Day: June 4, 2024

Kathmandu: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has arranged 374 beds at 52 hospitals for the free treatment of helpless and poor people. The private hospitals are obliged to allocate minimum 10 percent beds and free treatment to the helpless and indigent people as per KMC's edict. Public health inspector at health department of KMC, Dhanendra Shrestha, informed that, so far, 70 patients benefitted from the scheme launched last February. Most of those receiving the service are from out of the capital city. After the private hospitals flouted legal provisions, the KMC introduced a free treatment work procedure, 2080 and brought to strict implementation. The KMC has also managed a system where the availability of beds, treatment services and other schemes at private hospitals can be checked online. Some of such indigent patients were discharged after treatment while some still undergoing treatment. Shrestha further informed that most of such patients are suffering from ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems, and kidney disease, while some had respiratory and eye problems. A hotline 1180 of KMC could be dialed to receive information about the treatment or for the service. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, Dhaka University (DU) and Jahangirnagar University (JU) today signed separate Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) to work on enhancing professional and technical skills of the university students. In the presence of Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, NSDA Member Md Johar Ali signed the MoUs on behalf of the NSDA while DU Treasurer Professor Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed and JU Treasurer Professor Rasheda Akhtar signed the MoUs on behalf of their respective institutions at a function at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) here, said a press release. Under the MoUs, the universities and NSDA will work on enhancing professional and technical skills of the students, launching skill awareness programmes, strengthening industry-academia linkages, conducting regular courses along with different short courses and professional courses, building mutual cooperation and coordination in course curriculum development, conducting national and int ernational job market survey, reviewing sector-wise human resource demand and building mutual cooperation in the related fields aimed at reducing unemployment and improving the living standard by providing training to the university students in addition to regular education. Speaking on the occasion, Tofazzel Hossain Miah said it is necessary to take necessary steps to ensure job opportunities in the current competitive world that is witnessing automation in the industries in the influence of the fourth industrial revolution. NSDA Executive Chairman Nasreen Afroz, DU Vice-Chancellor Professor ASM Maksud Kamal, JU VC Professor Dr Md Nurul Alam, DU Pro-VC (administration) Professor Dr Muhammad Samad and Pro-VC (academic) Professor Dr Sitesh Chandra Bachar and JU Pro-VC (administration) Professor Sheikh Md Monzurul Huq were present at the function, among others. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today castigated the double-standard attitude of the Western countries towards innocent Palestinian people, while handing over a cheque of financial assistance of Taka 5 crore for the Palestinian people. Palestine Ambassador Yousef S Y Ramadan received the cheque on behalf of his country at the premier's official residence Ganabhaban here. 'Western countries are showing double-standard regarding the Palestinians,' said Sheikh Hasina, adding that although they (western countries) always talk about human rights for all. 'But, they don't bother about the human rights violation of Palestinians, and killing of innocent people there, rather they keep mum here,' she said. While briefing the newsmen after the meeting, Prime Minister's Speech Writer Md Nazrul Islam said that the premier also appreciated the four NATO member countries which recently recognised Palestine as a state. Mentioning that people of Bangladesh have soft corner for the Palestinian people, she said the pe ople of Bangladesh could realise the pain and sufferings of the Palestinians in their heart as in 1971 the people of this country had one through a same situation. 'We had witnessed same kind of atrocities and killing of innocent people,' she added. Sheikh Hasina also recalled her own experience when she was in captivity in 1971 for nine months, and talked about her refugee life after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 'So, we could realise the pain and miseries of the Palestinian people,' she said. She said that in every international forum across the globe, she always expressed her concern and voice for the Palestinian people and for this purpose she doesn't bother anyone's eyes of wrath. Palestine Ambassador Yousef S Y Ramadan described the miserable situation of his country due to the ongoing Israeli attacks. Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin and PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were among others present at the meeting. Source: Banglade sh Sangbad Sangstha

SAVAR, Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Skills Development Authority (NSDA), to conduct research and training activities jointly. Member (Coordination and Assessment) of National Skills Development Authority Md Johar Ali and JU Treasurer Professor Rasheda Akhtar signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations at the Prime Minister's Office this afternoon. Dhaka University VC Prof ASM Maksud Kamal, JU Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Sheikh Md Monzurul Huq, Chairperson of the NSDA executive committee and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Executive Chairman of NSDA and Secretary to the government NasreenAfroz, JU Social Sciences Faculty Dean Prof Bashir Ahmed, JU Government and Politics Department Prof K M Mohiuddin were present at the signing ceremony. JU vice-chancellor Professor Dr. Md NurulAlam said, 'Hon'ble Prime Minister's Smart Bangladesh Vision is very timely and an example of innovative leadership. As a model pilot of the Smart Bangladesh framework, we have undertaken the "Smart Jahangirnagar Campus" initiative on behalf of Jahangirnagar University.' 'Through this initiative, a multifaceted skill development program based on information technology will be undertaken with the aim of creating human resources suitable for the future job market,' he hoped. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

MANIKGANJ, The harvesting of groundnut, one of the important cash crops of the vast char people of the district, has started in full swing with the rising of two big river's -- Padma and Jamuna -- water as most of the groundnut is cultivated on the dried-up riverbeds. The farmers of the vast char areas of Daulatpur, Shibalaya and Harirampur upazilas of the district are expecting a bumper production of groundnut during the current Kharif-1 season. The farmers of the areas had started to cultivate groundnut on the vast char areas from the beginning of the month of February with receding the water of two rivers, Padma and Jamuna-- and it continued up to the month of April. The groundnut is generally cultivated on the sandy land, an official of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) here said, adding: "The sandy char areas of Daulatpur, Shibalaya and Harirampur are suitable for groundnut cultivation." "Experimentally, some local farmers started cultivation of groundnut on their barren land which would re main fallow all over the year in the char areas for the last few years", locals said. Seeing their success, a good number of farmers are now cultivating groundnut in the vast char areas of the Jamuna and the Padma rivers, they added. The char farmers are getting fair prices of the crop between Taka 3,500 and 4,000 per mound as per its quality while it has high demand in the local markets. The DAE office said they set a target of groundnut cultivation on 3,600 hectares of land in the chars of three upazilas of the district during the Kharif-1 season with a production target of 7,560 metric tones groundnut in the district. Rifazuddin, one of the groundnut cultivators of Char Kalikapur village under Baghutia union of Daulatpur upazila, said he has cultivated groundnut on two bighas of land this season and is expecting a good production. Md Haidar Ali, another groundnut cultivator of Azimnagar village Harirampur upazila, said groundnut cultivation is gaining popularity in the char areas as it grows in the san dy barren land and it needs no irrigation and fertilizer. "Now the groundnut has become one of the important cash crops for the char people here," he said, adding that groundnut is cultivated twice --winter and summer seasons in one year. The sources said that the cultivators are getting opportunities to sell their crops at the nearest markets and even at their homes as a good number of buyers regularly visit the areas for searching the crops. The sources said DAE had fixed a target of groundnut cultivation on 3600 hectares of land, but it was cultivated on 3,650 hectares of land exceeding its target. Abu Mohammad Enayet Ullah, deputy director of the DAE, said the sandy land of char areas is suitable for groundnut cultivation which is gaining popularity in the aforesaid three upazilas of the district day by day. Groundnut cultivation is changing the fortune and lifestyle of the char people in the district, he added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Awami League (AL) Advisory Council Member and 14-party alliance spokesperson Amir Hossain Amu today said the 14-party will stay in the field with positive programs after Eid ul-Azha. 'The fourteen-party alliance is united, and they will stay in the field against conspirators after Eid ul-Azha, " he told journalists after a meeting of the 14-party alliance at his residence in the city's New Eskaton. Mentioning that the 14-party alliance does not have any demand as it is an ideological alliance, he said the alliance is working for the country and its people under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 'The 14-party alliance is ready to resist any local or foreign conspiracy,' he added. The anti-liberation forces are hatching conspiracies against the incumbent government, as they don't want the progress of the nation, he added. The President of the Workers Party of Bangladesh Rashed Khan Menon said the alliance always played a pivotal role in eliminating corruption. 'All achievemen t will fade if we cannot prevent it (corruption),' he continued. Jatiya Party (JP) chairman Anwar Hossain Manju, Jasod president Hasanul Haq Inu and its general secretary Shirin Akhter, Torikat Federation chairman Syed Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari, Ganotantri Party general secretary Dr. Shahadat Hossain, Gana Azadi League President Advocate SK Sikder, Nap general secretary Muhammad Ali Faruque, Awami League liberation war affairs secretary Mrinal Kanti Das and its deputy office secretary Sayem Khan, among others, were present. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman today said tough actions will be taken if sacrificial animals designated for a particular cattle market are forcibly taken to another cattle market in the city. Traders will have to put up a banner in front of the truck specifying its destination and if necessary, include the mobile number of the leaseholder of the cattle market on the banner, he said at a meeting held over the coordination of overall security arrangements at the cattle markets and traffic management. Habibur said highway police and DMP will take steps in case of such incidents. If such incidents happen, highway police in the area and DMP in Dhaka metropolitan area will take strict legal action, he said. The cattle markets will be allowed on designated places set by city corporations and if anyone tries to set up a cattle market anywhere else, police officials concerned will look into the matter. He said district magistrates, city corporation magistrates, local police and lease holders of the cattle markets will work in a coordinated way. The DMP chief urged the lease holder to erect barricades surrounding the cattle markets to keep the roads hassle-free. Besides, Habibur said, police will provide assistance in identifying counterfeit notes while adequate police will be deployed to prevent dope gang activities. DMP senior officials, different intelligent agencies, navy police, highway police, representatives of city corporations, fire service and other stake holders were present. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Beijing has appreciated Bangladesh's interest to join BRICS and assured of China's active support in this regard. The assurance came at the 13th round of bilateral political consultations between Bangladesh and China held in Beijing on Monday, a foreign ministry's press release said here today. BRICS is an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong led their respective side at the consultation. The consultations focused on consolidating bilateral relations, enhancing economic ties, promoting trade and investment and exploring opportunities for cooperation in multilateral platform. The Chinese vice minister congratulated Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for being re-elected through the national election on January 7 and hoped that under her capable leadership, the Bengali nation will fulfill the dream of "Sonar Bangla". Both the sides agreed to work jointly for the upcoming visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China. In his opening remarks, Foreign Secretary Momen mentioned that Bangladesh attaches significant importance to its relations with China based on shared values, mutual respect and common aspirations. He recalled the visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to China during 1952 and 1957 and expected the book "The New China as I saw" to be published in Chinese language before the upcoming VVIP visit. He highlighted the visit of President Xi Jinping to Bangladesh in 2016 which uplifted the relation to "Strategic Partnership of Cooperation". The Bangladesh foreign secretary thanked China for their support in infrastructural development which includes several mega projects. He explained the growing economy of Bangladesh and sought China's support to facilitate the existing structure of Duty-Free Quota Free (DFQF) access of Bangladeshi products to China . Momen put emphasis on global cooperation to overcome challenges like pandemic, climate change etc. He expressed expectation for China's continued support for the safe and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh to their homeland. The Chinese vice minister welcomed Bangladeshi delegation and expressed his deepest sympathy for the damage incurred by the recent cyclone "Remal". He recalled Bangladesh Prime Minister's visits to China since 2010 and her discussion with the Chinese President during last year's BRICS summit. Weidong mentioned that the two countries' embassies in Dhaka and Beijing may work together for the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He underscored the importance of high-level exchanges and people-to-people connectivity. He conveyed China's willingness to work together to import mango and other agricultural products from Bangladesh and also to assist skill development of the youths. China side assured to expedite the repatria tion of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh. Both the sides decided to hold the next bilateral political consultations between the two foreign ministries next year in Dhaka. The Bangladesh delegation comprised Ambassador of Bangladesh to China Jashim Uddin, Additional Secretary of ERD Anwar Hossain and officials from the Foreign Ministry and Bangladesh Embassy in China. Officials from Foreign Ministry of China were present on the other side. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Tanvir Bhuiyan, an accused in the murder of Awami League lawmaker of Jenaidah-4 Anwarul Azim Anar in Kolkata, gave a confessional statement before a court here today. Police produced the accused before the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACCM)Tofazzal Hossain as he wanted to give a confessional statement. The court later recorded Tanvir's statement under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code and sent him to jail. Earlier on June 3, the court recorded a confessional statement of another accused Silisti Rahman regarding the case. A court here on May 31 had placed Tanvir, Silisti, and Shimul Bhuiyan on five days remand each in the case. Earlier on May 24, the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Dilruba Afroz Tithi had placed them on eight-day remand. Another separate court on May 23 set July 4 for submitting the probe report in the case. Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbubul Haque passed the order, accepting the first information report (FIR) in the case. The victim's daughter Mumta rin Ferdous Dorin filed the case on May 22 with the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station. Anwarul, a three-time lawmaker and also president of Kaliganj upazila unit of Awami League, went to India on May 12 on a personal visit to receive treatment. He went missing on May 13 after going out of the flat he was residing in Kolkata's Borah Nagar area. According to the Kolkata police, Anwarul was taken to a flat in New Town in Kolkata, where he was believed to be strangulated to death and his body was cut into many pieces. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Pneumonia is one of the main reasons for death of under five years old children till now in the world as the government and other organisations' initiatives reduced its mortality rate by eight percent in last 18 years in Bangladesh. Experts said premature birth, malnutrition, low immunity and pollution are the main reasons for pneumonia. Sources said the number of death from pneumonia was about one lakh in ninety's decade as the death from the decease has decreased in phases. They said the phenomena disease has been given special priority in Bangladesh and across the globe as well while the children are the most victims of the disease. Two-year-old Sadi was very thin. He was suffering from pneumonia for about one and a half month. His mother Rafiza visited different hospitals, but he didn't recover. Even, Sadi was shifted to ICU (intensive care unit) of Dhaka Shishu Hospital in city's Shaymoli. Later, Sadi returned home after getting well. Child Specialist at Dhaka Medical College Hospital Dr Sai dur Rahman Shohagh said virus and bacterial infection in lungs are the main cause of pneumonia. 'Stop Pneumonia', an organization, is working across the globe to protect pneumonia. It said pneumonia is one of the main reasons of death of children and adults. About 25 lakh people including about 6.72 lakh children died of pneumonia across the world in 2019, it said. It also said air pollution is one of the main reasons for pneumonia and death. Sources said about 7.49 lakh people died of air pollution across the world in 2019. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 8.8 lakh children aged under five died of pneumonia across the globe in 2017 accounting for 15 percent of the total death reasons of the same age group. According to Research for Decision Makers (RDM) and Data for Impact (DI) informed that about 24 thousand children aged under five died of pneumonia. But, currently, the death rate has reduced due to proper initiatives of the present government and other stake holders. In line with the global goal, the death rate will have to be reduced to three per 1000. Dr Shohagh said the hospitals and other health centers are giving more importance to the children treatment. The doctors are giving instant treatment to the children as per the guideline of pneumonia if any child admits with the symptoms of cough and breath problems, he said. The children are also being vaccinated for pneumonia officially, he added. Dr Shohagh urged all to remain alert about their children and adult persons. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, The third session of the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) will begin tomorrow. It will be the first budget session of the present stint of the Awami League government came to power through the general election on January 7 this year. The session will start at 5pm at Sangsad Bhaban of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city. Earlier on May 20, President Mohammed Shahabuddin convened the session exercising the power bestowed upon him as per the Article 72 (1) of the Constitution. Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali is expected to place the national budget for fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25) in the JS tomorrow afternoon. This will be the first budget of the present Awami League government which came to the power for the fourth consecutive term through January 7, 2024 national election. The size of the proposed budget is expected to be around Taka 8 lakh crore, said a finance ministry official, adding that controlling the rising inflation is likely to get the top priority in the budget. The budget for FY25 will be the country's 53rd budget and the 25th of the Awami League government in its six tenures after independence. Tajuddin Ahmed presented the country's first budget in 1971 as finance minister of the post-independence govermment headed by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The size of the country's first budget was Taka 7.86 billion and ADP size was Taka 5.01 billion. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has urged all to work to minimize the effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable and clean environment for the present and future generations. In a message today on the occasion of World Environment Day, he has said that the government has implemented policies and programs to maintain environmental balance and sustainability by adopting the principles of scientific management and utilization of land based on productivity and adopting the principle of environmental sustainable development. "The government is active to ensure Nepal's rights to climate damage by implementing the issues and commitments made by Nepal in various international forums", he has said in the message. Pointing out the need to give priority to sustainable development, environment-friendly and green development and prosperity in policies and programs at all three levels of government, Prime Minister Dahal has called upon concerned bodies, organizations and citizens at larg e to join the national campaign as the World Environment Day is being celebrated nationwide with the national slogan 'Our Land: Our Future'. Source: National News Agency RSS