Day: January 23, 2024

DHAKA, Laxman Chandra Gour, father of senior sports reporter of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Sanjay Gour Pintu, died of old-age complications at a hospital in the city today. He was 77. Laxman Chandra Gour, former teacher of Political Science department of Shamsul Haque College in Tangail, breathed his last around 4:15am while undergoing treatment at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD). He left behind his wife, one son, one daughter and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. He will be cremated at Rani Din Moni Crematorium at his own district in Tangail. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Samsoo Kim, trade representative (Director General) of the commercial section at the Embassy of Korea and Faruque Ahmed, chief specialist at the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Dhaka held a meeting with Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA today. The primary focus of the meeting was to explore new avenues of trade and investment between Bangladesh and Korea, aiming to benefit both economies. They also had discussions about possible ways of establishing robust connections between businesses in Bangladesh and Korea, allowing them to explore their mutually beneficial trade and investment potential, said a press release. Expressing keen in strengthening ties with Korea, the BGMEA President urged KOTRA to encourage Korean businessmen to invest in Bangladesh's backward linkage industry, with a particular emphasis on the non-cotton textile sector, including polyester and spandex yarn. Collaboration between Bangladesh and Korea, especially in the apparel and textile sector hold s the promise of creating new opportunities for businesses in both countries, he said. Faruque Hassan also sought cooperation of KOTRA in developing capacity of BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) in textile, apparel, fashion and business through collaboration with leading Korean fashion institutes. He called for KOTRA's cooperation in boosting garment exports from Bangladesh to Korea. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, The daily trade turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) today scaled Taka 11 billion-mark. Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, stood at Taka 11.77 billion on the premier bourse which was Taka 10.42 billion at the previous session of the week. DSEX, the prime index of the DSE, went up by 21.95 points or 0.35 per cent to settle at 6,276.26. Two other indices also ended higher with the DSE 30 Index, comprising blue chips, rose 10.55 points to finish at 2,158.20 and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) advanced 3.41 points to close at 1,384.16. At DSE, out of the day's 393 securities, prices of 126 securities closed higher against 227 losing issues. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) closed the day of the week with a downward trend with its major CASPI 76.91 points down at 18,158.59. At the CSE, 275 issues were traded. Of those, 106 closed higher and 150 closed lower. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, The daily trade turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) today scaled Taka 11 billion-mark. Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, stood at Taka 11.77 billion on the premier bourse which was Taka 10.42 billion at the previous session of the week. DSEX, the prime index of the DSE, went up by 21.95 points or 0.35 per cent to settle at 6,276.26. Two other indices also ended higher with the DSE 30 Index, comprising blue chips, rose 10.55 points to finish at 2,158.20 and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) advanced 3.41 points to close at 1,384.16. At DSE, out of the day's 393 securities, prices of 126 securities closed higher against 227 losing issues. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) closed the day of the week with a downward trend with its major CASPI 76.91 points down at 18,158.59. At the CSE, 275 issues were traded. Of those, 106 closed higher and 150 closed lower. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Pakistan recruit Babar Azam made an instant impact in his first match in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), leading Rangpur Riders to a four-wicket win over Sylhet Strikers at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today. Babar played an unbeaten 49 ball-56 to anchor the innings in astute fashion as Rangpur recovered from 39-6 to overhaul Sylhet's paltry 120-8 in 18.2 overs. He was ably supported by Afghanistan recruit Azmatullah Omarzai, who blasted 35 ball-47 with two fours and three sixes, the last one was winning six which took Rangpur 125-6. No other batters, apart from the duo, could reach double digits. But the duo held the nerve and shared 86 runs for the undefeated seventh wicket to help Rangpur secure its first victory and also gave Sylhet its second straight defeat. With small total, Sylhet fought neck to neck with Richard Ngarava dismissing Rony Talukdar for 6 to begin Rangpur's rot. After getting first-ball duck in the first match, West Indies recruit Brandon King bagge d five-ball duck this match to compound Rangpur's woe further. They got further setback when Tanzim Hasan Sakib got rid of captain Nurul Hasan Sohan (8) before Dushan Hemantha, who took 3-20 scythed down the middle order to make Sylhet favourites to win the game but only to be denied by Omarzai and Babar. Earlier put into bat first, Sylhet had an abysmal start with apart from opener Najmul Hossain Shanto, who made 14, all of their first four batters departed with single digit figure, as they were slumped to 39-5. Benny Howell and Ben Cutting saved them from ultimate blushes, combining for 68-run for the sixth wicket. Both of the batters made identical 37 runs. Mahedi Hasan and Ripon Mondol grabbed two wickets apiece for Rangpur Riders. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, As many as 24 patients were hospitalised in the last 24 hours till this morning, according to the daily statement of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). "During the period, seven dengue patients were hospitalised in Dhaka city while 17 were admitted to different hospitals outside the capital city," the statement added. The total number of cases this year rose to 907 while 143 dengue patients are still undergoing treatment at different hospitals across the country. Among the total cases, 907 patients have already been released, the DGHS statement added. Last year, the country recorded 1,705 dengue-related deaths and a total of 321,179 dengue cases. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Bangladesh left-arm spinner Nahida Akter found a place in the ICC Women's ODI Team of the Year for her stupendous performance in the last year. The Bangladesh spinner took 20 wickets in 11 matches in the year in ODIs, the second-highest for anyone in women's ODIs in 2023. Australia's Ash Gardner was the highest wicket-taker in this format with 24 wickets in 13 matches. Nahida Akter earlier became the first Bangladeshi to be named the ICC Women's player of the month in December last year. The Women's ODI team was dominated by the Australians with five Aussie cricketers featuring in the team. No Indian players however found any place in the ODI team. Nahida shone with seven wickets in Bangladesh's series victory over Pakistan at home. Notably, in the second ODI of the series, the game ended in a tie and Nahida was charged with the responsibility of bowling in the Super Over. She took two wickets in five balls to end Pakistan's Super Over, conceding only seven runs, which Bangladesh surpassed to com e back into the series after a loss in the first game. In the third ODI in Mirpur, Nahida starred again with a three-wicket haul to help Bangladesh seal a series win. She also had a good home series against India, taking six wickets at an average of 15. Bangladesh denied India the victory in the three-match series, drawing it 1-1. No Bangladesh players however found place in ICC Women's T20 Team of the Year. The ICC also revealed the ICC Test, ODI and T20 team of the year but no Bangladesh male player featured in those teams. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Dhaka, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought cooperation from the development partners, including France, to sustain the ongoing development spree in Bangladesh. "We need cooperation from the development partners including France to make the development of Bangladesh sustainable as we have to go long way," she said when French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy called on her at the Prime Minister's official Ganabhaban residence here. PM's speech writer M Nazrul Islam briefed newsmen after the meeting. The Prime Minister said once Bangladesh was known as a country of poverty, flood and drought which it has now transformed into a developing nation with a huge development. "Today's Bangladesh is totally a different country with huge development being carried out at the grassroots" she said. She said that every village of the country has been illuminated with electricity and connected with communication network. "The rural areas have changed a lot while poverty has reduced significantly," she said . Sheikh Hasina said the government has planned to build flats in rural areas for the poor people. On the Rohingya issue, the Prime Minister said that the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals must be repatriated to their homeland. "They are involving in various criminal acts like drug, arms and human trafficking here," she said. The Prime Minister urged the western countries including France to mount their pressure further for the quick repatriation of the Rohingyas. About stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said that their fourth generation is living here. "It does not seem that Pakistan will take them back anymore. We are planning to build flats for them to ensure their permanent rehabilitation here," she said. She requested the French Gas Company to invest in Bangladesh gas sector and for gas exploration. They also discussed on some bilateral issues including Airbus purchase and launching of Bangabandhu Satellite-II. French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy handed over a congratulatory m essage of French President Emmanuel Macron for being reelected as the Prime Minister through the last Parliamentary election held on January 7. She said that France and Bangladesh has excellent bilateral relations, referring to the Bangladesh premier's visit to France in 2021 and French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Bangladesh in 2023. "These visits have further strengthened the relations between the two countries," she said. About climate issue, the French envoy said that her country helps Bangladesh to get the loss and damage fund, adding that they want to see Bangladesh as the pioneer in utilising the fund. She mentioned that Bangladesh is an example in facing climate change. She further said that France wants to assist Bangladesh in green energy transition. The ambassador also said that her country wants to cooperate Bangladesh in blue economy and cyber security. PM's Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Ambassador-at- Large M Ziauddin and Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, were present. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, The historic 'Mass Upsurge Day', commemorating the 1969's movement for autonomy from the then East Pakistan that eventually led to the Liberation War and the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971, will be observed tomorrow in a befitting manner. On January 24, 1969, Matiur Rahman Mallik, a standard IX student of Nabakumar Institution, and Rustam Ali, a rickshaw-puller, were killed in a police firing on demonstrators in Dhaka as Pakistani rulers desperately tried to suppress the popular uprising. The killings spread intense protests across the country that eventually saw the fall of the autocrat Ayub regime. It is said that the day teaches Bangladeshis the values of democracy and protest against oppression. Different political and socio-cultural organisations have taken separate programmes in observance of the day. Bangladesh Awami League will place wreaths at Shaheed Matiur Rahman Smiriti Saudha at Nabakumar Institute in Bakshibazar at 10am tomorrow. AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges minister Obaidul Quader has urged party leaders-workers to join the programme. On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages, expressing profound respect for those who had embraced martyrdom in the historic movement in 1969. "The January 24 of 1969 is a historic day in the progress of independence and democracy of Bangladesh," the President said in his message. Paying profound homage to the memory of those who were martyred in the independence freedom, he said the day has been remembered in the history of the country's struggle of independence and freedom movement as the day of mass uprising. The President said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the historic Six-Point Demand in 1966 to make the Bangalee nation free from Pakistani rule, exploitation and deprivation. The six-point was the charter of Bengalees' freedom, he added. The President said after the six-point declaration, the speed of the freedom m ovement intensified and it spread all over the East Bengal. "The joint movement of Awami League as well as various political parties and student organisations accelerated the mass movement," the President said, adding that the then dictator filed the Agartala conspiracy case to foil the movement. He said breaking curfew, politicians-students-teachers-mass people brought out a procession on January 24 in 1969 and demanded the release of Bangabandhu and other accused, and overthrow the military rule. Class-IX student Matiur Rahman was killed in the procession by police firing, he said, adding: "The blood of Matiur and other martyrs did not go in vain." The withdrawal of Agartala conspiracy case, the release of political prisoners and President Ayub Khan's power handover due to the mass uprising was a milestone in the Bangalees' liberation movement, the President said. Following the path of this mass upsurge, the independence and democratic rights of the people were achieved, he said, stressing the need for working together to uphold the independence and democracy. Mohammed Shahabuddin urged all to work together for building a prosperous Bangladesh being imbued with the spirit of the 1969 mass uprising. In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon all, irrespective of party affiliations, to work together for building a modern, developed and prosperous nation dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She said the 1969 mass upsurge is a significant chapter in the history of the country's independence. The nation achieved independence following the 1952 Language Movement, Six-Point Demand, 11-Point Demand, the Mass Upsurge of 1969 and the armed War of Liberation, the premier said. "We got an independent-sovereign Bangladesh," she added. She said the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, declared the six-point demand in 1966 to liberate the nation from the exploitation of the Pakistani rulers. To foil the mass movement of Bang alees, she said the Pakistani ruling clique had filed the Agartala conspiracy case in 1968 and arrested 35 leaders, including Bangabandhu. Recalling all the Bangalees' movements en route to their independence, Sheikh Hasina said on January 20 in 1969, police opened fire on a procession of students on the street in front of Dhaka Medical College where Asaduzzaman was killed and many others were injured. To make Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib free and oust the Pakistani military rule, the struggling mass people brought out a procession on January 24 in 1969, avoiding the ruling party's repression and violating evening law, she said. Matiur Rahman Mallik and Makbul of Nabakumar Institute, Anwar, Rustam, Milon, Alamgir and many others were killed in police firing, said the premier. In the emergence of mass upsurge, the government of dictator Ayub was forced to release Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib and other accused in the so-called Agartala conspiracy case, she said. "As a result of this, Ayub Khan's government fell. T he mass uprising of 1969 against mal-governance and exploitation still inspires us today. The martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in the mass 1969 mass upsurge will be remembered among the people who love democracy," she added. Sheikh Hasina said the Awami League government has continued the country's development and progress being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War. During the last 15 years, the government worked relentlessly and achieved tremendous success in all areas including socio-economic sector, she said, adding: "Now the people even at the grassroots level are enjoying the benefits of the development." "Bangladesh is now acclaimed as a role model of development globally," she said, adding that after implementing MDGs, Bangladesh is on the way of implementing SDGs and the country achieved SDG Progress Award. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh achieved developing country status. The government is working to turn the country into a developed one by 2041 and it is also working to implement the Delta Plan by 2100, she continued. "With our united efforts, we will build a hunger-poverty free Bangladesh," she added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Bangladesh today recorded zero Covid-19 death while it reported 35 coronavirus positive cases. "Bangladesh reported 8.62 percent Covid-19 positive cases as 406 samples were tested during the last 24 hours," a daily statement of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said here. During the period, the combined figure of coronavirus infection in Dhaka district and the capital is 33 while zero Covid-19 death was reported here. The official tally showed that the virus killed a total of 29,481 people and infected 20,46,823 so far. The recovery count rose to 20,46,823 as four other patients were discharged from the dedicated hospitals during the last 24 hours, the statement added. From the beginning of the pandemic, 98.41 percent Covid-19 patients recovered among the infected people while 1.44 percent died, the DGHS statistics showed. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader left Dhaka for Singapore this morning as part of routine health check- up. Quader also General Secretary of the ruling Awami League left the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:30 am boarding on a flight (BG0584) of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines, said an official release here. The minister is expected to return home on January 25 after necessary health checkup at Singapore Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

JHENAIDAH, Three people were killed and four others injured as a truck collided head-on with a CNG-run auto-rickshaw on the Maheshpur-Khalishpur road in Balaipur area under Maheshpur upazila of the district today. The deceased were identified as Kashem Mia, 60, son of late Gani Haji of Pantapara village of the upazila, Alamgir Malita, 25, son of Rimon Malita of Ghugri village of the upazila and Kamal Hossain, 55, son of Sohrab Hossain of the same area. The accident occurred when a CNG-run auto-rickshaw with some passengers on board was going to Khalishpur from Maheshpur. On the way, it collided head-on with a sand-laden truck coming from the opposite direction in the morning, leaving two dead on the spot and five others injured, officer-in-charge (OC) of Maheshpur Police Station Mahabbur Rahman said. Locals rescued the injured and took to Maheshpur Upazila Health Complex where the on-duty doctor referred Kamal Hossain to Jashore General Hospital for better treatment. But he died on the way to Jashore Hosp ital, he said. The bodies have been sent to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital morgue for post-mortem. A case was filed in this connection, the OC added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha