Day: May 7, 2024

SHARIATPUR, Three people, including two women, died in lightning strikes in Zajira and Bhedarganj upazilas of the district last evening. The deceased were identified as Amena Begum, 30, daughter of Altu Majhi, a resident of Pinepara village of East Naodoba union of Zajira upazila, Abdul Hannan, 27, son of Tahibur Hossain, resident of Gunagram of Telipara area of Jaldanga upazila of Nilphamari district and Kulsum Begum, 35, wife of Neshar Uddin Majhi, a resident of Barchakki village of Charcensus union in Bhedarganj upazila of the district. Amena Begum died on the spot in a lightning strike when she was searching for her mother in the rain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Padma South Police Station Sheikh Shariful Alam said. Construction worker Abdul Hannan was killed in a lightning strike while he was working at a house of Ashrayan Project at Baburchar of Kunderchar union in Zajira upazila, Akter Hossain Bepari, chairman of Kunderchar Union Parishad said. Kulsum Begum died on the spot in a lightning strike at her house, Charcensus Union Parishad Chairman BM Anwar Hossain confirmed. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) and the United States Embassy, Dhaka are cosponsoring the three-day 29th Annual US Trade Show at the InterContinental Hotel, Dhaka from May 9-11, 2024. AmCham President, Syed Ershad Ahmed, and Commercial Counselor of the U.S. Embassy John Fay highlighted the details of the trade show at a press conference held at the InterContinental Hotel, Dhaka today. This year's Trade Show will be taking place during World Trade Month (May) which has been recognized in the US since 1938 and promotes the importance of International Trade to the US Economy. Since 1992, this three-day-long exhibition has emerged as Bangladesh's premier annual business event, drawing thousands of visitors each time. The show will be inaugurated by Salman Fazlur Rahman, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister, as the chief guest while Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, will remain present as special guest on May 9 at 10:30 a.m. at the venue. AmCham President Syed Ershad Ahmed and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D. Haas will also remain present at the inaugural function. Revealing the details of the Trade Show, executive director of AmCham Md Shahadat Hossen said this year, over hundreds of US products represented by 44 Exhibitors from home and abroad (occupying 79 booths) will be on display. Replying to a question, Commercial Counselor of the US Embassy John Fay said that the US is the largest investor in Bangladesh having worth over $4 billion of investment while that number is growing and is not static. 'We're proud of that,' He said that the US government as well as its private sector is looking forward to the measures which would make the US investments a lot easier in Bangladesh as well as how Bangladesh makes further improvement in investment climate. 'I think the money will come to the country while there is a lot of interest among the US private companies in South Asia. Now a lot o f US companies are looking at this region in countries like India and Bangladesh. Bangladesh is right at the center and it's a unique moment. Bangladesh should take advantage of it with right economic policies and reforms,' he added. Asked what sort of difficulties that the US companies are facing in repatriating their profits to their country, Fay said that the US companies are looking for a free flow of capital so that they could bring in more money in Bangladesh and take out as they need. 'In doing that, there is a need for more flexibility so that they are able to attract more inward FDI from the US companies,' Supplementing this, AmCham President Syed Ershad Ahmed said that the US companies are struggling to this end over the last two years although there has been some flexibility over the last six months. Replying to a question, he said that the government and the private sector are working hand in hand over the newly launched Logistics Policy while the stakeholders and the private sector are looking forward to implement this policy. He said if the government could materialize even fifty percent of this policy, the scenario of the whole country would change. Responding to another query, Ershad said that the US companies are now observing the business ecosystem in Bangladesh and definitely they would come in a larger volume if the opportunities are there. Country managing director of Oracle Rubaba Dowla said that the IT companies are now having worth $1 billion of exports while the forecasts of IT exports now is worth around $5 billion. 'We're now working on that,' In addition to the exhibition of American products and services, there will also be five seminars during the event. On Day 1 (Thursday, May 9th), the seminars will include "Inclusive Innovation: Empowering Women in the Al Era" at 3:00 p.m. and "U.S. Export Licensing for Importers" at 4:30 p.m. On Day 2 (Friday, May 10th), the seminars will include "Studying in the U.S. and Student Visas" at 10:30 a.m., "USAID Development Work with the Priva te Sector" at 3:00 p.m. and "Doing Business with the U.S. and Business Visas" at 4:30 p.m. The show will remain open for visitors all three days (May 9, 10, and 11) from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The entry fee for this year's show is Taka 30 per person. Students in uniform or with identity cards will be allowed free entry. There will be attractive prizes for a few lucky visitors, based on a raffle drawing of entry ticket coupons after the Trade Show. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked the authorities concerned to assess economic possibilities and benefit first before taking any development project. "Before taking any development project with huge investment, we should first think that how many people will be benefited by the project and what will be its economic prospect," she said. The premier said this while witnessing the outline of a programme of the Roads and Highways Department to help build Smart Bangladesh by 2041 at her official Ganabhaban residence here this morning. She said, "We have to make the development of our country in such a way that our ability could increase and dependency on others could decrease". PM's Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon briefed the newsmen after the premier witnessed the outline. Sheikh Hasina also gave necessary instructions and asked all concerned to attach priority on avoiding unnecessary expenses and accomplish the projects at the quickest possible time. She said, "You have to consider that how much the country will be developed in case of taking projects". The premier said the countrymen are getting the benefit as some infrastructural development has taken place quickly. She said her government is running the state with a target. After coming to power in 1996, her government's first priority was to ensure food and nutrition security for the people, she continued. "We have successfully ensured the food security with increasing food production through research," she added. Sheikh Hasina said her government had announced Vision-2021 and successfully implemented it achieving recognition of a developing nation. "Now, our target is to transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and Smart country by 2041. We have been working to implement the vision," she said. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, among others, were present Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

SANGSAD BHABAN, State Minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid today said the country has no deficit of electricity as it has generated highest level of some 16,477 megawatt electricity on April 30 this year. "Now the country's power output capacity is more than the overall demand of electricity, however, the country so far could not generate power with its existing power generation capacity caused by Ukraine-Russia war and global fuel crisis", he said. The state minister said this while responding to a star-marked question raised by treasury bench lawmaker Abdullah Nahid Nigar of Gaibandha-1 during the question-answer session held at the Jatiya Sangsad here. Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury chaired the session. After assuming power in 2009, the state minister said the government has taken immediate, short, medium and long term programme for developing the power sector through implementing intensive supervision. As much as 26,240 megawatt electricity so far has bee n connected with the national grid since January 2009, he said, adding as a result, country's electricity generation capacity has been increased to 30,277 megawatts. The state minister, however, admitted that although the country has no deficit of power generation as per the demand, the country could not generate electricity with full strength due to Ukraine-Russia war and global energy crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, uninterrupted electricity supply temporarily becomes disrupted in certain places across the country. The state minister, however, admitted that although the country has no deficit of power generation as per the demand, we could not generate electricity with full strength due to Ukraine-Russia war and global energy crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, uninterrupted electricity supply temporarily becomes disrupted in certain places across the country. "We hope that uninterrupted and quality electricity supply would be possible soon for all", Hamid told the parliamen t. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss for the first time in the series and sent Bangladesh in to bat first in the third T20 International at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today. Bangladesh lead the five-match series 2-0 following its eight-wicket and six-win victory in the first two matches. The hosts, eying to seal the series, brought up two changes from the last game with left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam and pacer Tanzim Hasan replacing Mahedi Hasan and Shoriful Islam. Zimbabwe must win the match to stay alive in the series. The visitors also made two changes for its 'do or die' game. Allrounder Faraz Akram and Wellington Masakadza who missed the last game due to injury returned to the squad, replaced Richard Ngarava and Ainsley Ndlovu. Line Ups: Bangladesh: Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Saifuddin, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Zimbabwe: Joylord Gumbie(w), Tadiwanashe M arumani, Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza(c), Clive Madande, Johnathan Campbell, Faraz Akram, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Wellington Masakadza. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate Hajj activities-2024 at Ashkona Hajj Camp in the city tomorrow. "The premier will inaugurate Hajj activities-2024 (Hijri 1445) and exchange greetings with the (Hajj) pilgrims through a function at Ashkona Hajj Camp in the city's Uttara at 11am tomorrow," Prime Minister's Office sources said. This year's hajj flight carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims is scheduled to start from Thursday (May 9). The first hajj flight--BG-3301 is scheduled to leave Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the city at 7:20am for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, carrying 419 pilgrims on board. Saudi Arabian airlines-Flynas is scheduled to leave Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) here, carrying Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims, for Jeddah at 1pm on the same day. IT in-charge of Dhaka Hajj Office Kazi Md Murad E Alam said a total of 85,257 Bangladeshis will be able to perform hajj this year. Of them, 4,562 will get opportunity to perform hajj under the government management while rest of 80, 695 will be able to perform hajj under the private management, he added. Alam, however, said as of today 4,314 pilgrims have completed registration for performing hajj this year under the government management while 78,895 under private management. According to the flight schedule, the national flag carrier will operate 117 pre-hajj flights between May 9 and June 10 to carry a total of 45,525 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia while Saudi Arabian airlines Flynas will operate 43 pre-hajj flights between May and June 12 to carry rest of the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Biman Bangladesh Airlines is scheduled to start operating return hajj flight on June 20 from Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh while Flynas will start post-hajj flight between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh on June 21. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

CHAPAINAWABGANJ, The election office has already completed all preparations in holding polls to the three upazilas here in a free, fair and peaceful manner as part of 1st phase upazila elections across the country. All are waiting for the vote to be starting at 8 am tomorrow and it will continue till 4 pm without any break. Training of 3,832 polling officials including 184 presiding officers, 1,216 assistant presiding officers and 2,432 polling officers has already been completed. Election materials will be distributed today and ballot papers will reach the polling centres tomorrow morning, district election officer and also returning officer Md. Rezaul Karim said. All necessary measures including tight security have been taken so that the voters can exercise their franchise going to the centres without any fear and hindrance. A large number of RAB, BGB, police and Ansar personnel has been deployed. Besides, there will be striking forces to help the civil administration and the election commission. Th e voters will cast their votes in 184 polling centres. The number of total voter in Nachole upazila is 1, 25,076, -- 62,744 male and 62,332 female as in Gomostapur upazila, the total voter is 2, 26,030-- 1, 12,592 male and 1, 13,437 female. In Bholahat upazila, the number of voter is 86,229, -- 42,517 male and 43,712 female. The returning officer said one judicial magistrate would remain on duty in each upazila while one executive magistrate will be in each union. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

RAJSHAHI, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has innovated high yielding, disease-resistance and nutrition enriched diabetic rice generating massive hopes among the patients suffering from the chronic diabetic disease. The development and acceptance of Brridhan-105 as 'diabetic rice' signifies a convergence of scientific expertise, agricultural innovation and public health priorities. Besides, the innovative variety 'diabetic rice' began with meticulous research and development efforts by the dedicated team at the BRRI. BRRI hierarchies and scientists revealed this while addressing a crop cutting and farmers field day titled "Bangabandhu dhan 100, Brridhan 102, Brridhan 104 and Brridhan 105" here on Monday afternoon. BRRI Rajshahi Regional Office organized the farmers meeting at Gondogohali village under Puthia Upazila in the district supported by the Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience (PARTNER). BRRI Director General Dr Shahjahan Kabir addressed the meeting as chief guest, attributing that the diabetic rice Brridhan-105 has garnered attention for its distinct properties that make it a beneficial dietary choice for individuals managing diabetes. This milestone is not just a scientific breakthrough but also a promising development in public health and agricultural sustainability. With BRRI regional office head Dr Fazlul Islam in the chair, the farmers meeting was addressed, among others, by PARTNER-BRRI Project Director Dr Abdul Kader and Principal Scientific Officer Dr Harun Ar Rashid. Dr Shahjahan Kabir urged the grassroots farmers to cultivate the newly innovated rice varieties for more rice production. He also urged the field level agriculture related officials, researchers and scientists to reach the developed varieties to the farmers' doorsteps so that they can boost the boro paddy yield after the best uses of the varieties. Dr Kabir mentioned that agriculture as well as rice research and extension are directly linked to the goal-2 . End Hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture among the total 17 sustainable development goals. He said there is no way but to enhance rice production through facing the existing challenges of adverse impact of climate change side by side with gradually declining resources and agriculture manpower. Expanding the paddy varieties to the farmers can be the crucial means for better yield as food security is largely dependent on rice security. He said concerted efforts of all scientists, researchers, extension officials and farmers are very important to boost paddy yield to feed the gradually increasing population of the country. Dr Shahjahan Kabir told the meeting that the conventional varieties are being replaced by modern varieties which are good signs for the region in terms of boosting yield. Earlier, they visited the demonstration plots of the four rice varieties on around 100 bigha of land at the same village. Deputy Inspector General of Police of Rajsha hi Range Anisur Rahman and Superintendent of Police Saifur Rahman, among others, were present on the occasion. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

KHULNA, The district administration has taken up a three day-long programme to celebrate the 163rd birth anniversary of Bishwakabi Rabindranath Tagore tomorrow in a befitting manner. The legendary poet reshaped Bengali literature and music as well as arts of Indian subcontinent with contextual modernism. The programmes were finalized at a meeting at the deputy commissioner' conference hall on April 22 with Khulna deputy commissioner Khondokar Yasir Arefin in the chair. On the 25th Baishakh in 1268 Bengali calendar, Rabindranath, the fountainhead of Bengali wisdom, was born at Jorasanko in Kolkata. This year the main programme will be arranged at Daxindhi Rabindra Complex at Fultala upazila while other programme will be held at Pithabhogue under Rupsha upazila in Khulna district with the theme 'Sonar Bangla Swapna O Bastobota: Rabindranath Theke Bangabandhu'. Daxindhi village was his father-in-law's house while Pithabhogue village was the ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore. State Minister of Women a nd Children Affairs Ministry Simin Hossain Rimi, MP, will address the inaugural function as the chief guest while ex- pro vice chancellor of Rangpur Begum Rokeya University Professor Dr Sharifa Saloa Dena will address as key discussant. In Daxindhi, a three-day programme, including discussion meeting, cultural functions and exhibition on artworks of Rabindranath will be held. In Pithavog, discussion meeting, art and Rabindra Sangeet and Rabindra poem recitation competition for children and cultural function will also be held. Security measures will be beefed up in the areas of programmes to avert any untoward incident. Fire Services and Civil Defence will take fire extinguishing measures in and around the programme venues. Besides, road islands, including Daxindhi and Pithavog where Kabiguru had memories, will be decorated with banners, festoons and posters and digital displays will be installed for exhibiting photographs and artworks of Bishwakabi. The youngest of 13 surviving children, Tagore, nicknam ed 'Rabi', was born to a Brahmin family of Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi at Jorasanko in Kolkata. His works included novels, short stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke about nature, deep philosophical thought, love, politics and personal life. The legendary poet breathed his last at his paternal residence in Kolkata on Sraban (Bengali month) 22 of Bangla year 1348 (August 7, 1941). Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

JAMALPUR, Voting in the first phase of Upazila Parishad Election in Jamalpur Sadar and Sarishabari upazila of the district will be held tomorrow. Election Commission has completed all preparations to hold the elections in a free, fair and peaceful atmosphere. District Election Officer and Returning Officer, Mohammad Shaniazzaman Talukdar said law enforcers already in field to maintain law and order situation. He said voting instruments have been set up in each vote centers for holding the election. In Jamalpur Sadar upazila 5 candidates for chairman post, 3 candidates for vice-chairman post and 2 candidates for woman vice-chairman post are contesting. Chairman candidates are Bizan Kumar Chanda (motorcycle symbol), Advocate Md Hafizur Rahman Swapon (cup-saucer), Mohammad Abul Hossain (pineapple), Md Asaduzzaman Akanda Babu (inkpot-pen) and Mohammad Ahsanul Islam (horse). In the upazila Akhtaruzzaman , Md Nazmul Hossain and Md Saidur Rahman are in the race for Vice-chairman post while Naznin Ak hter and Mohasina Mousumi for Woman Vice-chairman post are contesting. In Sarishabari upazila 2 each candidates for chairman post, vice-chairman post and woman vice-chairman posts are contesting. The chairman candidates are Md Rafiqul Islam (pineapple) and Md Taleb Uddin (inkpot-pen) are contesting for Chairman Post. Besides Al Amin and Md Golam Mostafa for Vice-chairman Post and Mst Zeli Aktar and Mst Mahmuda Khatun for Woman Vice-chairman Post are contesting. Election office sources said in the election 5,51,455 voters of whom 2,69,870 male, 2,81,578 female and 7 transgender will cast votes in 169 centers in Jamalpur Sadar upazila. On the other hand 2,93,918 voters of whom 1,46,581 male, 1,47,336 female and one transgender will cast votes in 92 centers in Sarishabari upazila. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Dhaka, The first phase of the sixth upazila parishad elections in 141 upazilas will be held tomorrow. Voting will begin from 8 am and to continue till 4 pm. A total of 1,635 candidates are competing in this phase. Among them, 570 are vying for the post of chairman, 625 for vice chairman and 440 for the post of female vice chairman. Candidates for all the posts in- Hatia, Munshiganj Sadar, Bagerhat Sadar, Parshuram and Shibchar upazillas have won unopposed, and so, polling is not needed in these areas. Apart from this, the EC has suspended voting in three upazilas in the hill district of Bandarban. 17 law enforcement personnel will be deployed in each general center while 18-19 personnel in the important center to maintain the environment during polling. Apart from this, 19 law enforcement officers will be deployed in general centers and 20/21 law enforcement personnel in important centers in special areas (hilly or remote areas), as per the decision of the Election Commission (EC). Depending on the numbe r of voters and the importance of the polling stations, 2 to 4 platoons of BGB will perform duty in each upazila. The Coast Guard will act as a mobile and striking force in the islands of the coastal area. A ban has been imposed on the movement of taxicabs, micro-buses, pickups, trucks, launches, engine-driven boats (except those plying on specific routes) in the respective constituencies from 12:00 pm today to till 12:00 pm tomorrow (Wednesday). The existing ban on motorcycle movement will remain in force till Thursday midnight. The public Security department of the ministry of home affairs has issued instructions to the license holders not to travel with weapons or to carry and display them seven days before the polling and seven days after the polling. In the first phase, 3 crore 14 lakh 68 thousand 102 voters will exercise their voting rights in 81,804 polling booths of 11,556 centers. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

RAJSHAHI, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in an anti-crime drive arrested two alleged drug peddlers with 3.4 kilograms of heroin in the district early this morning. The arrested persons are Solaiman Ali, 20, son of Jahangir Alam, and Ruhul Amin, 40, son of late Abdur Rashid, both of Diar Manik Char village under Godagari upazila in the district, said RAB sources here this noon. On a tip-off, a team of the elite force conducted a sudden search in the residence of Solaiman Ali, recovered the drugs and arrested them red-handed. A case was recorded with Godagari Police Station in this connection and the arrested persons along with the seized contraband items were handed over to the police. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha