Bangladesh
Bangladesh, Ireland initiate first-ever UN resolution on 'Global Drowning Prevention'
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted unanimously a historic resolution on drowning prevention globally.
The Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, Ambassador Rabab Fatima on Wednesday introduced the first ever one-off UNGA resolution on “Global Drowning Prevention” which acknowledges the ‘silent epidemic’ for the first time in UN’s 75-year history.
Co-led by Ireland, the resolution was co-sponsored by a total 81 Member States.
The resolution recognizes that drowning affects every nation of the world and provides a framework for action for an effective response to the unacceptably high number of drowning deaths.
The resolution further identifies that drowning is a preventable cause of mortality that disproportionately affects children and adolescents within and among nations.
A new UN Day for drowning prevention, 25 July, was also proclaimed to promote awareness and encourage national action, as well as share best practices and key solutions to drowning.
Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN in New York has been working since 2018 to ensure that this global and preventable epidemic secures much-deserved political space internationally.
In introducing the resolution at the plenary of the General Assembly, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima stated that “The Government of Bangladesh recognizes the urgency to have a resolution to generate greater political commitment to prevention of drowning and is honoured to lead this effort at the UN”.
Ambassador Fatima stressed, “We have reduced child mortality rates globally, however, if we cannot bring death from drowning to ‘zero’, our success in primary healthcare, and therefore, achievement of SDG 3 will remain unaccomplished”. In view of the fact that 90 percent of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with Asia carrying the highest burden, Bangladesh Ambassador observed, “Drowning is not just an injury, it is an inequity”.
Since drowning incidents affect mostly poor families, drowning prevention could also contribute to achieving several other SDGs, including SDG 1 on elimination of poverty, Ambassador Fatima remarked.
Referring to number of deaths from drowning, which is around 18000 every year in Bangladesh, Ambassador Fatima mentioned that the Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to ensure that no more precious lives are lost to water.
A cross-governmental taskforce was established on drowning prevention – led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with representation from 12 departments (including Fire and Civil Defence, Ministries -such as Education, Women and Children’s Affairs, Social Welfare, and Youth and Sports). The task force is working to prepare a ‘National Drowning Reduction Strategy’.
Doraiswamy’s keynote to stimulate dialogue on Indo-Bangla relations
An array of experts from Bangladesh and India have been brought together for an online symposium hosted by the Cosmos Foundation to assess the state of relations between the two countries and identify the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the effort to take it forward.
The keynote address at the symposium titled ‘Bangladesh-India relations: Prognosis for the Future’ will be delivered by Vikram Doraiswamy, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh.
Chairman of Cosmos Foundation Enayetullah Khan will deliver the opening remarks at the event, which is set to premiere on the Facebook page of Cosmos Foundation at 8pm BST on Thursday.
Also read: Bangladesh-India bilateral talks begin at PMO
Renowned scholar-diplomat and adviser on foreign affairs to the last caretaker government Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury will chair the session.
It is the latest instalment in Cosmos Foundation’s Ambassador Lecture Series, in which the envoys of various countries stationed in Dhaka are invited to deliver a keynote, before engaging with a high-level expert panel on bilateral ties between Bangladesh and the country they represent.
For this edition, the panel of discussants drawn from both sides of the border will comprise Ambassador (Retd.) Tariq A. Karim, Professor C. Raja Mohan, Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, Dr.Debapriya Bhattacharya, Major Gen. (Retd.) A. N. M. Muniruzzaman, Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Brig. Gen.(Retd.) Shahedul Anam Khan, and Ambassador (Retd.) Krishnan Srinivasan.
Also read: Bangladesh-India to strengthen ties through mega events in 2021
The full video of the event will be available for viewing on the Facebook page of Cosmos Foundation, and (elsewhere) from Thursday at any time, following the premiere.
Over the better part of the last 12 years, India and Bangladesh have diligently forged a warm and friendly relationship that has been described as a textbook example of a neighbourly relationship.
The essence of the bond between the two countries lies in a shared heritage of culture and history that can never be erased, which culminated during Bangladesh’s struggle for independence in 1971.
Also read: Doraiswami for infrastructure dev to boost Bangladesh-India trade
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance as the most honoured chief guest during Bangladesh’s Golden Jubilee celebrations of independence just last month, served to reiterate that the two countries are experiencing a ‘golden age’ in their relationship.
Against this backdrop, Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of conglomerate the Cosmos Group, brings together the finest minds to arrive at a prognosis for the future of the relationship, in line with its commitment to eliciting strategic insights and policy solutions for Bangladesh as it charts its course toward a future that is ever-brighter.
realme 8 and C25 launched in Bangladesh
Youth-favorite smartphone brand, realme has launched two of its devices through an online event to fulfill the demand of the tech-savvy young millennials for Eid – the realme 8 priced at only BDT 22,990 and realme C25 in 2 variants, the 4/64 at BDT 13,990 and the 4/128 at BDT 14,990.
realme 8
Customers can enjoy BDT 1,000 discount on the price of realme 8, and the device is priced at BDT 21,990. The smartphone comes in two colors - Cyber Silver and Cyber Black. Customers will also receive other benefits when purchasing the devices, such as BDT 5,000 Bata Gift Card.
Additionally, buying the smartphones through Nagad will allow the tech-savvy to enjoy a 10% discount (maximum BDT 2,000) and 12% discount for Lanka Bangla (maximum BDT 2,500). Interested customers can purchase the realme 8 at https://rebrand.ly/realme_8_Flash_Sale_Evaly.
Read Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Price in Bangladesh with Full Review
realme 8 will be the trendiest phone this Eid with its 8mm slim and trendy infinite bold design and Super AMOLED screen. realme 8 comes with 6.4-inch Super AMOLED Display FHD+ with the light-sensitive in-display fingerprint sensor. The touch sampling rate is 180Hz, making scrolling as smooth as butter.
The phone weighs 177gms and is 8mm thick. The ‘Dare to Leap’ slogan is written on the back of the phone, a concept used by renowned fashion brands to uplift the users with the brand slogan, giving the phone a very beautiful outlook.
Read Infinix Hot 10 Review with Official Price in Bangladesh
The device also boasts Helio G95 chipset. Powered by Bangladesh’s first Helio G95 gaming processor, the realme 8 delivers heavy gaming experience making it easier for the user to play games such as PUBG, Call of Duty and Asphalt 9. The device is equipped with a Copper Liquid Cooling System, increasing the cooling efficiency by 14.4% and allowing the device to maintain a steady speed in terms of its performance.
The realme 8 boasts a flagship camera setup of 64MP as the primary sensor, 8MP with a 119-degree ultra-wide-angle, macro lens, and B&W portrait lens. The smartphone features an exciting feature – Tilt-shift mode – that turns the real world into its miniature version by creating an optical illusion.
Read OPPO F19 Pro Review with Price in Bangladesh
The feature gives more power to the young users and allows them to create exciting photos with their unlimited imagination. The smartphone also sports starry more, trendy portrait, dual-view video, and enhanced video stabilization turning the camera to have all-around video capabilities.
realme 8 comes with a 5000mAh battery along with 30W Dart Charge, which will give standby facility up to 40 days and only in 26 minutes, it can charge nearly 50%. The charging algorithm developed for the realme 8 includes five layers of security protection and provides hardware-level security protection for the entire charging process.
The smartphone also supports Hi-Res Audio Certification to ensure a high-quality audiovisual experience. Out of the box, the smartphone will sport realme UI 2.0 along with Android 11, providing customizable and seamless usage.
Read Asus ROG Phone 5 Review: Is it the ultimate gaming smartphone?
realme C25
Meanwhile, realme C25 will go on a flash sale at Daraz on April 27, 2021, at 2:30 pm. Customers purchasing the 4+64 GB variant will receive a discount of BDT 500 and is available in Watery Grey for BDT 13,490.
The phone will be available in another variant 4+128. In addition, if you pay with credit cards of 12 specific banks, you can get a maximum discount of up to BDT 1000. You can buy realme C25 through flash sale at https://rebrand.ly/realme_C25_Flash_Sale_Daraz.
The upgraded C Series, realme C25 boasts a 48MP AI Triple camera and is TÜV Rheinland High Reliability certified and features a massive 6,000mAh battery with 18W Type-C fast charge. The device is powered by MediaTek Helio G70 processor, allowing users to enjoy non-stop usage of streaming, gaming, or mid-to-heavy apps. The device can last for 47 days in standby mode. It sports realme UI 2.0 on Android 11, bringing outstanding performance and customization options for the youth.
Read Lenovo legion duel 2 Gaming Smartphone Review: Is it worth buying?
The smartphone features 48MP triple cameras and this is a significant upgrade to the camera of the C series and this is the first smartphone with 48MP main camera. It is also equipped with a 6.5-inch Display, fingerprint sensor, facial recognition, flip to mute, dual-mode music share, and many remarkable features that will enhance the efficiency of the usage and add value to the lifestyles of the users.
