Day: April 18, 2024

At least four different kinds of shops were gutted on early Thursday in a devastating fire at Shekerkill village of Banskhali upazila of the district. Azadur Rahman, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defense of Banskhali upazila said the fire originated from cooking oven at a tea stall in the area around 1 am and quickly engulfed the adjoining shops and house. Two firefighting units from Banskhali upazila rushed to the spot and brought the flame under control around 2.15 am. Ridwan, Grocery shop owner victims claimed that the fire damaged property worth about Tk six lakh, the source added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A total of 53 members of Kuki Chin National Front (KNF) who were arrested on charge of their involvements in bank robberies and arms looting at Ruma upazila in Bandarban were placed under remand. Senior Judicial Magistrate Md. Nazmul Hossain granted remand for one day to a KNF woman activist and two-day each to 52 male KNF members when police produced them before the court here today. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today laid emphasis on ensuring food and nutrition security, calling upon the private sector to step forward for the development of the country's poultry, fisheries and livestock sectors. 'I want the private sector to come forward. I would like to see more entrepreneurs in the private sector. I want to help in every way. Through this, we also want to increase the employment of the people of the country,' she said. The premier said this while addressing the opening ceremony of the Livestock Services Week and Exhibition-2024 as the chief guest at the old Trade Fair Ground in city's Sher-e-Banglanagar. She said that if everyone does business and trade on their own initiative instead of chasing behind the jobs after graduation, then 'we can progress a lot'. Sheikh Hasina urged all to encourage the country's youth to become entrepreneurs, so that, in future, they don't need to depend on anyone. Referring to the attaining of food security, she said, 'We believe that we can ensure o ur nutrition as well.' The prime minister also mentioned that buffaloes and sheep are being produced in the country's char lands, even in Bhasanchar, where the Rohingyas have been given shelter and buffaloes, sheep, poultry and fishes are being farmed. 'If we use the land we have, we can meet our own needs,' she said. She urged all to come forward in the country's dairy and other sectors as well. 'We want to further develop our livestock sector. Online systems have already been developed to serve this livestock sector,' she said, hoping that it will be useful enough for it. With Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md. Abdur Rahman in the chair, its Secretary Md Selim Uddin delivered the welcome address. President of Bangladesh Dairy Farmers' Association Imran Hossain spoke as the representative of the country's dairy sector while Joint Convener of Bangladesh Poultry Industry Central Council (BPICC) Mashiur Rahman spoke as the representative of poultry sector. At the outset of the programme, a documentary on the progress and achievement of the present government in the livestock sector was screened. The premier also visited the exhibition. The prime minister said the main aim of her government is to ensure food security first, then ensure nutrition. '. . . and we've taken that step. We've given priority on research as it is not possible to produce high yielding varieties without it,' she said, adding no country can advance without proper research works. Sheikh Hasina also said the government is working to mechanise agriculture, and for that, they have given special attention on this issue and are providing subsidies. 'Besides, we've taken huge programmes to increase the production of protein in the country,' she added. The premier said Khaleda Zia announced to arrange rice and pulse for the countrymen during her tenure. But, she (Khaleda) failed to provide rice and pulse for the people, she said. Then, during 2007, Caretaker Government's chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and then army chief Moinuddin Ahmed asked people to have potatoes, she said. 'Someone wanted to feed us pulse and someone wanted to feed us potatoes,' Sheikh Hasina said. Mentioning that Bangalees like rice and fishes, she said it is enough for them to get rice and fishes. 'We want rice-fishes. We have a look on the issue. Now, there is no shortage of rice-fishes, pulse-fishes,' she added. Sheikh Hasina also emphasised improving the storage capacity of all products including food grains, and fish and meat items for ensuring food security. She asked concerned people to provide nontoxic food for the fisheries and livestock animals for ensuring safe food. The premier encouraged the private entrepreneurs' to work for improving poultry, fisheries and livestock sectors in the country. 'The government will provide all support,' she said. She asked for following international norms in packaging along with cleanliness in agricultural production and its processing. Sheikh Hasina, however, said Bangladesh is yet to be able to extract resources fr om the deep sea although it has attained vast maritime boundaries. 'Actually, we're not getting any entrepreneur for this purpose. This is the reality,' she said. The premier said Bangladesh has attained huge maritime areas, which has been announced blue economy to utilise the marine resources. 'But, it is the matter of unfortunate that we have yet been able to extract resources from the deep sea,' she said. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A Chattogram court today awarded death penalty to two men for killing three members of a family in city's Biyazid Bostami Thana area 19 years ago. The First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Kamal Hossain Sikdar delivered the verdict on Thursday in presence of the convicted persons. The convicts are Abul Kashem alias Jamai Kashem and Yousuf alias Biatta Yousuf hailed from Baluchara area under Biyazid Bostami Thana in the city. According to the prosecution, the convicted persons shot to kill their neighbor Manowara Begum and her two brothers Alamgir and Saiful Islam over previous enmity for land dispute at night of city's Baluchara area, under Bayazid Thana on June 29 in 2004. On June 30 in 2004, victim Saiful's wife Aysha Akter Shilpi filed a murder case with Biyazid Thana against four persons. Later, the accused Gittu Nasir and Foiz Munna were killed by cross fire. Police submitted charge sheet on February 7 in 2005 against two persons while the court framed charges against them on July 5 in 2007. The court pronounced the verdict today after examining 13 prosecution witnesses out of 22 in presence of the convicted persons. The court also imposed penalty Taka two lakh as fine to them. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Scopes of producing 23,100 tonnes of additional crops through providing surface water irrigation to 3,850 hectares of land were created in the region, including its vast Barind tract, annually. In addition to increasing water holding capacity, volume of ground water recharge has been enhanced through re-excavating khas pond and dighi for multipurpose uses. Apart from this, 1,550 tonnes of additional fish will be produced from the conserved water. The opportunities were created through implementation of a project titled "Minor irrigation through pond re-excavation and surface water augmentation" in the region. Around 1,25 more derelict ponds and 10 other big abandoned water bodies are being re-excavated in Rajshahi region, including its vast Barind tract, aimed at making those suitable for both irrigation and household purposes. Ultimately, the initiative will contribute a lot towards improving surface water resources besides aquifer recharge in the drought-prone areas. It will also help reduc e the gradually mounting pressure on underground water side by side by encouraging the people to boost the farming of fish and duck after the best uses of the conserved water. Barind Multipurpose Development Authority, an ever-largest irrigation- providing state-owned entity in the country's northwest region, has been re- excavating the ponds for the last couple of years. Engineer Shariful Haque, director of the project, told BSS that the five-year project is being implemented in 43 drought-prone upazilas of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Bogura and Natore districts with an estimated cost of around Taka 146.89 crore. Under the project, 85 solar panel driven low lift pumps are being installed for lifting the irrigation water for boosting the renewable energy used for irrigation purposes. Installations of 65 of those were completed till December last. Construction of a 105-kilometer underground pipeline for distribution of the irrigation water to the croplands is one of the project component s. Constructions of 73 of those were completed. More than 1.5 lakh tree saplings are being transplanted on the banks of the re-excavated ponds and canals that will supplement the process of ecological improvement through mitigating the adverse impact of climate change. Fifty percent of those were achieved till the end of last year. Salient feature of the project is to enhance water-holding capacity besides supporting the aquifer recharge process and multipurpose uses of the conserved water through re-excavation of the state-owned derelict ponds. Upon successful implementation by this year-end, the project will create scope of providing irrigation to 3,058 hectares of farming fields for yielding around 18,348 tonnes of additional crops yearly. In addition, the scope of producing 1,088 tonnes of additional fish will be created through the conserved water. Earlier on, the BMDA has re-excavated 3,098 ponds and 2,011-kilometer canal through implementation of various other projects in order to promot e surface water-based irrigation till December last, Engineer Haque added. Large-scale promotion of irrigation has brought a revolutionary change to the agriculture sector in the region, including its vast Barind tract, supplementing the government efforts of ensuring food security. Farming scenario has also been changed as a result of expanding the irrigation facilities contributing a lot towards improving living and livelihood conditions of the people. Many of the grassroots farmers are cultivating and producing varieties of crops, fruits and vegetables almost round the year uninterruptedly. BMDA Executive Director Engineer Abdur Rashid said: "We have a plan of elevating the surface water-based irrigation to 30 percent from the existing ten percent by 2030 to lessen the gradually mounting pressure on underground water." Referring to various research findings, Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan of Department of Geology and Mining in Rajshahi University said there are around 10,000 ponds, 200 canals and ten other big sized waterholes in the barind areas consisting of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Naogaon districts. "We have enormous scope of enriching the surface water resources through proper management of the water bodies," he said. Prof Chowdhury has conducted research on both surface and groundwater resources in the drought-prone Barind area for a long time. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky admitted that Russian forces were advancing and asked the West to provide his country with everything that can help Ukrainian troops hold the frontline. "They are putting pressure on us at the front and are gradually moving [forward]," Zelensky said in his address to European leaders during an informal summit in Brussels. He also said that Russia is feeling its strength in almost everything related to the armed component, including artillery, equipment and ability to operate in the sky. Therefore, he asked his country's supporters to provide "everything that helps to hold the frontline," including shells, military vehicles and drones. At the same time, he reproached the EU for delays in the planned handover of artillery shells to Kiev. "Unfortunately, we have not yet seen a million artillery shells from the European Union that were discussed so much. Also, some other initiatives have not yet been fully implemented, and this is primarily reflected in what our soldiers can use at the front and what they still, unfortunately, have to wait for," he said. Zelensky also demanded that the EU leaders "accelerate the implementation of our agreements." EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said in late February that the EU will provide around 550,000-600,000 shells to the Kiev government by March, and reach the intended figure of one million shells by the end of the year. At the same time, the Ukrainian government continues to complain about not getting what was promised. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The historic Mujibnagar Day was observed at Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Wednesday, recalling the historic ceremonial oath-taking of the first government of independent Bangladesh on April 17 in 1971. The day's programs commenced with placing of a floral wreath by Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran at the bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Corner of the Embassy. Officials and employees of the Mission were present during the time, according to a press release received here today. Later, the messages issued on the occasion by President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were read out by Minister (Commerce) Md. Salim Reza and First Secretary Wahiduzzaman Noor at the Bangabandhu Auditorium. Afterwards, a documentary -- "Mujibnagar: The First Capital of Bangladesh" -- was screened which was followed by a seminar highlighting the significance of the day. Taking part in the seminar titled "Mujibnagar Government in the Emerge nce of Bangladesh", Ambassador Imran paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and four national leaders -- Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman -- who successfully led the nation's nine-month war of independence in absence of Bangabandhu. The ambassador described the Mujibnagar Day as a glorious and memorable day of the country's history, and Mujibnagar as a symbol of heroics of the Bengali nation. Ambassador Imran mentioned that the first government of independent Bangladesh performed their responsibilities with utmost devotion, efficiency and sincerity in leading the War of Liberation and mobilizing international opinion in favour of independent Bangladesh. He said the Mujibnagar Government and independence of Bangladesh are tied to the same thread, and Bangladesh attained incredible achievements in all sectors in continuation of the success of the Mujibnagar Government. He called upon all concerned including expatriate Bangladeshis to spread this s uccess stories across the world. Ambassador Imran put emphasis on knowing the glorious history of the Bengali nation by all including new generation and said that it will provide strength and inspiration to the nation to move forward with keeping head high. He urged all to work together to build a hunger-and-poverty-free developed and prosperous "Sonar Bangla" (Golden Bengal) and "Smart Bangladesh" being imbued with the spirit of the Great War of Liberation and ideology of Bangabandhu. Counsellor (Political) Arifa Rahman Ruma presented the keynote paper at the seminar and discussed in detail the background and importance of the historic day. She said the Mujibnagar Government's greatest success was achieving the long-aspired independence by mobilizing the internal and international support and fulfilling the desire of freedom of the exploited and repressed people. The day's programs ended with offering a special prayer seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation, the four nati onal leaders and three million martyrs of the War of Liberation as well as continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation. First Secretary Ataur Rahman conducted the programs. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated the Livestock Services Week and Exhibition-2024, aiming to encourage the dairy and poultry farmers. The premier formally opened the exhibition at the Old Trade Fair Ground at Sher-e-Banglanagar beside the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here this morning. Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Hasina called upon the private sector to move forward in flourishing the livestock sector further to meet the local demand of the protein. With Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md. Abdur Rahman in the chair, its Secretary Md Selim Uddin delivered the welcome address. President of Bangladesh Dairy Farmers' Association Imran Hossain spoke as the representative of the country's dairy sector while Joint Convener of Bangladesh Poultry Industry Central Council (BPICC) Mashiur Rahman spoke as the representative of the poultry sector. At the outset of the programme, a documentary on the progress and achievement of the present government in the livestock sector was screened. The premier also visited the exhibition as Department of Livestock and Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries organised it. People can visit the exhibition during 10:00 am to 8:00pm as the exhibition will continue two days in the capital and five days in the upazila level. The visitors would be allowed to enter the ground without any entry fee. The farmers of poultry and dairy sector across the country has joined the event to display their cattle and birds in the fair. Along with the capital, similar fair has been organized at 466 upazilas of 64 districts at the same time. According to the organisers, some 25 pavilions and 30 stalls have been set up on the exhibition ground to showcase the varieties of livestock of the country. Of those, seven pavilions have been dedicated for the government authorities. More than 3,000 farmers out of total 55,000 members of the BDFA from Dhaka, Cumilla, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Bogura, Pabna, Sirajganj, Jashore, Benapole, Kushtia, and Chuadan ga, and other districts joined the fair. Organisers said the exhibition will be a great chance for the root-level farmers to produce and sell their animals and birds along with the mega companies. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places in the next 24 hours commencing 9am today. "Severe heat wave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Bagerhat, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia and mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka, Rangpur and Barishal divisions, rest part of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions and the district of Moulvibazar and it may continue," the weather bulletin said. Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. Due to increase of moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase, it added. Country's maximum temperature on Wednesday was recorded 40.8 degrees Celsius at Chuadanga and today's minimum temperature 20.5 degrees Celsius was recorded at Nikli. Rainfall for the last 24 hours till 6.00 am today was recorded 22mm at Srimangal. The sun sets at 6:22 pm today and rises at 5:33 am tomorrow in the capital. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A total of 4,765 hectares of land were brought under jute cultivation at all seven upazilas of the district with a production target of 64,580 bales of jute during the current season. The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) office sources said the soil of the district, specially, Singair upazila, Manikganj Sadar upazila and Saturia upazila, is suitable for jute cultivation. The DAE sources said cultivation of jute has been increasing every year here as the growers are getting fair prices for their products, adding that the cultivation of jute has already been completed in the district. A total of 4,500 hectares of land were brought under jute cultivation and 56,935 bales of jute were produced during the last year. The DAE officials added that the distribution of jute seeds has already been completed among 2000 poor and marginal farmers of the district to boost the cultivation of jute in all seven upazilas in the district. Under the programme, each of the jute cultivators received one kilogram (KG) o f Tosha jute seed for the cultivation of one bigha land. Deputy Director of the DAE Manikganj said the present pro-farmer government has been distributing special agriculture incentives among the small and marginal farmers which is encouraging the farmers to cultivate more crops within due time and they are getting good production as the government distributed quality seeds among the farmers. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The government is now actively considering the proposal of raising honorarium of the martyred families and the freedom fighters, according to a Jatiya Sangsad release issued here today. The proposal was formally discussed at the second meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry Liberation War Affairs of the 12th Jatiya Sangsad held at the Sangsad Bhaban with its Chairman Major (retd) Rafiqul Islam in the chair. On the inception of the meeting, members of the parliamentary committee formally greeted the first government of Independent Bangladesh which was formed at the then Baidyanathtola at present Mujibnagar in Meherpur on April 17 in 1971. The parliamentary watchdog also discussed on the programme of land acquisition to set up a memorial centre at Mujibnagar. The JS body also discussed in detailed on the future plan and policy of the concerned ministry and overall activities of the National Freedom Fighter Council (Jatiya Muktijoddha Council). The meeting was attended by the committ ee members including Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram, Capt (retd) AB Tajul Islam, Abdul Latif Siddiqui, M Rezaul Huq Chowdhury and Mahfuza Sultana. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said the Bangladesh government is going to form Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP). "BCDP will be instrumental in helping the government produce the necessary information to inform policies, enhance project pipelines, and increase Bangladesh's participation in global climate forums," he told a consultation with development partners on BCDP at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital. Saber Hossain said by working collaboratively with external partners and the private sector and implementing a strong climate-resilient project pipeline alongside a progressive policy framework, Bangladesh should attract significant global capital invested in climate change agenda. He said effective and well-coordinated solutions are needed to address these issues, while collective action is required to combat climate change, as markets and generations have failed to do so. "In order to obtain investments that will enable us to accompli sh our common objective of enhancing our prosperity and resilience while lowering our susceptibility to climate change, we are keen to work with significant economies and partners," the environment minister said. He said the government has allocated Taka 37,000 crore ($3.4 billion) in the current budget to address this issue, and "we will vigilantly oversee the work carried out by 25 ministries and departments. However, the government requires US$ 11 million of climate finance per year, resulting in a significant finance gap." "We need immediate action to ensure the availability of ready, bankable projects in the pipeline. It is also crucial to gain a better understanding of the compounded climate risks faced by vulnerable regions/upazilas in the country to inform policies, adaptation actions, and project design. Therefore, we demand more knowledge and understanding of these dynamics," Saber Hossain said. He said the government can take advantage of its strong climate-resilient project pipeline and progres sive policy framework to extend the availability of concessional finance for climate-related projects. This will enable the government to predict the financing that will be available for adaptation from development partners over the next 10 years and to utilise this financing to mobilise private sector funding for adaptation, the minister added. He said the partnership can assist the government in mobilising climate finance from global climate funds, thereby improving the overall global climate finance structure. It is crucial that the government utilises this opportunity to its full potential, as it will have a significant impact on the country's ability to combat climate change and ensure a sustainable future for its citizens, Saber Hossain said. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister M Tofazzel Hossain Miah presided over the meeting. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, Country Director of Bangladesh Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank, Edimon Ginting, also spoke. Additional Secretary (Climate Change) of the ministry Iqbal Abdullah Harun presented guidelines on BCDP implementation. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha