Day: June 30, 2024

DHAKA: Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee has instructed to enhance time in the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations in view of inclement weather. HSC examinees in different places across the country, including Dhaka and Chattogram, today faced problem to reach examination centers due to rain and water-logging. Dhaka Education Board Chairman and Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee President Tapan Kumar Sarkar said according to weather forecasts, it may rain in the next 5-7 days. He said many examinees today faced problems due to rain and traffic congestion. So, instructions have been given to enhance time in examinations considering the sufferings of examinees due to inclement weather, he added. Dhaka Education Board also issued an urgent notification giving the instruction of enhancing time in the examinations. It said if required main entrance of the examination centers will have to be opened before specified time to allow the examinees to enter the centers during the rainy days. In case of delay -- of half an hour or one hour in beginning examination in any center -- this time should be adjusted to end the examination, the notification added. The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent exams started across the country, except Sylhet division, today. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: A significant number of Nepali migrant workers have been imprisoned in Malaysia for lack of valid documents, according to a study carried out by two civil society organizations. In a study on Deception, Arrest and Detention of Nepali Migrant Workers in Malaysia carried out by Pravasi Nepali Coordination Committee (PNCC) and Centre for the Study of Labour and Mobility (CESLAM), 61 per cent of the total jailed migrants reached there due to issues related to documentation followed by fights with colleagues or employers (8 per cent). Likewise, three percent of them languished in jail due to criminal activities such as murder, theft, illegal drug trafficking, gambling, the sale of counterfeit alcohol and kidnapping. The report was shared and discussed at a programme in Kathmandu on Sunday. The study was conducted using a mixed method consisting of a review of existing policies, data and publications, an analysis of 758 individual cases of imprisonment in Malaysia registered between 2020 and 2023 rec orded at the Pravasi Nepali Coordination Committee. It was shared that around 84 per cent of migrant workers used private recruitment agencies for their migration to Malaysia, while 15 per cent migrated independently, which is they migrated with the help of their relatives and or agents. Despite the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nepal government and the Malaysian government in 2018 on the recruitment, employment and repatriation of the workers obliging the employer to pay the recruitment fees and related costs for migrant workers, it was found that the migrants paid hefty amount in recruitment fees. "More than 50 per cent paid between Rs 100,000 and Rs 200,000 in recruitment fees," the report stated. In its findings, the report stated that one of the major barriers preventing Nepali migrant workers from accessing justice is their lack of awareness regarding their rights, the legal processes and the available avenues for seeking support. "Language barrier also hinders access to justice of im prisoned Nepali migrant workers," it said. The study report has recommended to implement the 'free-visa, free-ticket' policy and the 'employer pays' principle with robust monitoring. "The Nepali government should collaborate with Malaysia to ensure proper implementation of the 'employer pays' principle as stipulated in the MoU between the two countries," it recommended. Furthermore, the report has suggested that the pre-departure orientation training for Nepali migrant workers should include comprehensive counselling on the rules and regulations of the destination country. The report mentioned that skill training on soft skills such as communication, destination countries' language, teamwork, adaptability, patience, negotiation and cultural awareness should be provided to migrant workers before migration to their destination countries. The other recommendations include providing psychosocial support to returnee migrant workers by addressing their psychosocial counselling needs who were imprisoned and esta blishing a comprehensive system for recording data on imprisoned Nepali migrant workers. "It is crucial to establish a comprehensive system for monitoring and recording data on imprisoned migrant workers to track the number of workers in jail, those returning and other relevant data to facilitate targeted assistance and policymaking," according to the study report. Source: National News Agency Nepal

A court here today sentenced four people to life-term imprisonment each for killing a man namely Ismail in Dhanbari upazila of the district in 2018. Additional District and Sessions Judge Mahmudul Hasan handed down the verdict. The convicts were identified as Samsu, 53, Lutfur Rahman, 41, Naresh Robi Das, 39, and Nazrul, 32. All of them were the residents of Narilla village in Dhanbari upazila. The court also fined each of them Taka 50,000, in default, to suffer six months more in jail. According to prosecution, on May 17 in 2018, the convicts killed Ismail Hossain at Norilla over previous enmity and left his body in a ditch beside Narilla College. Being informed, police recovered his body on May 19, 2018, two days after the killing. On May 20, 2018, the victim's brother filed a case with Dhanbari Thana. Later, police pressed charge-sheet accusing the four in the court. Testifying witnesses and evidence, the court found them guilty and handed down the punishment in presence of the convicts, said Additional Public Prosecutor Monirul Islam Khan. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Senior journalist Hari Binod Adhikari has come up with a novel, 'Kunti'. It is the novel based on mythological character- Kunti- of the Mahabharat. The book was released jointly by literati Dr Nabaraj Lamsal, Dr Govinda Bhattarai, Prof Bishnu Rai, critic Gyanu Adhikari, former judge Girish Chandra Lal, and journalist Taranath Dahal amidst a programme organized in the federal capital on Friday. Commenting on the novel, Dr Lamsal viewed, "I could not make a positive view toward mythological character Kunti due to her treatment to Karna in the Mahabharat, but novelist's clear description on her role changed my perspective." Critic Gyanu Adhikari was of the view that writer Adhikari had made a lucid presentation on issues relating to mythical character. "Despite being a male writer, in-depth knowledge and presentation of a female character is a positive aspect. It a worth reading text," she observed. Dr Rai wondered the craft the writer had to immerse in the character of the novel. Similarly, Dr B hattarai viewed the novelist had done justice to the mythical character Kunti. It could be better if other characters were not brought together here, he suggested. Former justice at Supreme Court, Girish Chandra Lal, viewed Adhikari had written a complex story of the Mahabharat in plain and understandable manner so that it would be helpful to know about oriental myths and philosophy. Journalist Taranath Dahal observed that Adhikari had wonderfully written on Kunti, an important character in a huge mythical text, Mahabharat. New generation could benefit much from this book, he added. Writer Adhikari shared that he was keenly interested in Mahabharat since his early age. "The revolutionary but less described character was for peace through stir," he said, adding that her revolutionary nature inspired him to shed further light on her in the book form. A journalist and a retired schoolteacher Adhikari writes frequently on education, social justice, politics and mythology. Source: National News Agency Nepal

DHAKA: A Dhaka court has ordered to appoint a first-class magistrate to unlock and pave the way for an official receiver to enter into four flats owned by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, his wife Jissan Mirza, and their three daughters in the capital's Gulshan area. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Mohammad Ash-Shams Joglul Hossain passed the order today, allowing a plea from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The court on June 6 ordered to appoint an official receiver to look after the properties, of the Benazir family, those have been attached already. This receiver's main duty would be maintaining the attached properties, and informing the court at regular intervals about the income and expense of the properties. ACC director Md Manjur Morshed was appointed as an official receiver to maintain the four flats on Gulshan RANCON Icon Tower. He recently went to inspect the apartments and found those locked. The ACC after that filed a plea to appoint a magistrate to unlock t he apartments for its official to enter, make an inventory of the furniture and other materials inside, and fix a rent after measurement. ACC Public prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir moved the plea before the court today. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Collection of milk from the dairy farmers has been adversely affected in Hetauda Dairy Distribution Project due to decrease in milk production. It is caused by the prolonged dry weather till recent week in Terai area. The Project had been collecting some 22,000 to 23,000 litres of milk on a daily basis until some months ago while it stands at 6,000 litres a day now, said Rajiv Khanal, Chief of the Project. The Project used to sell some 4,000 litres milk to local consumers in Birgunj, Hetauda and Bharatpur cities on a daily basis while 12,000 litres is sent to Biratnagar for power milk production. The Project sources milk from some 200 dairy producers' cooperatives in Sarlahi, Bara, Rautahat, Parsa districts in Madhesh Pradesh and Makawanpur in Bagmati Province. But due to the decline in milk collection, the facility has not been able to sell its product in the same ratio as in the past, Khanal added. With the onset of monsoon and rainfall in Terai, availability of fodder would increase, thereby contribut ing to higher milk production from the cattle and similar collection at dairies Source: National News Agency Nepal

A girl and her brother have been killed in a collision between a CNG-run auto-rickshaw and a three-wheeler in Nandigram upazila of the district. The accident occurred around 4 pm on Saturday at Saratola on Kathom-Kalignaj Road in Bogura. The deceased were identified as Juthi, 20, and her brother Jihad, 17. Their mother Jesmin Begum was injured in the accident. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Nandigram Thana Alamgir Hossain said Juthi died on the spot while Jihad breathed his last at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital this morning. Later, police handed over the bodies to their family members. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Chairman of the CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal has said his party was earning public trust because it was established for the protection of constitution and republic. Addressing the 10th national general convention of the party on Sunday, Chairman Nepal viewed democracy was still at risk in Nepal. "Party needs to be mobilized for people's sake," he stressed. On the occasion, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba said CPN (US) had played a significant role for the protection of democracy. It has importance in national politics, he said, expressing belief that the veteran leaders in CPN (US) would give a proper direction to national politics. Honorable leader of the CPN (US) Jhalanath Khanal said all political parties need competition among each other for country's development and good governance. He also highlighted people's democracy and socialist. Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rabi Lamichhane, stressed political unity for employment, quality education and address to the cooperatives problems. Janamat Party's Chairman CK Raut viewed if any political leader talks about ideal thing, he/she should reflect in behaviour. Present system must not be weakened, according to Janata Samajbadi Party's Chairman Ashok Rai. JSP Nepal's Chairman Upendra Yadav emphasized on amending constitution to end corruption. Chairman of Rastriya Jana Morcha, Chitra Bahadur KC, suggested the party to devote to people and country. Nagarik Unmukti Party's Chair Ranjita Shrestha believed the convention of the CPN (US) would come up with new ideology. Source: National News Agency Nepal

DHAKA: Biman Bangladesh Airlines has a plan to expand its fleet to 47 aircraft by 2034, adding 32 new planes to enhance its competitiveness in the regional aviation market, the carrier's new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jahid Islam Bhuiyan, announced. "Biman will have a fleet of 47 aircraft by 2034. In the meantime, six aircraft from the existing 21 will be phased out. Therefore, we need to add 32 new aircraft over the next decade to achieve our expansion plan," he said. Bhuiyan revealed the plan during his first media interaction since taking office a month ago at the Biman's headquarters, Balaka, in the capital. The new CEO explained that the airline will either purchase or lease the new aircraft to meet its target and support the national carrier's route expansion strategy over the next 10 years. When asked about potential purchases from Airbus or Boeing, Bhuiyan indicated that the airline's needs might require collaboration with the two giant manufacturers. "Discussio ns with Airbus have progressed, and a proposal from Boeing is also on the table. Given our high demands, it is likely that a single company will not suffice," he added. Regarding Biman's financial performance, Bhuiyan projected earnings of Taka 1,200 crore from cargo alone in the current financial year. "Overall, Biman will continue to see profits in the future, as it has over the past few years," he said. Addressing concerns about ticketing mismanagement by travel agents, Bhuiyan emphasized Biman's commitment to resolving these issues. "Biman Bangladesh Airlines aims to be 100 percent free from the problem of unavailable tickets online despite empty seats on flights," he said. The CEO reiterated that the national carrier is determined to eliminate the syndicate responsible for making tickets unavailable online despite empty seats. "We want to resolve the ticketing issues completely to prevent future complications. We have already warned the travel agencies," he noted. Recently, Biman sent a l etter to all Passenger Service Agents (PSAs), expressing concern over agents undercutting or overpricing tickets through their own web portals. The state owned carrier urged all agents to adhere to the airline's policies, warning that failure to comply could result in the termination of business relationships. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that entire democratic national forces should be united and renew their commitments to meet people's expectations. In his speech at the inaugural session of the 10th National General Convention of the CPN (Unified Socialist) here Sunday, the PM said national consensus was needed to troubleshoot the country's key challenges. He added that all democratic and patriotic forces should unite to safeguard national independence, geographical indivisibility and national pride and urged to further revise the democratic republic, which he said was established from the people's long struggle and sacrifices. The PM also suggested that the CPN (US) should move ahead with clear political programmes for the nation's prosperity to dissect the narrative of 'nothing good is going to happen in the country'. On the occasion, Prachanda revealed that efforts are ongoing to form a single party of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (US ) by forming a Front and argued that all revolutionary parties should unite for the cause of the country and people. Source: National News Agency Nepal

DHAKA: Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said BNP is doing politics over the illness of Begum Khaleda Zia. 'BNP leaders are spreading falsehood over the health condition of Begum Khaleda Zia. They are making confusion among the people through spreading propaganda about her health condition,' he said in a statement today. Quader said the countrymen have rejected BNP's all so-called political activities in the name of movements. BNP has turned into a failed political organization, he said. Noting that Khaleda Zia is a convicted person in graft case, Obaidul Quader said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has shown her unprecedented generosity to Begum Zia by giving her permission to stay at home and take treatment in a private hospital. Khaleda Zia is availing opportunities of getting best treatment under specialized local and foreign doctors, he said. BNP leaders are making illegal demands for release of Begum Zia without maintaining judicial procedur e, he said. AL general secretary said, BNP leaders are instigating the people on Begum Zia's heath issue. He said BNP is trying to destroy political stability as the party has no faith in constitution, rule of law and democracy. Quader said Awami League is pledged bound to uphold the country's constitution and rule of law. A democratic government cannot accept any illogical demand, he said. Awami League leaders and activists will resist all terrorist activities and conspiracy of BNP, he asserted. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: The Secondary Education Examination (SEE) graduates have underlined the need of better leadership in education sector to produce quality workforce for the country. The SEE graduates viewed change in present educational system could yield productive results. During a programme organized by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) RSS chapter at RSS central office on Sunday, Sambhavi Adhikari viewed in additional to parental role, good leaderships in educational institutions could contribute a lot to ensure more positive results in SEE. Adhyayan Neupane said traditional rote-learning was yet to be given up. "If we are encouraged for creative learning, it would effectively empower young generation," he added. Parental role is vital to create atmosphere for children's education, he stressed. In Nimta Bhattarai's view, SEE can be taken as the first defining moment of one's educational journey. "SEE results reflect parents' responsibilities and school's leadership," she opined. Present SEE result i s a reflection of educational system and leadership, according to her. Pearl Adhikari wondered why country's education gets less importance than politics. "Country's education may see a sweeping change and better quality in case of good leaderships at multiple fronts of education, and we need it," he underlined. Moreover, Garima Kumari Bishwokarma underlined the caring and encouraging atmosphere at home and competitive atmosphere at schools were imperative for students. Bishwokarma passed SEE from Madhes Province and others from the Kathmandu Valley. Source: National News Agency Nepal