Day: November 4, 2023

DHAKA, Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal has taken office as the 29th Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University following the expiration of outgoing VC Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman's tenure.

Prof Maksud Kamal took the charges today from the outgoing VC Dr Akhtaruzzaman at a function attended by Pro-VC (Administration) Dr Mohammad Samad, DU Teachers Association president Dr Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan and General Secretary Dr Zinat Huda.

After joining the office, the newly elected Vice Chancellor paid glowing tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32.

On October 15, President Mohammed Shahabuddin, also the chancellor of the university, appointed Dr Maksud Kamal as the VC of the university temporarily.

Dr Kamal, a professor of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience Department, has been serving Dhaka University as the pro-VC (education) since June 2020.

Last year Dr Kamal also got appointed as a visiting professor at the UK's prestigious University College London (UCL) with a tenure of five years-- April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2027.

Maksud Kamal commenced his career as a lecturer at the Geology Department of Dhaka University in March 2000 and was promoted as professor in the same department in 2010.

Before joining the university, he served as a scientific officer at the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARSO) for nearly six years.

Maksud Kamal, a recognised expert in the fields of earthquake, tsunami studies and urban disaster management, served as the president of the Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA) for four terms and as its general secretary for three terms.

Besides, he is the president of Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association and served as secretary general of the organisation earlier.

ASM Maksud Kamal was also the convener of Blue Panel, an Awami League-backed teachers' organisation at the university. He was a member of the senate and syndicate of the University. He also served as the provost of Masterda Surja Sen Hall for two terms.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal has taken office as the 29th Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University following the expiration of outgoing VC Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman's tenure.

Prof Maksud Kamal took the charges today from the outgoing VC Dr Akhtaruzzaman at a function attended by Pro-VC (Administration) Dr Mohammad Samad, DU Teachers Association president Dr Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan and General Secretary Dr Zinat Huda.

After joining the office, the newly elected Vice Chancellor paid glowing tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32.

On October 15, President Mohammed Shahabuddin, also the chancellor of the university, appointed Dr Maksud Kamal as the VC of the university temporarily.

Dr Kamal, a professor of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience Department, has been serving Dhaka University as the pro-VC (education) since June 2020.

Last year Dr Kamal also got appointed as a visiting professor at the UK's prestigious University College London (UCL) with a tenure of five years-- April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2027.

Maksud Kamal commenced his career as a lecturer at the Geology Department of Dhaka University in March 2000 and was promoted as professor in the same department in 2010.

Before joining the university, he served as a scientific officer at the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARSO) for nearly six years.

Maksud Kamal, a recognised expert in the fields of earthquake, tsunami studies and urban disaster management, served as the president of the Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA) for four terms and as its general secretary for three terms.

Besides, he is the president of Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association and served as secretary general of the organisation earlier.

ASM Maksud Kamal was also the convener of Blue Panel, an Awami League-backed teachers' organisation at the university. He was a member of the senate and syndicate of the University. He also served as the provost of Masterda Surja Sen Hall for two terms.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury today said that Bangladesh's progress in bringing gender equality and eliminating gender inequality is commendable.

"Bangladesh's progress in bringing gender equality and eliminating gender inequality is commendable," she said, addressing a discussion titled 'Reframing South Asian Economic Cooperation in the New Context of National and Global Dimension' at the 14th South Asian Economic Summit organized by the Center for Policy Dialogue at a city hotel as the chief guest.

Noting that the presence-rate of girl students in primary education has increased to 98 percent, the speaker said consistent growth in every index of the society has been possible because of the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

She added Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been providing duty-free facilities on computers and various types of technology products for technical and vocational education, ICT training and construction of hi-tech parks and facilitating freelancing for the youth through digital connectivity.

She said that the region will be formed as a smart hub of information technology through the exchange of technical knowledge among South Asian countries.

With Founder and Executive Chairman of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Rehman Sobhan in the chair, the programme was addressed, among others, by Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Pakistan State Bank former governor Ishrat Husain and Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka P. Nandalal Weerasinghe as guests of honor.

Planning Minister M A Mannan spoke as special guest on the occasion while CPD Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun gave welcome speech.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Store and Purchase Officer of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Uttam Kumar passed away while undergoing treatment at a city hospital today.

"Uttam breathed his last at 3am on November 4 at the age of 53," said a DSCC press release.

He left behind his wife, a son, a daughter and a host of relatives, colleagues and admirers to mourn to mourn his death.

According to release, Uttam, also former DSCC public relations officer, was suffering from cancer.

DSCC authorities expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Uttam Kumar and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Chairman of Summit Group Muhammed Aziz Khan was given Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Hoque Peace Award 2022 on Friday for his remarkable exceptional contributions to business as well as social work.

On behalf of Aziz Khan, his daughter Azeeza Aziz Khan, director of Summit Group, received the award from former home minister Dr Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir, MP, at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, said a press release.

"Growing up, Sher-e-Bangla was our neighbour. When I was a boy, Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Hoque and his son, late AK Faezul Hoque Babu Bhai, used to love me in abundance. I still cherish great memories, among them are learning to ride a bike in their home, Babu Bhai coaching me cricket and an incident where I almost died in their pond while trying to learn swimming. And last but not the least, witnessing the first dead body as a child, which was of Sher-e-Bangla. I am humbled to receive this award on the 150th birth anniversary of Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Hoque." stated Muhammed Aziz Khan on the occasion of receiving the award.

Faiyazul Huq Razu, grandson of Sher-e-Bangla and Chairman of Sher-e-Bangla Foundation observed, "The immense contributions of the Summit Group and particularly, its Chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan, a renowned Bangladeshi businessman and philanthropist, in the entire gamut of the energy sector of Bangladesh is highly appreciated and well recognised.

The Sher-e-Bangla award to Summit Group's Chairman is in recognition of his relentless dedication to the economic growth and empowerment of a thriving Bangladesh."

Among others, chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, former information secretary Syed Margub Morshed, Bangladesh Press Council chairman Justice Md Nizamul Haque Nasim and Sher-e-Bangla Research Council adviser Iqbal Mahmud were present.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

CHATTOGRAM, Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the culprits who carried out arson attacks, killed police, attacked journalists and assaulted women would be brought to book.

"BNP has said that the final game will be held on October 28. But they left the field before the game. Police didn't fire a single shot. The BNP leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir left the stage hearing the sound of sound grenades," he said.

The minister was addressing a memorial meeting marking the 11th death anniversary of Awami League former presidium member late Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu at a convention centre in the city.

AL Chattogram city, North and South districts units oragnised the memorial meeting with city unit president Mahatab Uddin Chowdhury in the chair.

Son of Akhtaruzzaman and Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed, deputy minister for education Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, AL planning secretary Washika Ayesha Khan, MP, and social welfare secretary Aminul Islam Amin, among others, addressed it as special guests while AL Chattogram south district unit Mafizur Rahman conducted it.

Dr Hasan said BNP-Jamaat leaders have now become people's enemies as they burnt down public transports and killed people. They are worse than thieves and dacoits, he added.

The minister urged the public transport staff to take steps to resist any sorts of attack of miscreants on their vehicle. Everyone should create resistance against the miscreants, he said.

Hasan Mahmud said the government party has a responsibility to ensure peace and order in the country. "For this, we have to stay beside the people. Resistance should be created against the miscreants and terrorists at every ward," said the ruling party leader.

He said the miscreants would carry out chaos till the next elections and they want to foil the polls.

"We want the BNP to take part in the polls to check their popularity. But, they are afraid of the election. For this, they started to attack people like 2013, 2014 and 2015. Even, they attacked the residence of the Chief Justice and judges' complex," said the information minister.

Recalling the contribution of veteran AL leader Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu to politics, the minister said everyone should take lessons from his life and works. He was a politician, philanthropist and a businessman, said Dr Hasan.

Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed said his father never compromised with injustice.

Lawmakers Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and Mostafizur Rahman, Zila Parishad chairman ATM Pearul Islam, AL South district unit president Motaharul Islam Chowdhury, AL North district unit president MA Salam and general secretary Sheikh Ataur Rahman, among otherts, addressed the meeting.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Tribeni: The first round of earthquake rescue efforts has been completed at Aathbiskot Municipality in Rukum West.

At least 42 were killed and 100 others injured in the quake occurred n the district on Friday night, said Inspector Dharmendra Khadka, also the information officer at the Rukum West Police. The deceased's families received the bodies, he said. The injured are receiving treatment at the district hospital, Salle, the municipal hospital, Radi and the provincial hospital, Surkhet, said the police.

The search and rescue efforts have been completed, and a team of the municipality police and Nepal Police are on standby in case of further need, said Maniraj Shah, acting chief administrative officer of the municipality.

The municipality-11, 12, 13 and 14 have suffered a huge loss of lives and properties loss in the quake, he said.

Ten people were killed and 59 others injured in Sanibheri Rural Municipality in the earthquake, said the district police office.

Source: National News Agency - Nepal

Kathmandu: Indian Prime Minister Narednra Modi said India stands in solidarity with the government and people of Nepal while expressing deep sorrow at the loss of lives and damages in Nepal due to the earthquake in Jajarkot.

Addressing Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on a social media, PM Modi said India is ready to extend all possible assistance to the Nepal government.

While extending condolence to the families of those deceased in the earthquake, PM Modi wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Source: National News Agency - Nepal

Godabari: The Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN) has announced donating 50 percent of the money collected from the sale of tickets of Godabari fair in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur on coming Sunday to the earthquake victims of Jajarkot and Rukum West.

"We inform that the 16th Godabari flower exhibition underway in Jawalakhel playground of Lalitpur will be extended by one day till November 5. We also inform that the fund collected from the ticket sale on Sunday will be deposited in the fund of the Government of Nepal for the assistance and rescue of quake victims of Jajarkot and Rukum West," according to a statement issued by the Association on Saturday.

At least 31,000 people so far visited the fair as of Friday, the fourth day of the fair, and transactions amounted to over Rs 7 million, the FAN sources informed.

Source: National News Agency - Nepal

Kathmandu: Russian President Vladmir Putin has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and properties due to the Jajarkot earthquake in Nepal.

In a condolence message sent to his Nepali counterpart, President Ramchandra Paudel, he extended deep condolence to the earthquake victims in Nepal, the President Office informed.

In the message, President Putin conveyed his sympathy to the Nepali people and wished for a speedy recovery of the injured. -

Source: National News Agency - Nepal

Kathmandu: As the 6.4-magnitude earthquake rattled the districts of Karnali Province on Friday midnight, the people there were in the deep sleep in bed. Though the quake are realized across the country and even in the neighbouring India, the districts of Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim suffered the most. As per the information shared by the security bodies, a total of 157 people succumbed to the quake and the number of injured ones crossed 200 from the earthquake happened with its epicenter at Barekot in Jajarkot. However, the number of causalities could increase further since the search and rescue operation is ongoing.

Most of the traditional houses in Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim districts have collapsed due to the powerful earthquake and its aftershocks. The local levels' chiefs from the two districts have shared that the villages have witnessed severe damages and a huge number of population is rendered homeless and their houses are unlivable while hundreds of other houses are at high risk and could collapse at any time.

Pictures from the epicenter and nearby areas shared in the social networking sites show that people are living under the open sky as they lost their houses. In the meantime, the rescue operations are ongoing and more than 1,500 security officials are deployed while humanitarian organizations including Nepal Red Cross Society have also intensified their move.

The local governments in the two worst-hit district carried out the first phase of rescue operations in a more systematic fashion immediately after the quake happened. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' took special notice of the search and rescue operations, and had asked the security officials and all stakeholders to act in a smart fashion.

Prime Minister 'Prachanda, who had taken stock of the earthquake-affected areas since 1:00 am on Saturday, visited Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim with health workers and essential supplies early on Saturday.On Saturday, the PM remained engaged on the search, rescue and coordination affairs for almost 18 hours, even by reaching the quake's epicenter in the early morning.

Prime Minister Prachanda accompanied by Minister for Energy Shakti Bahadur Basnet, former Finance Minister Janardan Sharma and Karnali Province Assembly Member Rajib Bikram Shahi reached the affected areas with a medical team including 16 members of the Nepali Army and necessary materials for the rescue, search and relief of the earthquake survivors.

The PM also brought some injured ones to Chaurjahari from Jajarkot in a chopper he was flying by. PM Dahal reached rural municipality-level hospital, Chhotebagar, District Hospital, Salle, and Aathbiskot Municipal Hospital and enquired about the health condition of the injured people.

Saying Rukum Paschim and Jajarkot districts saw a huge disaster, PM Dahal urged them not to panic much. "We are sad with the loss caused by earthquake. The government will bring rescue and relief materials and other different programmes for you (quake survivors)," mentioned PM Dahal.

During his inspection and visits to the injured ones, the PM has assured of their rehabilitation and relief adding that the 'government is with them in the time of crisis'.The government has deployed several teams of health workers including specialist doctors to the earthquake-affected districts. The teams consist of specialists from Nepal Military Hospital, Nepal Police Hospital, Armed Police Hospital and Bir Hospital. The medical team will add to the human resources at the district hospitals with arrangements to carry out surgeries.

In this context, Mayor of Bheri Municipality Chandra Prakash Gharti said PM's inspection has supported in their attempts to heal the wounds. "We are hopeful of a huge support from the federal government," Gharti hoped.

"PM Prachanda's move is highly appreciated in regard to the search and rescue jobs. He has shown a very sensitive gestures and has encouraged the rescuers, medical persons and volunteers. We need to support the PM in his actions," Maoist Centre leader Santosh Poudel told the RSS appreciating the PM's prompt actions.

Now, the government should announce the relief package and immediately prepare for the reconstruction of the quake-hit properties including the heritage sites there, Poudel suggested. To further accelerate the ongoing relief and rescue operations, the PM has summoned a cabinet meeting for Sunday morning.

The cabinet meeting is expected to announce government's key priorities on rescue of those affected, treatment of the injured and resettlement of the displaced communities. Moreover, as the geography in Karnali is very uneven and with scattered settlements, the government should better unveil a long-term plan for the integrated settlement of the affected communities in both the districts. Such announcement in place shall help recover the community soon by contributing to build back the economy there.

Source: National News Agency - Nepal