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Gas explosions took 82 lives in 3 years in Narayanganj, threats remain: Police, fire service
At least 82 people died in gas explosion-related fires in Narayanganj over the last three years, according to police and fire service. This excludes the number of victims of such fire incidents who died while receiving treatment.
Although gas pipeline leaks and cylinder explosions are the leading causes of these recorded fires, threats still persist. A blast in Pashchim Talla Baitus Salam Mosque of Narayanganj killed 37 on September 4, 2020.
There have also been accusations of irregularities in the investigation process, and the accused in the majority of cases remain uncharged due to the slow process of investigation.
Also read: Fire in Ctg’s Andarkilla area leaves one dead
According to police and fire service, there were 104 gas explosion-related fire incidents in Narayanganj district in 2022. Sixty-nine of them were caused by flaws in the gas pipeline, 34 incidents were reportedly caused by cylinder and air conditioner blasts. A total of 18 people, including children, died and 25 were injured in those incidents.
There were 114 gas explosion-related fire incidents in 2021. Pipeline flaws were responsible for 96 incidents. That year, 20 people were killed and more than 50 were injured.
A total of 44 people died and 26 were injured in 106 gas explosion-related fire incidents in 2020. Seventy-one incidents were caused by gas line faults, while the rest were caused by cylinder and air conditioner blasts. That year, 37 people died in a massive explosion at the Pashchim Talla Baitus Salam Mosque.
Also read: Death toll from Gulshan fire rises to two
Locals of the district say that the authorities show concern for a few days following an incident. But their efforts to address these threats got nipped in the bud every time, they said.
Locals reportedly file complaints about gas leaks, but no significant action is taken to address this serious issue.
Fire Service and Civil Defence officials said that the negligence of Titas gas authorities and lack of awareness among locals are to blame for many incidents.
Read More: Fire breaks out in Ctg’s VIP Tower
Fakhruddin, deputy director of Narayanganj Fire Service, said, “We urge residents to stay cautious and inspect their gas pipelines for leaks.”
Mamunur Rashid, deputy general manager of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited in Narayanganj, said, “Gas pipelines inside the homes are the responsibility of the consumers. All we do is distribute the lines.”
“The majority of fire incidents are caused by faults in house lines. Gas leaks cause explosions when burners are left on,” he added.
Read More: Fire Service team going to Turkey to be part of rescue effort
“Customers need to be cautious and should never leave gas stoves on,” he said.
Chai Lau Marma, additional superintendent of police (Crime and Operations) in Narayanganj, said, “We file cases in response to complaints. After investigating, we put the names on the chargesheet and file in court.”
Narayanganj residents urged the government to take measures to address these fire risks promptly.
Read More: 6 charred bodies retrieved from Old Dhaka plastic factory: Fire Service
Library named in memory of Abdus Salam has books, but no visitors
Although there are hundreds of books, there are no visitors at the Language Martyr Abdus Salam Library and Memorial Museum, located at Salam Nagar (Laxmanpur) in Dagonbhuiya upazila of Feni district.
But in the month of February, many media person, employees of local administration and people from all walks of life throng the library on the occasion of Language Martyr’s Day, as the local administration chalks out elaborate programmes.
On Monday morning, the local administration organised a handwriting competition at Language Martyr Abdus Salam Library and Memorial Museum and a prize giving ceremony was also held.
Abdus Salam was one of those killed in police firing on 21st February 1952, marking the start of the Language Movement.
The government renamed the ancestral village of Abdus Salam, 13-km away from Feni district town. as Salamnagar in 2008. It was previously known as Laxmanpur,
A government primary school is located adjacent to the library and in front of the school a Shaheed Minar was also built.
Nure Alam, nephew of Language Movement Hero Abdus Salam, said people from all walks of life thronged there to pay tribute on 21st February.
There is only one image of Abdus Salam inside the museum, he said.
He also demanded to build a gateway after the name of Abdus Salam on Feni-Noakhali regional highway to make the name of Abdus Salam and the history more memorable.
The local administration also renamed the Daganbhuiya upazila auditorium after his name as Language Martyr Abdus Salam Auditorium.
Besides, a private college has been built named Language Martyr Salam Memorial College at the village.
During the inauguration of the library, the local administration provided many books at the library but no new books have been received at the library since then, he added. Besides, there is no newspaper at the library.
A librarian and a caretaker have been appointed but they are passing idle time there due to lack of readers.
Following the demand of the family of Abdus Salam, the government identified the grave of the Language movement hero at Azimpur graveyard in 2017, 65 years after his death.
During a recent visit to the library, this UNB correspondent found that hundreds of books were available on the shelves of the library but after waiting for a long time no readers were found.
Md Lutfur Rahman Babul, a librarian, said there are 3,500 books at the library and all are old. The library is kept open daily but no readers come there.
Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, president of Language Martyr Abdus Salam Smriti Parishad, said the young generation can know about Abdus Salam from their textbooks but it needs to be expanded. He also stressed the need for introducing Bengali language everywhere.
Nahida Akter Tania, Daganbhuiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said like every year, the local administration has taken up a programme to mark the day.
She also assured that after the completion of the four-lane work of Feni-Noakhali Highway, an initiative will be taken to build a passenger shed, Salam Gate and signboard here.
Feni Deputy Commissioner Abu Selim Mahmud-ul Hasan, said necessary steps will be taken on how to involve the next generation more with the village of Language Martyr Abdus Salam.
Ekushey Padak broadened my sociocultural responsibilities as an artist: Kanak Chanpa Chakma
Marking the occasion of ‘Amar Ekushey’ and International Mother Language Day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presented ‘Ekushey Padak 2023’ today to 19 eminent personalities and two organizations in recognition of their contributions to various fields. Eminent painter Kanak Chanpa Chakma received the honour for her contribution to painting.
The beloved and popular artist has cemented her legacy through breaking all social barriers over the years.
In an exclusive interview with UNB, the renowned artist articulated her feelings after being honoured with the country’s second highest civilian award.
“Certainly, I'm thrilled to have this honour, and it feels amazing. I have won numerous awards, honours, and medals for my paintings all over the world, but I felt incredibly proud to be honoured with the Ekushey Padak at the state level,” the revered artist told UNB.
Born in 1963 in a remote hill area named Tabal Chari in the Rangamati district, Kanak Chanpa received her Master of Fine Arts degree in 1986 from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University. She then attended Pennsylvania State University in the US from 1993 to 1994, where she was awarded a Mid-America Arts Alliance Fellowship. Having successfully completed her degree, she came back to Bangladesh.
“I think the greatest achievement for us, artists, is to attain respect in our own country,” the artist said. “I think that this achievement has undoubtedly broadened my responsibilities, and I see this honour as a motivation to do better work, to give a more worthy contribution to our country’s art.”
Talking about her journey from Rangamati to the mainstream art scene in the country, she said that her path was not smooth at all. “Coming from such a remote area, I had to work hard. I have positioned myself in the mainstream art scene from where I started. I recognize this as a huge achievement.”
“I had to proceed step by step throughout a difficult and lengthy process. In our world, nothing comes easily; in addition to talent and hard work, you must always be putting in more effort,” she said.
A true ambassador of the Chakma community, Kanak Chanpa has been enlightening art enthusiasts about her roots and the community through her vibrant art.
“To be honest, I pursued my art very earnestly – and there was a constant motivational process going on within my soul. I never wanted to get lost in the mainstream scene after moving from the Hill Tracts. I knew I have to work hard, I have to build my position firmly, and I was able to do it with the help of those around me.”
“And through me, today young artists from similar backgrounds as me are being benefited. I have presented artistic platforms to them through which they can develop themselves if they want and if they are focused. I think this is a big achievement for me as an artist and as a mentor.”
Speaking about her other influential work, the artist said, “I have been working for the development of women of our society and their families in Bangladesh for many years now. Women have always been dominantly present as subjects in my works, and that applies not only to women from the ethnic communities but also to rural and urban women in general. I always think about the struggles and liberation of women. In this context, I am thinking about them, working for them for a long time.”
Kanak Chanpa Chakma has been a constant in many art galleries in the country as an active painter, and she has participated in many artistic endeavors of Gallery Cosmos as well. With her ever-smiling face and congenial disposition, she has established her reputation as one of the most beloved and well-respected Bangladeshi artists in the global art community.
She thanked the state and the PM for honouring her with the second highest civilian award. “I am very happy that the state has considered me for this honour, especially I am very grateful to our honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for selecting me as worthy of this award. It will really take me further, and inspire me to do more. I am very grateful indeed,” Kanak Chanpa said.
The last cinema hall in Feni demolished
With demolishing the district town’s last movie theater, Feni now has no cinema hall left.
Dulal Cinema Hall, Feni town’s last remaining movie theater, was demolished last Wednesday (February 15, 2023) due to a steep decline in the number of audiences. A multi-storey shopping mall will be built on the site where the cinema hall stood.
Safiuddin Belal, owner of Dulal Cinema Hall said, “We had to seek assistance from law enforcement to tackle the crowd during screening of blockbusters such as ‘Beder Meye Josna’ and 'Rupban'."
"However, the number of audiences started declining after 2015," Belal told UNB.
Read more: Sammilito Chalacchitro Parishad agrees to import Indian films on conditions: Hasan
The cinema hall had eight "VIP" seats (tickets for each cost Tk 100). It also had 80 "first-class" seats (Tk 60 each).
Belal said that "second" and "third-class" seats had been discontinued for the past three years.
There were six cinema halls in the town and the adjacent Dagonbhuiya upazila. One after another, curtains fell on Feni district’s silver screens as the owners were left with no choice but to demolish them.
The lack of quality films, coupled with the steep decline in audience, killed the town’s cinema hall business.
Read more: Cinema hall refinance scheme deadline extended to December
The four cinema halls in Feni town were Dulal Cinema Hall, Surat Mahal, Bilashi Cinema Hall, and Kanan Cinema Hall. There were two other cinema halls — Beauty Cinema Hall in Fulghazi upazila and Jharna Cinema Hall in Dagonbhuiyan.
Thousands of movie lovers from the district’s remote areas used to flock to these halls to see films with their families and friends.
In 1952, sports organizer Khairul Eshak opened Dulal Cinema Hall on Feni town’s Railway Station Road. Years later, Afzalur Rahman opened the Surat cinema hall in the city’s Zero Point area. However, the hall was demolished and later replaced by Feni Super Market after Afzalur Rahman’s son Bacchu Mia took over the ownership after his father’s death in 2003.
Feni's Kanan cinema hall opened in Masterpara Mor around 1978, under the ownership of Azad Peyara and Momtazul Huq Bhuiyan. The hall was in operation until the owners went out of business during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read More: How Covid-19 brought the curtain down on Kushtia's cinema halls
Bilashi, one of the four cinema halls in Feni city, was built around 1980 by Nur Mia. The hall was later rented out to the city’s local commissioner, Omar Faruk, after the death of Nur Mia. Faruk left the business due to losses in 2002, and since then, the hall has been closed.
Surat and Dulal cinema halls were the top choices of the audience due to their safer and cleaner environment. According to reports, at least 700–800 tickets were sold per show.
The other cinema halls used to attract 400–600 viewers per show. At least 10,000-12,000 viewers used to watch films at the four cinema halls in Feni every day on average.
Read More: Cinema hall owners to get Tk 1,000 cr low-interest loans
Bangladesh Flower Society: Monthly sales revenue to cross Tk300 crore in February
The price of flowers is slightly higher this year and thanks to three important occasions that fall within a week, flower traders are expecting the monthly revenues in their sector to cross Tk300 crore from selling different kinds of flowers in February, the peak season of flower trading.
Growers and traders said that they sold a remarkable volume of flowers on February 14 this year - marking the first day of the Bengali month of Falgun, and Valentine's Day. Now with Amor Ekushey, International Mother Language Day on Tuesday 21 February is International Mother Language Day, another potentially big day for flower sales
Visiting some of the flower shops in Shahbagh, esp. a sufficient supply of flowers in the market on the day.
Tulips of Tetulia: Prospects as bright as the blooms
Tulips — the brightly coloured flowers usually associated with the Netherlands — are now growing in Tetulia upazila of Panchagarh district, boosting tourism prospects and local economy.
Seeing the success of a pilot scheme, this year, tulips are being grown on a large tract of land in Darjipara of Tetulia.
Tulips grown in the Panchagarh district are now being sold in Dhaka due to high demands.
Last year, eight women earned Tk 65,000 each by growing tulips on their land — on a pilot basis — and this year, 20 women are growing the beautiful flowers on two acres of land considering the prospects.
Also read: Danish ambassador, IFAD country director visit tulip gardens in Panchagarh
This year, they are expecting to sell tulips worth Tk one crore.
Financed by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), Echo Social Development Organisation (ESDO) and Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (MRTP) undertook the pilot project with the help of rural women.
They have created a new prospect for livelihood.
Working at brick kiln, Thakurgaon’s Raju still managed to score GPA 5 in HSC
Thakurgaon’s Raju Hossain’s life has always been a story of struggle with poverty. He had to work in a brick kiln to bear his education expenses. His sacrifice and hard work paid off, as the recently published HSC results gave him and his family a reason to celebrate. Concerns over his future still remain, however.
Raju passed with the highest grade, GPA 5, from humanities group. He appeared in the HSC exams from Ranisankail Degree College in Thakurgaon under Dinajpur Education Board.
“Though I should be celebrating, I’m actually very concerned right now. I have no idea how I would manage all of the necessary university expenses. I want to study law,” Raju said in a tensed voice.
Raju recalled always working and often having only one meal a day at times.
Also Read: Ramjan defies poverty with GPA-5 at HSC, but his university education uncertain
“I still didn’t lose hope and continued my studies,” the youth said.
After his HSC exam, he sought loans from an NGO to pay for his coaching class – for university admission – fees. However, he had to quit taking coaching classes because it was difficult to cover all the expenses with that amount.
Raju’s father Anwar Hossain is a van-puller, and his mother Nazma Begum works in a cold storage facility. Because of the family’s financial situation, Raju’s younger sibling had to drop out of school.
Raju began working various jobs in the hopes of improving his family’s financial situation. He worked as a van-puller in addition to working in a brick kiln.
Read More: HSC Results: Jashore Board secures highest pass rate & Dhaka excels in GPA 5
“My son suffered a lot. I’m overjoyed with his accomplishment. At the same time, I am concerned about how he will continue his studies,” Raju’s mother said.
Raju’s teacher, Ranisankail Degree College’s lecturer, Safikur Islam Alam said, as Raju had to work as a day labourer, he was not regular in classes.
“We are aware of his hardship. We are proud of him,” he said.
The teacher urged the local affluent people to come to Raju’s aid so that the bright student can continue his studies and fulfil his dream of studying law.
Read More: Physical constraint couldn’t deter Jashore girl to score GPA 5
Local Union Parishad chairman Abdul Bari said he was not aware of Raju’s case.
“I’m delighted to learn this. I will personally assist him with his educational expenses,” he said.
Sohel Sultan Zulkar Nain, UNO of Ranisankail, said the upazila administration will help Raju. “Raju has proven that if there’s a will, there’s a way. I will personally help him too.”
A total of 10,11, 987 examinees, out of 11,77, 387, passed the 2022 HSC exams under 11 education boards of the country.
Read More: GPA system in SSC, HSC under review: Secretary
Of them, 1,76,282 students secured the highest grade, GPA 5, this year.
X-ray machine lies unused at Shalla upazila health complex corridor for 18 yrs
Thousands of people are being deprived of adequate health facilities as the lone X-ray machine at 50-bed Shalla upazila health complex has been lying unused for 18 years at its corridor, thanks to the negligence of the authorities concerned.
The X-ray machine was bought for the health complex at about Tk 19 lakh in 2005. But it remained unpacked and unused for the long period, wasting public money.
Visiting the hospital, the UNB correspondent found the machine lying unprotected and neglected at the corridor of the old building’s south gate of the hospital. Different damaged parts of the X-ray machine found scattered around the box.
Read more: Keep hospital beds ready for Nipah patients: DGHS
The box is now being used for keeping waste bins.
Talking the correspondent, some patients said they face huge trouble as there is no hospital in the upazila that provides X-ray service.
They said they have to go Ajmiriganj of Habiganj or Derai in Sunamganj, both almost 20 kilometers off Shalla, or other district and divisional hospitals if any X-ray is needed, no matter how critical the patient’s condition is.
During monsoon, they have to depend on boats for carrying patients.
Read more: Number of arsenic patients decreased in country: Health Minister
After the procurement of the X-ray machine in 2005 at the health complex, locals hoped that this would bring an end to their sufferings. But their expectation has not been fulfilled even after 18years.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Shashanka Ghosh said that a team has visited the hospital and examined the machine and found one if its three lines damaged. The service will be started as soon as possible after fixing the problem, he added.
Md. Ahmed Hossain, Civil Surgeon of Sunamganj district, said, “An engineer from Dhaka came and examined the machine. There is a little problem that needs to be fixed. Hope the X-ray service will start soon.”
Read More: People in prisons have rights to health care: HC observes.
Padma Bridge: Changing lives and landscapes in southwestern Bangladesh
Saiful, who used to be a van-puller, now sells ‘fuchka’ (street food) near the Padma Bridge.
He now earns significantly more than he did previously – thanks to the boom the locality has seen in tourism since the Padma Bridge opened in June 2022. Many day laborers, like Saiful, are taking advantage of the positive change in the area and have gotten involved in the informal tourism – earning a good living.
Apart from the rise in tourists visiting various attractions in the country’s southwestern region – facilitated by the improved communication thanks to the bridge, a large number of people are arriving just to see the Padma Bridge, a modern infrastructure marvel.
Many hotels, restaurants, resorts, and parks have been built near the bridge. Many have changed professions in the hope of earning more.
Also read: 3rd Shitalakhya Bridge: Vehicles coming via Padma Bridge won’t need to enter Dhaka, PM says
Numerous hotels and restaurants have been built in the Naodoba area of Jazira upazila, under Shariatpur district, according to UNB’s Faridpur correspondent. Several tourist attractions have been developed in Faridpur district’s Bhangar Char Rasta Mor, according to him.
“I came here with my daughter because she wanted to see the Padma Bridge,” said Naimul Islam, from Faridpur. “We went to the nearest restaurant after sightseeing.”
With Ekushey, Pahela Falgun and Valentine’s Day in Feb, Jashore flower farmers eye huge sales
Pahela Falgun (first day of spring on Bangla calendar), Shaheed Dibash (International Mother Language Day and Language Martyrs Day), and Valentine’s Day all fall in the month of February and flowers are a must-have for these occasions. Understandably, this month brings smiles to flower farmers and traders across Bangladesh.
Flower farmers of Godkhali union under Jhikargacha upazila of Jashore district, one of the largest flower markets of the country, is busy with the hope of selling flowers worth around Tk 300 crore.
Godkhali, known as the “flower capital” of the country, has taken on a mesmerizing look with red, blue, yellow, purple and white flowers.
This year, local farmers have cultivated various flowers on about 600 hectares of land in Godkhali. Ninety percent people of this village make a living by cultivating flowers.
Read More: Peshawar, the city of flowers, becomes epicenter of violence
Flowers cultivated in 75 villages of Jhikargacha, 25 kms from Jashore town, include marigolds, roses, gladiolus, gerberas, daisies, gypsies and dahlias.
Every year flowers worth around Tk 500 crore are grown in the fields.
Flower farmers and traders make huge profits every year in February as demand for flowers increase during the three major events – Pahela Falgun, Valentine’s Day and International Mother Language Day.
Abdur Rahim, president of Bangladesh Flower Growers’ Association, said that a lion’s share of roses comes from Jashore’s Godkhali area. Not only roses, other varieties of flowers are also grown here.
Read More: ‘Broom flowers’ of Sitakunda hills being exported to Middle East
As the weather was favourable this year, farmers are working day and night in the fields – optimistic about big sales, he added.
Flower farmer Bablur Rahman said, many wholesalers and retailers from different parts of the country have started thronging the Godkhali market of Jhikargacha.
Ismail Hossain, a farmer of Panisara village, said, “Tulips have added a different dimension this year in this flower kingdom. No one imagined that this flower – from cold countries – would bloom here.”