Day: May 11, 2024

Kathmandu: The Sinohydro-Sagarmatha Power Company, the developer of the Upper Marsyangdi-A Hydropower Project, has expressed its serious concerns to the demands put forth by Jalgini-Arkhalebesi Road Upgradation Struggle Committee in the project site in Lamjung district. Issuing a press statement, the company has appealed to the struggle committee for talks to settle the issues. The struggle committee has demanded that the local people be given 10 percent of the project shares along with the upgradation of the road section with blacktop from Jalgini to Arkhalebesi. "Regarding the issuance of 10 percent shares to local people, the Generation License for this project was obtained in 2012, prior to the issuance of relevant laws and regulations, there were no applicable laws or regulations requiring the company to issue shares to local people," the company claimed. The company, however, has stated that it was willing to provide some funds to support the road upgrading drive against the struggle committee's dema nd to fully invest in the road expansion task. So far, the company implemented 200 plus social responsibility projects, mostly in schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, temples, community buildings, water supply and irrigation. Source: National News Agency RSS

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat today called for collective efforts to showcase Bangladesh before the world through films. "I think it is possible to showcase Bangladesh before the world through films. It is a strong medium. We will do every possible thing to take ahead this medium," he said. The state minister was addressing the Bangladesh Film Directors' Association (BFDA) Award distribution ceremony at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the city. Appreciating the initiative of BFDA to recognize the artistes and co-artistes, Arafat hoped such private initiatives will be taken in large scale in the future as the government cannot do everything. "We will give all-out cooperation to boost the film industry and create a congenial environment for flourishing the industry," he said. Pointing that before the country's independence, the state minister said, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had given a proposal to the Pakistan governm ent to establish Film Development Corporation (FDC) and subsequently the FDC was founded. Highlighting the role of cinema in the 1971 Liberation War, he said cinema played a great role in pre and post Liberation War period. Noting different challenges of the film industry, Arafat said, "I have studied the current problems in the industry and I am trying to find out the way to overcome the challenges to bring back the glorious past in the industry. The technological advancement apparently appeared as a challenge to the film industry, he said, adding, "We have to think about converting challenges into opportunities". Putting emphasize on making the cinema halls profitable and economically viable, the state minister said if cinema halls remain functional and people go to halls, everybody in the film industry will be benefited. Referring to Prime Minister's instruction over the development of the country's film industry, Arafat said, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already given me some instructions regard ing films. She directed for establishing Cineplex and multipurpose cinema halls across the country and making them economically viable". He wished quality films will be produced in the country in future like the past and people will go back to cinema halls to help revive the industry. FDC Managing Director Nuzhat Yeasmin, BFDA President Kazi Hayat and Secretary General Shahin Sumon and ATN Bangla Chairman Dr Mahfuzur Rahman spoke at the function, among others. Later, the state minister distributed the award among the winners. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

International Standard University (ISU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abdul Awal Khan today paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mausoleum at Tungipara in Gopalganj. After laying the wreath, the VC stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation. Later, he offered munajat for eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs who had to embrace martyrdom on the fateful August 15, 1975. A special prayer was also offered seeking longevity of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members. The VC also signed the visitors' book at the Tungipara Mausoleum Complex. Acting Treasurer of International Standard University (ISU) HTM Quader Newaz, Registrar Faizullah Kaushik, Chairperson of Business Administration Department Dr. Mohammad Kamruzzaman, Chairperson of Textile Engineering Department Prof Engineer Abdul Based Mia and Chairperson of English Department Dr. Abul Kalam Azad, among others, were present. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The West Zone of Bangladesh Railway will launch a 'special mango train' on Chapainawabganj-Dhaka route via Rajshahi from June 10 for the fifth consecutive time. This time, the special train will depart from Rohanpur railway station at 4 pm and reach to Dhaka at 2.15 am with stoppage at 14 stations via Padma Bridge with facilities of transporting mangoes safely with low-cost and less-time. Consisting of six luggage vans, the special mango train will have the capacity of carrying 172.98 tonnes of mangoes. It will cost Taka 1.43 to carry a kilogram of mango to Dhaka from Rajshahi, and it is Taka 1.48 from Chapainawabganj to Dhaka. The Railway West Zone officials revealed this at a seminar titled "Mango transportation to different districts from Rajshahi division through railway" here today. Commissioner office of Rajshahi division organized the seminar at its conference hall supported by the railway ministry discussing and devising ways and means on how to make the mango transportation from the region thro ugh railway successful. Railway Minister Zillul Hakim addressed the seminar as chief guest while Divisional Commissioner Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir was in the chair. Prof Shafiqur Rahman Badsha, MP, Abul Kalam, MP, Railway Secretary Dr Humayun Kabir Director General of Bangladesh Railway Sarder Shahadat Ali, General Manager of the West Zone of Bangladesh Railway Asim Kumar Talukder, Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Biplob Bijoy Talukder and Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police of Rajshahi Range Saiful Islam also spoke. The meeting was told that the railway has transported 39,95,798 kilograms of mangoes earning revenue worth about Taka 46,29,140 during the last four years since 2020. Sharing their views, mango farmers, traders, entrepreneurs and exporters unequivocally called for solving the existing problems related to transportation of mangoes through railway to make the venture popular. Railway Minister Zillul Hakim urged the mango traders, businessmen and exporters to transpo rt their mangoes to different areas from the Rajshahi region through railway as its low-cost and safe. "We are working relentlessly to make the railway eligible for mango transportation as per directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said, adding that full-length support of all stakeholders is needed to this end. Referring to the existing problems in terms of transporting mangoes through railway, Minister Zillul Hakim assured that all the problems will be solved for making the railway for mango transportation popular. He also said they have taken steps for signing memorandum of understandings with some of the courier services related to mango transportation by the railway. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) advisor and valiant freedom fighter Haider Akbar Khan Rono. In a condolence message, he prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family. Haider Akbar Khan Rono, one of the organizers of the great Liberation War and a writer, passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital here early today at the age of 82. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Two motorcyclists were killed and another was injured as an unidentified vehicle hit their motorcycle in Bymile area under Konabari police station on Gazipur-Tangail Highway. The deceased were identified as Monzur Sarker, 38, hailed from Mymensingh district and Ehosan Hasan, 42, an inhabitant in Bogura district. They used to live in Gazipur metropolitan city. They were indulging in Jhut business. Locals said the accident occurred around 9pm last night in Bymile area on the highway. Monzur Sarker and Ehosan Hasan died on the spot. The injured was sent to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College and Hospital. Officer-in-Charge of Konabari Thana K M Ashraf Uddin said the vehicle that hit the motorcycle could not be identified. A case was filed in this regard. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Two people were killed and three others injured when a oil-laden tank lorry ploughed into a roadside tea shop on the Dinajpur-Gobindaganj regional road in Kauga Mor area under Sadar upazila of the district today. The deceased were identified as Azhar Ali, 58, son of late Azir Hossain, resident of Biswanathpur village of Dinajpur district town and Rana, 25, son of Akbar Ali, resident of Kauga Hatkhola village of district town. The accident occurred in the area when the oil-laden tank lorry ploughed into a road side tea shop as its driver lost control over the steering at around 11am this morning, leaving one dead on the spot and four others injured, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station Farid Hossain said. The injured were taken to M Abdur Rahim Medical College and Hospital, where one of them succumbed to his injuries, he said. Police also arrested the driver and helper of the tank lorry from the spot in this connection, the OC added. A case was filed in this connection. Source: Bangladesh S angbad Sangstha

Police today held four people in a case filed over Rabiul Islam murder case of the district. The detainees were identified as Rabiul's wife Karima Begum, 22, her father Abul Kalam Azad, 45, her brother Humayun Kabir, 19, and Karima's neighbour Liton Mia, 46. Karima and her parents came to Gazipur from Sherpur. All of them used to live at a rented house at Satanipara under Pubail Thana in Gazipur city. Sources said on May 5, this year Rabiul, a resident of Tongi, went to his father-in- law's house along with his wife Karima at Satkanipara where he was killed. Following the murder Rabiul's father filed a case accusing the four people with Pubail Thana. Officer-in-Charge of Pubail Thana Md Kamruzzaman said the four people were sent to jail. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Chinese President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing on Saturday morning after wrapping up state visits to France, Serbia and Hungary. Xi's entourage, including his wife Peng Liyuan, Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, returned by the same flight. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) advisor and one of the organizers of the Great War of Liberation Haider Akbar Khan Rono. In a condolence message, the premier prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha