Day: September 26, 2023

Minister for Finance Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has called for concessional financial aid for the development of least developed countries like Nepal.

Minister Dr Mahat said so in his address to the business roundtable of governors in the 8th annual meeting of Board of Governance of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

He further called on all member states to accept Nepal's proposal for placing a separate mechanism in providing financial aid to the least developed countries in subsidy.

On the occasion, Finance Minister Dr Mahat said global economic instability, accelerated journey towards Green House Gas emissions and economic development of low and middle income countries and access to financial resources for poverty alleviation and quality life of citizens were three major challenges.

The role of multilateral development banks, including AIIB is crucial to avert such crises, he added.

Finance Minister Dr Mahat said the low income countries also needed support for economic recovery and development, employment generation, green infrastructure development, expansion of access to financial instruments, technical and institutional capacity development, climate change-induced disaster management and other social safety net areas.

In the context when huge financial resource is a need particularly for least developed and developing countries, the existing financial assistance mechanism and instruments are not adequate.

He also stressed the need for innovation in the area, calling for AIIB to utilize innovative and creative finances, including public private partnership, green bond and combined finance to not allow the shortage of financial instruments in the country having weak economy.

The Finance Minister stressed on the need for the enhancement of climate finance and related facilities for Nepal and other countries that have been facing immoderate negative effects of climate change despite negligible role in carbon emission.

The minister also drew attention of all participants towards reviewing and determining appropriate carbon trade.

As many as 86 countries had participated in the AIIB high-level meeting that is concluding today. Finance Minister Dr Mahat is returning home tomorrow.

Source: National News Agency - Nepal

Divya Satabdi Purush Dr Gaurishankar Lal Das has been felicitated by the citizens on Tuesday.

Dr Lal has been feted for his incomparable contribution to Nepal's medical services, Nepal Red Cross Society, human rights, social service, administration/management and good-governance during his seven decades long career.

The Main Organizing Committee in association with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City honoured centenarian Dr Lal amid a programme in Kathmandu.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Purna Bahadur Khadka honoured Dr Lal with an appreciation letter. A title 'Divya Shatabi Purush' (Divine Centenarian Man) was conferred on the retired pulmonologist on September 16 this year.

On the occasion, Acting PM Khadka said that everyone should regard and take pride in multifaceted personality and invaluable works of Dr Lal who, he added, had contributed immensely to the country in various sectors.

He said that the government was ever ready to honour the pioneering personalities who contribute for the overall development of the country, people and society.

Former Vice-President Paramananda Jha, former Speaker Damannath Dhungana, former Province Chief Anuradha Koirala garlanded Dr Lal.

On the occasion, Acting PM Khadka launched 'Chayanika', an anthology of write-ups penned by Dr Das during various time. The 216-page book is published by Shankar Prasad Koirala and edited by Ramesh Jung Thapa. It is priced at Rs 300.

Dr Lal was born to father Janardan Lal Das and mother late Bhawani Devi at Inaruwa of Siraha district in 1981 BS.

Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizen Surendra Raj Acharya shared that his Ministry had taken forward the process to accord high regard to Dr Lal and provide him a monthly allowance.

Dr Lal, receiving the felicitation, gushed, "Today is a day of extreme happiness and exuberance for me. This moment of pride will always be remembered forever. It is a matter of pride to be felicitated by the citizens!"

He extended gratitude to all social organizations for felicitation and media persons for a good coverage regarding his felicitation.

Source: National News Agency - Nepal

At the invitation of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, guests from different countries have arrived here in Kathmandu to observe the Indra Jatra festival, a historical and cultural festival of the Kathmandu Valley.

With the erection of Lingo (wooden pole) along with Indradhowj at Basantapur, the historical Indra Jatra festival commenced formally from Tuesday.

This year, 20 guests from different countries and the mayors of cities having friendly ties with the KMC have arrived.

Spokesperson of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Nabin Manandhar said that mayors of some cities from China, the USA and South Korea have already landed in Kathmandu.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has been inviting the guests for the past five years from the cities having friendly ties.

The eight-day festivity, having religious and cultural significance, is observed with much fanfare mainly by the Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley. It is also marked in districts such as Kavrepalanchowk and Dolakha.

The Indra Jatra, the main day of the festival, falls on the Bhadra Shukla Chathurdashi, the fourth day of the waxing moon as per the lunar calendar. September 28 is the main day of the festival this year.

The government has also announced public holiday in the Kathmandu Valley on that day while security provisions have been beefed up in the city with the deployment of personnel of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal and volunteers from the city.

As part of the festival, a lingo is brought from Bhaktapur to Kathmandu and installed on the chariot at Hanumandhoka at Basantapur Durbar Square. A number of ceremonies are organized during the eight-day festival including Lakhe Naach and Pulu Kisi procession. The chariot procession, a major part of the festival, involves pulling of a big chariot of Kumari and two smaller chariots of Ganesh and Bhairab along the thoroughfares of the city.

Preparations are on to arrange the visit of the foreign guests to Hadigaun, Swayambhu and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the key cultural heritages in the valley.

Source: National News Agency - Nepal

District Police Office Kaski has arrested a person on the charge of assaulting health workers at Manipal Teaching Hospital.

According to the police, 34-year-old Vinaya Gurung of Pokhara-5 Malepatan was arrested on the charge of manhandling doctors involved in the treatment, during the protests held demanding the disclosure of the cause of death of a patient at the hospital.

It may be noted that Sukmayya Dura of Sundarbazar Municipality-6 in Lamjung was brought to the Teaching Hospital in Pokhara-11 for treatment of respiratory problems and back pain on September 24 and was declared dead by doctors a day later on September 25.

Information officer DSP Shravan Kumar BK shared that the investigation process has been forwarded by extending the deadline of seven days of judicial custody of the arrested person under the Health Workers and Health Institutions Safety Act, 2066 BS.

Source: National News Agency - Nepal

Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today said BNP is very insignificant in the perspective of geopolitics.

"You (BNP) are thinking that you would go to power through movements. But, BNP is very insignificant in the perspective of geopolitics. So there is no benefit," he told the triennial conferences of Jubo League city and district units at Pathanpara in the city.

The minister said Jubo League will go to the final game in the next month, not Awami League. "We will send our second team not first one. If needed, Mohila Awami League will go. I would like to urge BNP to play with them at first. After that if necessary, Awami League will play with you (BNP)," he continued.

Dr Hasan said BNP should remain alert about their leaders as they can change their party before the final game.

He said the Rajshahi region was turned into a region of terror during the BNP regime. Bangla Bhai and Shyoikh Abdur Rahman had turned the country into a heaven of militancy, he added.

He said some are claiming that BNP and Tarique Rahman would return again and they would create 'Hawa Bhaban' and 'Khoab Bhaban'. Bombs will be blasted at 5,000 places and many militants like 'Bangla Bhai' will be created if BNP come again, he said, adding, "We could not allow this".

About the US visa policy, the information minister said country's mass media employees think that the visa policy is tantamount to interference on the independent media.

He said the relations between Bangladesh and the US is very good. The visa policy is an isolated issue, he said, adding, "But I am concerned about a statement of the US ambassador as he told that the media will also come under the visa policy".

He said country's mass media is very independent, work freely and very strong. And an independent mass media always work as an associate of democracy, he added.

The minister said, "I don't understand on which basis the visa policy will apply to the mass media. Journalists, columnists and others think that this is interference on our independent media. I think it is not appropriate to control the mass media of other countries".

AL Presidium Member and Rajshahi city mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Litan addressed the conference as the chief guest while Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash inaugurated it.

JL general secretary Md Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil addressed it as the key speaker with JL city unit president Md Ramzan Ali in the chair.

AL Organising Secretary SM Kamal Hossain, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, AL Rajshahi city unit president Mohammad Ali Kamal and district unit president Anil Kumar Sarker, among others, addressed the conference.

JL city unit general secretary Md Mosharraf Hossain and district unit acting general secretary Ali Azam Sentu conducted the conference.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Newly appointed Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan paid tributes to the martyrs of 1971 Liberation War by placing floral wreaths at the National Memorial on the outskirt of the capital this afternoon.

After paying the homage, he signed the visitor's book.

Obaidul Hassan's family members, Appellate Division judges and Registrar General of the Supreme Court, Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police of Dhaka district were present on the occasion.

Besides, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan also paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait at Dhanmondi-32 here.

Earlier in the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to Obaidul Hassan. The Head of the State administered the oath at a brief ceremony at the Durbar Hall of the presidential palace at 11am.

Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain conducted the oath taking ceremony.

Later, the new chief justice came to Supreme Court and exchanged views with the judges from the Appellate Division and the High Court Division.

On September 12, the President appointed Supreme Court's Appellate Division judge Obaidul Hassan as the Chief Justice under Article 95 (1) of the Constitution.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Power,

Energy and Mineral Resources today suggested the ministry to take immediate

measures if any electric line is cut off during any natural disaster.

It also suggested severing all illegal power connections urgently.

The committee came up with the suggestions at its 41st meeting at Jatiya

Sangsad (JS) Bhaban with committee chairman Waseqa Ayesha Khan in the chair.

Committee members Md Nurul Islam Talukder, Md Aslam Hossain Saudagar, Khaleda

Khanam and Nargis Rahman joined the meeting.

It recommended providing regular training to members of Palli Bidyut Samity.

Report of the second sub-committee on reviewing formulation of proper

framework for generating 40 percent electricity from renewable energy by

2041, identification of impediments in implementing the framework and

removing those was accepted in the meeting.

Issues including measures to reduce load shedding in the areas under

Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) and implementation progress of

coal, liquefied gas and natural gas-based under-construction power stations

were discussed.

The committee suggested ensuring power supply after assessing proper demand

in different areas of the country.

Power secretary, energy and mineral resources secretary and other concerned

officials were present.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The 39th death anniversary of former Awami League (AL) leader and lawmaker, martyr of anti-autocracy movement and freedom fighter Shaheed Mohammad Moyezuddin will be observed tomorrow.

To mark the day, different organisations, including Awami League, have chalked out programmes, including placing of floral wreaths at the grave of the great leader in the morning and holding discussion, milad and doa mahfil in the capital and in Kaliganj upazila in Gazipur, the ancestral home town of Moyezuddin.

On the eve of the death anniversary, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued a message paying glowing tributes to the memories of martyr of anti-autocratic movement Mohammad Moyezuddin.

In her message, Sheikh Hasina said Moyezuddin was the first martyr as a politician in the anti-autocracy movement against military dictator HM Ershad in 1984.

She said Moyezuddin, a celebrated son of Gazipur district, obtained his LLB degree from Dhaka University in 1960 and became active in politics apart from beginning his career in law.

He was convener of Mujib Fund, which was formed to bear the expanses of conducting the Agaratala Conspiracy Case filed against Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and others and also convener of the committee formed to conduct the case, she added.

As a learned lawyer and politician, Moyezuddin served the historic duty with utmost efficiency and courage, the premier continued.

He served as general secretary of greater Dhaka district unit of Awami League and he became president of the committee later, she said.

He was elected a member of Provincial Assembly and Jatiya Sangsad in 1970 and 1973 respectively from Gazipur-Kaliganj constituency, she added.

Inspired by the ideals of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the heroic freedom fighter Moyezuddin engaged himself in politics and humanitarian service, she said.

He fought against injustice and oppression throughout his life, she said.

She hoped that his personality, wisdom, integrity and patriotism will inspire all.

"I believe that Moyezuddin's illustrious career will inspire the young generation with the spirit of patriotism," she added.

She prayed for eternal peace of the soul of Moyezuddin.

Meanwhile, a memorial meeting on the memories of Mohammad Moyezuddin was held today at Jatiya Press Club here under the arrangement of Moyezuddin Smrity Sangsad marking his 39th death anniversary.

Speaking at the meeting as the chief guest, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque said Shaheed Moyezuddin did not bow down to any evil force rather he always worked for the country and its people.

Moyezuddin was a leader of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu's ideal and he was a one of the organisers of the Liberation War, he added.

Moyezuddin organized the Awami League during the crises of the party and he was a reliable worker of Bangabandhu. He reached the messages of Bangabandhu to Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was in the jail, he added.

President of Bangladesh Mohila Awami League Meher Afroze Chumki, MP, preside over the meeting while Jatiya Press Club General Secretary Shyamal Dutta, Advocate Abdul Baten, Kaliganj municipality mayor SM Robin Hossain, General Secretary of Kaliganj upazila AL Abu Bakr Chowdhury, Kaliganj upazila chairman Moazzem Hossain Palash, acting president of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Manik Lal Ghosh and Senior journalist MA Salam Shanto, among others, spoke in the discussion.

General Secretary of Moyazuddin Smrity Sangsad Ataur Rahman conducted it.

Moyezuddin, father of former State Minister for Women and Children affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, was killed by a criminal gang on September 27 in 1984 while he was leading a protest procession at Kaliganj during the anti-autocracy movement.

Moyezuddin was born on March 17 in 1930 at Kaliganj Upazila of Gazipur District. His father was Md Surat Ali and mother's name was Mosammat Sohor Banu.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha