chaudhary has expressed displeasure on clash of interests among the political parties towards realizing the shared goal of successful implementation of federal democratic republic system.

Recalling the former Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang's expression and stance against holding hostage the parliament and his role in the parliament, Chaudhary said, "Various questions have raised in regard to our failure to play appropriate role in the parliament".

Chaudhary, a parliamentarian from the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, further stressed the need for the Members of Parliament to impart positive message through deliberations and conducts knowing their crucial role for law-making.

"The people's representatives should play the role to make the parliament a dignified institution", he noted.

Chaudhary who had entered into politics from Nepal Student's Union (NSU) also had a 30-years' experience in police service of Nepal.

He commented that questions have raised on parliamentary performance when only one bill related to loan-sharking was enacted in seven months of parliamentary operation after general election.

Chaudhary, a MP from Sarlahi constituency-1, is now the chief whip of Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP).

He further shared the prioritized and much-awaited bills such as federal civil service and education are in pipeline for parliamentary deliberations.

The role of parliament and parliamentarians was visible and parliamentary proceeding took strides when the government provided business to the House, he said, adding they however had been raising the issues related to livelihood in the parliament.

In a 'Parliament with RSS', lawmaker Chaudhary viewed giving less priority to the parliamentary or committee meetings was an act to undermine the parliamentary system and people's verdict.

"The parliament has a paramount importance. Our main job is to provide adequate time to the parliament and its committees' works", he said, adding it was obvious to manage budget through the Constituency Development Fund for development works.

He commented this was the only programme through which equal budgetary allocations were made in electoral constituencies.

He stressed the need to carry out fair investigations into the mega graft cases and book the guilty parties to impart a good message to the people. ---

Source: National News Agency - Nepal