Bangladesh
Modi to work together with Bangladesh for inclusive growth
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to work together with Bangladesh to deliver inclusive growth for their citizens despite an "increasingly complex and challenging" international environment."Our shared commitment to intensify the excellent cooperation and partnership between India and Bangladesh is one of the most important means through which we can continue to deliver inclusive growth," he said in a message to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.Modi said he looks forward to discussing these and other issues when they meet in New Delhi in a few weeks' time.Modi extended his personal good wishes to PM Hasina for Eid-ul Azha."I have the pleasure to wish you (PM Hasina), your family and the fraternal people of Bangladesh Eid Mubarak," he said.
Read: Depot Fire: Modi says India stands ready to support affected families
"As our people prosper, this festival reminds of the virtues of sacrifice and sharing, especially with less fortunate members of our societies, whose interests have been of priority to both of us and our governments," the message reads.
Police to help cattle traders transport their cash safely: IGP
Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed has advised the cattle traders to take the help of police if needed to return home safely with the money they make from selling their animals.
He said this while talking to reporters at Kamalapur field, after inspecting security arrangements of cattle markets in different parts of the capital on Saturday.
The IGP said, "I have talked to all the traders, buyers and tenants about the discipline of the cattle market, paying tax (hasil), and overall management.”
Also read: IGP calls for vigilance against extortion of cattle traders ahead of Eid
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam and other senior police officials were present on the occasion.
DMP Additional Commissioner of Police (Admin) Mir Rezaul Alam, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime and Operations) Krishnapad Roy, Additional Commissioner of Police (DB) AKM Hafeez Akter, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Mohammad Munibur Rahman and other senior officials of DMP were present.
SIM data: Over 35 lakh exited Dhaka on Friday before Eid
Over 35 lakh SIM (subscriber identity module) subscribers of different mobile operators left Dhaka for their respective home districts on Friday, to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with their near and dear ones.
A total of 3,530,732 SIM subscribers left the capital on July 8, according to Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar. He shared the information through a Facebook post on his verified account Saturday.
Also read: BTRC places indefinite suspension on GP SIM card sale
He shared a list provided by mobile operators that showed that of them, 1,583,332 were Grameenphone users, 975,613 Robi users, 849,460 Banglalink users, and 122,327 Teletalk users.
Third gender community got recognition through Hasina in Bangladesh: Hasan Mahmud
It is Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through whom the third gender community in Bangladesh got recognition which was non-existent priorly, said Information Minister and Joint General Secretary of Awami League Hasan Mahmud.
He made the remark while distributing the PM's Eid gift among the third gender community and freedom fighters at a programme in Chattogram on Saturday.
“There were many people who held power but could not introduce the option to write third gender in government forms or passports. PM Hasina created quotas for them in many jobs and made specific allocations for them,” said Hasan Mahmud.
Also read: BNP's statements outlandish, insane: Hasan Mahmud
He said,”Even when their families don’t accept them, the PM has thought about them and she can be called the mother of the third gender community people.”
Hasan Mahmud said that today there are people of third gender doing jobs in higher positions in government offices and banks are giving them special incentives.
“Giving the third gender community priority in social safety nets are also being discussed. Bangladesh has never seen such development of the neglected and marginalized population that happened in the last thirteen and a half years,” he added.
After opening of Padma Bridge people are saying their Eid journey has become much more comfortable, he said.
Also read: Abandon those who want to make Bangladesh a communal country: Hasan Mahmud
“But BNP leaders are saying that people are suffering during the journey. Actually they are in a bad mood seeing people being fine,” said Hassan Mahmud.
Dalela next Ambassador of India to Bhutan
The government of India has appointed Sudhakar Dalela as the next Ambassador of India to the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan.
Also read: Sudhakar Dalela likely to be next Indian envoy to Bangladesh
Dalela, currently Deputy Chief of Mission in the Embassy of India, Washington, is expected to take up the new assignment shortly, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday.
Abe to be remembered with great respect, admiration: BGMEA
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said assassination of Shinzo Abe is a tragedy not only for Japan but also for Bangladesh and the whole world as well.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden death of former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe," said BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in a message on Saturday.
Shinzo Abe, a great statesman, had immense contributions to strengthening relation between Bangladesh and Japan and taking it to a new height.
Also read: Abe's body arrives in Tokyo as country mourns ex-PM's death
"He will be remembered with great respect and admiration for the role he had played and the contribution he had made," said the BGMEA President.
He said with Abe's death they have lost a true friend and great ally to Bangladesh.
On behalf of the BGMEA and the RMG industry of Bangladesh, the BGMEA chief expressed their deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his family and people of Japan.
Japan has been a long-standing friend of Bangladesh in its journey towards development and the time-tested friendship has grown stronger and warmer over the years, he said.
The BGMEA President said 2022 is a milestone year for the partnership as Japan and Bangladesh are celebrating 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations.
As a major development partner for Bangladesh, he said Japan is extending support to the efforts of Bangladesh for its economic and social development.
Also read: Bangladesh observing state mourning paying respect to Abe
The Matarbari deep-sea port and power plant, the metro rail in Dhaka city and the building of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are some of the game-changing projects of Bangladesh that are supported by Japan and bear testimony to a trusted partnership.
PM greets nation invoking Eid-ul-Azha's spirit of sacrifice
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday urged all Bangladeshis to devote themselves to the welfare of the country and its people in the spirit of sacrifice.
"Eid-ul-Azha means the festival of sacrifice. Let us devote ourselves, Engulfed with the spirit of sacrifice, for the welfare of the country and its people," she said in a video message to the people of the country on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
Also read: Complete qurbani by second day so cleaners too can enjoy Eid: TaposhShe also urged all to share the joy of Eid-ul-Azha, the biggest religious festival for Muslims alongside Eid ul Fitracross the globe, with all maintaining the tie of brotherhood.She also urged people to maintain the safety measureps to remain healthy."Everyone remain healthy and safe, Eid Mubarak," she said.
Also read: Security beefed up in Dhaka for Eid celebrations
Padma Bridge: Tk 4.19 crore toll collection breaks 24-hr record
The government earned record Tk 4.19 crore in revenue through toll from the vehicles that crossed the Padma Bridge in 24 hours till 12 am Friday.
“A total of Tk 4,19,39,650 toll was collected from Thursday 12 am to Friday 12 am from the 31,723 vehicles that crossed the bridge during the period. It is the highest amount collected so far,” said Dr Mahmudur Rahman, Executive Engineer of Bangladesh Bridges Authority (BBA).
Also read: Bus damages Padma Bridge toll booth at Mawa end, one injured
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the bridge on June 25and it was opened to traffic the next morning.
Keeping the Eid-ul-Azha celebration ahead, the toll collection is exceeding the previous day’s record almost every day, said Dr Mahmudur Rahman.
“In the first 12 days more than 2.45 lakh vehicles crossed the bridge,” he said.
Also read: Record Tk 3.16 crore toll collected from Padma Bridge on day 6
Earlier on July 3, a record TK 3.16 crore tolls were collected from around 26,394 vehicles that crossed the bridge.
Bangladesh reports 3 more Covid-related deaths, 939 new cases
Three more people died from Covid, and 939 tested positive for the virus in the 24 hours till Saturday amid a surge of cases again in Bangladesh.
While the country's total fatalities reached 29,198, the new number took its caseload to 1,989,040, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
As Covid is spreading fast, the daily case positivity rate declined to 15.59 per cent from Friday's 16.82 percent from as 6,024 samples were tested during the period.
Also read: Covid numbers rising in Bangladesh: 7 more deaths, 1,611 cases reported
Of the deceased, two were women and another was man; two were from Dhaka and one was from Barishal division.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.47 percent. The recovery rate remained unchanged at 96.14 percent with 837 petients recovering during the period.
In June, the country reported 18 Covid-linked deaths and 20,201 new cases, according to the DGHS.
Bangladesh reported its first zero Covid death on November 20 last year since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
Also read: Covid claims 3 more lives in Bangladesh infects 1,790 others
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
Dengue: 17 patients hospitalised in Dhaka in 24hrs
A total of 17 new dengue patients were hospitalised in 24 hours till Saturday morning amid a rise in the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh, authorities said.
All the new patients were hospitalised in Dhaka division, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
As many as 128 dengue patients, including 124 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
The dengue cases are rising in the capital allegedly due to insufficient measures taken by the two Dhaka city corporations for preventing mosquito-borne diseases like dengue.
Also read: Dengue: 29 patients hospitalised in Dhaka in 24hrs
On June 21, the DGHS reported the first death of the season from the mosquito-borne viral disease.
This year, the DGHS has recorded 1,393 dengue cases and 1,264 recoveries so far.
Although dengue – a leading cause of serious illness and death in some Asian and Latin American countries – was first reported in Bangladesh in 1964, the first epidemic occurred in 2000, claiming 93 lives that year. It has since become endemic in the country, with outbreaks recorded every year since. Although for a three-year period at one point, the number of deaths from the virus fell almost near zero, its most fatal year yet was in 2019, when 179 died experiencing the severe form of the disease.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, it seemed to take a backseat, as only 3 deaths were reported from dengue that year.
However, 105 dengue patients, including 95 in Dhaka division, died in 2021.
Also read: Dengue: 31 new patients hospitalised in 24hrs
Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.
About 4 billion people, almost half of the world's population, live in areas with a risk of dengue, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Each year, up to 400 million people get infected with dengue while approximately 100 million get sick from infection, and 40,000 die from severe dengue, it says.
"There is no specific treatment for dengue or severe dengue. Early detection of disease progression associated with severe dengue, and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates of severe dengue to below 1 per cent," according to the World Health Organization.