With the slogan "Dare to Leap", the brand adopts a strategy of selling robust performing phones with trendy designs to resonate with its young crowd at an attractive price point. The realme 8 series is focused on design and they have used the ‘Dare to Leap’ slogan on the back of the phone to accommodate a futuristic design and to popularize design of the future. realme 8 and realme C25 are definitely going to be incredible choices for the youth in the upcoming Eid.
Read How to Buy a Drone in Bangladesh?
Adherence to lockdown in capital appears mixed
People are not responding seriously to the government announced strong restriction on movement from April 14 though the second wave is more deadly and dangerous.
Visiting different parts of the city, including kitchen markets and shopping malls, our correspondent found people moving about as usual.
Visiting the kitchen markets of Jatrabari and Shanir Akhra, a huge number of people were seen gathered to collect their essential products and daily needs while the crowd had turned big before the Iftar time.
Also read: Lockdown to be extended up to May 5: State Minister
A long queue of people was also seen selling Iftar items around the city.
A visitor Dulal Sikder told UNB that he came out of his house everyday to collect Iftar items for his family members, as it is like a tradition for him to take food from the restaurant and makeshift shops during Ramadan.
"I know it is risky to go out and stay at any gathering point during this pandemic. But this gives a little relief for my family members as they fast the whole day. I try to maintain health guidelines and wear mask wherever I go," he said.
In the kitchen market, most of the buyers and sellers were not keen to wear masks and use sanitizers.
But shopping malls such as Ayesha Shopping Mall and RS Shopping Complex in the Jatrabari area appeared quite aware of the health protocols and most people were using their mask.
Kazi Suman, an owner of a clothing shop, said they were not happy or satisfied with the number of buyers as they are unable to sell their products as per their expectations in Ramadan, the highest selling month of the year.
Also read: Lockdown climbdown: 10am-9pm for shopping confirmed
People are not coming as restrictions on public transport are still going on. Some also collect their dresses from the online shops as they feel unsafe to come at this time, he said.
Although the government announced a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it has no effect on the roads in Gulistan, one of the busiest points of the city, as CNG, motorbikes, private cars and even public buses were found running.
Bangladesh expect a better wicket in 2nd Test
After drawing the first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka in Kandy, the Bangladesh team is looking forward to having a sporting or spin-friendly wicket in the second Test starting from Thursday at the same venue.
The wicket of the first match was flat which made the bowlers toil for all five days. The bowlers were able to take only 17 out of 40 wickets. On the other hand, a total of four centuries were struck in this game with one of those ending in a double-ton.
Also read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Series 2021: First Test Player Ratings
“I think the wicket of the first Test was a completely flat track,” Khaled Mahmud, the Bangladesh team leader, told the media over a video message. “We hope the wicket of the next match will be sporting or spin-friendly or may be pace-friendly. We expect that the wicket won’t be flat as it was in the previous game. As far as we know, the home team didn’t like the track of the first game.”
Bangladesh played the series opener with two spinners and three pacers in the bowling attack. Taskin Ahmed, who returned to the Test setup after three years, bagged three wickets for the Tigers while Taijul Islam took two.
“It was tough for the bowlers to do well in this sort of wicket,” Mahmud added. “But they worked really hard. Taskin bowled for more than 30 overs. Ebadot (Hossain) and others did well as well. I’m really happy about their performance.”
Bangladesh had scored 541 runs in the first innings of the match which created hope for a win in Kandy. But when Sri Lanka came up with a bigger innings, the hope of a win faded away.
“When (Najmul Hossain) Shanto and Mominul (Haque) were in the middle and we were approaching a big score, we hoped that we can pick up a win in this game if we bowl and field well. We thought the ball might turn on the final day, that didn’t happen.” Mahmud added.
Before this series, Bangladesh played a two-match Test series at home against the West Indies, which the home side lost 2-0. Mahmud said it was tough for Mominul and his team to make a good comeback in Sri Lanka. According to him, a draw is good for the team and they will learn to win Tests playing this way.
Also read: Rain forces early close of high-scoring Kandy Test
“The team was under enormous pressure after losing the series at home. There was a big question about our ability in Test cricket and everyone is eying to this series to see how we play here. I am happy that the guys did well and they gave their hundred per cent to prove their ability,” he further added.
Najmul hit his maiden Test ton in the first innings of the Kandy Test and ended up on 163 while Momimul also hit a ton which was his first away from home. Riding on these two centuries, Bangladesh hoped to seal the game.
“Najmul was brilliant while he was in the field. And we have to talk about Mominul as well. There was much talk about his ability to do well outside the home. He got a ton and proved that he can play well anywhere. Apart from them, Tamim (Iqbal) was outstanding in both innings of the first match while Mushfiqur (Rahim) and Liton (Das) also supported well. Overall, we are happy with the way batsmen performed in this series so far.”
Drawing the first Test, Bangladesh secured 30 points in the World Test Championship. They have previously played five Tests of this event and lost all of them.
Bangladesh's growth, govt efforts during pandemic praised
Nikkei Asia, in its recent article, praised Bangladesh's growth describing how the economy has boomed and exports soared.
The article also described how Bangladesh's economy has even exhibited resilience during the coronavirus pandemic and appreciated the government's timely stimulus packages and decision to reopen factories as early as May 2020.
The article titled "Bangladesh at 50: how the country has fared since independence" mentioned that since 1971, it has outstripped Pakistan in generating growth, with apparel exports and a surge in remittances helping to drive the economy.
Bangladesh marked the 50th anniversary of its independence from Pakistan "buoyed by economic progress and a relatively successful response to the coronavirus pandemic."
Also read: UK PM hails Bangladesh’s growth
But, the article suggested that the progress still needed to lift more of its 163 million people, 2% of the global population, out of poverty and highlighted challenges and concerns.
Bangladesh's growth rate exceeded 8% in 2019, according to World Bank data.
When the country seceded from Pakistan, its gross domestic product per capita was about three-quarters of Pakistan's; by 2019, it was almost 45% more.
Bangladesh to suspend administering Covid vaccine 1st dose from Monday
Apparently considering its dwindling stock, the government has decided to suspend administering the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine from Monday (Apr 26).
In a circular on Sunday, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) asked the civil surgeons of all the districts, the chief health officers of all the city corporations, and the upaizla health and family planning officers of all the upazilas to take necessary steps in this regard.
The first dose of the covid vaccination has apparently been suspended amid uncertainty over the availability of vaccine doses from Serum Institute of India as per contract following rapid surge in the virus cases and deaths in neighbouring India.
Also read: Bangladesh to get 21 lakh Covid vaccine doses by early May: DGHS
Bangladesh signed an agreement with the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd for 30 million doses of the vaccine.
Bangladesh has received 7 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine produced by Serum Institute of India through its contract. Bangladesh also received 3.3 million doses of vaccine as a bilateral partnership gift.
Although Foreign Minister AK Momen earlier assured people that there will be adequate doses of the vaccine but a record number of cases in India has made the delivery of the vaccine doses uncertain.
Also read: Covid vaccine: Dhaka agrees on Beijing’s proposal to set up emergency storage facility
In the mid-April, the pandemic has suddenly turned India into a Covid vaccine importer from a mass exporter.
Earlier in the day, DG of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam said Bangladesh will get 21 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccine by the first week of May.
“Most of these vaccine doses will be imported by Beximco Pharmaceuticals,” he told reporters following an online discussion meeting marking World Malaria Day.
Also read: How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?
Among the doses, one lakh are of COVAX while Serum Institute of India will supply the rest, Khurshid Alam said.
Bangladesh to get 21 lakh Covid vaccine doses by early May: DGHS
Bangladesh will get 21 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccine by the first week of May, said DG of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam on Sunday.
“Most of these vaccine doses will be imported by Beximco Pharmaceuticals,” he told reporters following an online discussion meeting marking World Malaria Day.
Among the doses, one lakh are of COVAX while Serum Institute of India will supply the rest, Khurshid Alam said.
Also read: How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?
“We’ll continue administering the first doses of the vaccine alongside completing the second doses,” the DG said, adding, “We’ll also get vaccine/s from China as a gift. The Covid-19 National Technical Advisory Committee will take the decision on how those will be administered.”
He also told the journalists that three of the local pharmaceutical companies have the capacity to produce Covid-19 vaccines.
As the deadly variant of the virus is being spread rapidly across India, a proposal has been sent to the authorities concerned to stop all the communications with the neighbouring country, except the transportation of emergency goods, he said.
Read Around 6,000 Americans contracted Covid after being fully vaccinated, 74 died: CDC
Pandemic in Bangladesh: Shops, malls reopen doors
The number of private vehicles, rickshaws and auto-rickshaws marked a significant rise on the roads in the capital on Sunday as the government allowed shops and shopping malls to reopen their doors to shoppers on a limited scale.
The pressure of vehicles on the city streets was reported from areas like Mirpur, Gabtoli, Shyamoli, Uttara and Mohakhali amid the lockdown, which has been extended by another week to deal with the worsening Covid-19 situation.
In a circular on Friday, the government allowed the shops and shopping malls to remain open from 10 am to 5 pm from Sunday, prompting many people to return to the capital city.
People were seen entering the capital on foot through Babu Bazar, Amin Bazar Bridge and Tongi Bridge areas.
Although the movement of rickshaws on the main roads were relatively lower in the morning than the other days, those were found moving in backstreets.
However, no public transport and other city services were seen on the city streets.
The owners and workers of shops, markets and shopping malls were seen busy reopening their doors since 9 am.
Read Extension of lockdown causing anxiety among low income earners
While talking to UNB at Rajlaxmi in Uttara, traffic inspector Akhter Hossain said: “The pressure of vehicles is increasing. But such pressure was not there during the last few days since the enforcement of the strict lockdown on April 14. This is happening following the government’s decision to allow shops and shopping malls to reopen.”
However, the movement of rickshaws was comparatively thinner than the other days, he added.
Another traffic inspector, Asaduzzaman, said: “There has been huge traffic in Mohakhali area since morning and our colleagues (fellow police officers) were asking the public for movement pass at designated check posts.”
Strict lockdown in place since April 14
A surge in coronavirus cases prompted the government to go for an eight-day complete lockdown from April 14. The cabinet division issued a notification in this regard on April 12.
Later, following the shattering situation of Covid-19 cases, the government extended the ongoing lockdown by another week from April 22 to bring the situation under control.
A circular was issued on April 20 extending the ongoing strict lockdown for another week from April 22, aiming to curb the transmission of Covid-19.
Also read: Govt issues circular extending lockdown until April 28
As coronavirus cases continued to rise alarmingly since mid-March, the government imposed a loose nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain its spread. Later, a stricter lockdown was declared from April 14 to 21.
Reopening shops and shopping malls
On April 23, the Cabinet Division issued a notice allowing shops and shopping malls to operate from April 25 (10am-5pm) on the condition that they would maintain proper safety protocols.
The shops and malls are permitted to reopen from April 25 subject to maintaining proper safety protocols, says the notice signed by Deputy Secretary Md Rezaul Islam.
Shops and shopping malls were shut from April 5 with a spurt in covid cases and deaths.
But the shopkeepers and traders waged street protests demanding the reopening of businesses. They argued that they had suffered massive losses last year during the lockdown.
Eid-ul-Fitr is generally the busiest time for businesses but last year’s Eid was celebrated amid the covid outbreak. Businesses had suffered huge losses.
Public transport to resume
On Saturday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the government is working on a plan to allow the public transport to resume operations once the current lockdown is over.
On March 29, the government raised the fares of all buses, including inter-district ones, by 60% as the vehicles are allowed to carry only half passengers of the total seats to ensure social distancing amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Covid-19 situation
Bangladesh recorded 83 more Covid-related deaths in 24 hours until Saturday morning, raising the total fatalities to 10,952.
Coronavirus fatalities crossed 10,000 on April 15 and the death tally came close to 11,000 within 10 days as the country finds it hard to deal with the pandemic.
B’baria mayhem: 7 more Hefazat men held
Seven more people have been arrested in the past 24 hours in connection with last month's mayhem by Hefazat-e-Islam supporters in Brahmanbaria, police said Saturday.
The arrests were made from different parts of the district after identifying the accused from video footage and images taken during the violence, the special branch of the district police said.
So far, 55 cases have been filed and 353 people arrested over the rampage, the police said.
Also read: 10 more Hefazat men held over Brahmanbaria violence
On March 27, at least five people were killed and around 50 others, including 25 cops, injured in clashes between members of law enforcement agencies and locals during Hefazat’s demonstrations at Nandanpur in Sadar upazila.They had staged the protests against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.
The next day, during Hefazat’s countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal protesting police action on their anti-Modi processions in Dhaka, Chattogram and other districts, activists set fire to three buildings, including the land office in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila.
They had also attacked a Chattogram-bound train at Talshohor Rail Station in Brahmanbaria town.
Besides, the Hefazat supporters also vandalised several private and government establishments, including Zila Parishad building, municipality building, Police Lines, Industrial School, land office, Alauddin Music Academy, and Foirtala Bus Stand in Sadar upazila.
The supporters had also attacked Brahmanbaria Press Club and confined some journalists to the premises.