Day: June 22, 2024

Kathmandu: The 7th edition of the 'Nepal-US International Film Festival' has started in Maryland, USA. The festival kicked off with the US premiere of the film 'Gaon Ayeko Bato' (A road to a village) by Director Nabin Subba. A total of 35 films, documentary, short movies and animation from Nepal, the US, Iran, Germany, Pakistan and 11 other countries will be screened in the film, festival Director Purna Singh Baraili said. The festival has been organised with the aim of connecting the art, culture, tradition and knowledge of Nepal and the US through movies. The films chosen for this edition are those that tell stories of Nepali's ordinary life and the Diaspora, he said. The best films will be award from among those screened at the festival, which will last until 23. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Actor Dayahang Rai said that such events will help in the promotion of Nepali films. "The festival organized by Nepalis living in the US will increase the audience of Nepali movies." The festival is organiz ed by Nepal US Film Society. Source: National News Agency RSS

A youth has died in a road accident this morning. The accident took place when the motorcycle he was riding went out of control in the road at Mechinagar Municipality-15. Two others were seriously injured in the incident. Deputy Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Chand at the District Police Office, Jhapa said that 22-year-old Rajeev Danuwar of Mechinagar-10 died in the accident. The accident took place when the motorcycle (Pra. 1-01-016 Pa. 418) travelling from Bhadrapur to Dhulabari, went out of control on the road in Laljhoda. Three people were riding in the motorcycle. Abhishek Rai,21, and Bibek Danuwar,21, of Mechinagar-10 were injured in the accident. They are undergoing treatment at the local medical facility. Source: National News Agency RSS

A motorcyclist has died in a road accident that took place on Friday night in Mahendranagar-Suda section along the East-West Highway. The deceased has been identified as 27-year-old Sanjeev Chaudhary, according to District Traffic Police Office, Kanchanpur. The accident took place after the motorcycle was hit by a tractor (Se. 1 Ta.2268) heading towards Bedkot from Mahendranagar. The motorcycle (Su. Pra.02003 Pa. 6970) was also heading towards the same direction when the accident took place, said Traffic Police Inspector Naresh BK. Motorcyclist Chaudhary, who was seriously injured in the accident, died during treatment at the Mahakali Provincial Hospital. Manoj Chaudhary, who was riding the motorcycle, was injured in the accident and is undergoing treatment at Dhangadhi. The police have taken the tractor driver Ramu Rana into custody for necessary action and investigation. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine Hospital has organised a 'Medicinal Herbs Fair' today with an objective of encouraging the use of herbs as medicinal substances. Hospital Chief Dr Poonam Nepal said that the Fair was organised at Nepal Academy to impart knowledge about medicinal herbs. Valuable herbs grown in the Himalaya, mountain and Tarai regions of the country would be displayed. Similarly, information would be imparted on identification and use of herbs, indigenous and endangered herbs, identification of local herbs for treatment, use and production in the fair. During the event, scientific sessions related to medicinal herbs and nutrition, climate change, environmental health and sustainable conservation of herbs would be conducted . Dr Nepal shared that around 5,600 species of herbs are used to produce medicines in Nepal. Source: National News Agency RSS

The Parsa District Police has confiscated 712 sacks of chemical fertilizer worth Rs one million. The urea fertilizer was brought illegally from India. The colourless crystalline substance was found imported by evading customs and kept hidden in a store. Each sack weighed 50kg, according to Dipak Bharati, Deputy Superintendent of Police. The police acted on a tip off. The police also apprehended 62-year-old Gyan Bahadur Mahato from Kawasoti municipality-9 of Nawalparasi for his involvement in the illegal supply of chemical fertilizer. Legal action has been initiated against him. Similarly, the confiscated fertilizer was handed over to the Customs Office, Birgunj on Friday. Three held with elephant tusks Meanwhile, the district police arrested three persons with tusks of wild elephants. The police apprehended them from Gorakhpur Tole of Thori rural municipality along with two tusks weighing 21kg each on Friday. Investigation was forwarded after coordinating with the District Division Office. Those arres ted in this connection were Kuisang Lama from Bijaybasti of Thori rural municipality-4, Prem Sharma from Birgunj Metropolis-1 and Amiri Lal Mahato from Birgunj Metropolis-21. They were held while planning to sell the tusks. The tusks were buried in a field belonging to Chandra Pariyar of Thori rural mucipality-4. Source: National News Agency RSS

A person died and four others were taken ill in Tanahu district after consuming wild mushroom. According to the District Police Office, Tanahu, the deceased has been identified as Dronapati Gurung, 85, of Aanbukhairani rural municipality-6. He fell severally ill after eating curry made of the toxic mushroom and thereafter succumbed to the illness, said DSP Deepak Kumar Raya. Four others fallen sick after consuming poisonous mushroom are free from danger, police said. They were Dil Bahadur Gurung, 54, Madhu Gurung, 57, Rana Bahadur Gurung, 92, and Pamphi Gurung, 58, added police. They had consumed the wild mushroom found in the nearby forest on June 15. Source: National News Agency RSS

Bidur municipality of Trishuli district has honoured 13 taxpayers as the 'outstanding taxpayers'. During the 15th municipal assembly of Bidur municipality begun from Friday, they were honoured for being the highest taxpayers. They are Kiran Khatiwada of Bidur-1, Bhuwan Lal Rajbhandari of ward 2, Mangale Shrestha of ward 3, Bhagawan Raj Shrestha of ward 4, Manamaju Industries Pvt Ltd of ward 5, Saraswoti Dhital Lamichhane of ward 6, and Bhairab Bahadur Bhandari of ward 7. Similarly, Shiva Prasad Adhikari of ward 8, Jitendra Man Shrestha of ward 9, Prakash Khatiwada of ward 10, Nil Prasad Chalise of ward 11, Arjun Prasad Rimal of ward 12 and Ambar Bahadur Tamang of ward 13 are significant taxpayers, said Mayor Rajan Shrestha. Deputy mayor Prabha Bogati shared that the municipality had set a target of attracting taxpayers by increasing tax next rather than tax size. Source: National News Agency RSS

Prime Minster and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina today urged her party men to remain prepared to thwart any kind of ill-activity and conspiracy against the country's continued development and democracy. "Anti-liberation communal groups and anti-democracy and anti-development domestic and foreign evil forces are still hatching conspiracies in various ways. I call upon the leaders and workers at all levels of the party to be ready to protect the continuity of development and democracy by confronting any conspiracy of this evil force unitedly," she said. The premier made the call in a message issued marking the AL's 75th founding anniversary to be observed tomorrow. "On this day, I recall with respect the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I recall Awami League's founder president Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani and general secretary Shamsul Haque. I recall with respect Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy," she said. She also recalled with respect the fou r national leaders, and all martyrs of struggles for freedom, Liberation War and struggles for democracy and all leaders and workers of AL who had embraced martyrdom to turn the party into the largest organization of the masses. On this occasion, the AL president greeted the party leaders, workers and supporters alongside the countrymen. She recalled that the party was established on June 23-24 in 1949 at "Rose Garden" on K M Das Lane in Dhaka and said the history of the AL is closely linked with the people's struggle for realizing their rights. "The Language Movement in 1952, the Jukta Front election in 1954, the anti-Ayub movement in 1962, the restoration of communal harmony after the 1964 riot, the six-point movement in 1966 and the mass upsurge in 1969 - all took place under the leadership of the AL," she said. In the general elections of 1970, the people of Purbo Bangla (now Bangladesh) gave an absolute majority to the Awami League and in continuation to that, Bangabandhu on March 7 in 1971 declared that "This time the struggle is for our freedom. This time the struggle is for our independence" the Prime Minister mentioned. She continued that on the Black Night of March 25 in 1971, the Pakistani occupation forces swooped on the people and the history's most brutal genocide began. Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had declared the country's independence in the first hour of March 26. Soon after the declaration of independence by Bangabandhu, Pakistani occupation forces arrested him and sent to West Pakistan jail, she added. The premier said the country had achieved its final victory on December 16 in 1971 following the Liberation War conducted under the AL government formed at Mujibnagar in Meherpur district on April 10. After independence, when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was busy building the nation, the assassins killed Bangabandhu and most of his family members on the fateful night of August 15 in 1975, she said. She said after a long struggle to est ablish democracy, the AL returned to power in 1996 and then the AL ran the country successfully from 1996 to 2001. Sheikh Hasina said the AL government turned food-deficit Bangladesh into a food-surplus country, signed the Ganges water sharing treaty with India and inked the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace treaty. Referring to the Assassination of Bangabandhu and most of his family members, the premier said through this murder, they tried to put an end to the tradition, culture and progress of the Bengali nation. The aim of the assassins was to destroy the state structure of non-communal democratic Bangladesh and spoil the country's hard-earned freedom, she said. The anti-independence group involved in this heinous murder started the politics of assassinations, coups and conspiracies, she said, adding that they passed the Indemnity Ordinance to block the way to trial for the assassination of the Father of the Nation. "Staying abroad, I and my sister Sheikh Rehana survived. Ziaur Rahman illegally usurp ed power and killed democracy by imposing martial law undermining the constitution," she said. He rewarded Sheikh Mujib's killers by giving posts in embassies abroad, the Prime Minister said, adding that he also granted citizenship to anti-independence war criminals by sharing the power of the state. He rehabilitated them politically and socially by giving the opportunity to do business and make them owners of huge sums of money, she added. "While abroad, I was elected president of Awami League in the conference held on 13-15 February 1981. "Ignoring various obstacles, I returned to the country on May 17, 1981 and took charge of the party under the leadership of AL," she said, adding: "Then, I molded public opinion against the dictatorial government and started a movement to restore democracy." In wake of BNP-Jamaat coalition government's misrule, torture and repression from 2001 to 2006 and undemocratic caretaker government's conspiracies from 2007 to 2008, Bangladesh Awami League declared a 'Charter of Change' and gained absolute victory again in 2008's National Parliament elections, she said. In the last 15 and half years, the AL-led government has achieved the desired progress in every sector of the country, she said. Hundreds of people of the country are getting electricity, she said, adding that Digital Bangladesh has been established. "The launch of Bangabandhu-1 satellite has made provision of internet services easier. We have establishing 100 Special Economic Zones. We have established our sovereignty over the vast waters of the Bay of Bengal," she said. Highlighting AL-led government's success in the development of the country, the Prime Minster said: 'If we compare the last year of the BNP-Jamaat coalition government in 2006 and the last year (which is 2023) of 15 consecutive years of the AL-led government-2023, we will see the scenario of success.' During this period, growth rose to 7.25 percent, per capita income increased 5 times while budget size 12 times, annual development program 13 tim es, GDP size 12 times, foreign exchange reserve 36 times, export income 5 times, remittance 6 times and FDI 5 times, she said. Purchasing power of agricultural labor increased by 3 times while wages of workers increased by 9 times, she added. Poverty rate has reduced from 41.51 percent to 18.70 percent while extreme poverty reduced by 5 times, she said. The average life expectancy of people is now 72.8 years, she said, adding that during this time, the power generation capacity has increased by 8 times and the consumption rate of electricity has increased from 28 percent to cent percent. 'The literacy rate has increased to 76.80 percent,' the premier said. In 2009, the GDP was only 102 billion US dollars, she said, adding that, however, in 2023, the GDP increased to more than 450 billion US dollars. 'We have built Padma Bridge with our own funding. Rail communication has started over the Padma Bridge,' she said. The AL-led government has implemented countless development activities across the country i ncluding metro rail, elevated expressway, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, she said. 'We are building houses for all the landless and homeless people of the country. So far, 43.40 lakh people of 8.67904 lakh families have been rehabilitated through the Ashrayan Project and other activities,' she said. 'We are working on 'zero tolerance' policy to eradicate militancy, terrorism and narcotics,' she said. Defying all conspiracies, she said, the government executed the verdict of the trial of the father of the nation. The nation has been freed from stigma through the execution of the verdict of this murder trial, Sheikh Hasina said. Through the establishment of the 'International Crimes Tribunal', war criminals have been prosecuted and the verdicts are being implemented, she said. The Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution guaranteed the right of the people to vote, thereby closing the way for illegal seizure of power, she added. 'We are working tirelessly to achieve the 'Sustainable Development Goals' by 2030, a developed-prosperous Smart Bangladesh by 2041 and the 'Delta Plan' by 2100,' she continued. Embracing the ideals of the father of the nation and the spirit of the great liberation war, AL leaders, activists and supporters have turned Awami League into a pro-people organization by their struggles and gaining people's trust, she said. She believed that Awami League will be more dynamic and stronger with the talent, hard work, sacrifice and skills of its leaders and workers. She also hoped that thus, the hunger-poverty-free and happy-rich golden Bangladesh as dreamt by the father of the nation will be established. Sheikh Hasina wished all-out success of all programmes undertaken on the occasion of the '75th Foundation Anniversary of Bangladesh Awami League'. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A devastating floods, triggered by heavy rainfall and onrush water from hilly regions, have affected 20 lakh people in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, according to a statement of UNICEF. The statement, signed by Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, read among 20 lakh flood affected people in two northeastern regions - Sylhet and Sunamganj - 7.72 lakh are children. The UNICEF called for emergency assistances for flood-hit children as they (children) are the venerable segment of the population in case of any natural disaster. Sheldon Yett said, "When flood waters are in rising trend, unsecured condition has created for children. They face different problems including drowning, malnutrition and various water-borne diseases." The UNICEF in cooperation with of Bangladesh government and other organization working at field level have distributed safe drinking water among one lakh flood-hit people in Sylhet and Sunamganj to reduce their suffering. Alongside distribution of drinking water, the UNIC EF also distributed over 10 litre capacity 3000 water pots for the people in food-hit regions. According to the UNICEF statement, 810 primary schools in Sylhet Division have been submerged by flood water while 500 primary schools are used as shelter centre for flood-affected people. As many as 140 community clinics have been damaged by flood waters in the Sylhet region, it added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Youth leaders have expressed their expectations that the Awami League (AL)-led government would take effective measures to create more jobs for them and make the education system more realistic and science-based. Talking to BSS about their expectation to Awami League on the occasion of its 75th founding anniversary, they said as a pro-people party, AL should build the youths keeping eye on the changing global scenario so that they can work along with the government to make the country self-reliant in all fronts by 2041. "AL government should take more effective measures to create employment opportunities to ensure involvement of the youth force in the country's journey towards development and progress," Md Shahadat Hossain, a student of Archeology Department of Jahangirnagar University (JU). He said youths are one of the artisans of building a developed country. The country that has been able to utilize the youth power more rapidly, progressed faster on the path of making development, he added . Shahadat Hossain said the AL government should build the youths as able citizens of the country so that they can participate in global leadership to make Bangladesh's significant contribution to the global economy and politics and establishing peace. About the achievement of AL in its long journey of 75 years, he said the party has contributions to the nation's every achievement including the country's independence, ousting of an autocratic government, restoration of democracy and taking the country towards Smart Bangladesh from Digital Bangladesh. Talking to BSS, Dhaka University Debating Society (DUDS) President Arpita Golder said Bangladesh Awami League, established on June 23, 1949, holds a significant place in the nation's history. "Led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the party became the vanguard of East Pakistan's struggle for autonomy and eventual independence, culminating in Bangladesh's independence in 1971," she said. Under Sheikh Mujib's leadership, the Awami League articulated the Six -Point Movement, a pivotal demand for autonomy that shaped the political landscape of the country, said Arpita. She said after independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman started the works to rebuild the war-torn Bangladesh, but he along with most of his family members were brutally killed on August 15, 1975. Sheikh Mujib's two daughters-- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana --- luckily escaped the brutal assassination as they stayed abroad, she said. In a national council session of the Awami League in 1981, Sheikh Hasina was elected as party president in her absence and then she returned to the country on May 17 of that year. After returning home, Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina, revitalized the party, leading it back to power and reinforcing its commitment to secularism, democracy, and socio-economic development, the DUDS president said. Since then, the Awami League has remained a dynamic force in Bangladeshi politics, she added. She expressed her hope that Banglad esh Awami League will implement policies aimed at national progress more like Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Dhaka Metro Rail, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, Dhaka Elevated Expressway, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and many more. Md Morshed Hasan Arif, student of Social Work Department of Jagannath University, said in a long journey of 75 years, Awami League always worked for the service of this country, nation and people. Under the leadership of Awami League, the nation had fought the great liberation war and achieved the country's independence, he said. After the independence, the party made contributions to reconstruct the war- torn country, he said. Now the Awami League government led by Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made the dream of a middle-income country a reality by enriching all sectors including agriculture, education, health and technology sectors. On the 75th founding anniversary of Awami League, he hoped that the AL led government would maintain its zero tolerance policy against corruption and implement the Smart Bangladesh by overcoming all crises keeping the current pace of the development. He also hoped that the AL government will properly implement all the mega projects like Padma Bridge, Metrorail and Bangabandhu tunnel. Rafiya Rahman, former general secretary of Jagannath University Science Fiction Society, said under the leadership of Awami League government, the country has achieved massive progress in various economic and social indicators. In terms of development, Bangladesh has caught the attention of the world, she said. "In view of building a Smart Bangladesh by the year 2041, we expect that more new breakthrough steps will be added to engage the young generation in the country's journey towards development," she added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has issued a notification with guidelines to address the growing public concern following the recent reports of the appearance of Russell's viper in various parts of Bangladesh. According to the guidelines, Russell's viper (Daboia russelii), a highly venomous snake, usually lives in the grasses of lowland, scrub forests, open forests and, agricultural areas and avoids human settlements. The snake is matte in color and can easily blend in with the ground. People must avoid walking in tall grass, bushes, agricultural areas or stepping into potholes without taking proper precautions. Torch light must be used while travelling at night, the notification said. Russell vipers, being good swimmers, have spread to different parts of the country by floating in the river currents and flood waters. Hence, everyone has been requested to stay alert and cautious. Extra precaution must be taken to avoid snake bites in areas where Russell vipers have been spotted. O ne must keep the surroundings of his house clean and free of garbage, and must take special care when removing fallen trees, firewood, and straw. If anyone spots a snake, not necessarily a Russell's viper, a call must be made to the national helpline number 333, or must inform the nearest forest department office. People have been asked not to try to catch or kill the snake unnecessarily. In case of snake bite, an injured person must not move the bitten limb. Most importantly, one should not waste time in going to Ojhas' (spiritual healers) or Snake Charmers, but should go to the nearest hospital or health care center as soon as possible, as Russell viper antivenom is available for free in all government hospitals, the notification said. In this regard, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Samant Lal Sen said, 'The country has enough anti-venom or antidotes to face the current situation. The government is monitoring the situation closely and has ordered to keep antivenom in hospitals everywhere.' To re duce Russell's viper prevalence, unnecessary killing or habitat destruction of a variety of wildlife, including animal beneficial for the ecosystem such as- Mongoose, Monitor Lizards, Large Indian Civets, Asian Palm Civets, Forest cats, Crested Serpent Eagles, Fishing cats, Cranes, Lesser Adjutants and some species of snakes must be prohibited, it added. It should be noted that the Russell's Viper is a protected animal under Section 6(1) of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. Being a punishable offense, killing snakes should be avoided. Under the guidance of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Bangladesh Forest Department is taking various steps to deal with the situation and constantly monitoring the overall situation, it said. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A delegation of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) today left here for Kolkota, India, on a four-day visit to attend the Border Coordination Conference there. The conference will be held in Kolkata between South West and North West Region Commanders and IG BSF (South Bengal, North Bengal and Gohati Frontier) on June 22-25. The delegation led by Jashore South-West Region Commander Additional Director General Brigadier General Shamim Ahmed crossed the Benapole - Integrated Check Post (ICP) border around 10:30 am today. The delegation will return home through the Benapole-Integrated Check Post (ICP) border on June 25. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha