Day: January 23, 2024

DHAKA, Bangladesh Railways (BR) will operate 11 pairs of special trains for the devotees of Bishwa Ijtema-2024, the second largest congregation of Muslims after the holy Hajj. "Bangladesh Railways will launch 11 pairs of special trains on the occasion of Bishwa Ijtema," Railways Minister Md Zillul Hakim today announced this at a view-exchange-meeting with journalists at Rail Bhaban here. The minister said the first phase of Biswa Ijtema will be held on February 2, 3 and 4, while the second phase will be held on February 9, 10 and 11. Of these, a pair of trains named 'Jumma Special-2' will ply on the Dhaka-Tongi-Dhaka route on February 2 and 9. Another 'Special-1' pair of trains will run on Jamalpur-Tongi route on February 3 and 10. On the occasion of Akheri Munajat slated for February 4 and 19, special trains will run on different routes. Besides, five pairs of special trains will run on Dhaka-Tongi-Dhaka route, one pair on Tongi-Mymensingh-Tongi route and one special train on Tongi-Tangail-Tongi route . Meanwhile, two pairs of special trains will run on Ishwardi-Tongi-Ishwardi route. The minister also said from February 1-4 and February 8-11, all intercity, mail and commuter trains bound for Dhaka will stop at Tongi station for 3 minutes. On February 4 and February 11, all intercity, mail and commuter trains, excepting Suborna, Sonar Bangla, Cox's Bazar and Parjatak Express will make 3 minutes stopover at Tongi station. The minister, however, said all Intercity Mail or Express and Local trains will be provided with additional coaches as per coach availability and passengers' demand. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim today said those who think themselves capable through killing people are the enemies of the country. He said this while addressing at a blanket distribution programme among cold- hit people in city's Shantibagh area. AL works for the country and its people. The party does not do politics by taking people hostage, he added. Nasim said BNP doesn't love the country and its people. It (BNP) wants to destroy the country's peace and progress by halting the ongoing development activities of the incumbent government. He also said BNP is a terrorist political party as they killed people in the name of movement. He urged all to remain alert against BNP's all kinds of anarchic activities. The AL leader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working relentlessly for the country and its people. He urged all to remain united under the leadership of PM Shiekh Hasina. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, A US-based Bangladesh-origin singer of Persian dissent is set to make her world debut with her first video 'SoundCloud'this year, but her lead song 'NGL' is already making rounds in the social media. Moumita Khonkader, is excited and says she has been working in diverse genre to hip hop as she loves the challenge of experimental work. Her career started at age 7 and at now at 17 she has so far mastered Persian, South Asian and Hip-Hop dance, and showcase her talent in playing violin, piano, along with vocal skills on various prestigious stages. '(She is) A musical force to reckon with,' prestigious Insight Music commented about the young talent, who is based the Queens area of New York. Moumita had won the Miss New York Intercontinental in 2015. She had studied in Half Hollow Hills High School West and later in New York Institute of Technology. She now works as 'Microbiology Supplemental instructor' in New York Institute of Technology. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, The World Bank (WB) has expressed its interest to disburse additional 700 million US dollar in the form of both grant and soft loan to Bangladesh for forcefully displaced Rohingyas and the host community in Chattogram. "The World Bank has showed interest to provide fresh 700 million US dollars for Rohingyas and host community," Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud told reporters after holding a meeting with WB's country director Abdoulaye Seck at the foreign ministry here this afternoon. Of the 700 million US dollar, he said, 315 million would be disbursed as grant for the Rohingyas and 385 million for the host community of the Chattogram division under soft loan scheme. He said the fund under the soft loan would be used for elevating livelihood of inhabitants of the Chattogram division through developing infrastructure facilities and improving healthcare services. During the meeting, the minister said they discussed to further strengthen the development cooperation between Bangladesh and t he World Bank in the day to come. "He (WB country director) showed his keen interest to strengthen and widen World Bank engagement with us (Bangladesh)," said the foreign minister. Currently World bank has been running its 15 billion US dollars fund in 56 ongoing projects in Bangladesh. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha