PM
Thousands of Dublar Char fishermen take oath together with PM on Victory Day
On the occasion of the Victory Day more than 5,000 fishermen living in the estuary of Bay of Bengal at Dublar Char took part in the oath to the nation led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
On Thursday afternoon, thousands of people from different walks of life in Bagerhat district gathered at Sheikh Helal Uddin Stadium to recite the oath with PM virtually.
Bagerhat District Commissioner Mohammad Azizur Rahman and Muhammad Belayet Hossain, divisional forest officer (DFO-East) of Sundarbans confirmed the fishermen spontaneously participated in taking the oath to build the country as a developed, prosperous and non-communal ‘Sonar Bangla’.
Also read: Victory Day celebrated with a vow to build prosperous ‘Sonar Bangla’
The PM conducted the nationwide oath at 4:30pm from the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, which was broadcast live through Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other private TV channels.
People from the country’s eight divisional cities and different grassroots took the oath. Bangabandhu’s youngest daughter, Sheikh Rehana, was present.
Also read: Will build Bangladesh as prosperous ‘Sonar Bangla’, nation renews vow
Bullets couldn’t wipe out Bangabandhu’s ideals: Kovind
Visiting Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said the anti-liberation forces who brutally killed Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family did not realize that bullets and violence cannot extinguish an idea that has captured the imagination of the millions of people.
Above all, he said, the anti-liberation forces did not count on the determination and resilience of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who faced assassination attempts and dictatorships with remarkable courage.
The Indian President said Prime Minister Hasina has been driven by the strong conviction to realise the dream of Bangabandhu, and his spirit of the “rebel”, as set out in the famous poem by the great poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
He made the remarks at the Victory Day and Mujib Borsho celebrations in the city. President Abdul Hamid spoke as the chief guest.
Also read: Bangladesh India’s development partner, Kovind tells Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Rehana, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque and Chief Coordinator, International Implementation Committee, Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury also spoke.
Working to change the fate of people, reaffirms PM
Delivering the vision of reshaping Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday promised to bring smiles to the faces of the distressed people as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“The Father of the Nation wanted to bring smiles to the faces of the unhappy people. That’s our goal, too,” she said while chairing the celebration of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Golden Jubilee of the Victory at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad.
President Md Abdul Hamid also spoke at the function as the chief guest, while Indian President Ram Nath Kovind as the guest of honour.
Also read: PM pays tributes to Liberation War martyrs
The National Implementation Committee for Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary Celebration arranged the event with the title of “The Greatest Hero of the Great Victory.”
Will build Bangladesh as prosperous ‘Sonar Bangla’, nation renews vow
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday administered oath to the nation to build the country as a developed, prosperous and non-communal ‘Sonar Bangla’ being imbued with the ideology of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee (of the Independence) and the Victory Day in the Mujib Year, I take oath in glowing voice that I will not let the blood of the martyrs go in vain, I will love the country, I will use all my strength for the overall welfare of the people of the country,” she said in the oath words, urging the people of the country to join her vow afresh.
The Prime Minister conducted the nationwide oath at 4:30pm from the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, which was broadcast live through Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other private TV channels.
Also read: PM pays tributes to Liberation War martyrs
People from the country’s eight divisional cities and different grassroots places took the oath together with the Prime Minister. Bangabandhu’s younger daughter, Sheikh Rehana, was present.
Bangladesh observing Martyred Intellectuals Day
Bangladesh is observing Martyred Intellectuals Day on Tuesday to commemorate the intellectuals killed by the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators in 1971.
In the morning, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the martyred intellectuals.
On behalf of the head of the state, his military secretary Major General S M Salah Uddin Islam placed a wreath at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur.
Also read: PM pays homage to martyred intellectuals
PM pays homage to martyred intellectuals
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday paid tributes to the martyred intellectuals by placing wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur on the occasion of the Martyred Intellectuals Day.On behalf of the Prime Minister, Military Secretary to the Prime Minister Major General Naquib Ahmed Chowdhury placed the wreaths at Memorial at 7:05am.
Also read: Nation set to observe Martyred Intellectuals Day TuesdayOn the night of December 14, 1971, over 200 intellectuals, including educationists, journalists, litterateurs, writers, physicians, scientists, lawyers, artists, philosophers and political thinkers had been picked up in Dhaka by Pakistani occupation forces, aided by their local collaborators.
All divisions to get BKSP-like institutes: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the government will set up a sports institute like BKSP in every division of the country as sports and physical exercise are very essential for having a healthy young generation.
“If we can keep our children involved in sports and cultural practices regularly, they’re unlikely to go astray, never get addicted to drugs and engage in militancy. They won’t quit studies either,” she said.
The Prime Minister was addressing the prize distribution ceremony of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman National Gold Cup Football Tournament, Boys (Under-17) and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunessa Mujib National Gold Cup Football Tournament, Girls (under-17)-2021, joining it virtually from Ganobhaban.
Also read: PM Hasina for forging strong worker-owner relations to boost productivity
On behalf of the Prime Minister, State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel distributed trophies, medals and prize money at Birshrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city’s Kamalapur area.
Sylhet Division clinched the title of Bangabandhu Gold Cup Boys U-17, while Rangpur Division won the title of Bangamata Gold Cup Girls U-17.
Hasina said the government has already decided to set up a sports institute in every division. “There’ll be a BKSP-like institute in every division. We’ve already approved two more sports institutes and will also approve such institutes for other divisions… Sports and physical exercise is essential,” she said.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for the engagement of the young generation in sports alongside education for having a sound mind and body.
Also read: JS body for immediate opening of unused stadiums
Earlier, the Prime Minister virtually witnessed the girls’ final match between Rangpur Division and Mymensingh.
In the final matches, Sylhet Division beat Rajshahi Division in a penalty shootout, while Rangpur Division beat Mymensigh Division by 1-0.
Youth and Sports (senior) Secretary Akhter Hossain and President of Bangladesh Football Federation Kazi Salahuddin, among others, were present.
This year, a total of 110,557 young athletes participated in the countrywide mega tournament.
As part of the tournament, some 4828 teams –4,571 Union ones and 257 municipality ones – joined the Upazila-level competition and then 581 teams –492 Upazila ones, 29 city ones and 60 municipality teams – participated in the district-level competition. Subsequently, 68 teams – 64 district teams and 4 city teams- took part in the divisional-level competition and finally eight divisional-level teams participated in the national-level competition.
Derogatory remarks on PM: HC orders removal of Alal’s videos from social media
The High Court has ordered the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove from social media the videos containing BNP leader Moazzem Hossain Alal's derogatory remarks on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order.
READ: Rangpur custodial death: HC forms 3-member committee
The BTRC chairman has been asked to execute the order.
Earlier, Barrister Syed Saidul Haque Sumon brought the matter to the notice of the court.
On Tuesday, a student of Dhaka University filed a case against BNP Joint Secretary General Alal at Shahbagh Police Station for making indecent comments on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
READ: HC orders removal of objectionable audios, videos of junior minister Murad from social media
Another student filed a complaint over the same matter.
PM Hasina for forging strong worker-owner relations to boost productivity
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday stressed the need for having cordial and strong relations between the industry owners and workers in their own interest in this competitive world.
“I always request our owners and workers that there should be a good and cordial relation between the owners and workers,” she said while addressing a programme virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
The Green Factory Award 2020 was distributed among the winners while eight newly constructed structures, including a women's hostel, inaugurated at the function held at the Osmani Smriti Auditorium.
Sheikh Hasina said the owners will have to keep in mind that the workers keep the wheels of their factories moving, paving the way for them to earn money. The workers must also remain aware they can earn their livelihoods since there are factories and thus support their families.
Pointing out that some outsiders -- may be union leaders or vested quarters -- are sometimes seen trying to destabilize factories, she said it is necessary to stay ready to keep production in the factories and export uninterrupted as this is a competitive world.
“If a disturbing situation is created, it’ll disrupt exports, hamper the work environment and thus you will lose jobs. So, the workers will have to play a responsible role keeping this view in mind,” the PM said.
A total of 30 factories from six sectors were conferred with the award, marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The 30 factories include 15 ones from garment sector, four from tea sector, three each from food processing sector, plastic sector and pharmaceutical sector, and two from leather sector.
Read: 30 Bangladesh factories receive Green Award 2020
On behalf of the Prime Minister, State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian handed over the awards to the representatives of the factories at the city’s Osmani Smriti Auditorium.
The 15 garment factories are Remi Holdings Ltd, Tarasima Apparels Ltd, Plummy Fashions Ltd, Mithela Textile Industries Ltd, Vintage Denim Studio Ltd, AR Jeans Producer Ltd, Karooni Knit Composite Ltd, Designer Fashion Ltd, Kenpark Bangladesh Apparel Private Ltd (Kenpark Unit 2), Green Textile Ltd (Unit-3), Four H Dyeing and Printing Ltd, Wisdom Attires Ltd, Mahmuda Attires Ltd, Snowtex Outerwear Ltd and Auko-Tex Ltd.
The factories from the food processing sector are Habiganj Agro Ltd, Akij Food and Beverage Ltd and Ifad Multi Products Ltd.
Four enterprises from the tea industry sector are Gazipur Cha Bagan (Gazipur tea garden), Laskarpur Cha Bagan (Laskarpur tea garden), Jagchara Tea Factory and Neptune Cha Bagan (Neptune tea garden).
The two factories from the leather industry sector are Apex Footwear Ltd and Edison Footwear Ltd, while the three factories from the plastic sector are Banga Building Materials Ltd, Allplast Bangladesh Ltd and Durable Plastic Ltd.
The three factories from the pharmaceutical industry are Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
In the function, the medals and certificates and awards money were given to the awardees.
The Labour and Employment Ministry introduced the 'Green Factory Award’ on the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu. The award will be given after every two years.
At the function, the Prime Minister also opened the eight newly constructed women (working) hostels.
8 new structures
At the function, the Prime Minister also opened the ministry’s eight newly constructed structures, including a women's (working) hostel.
Read: Grab investment opportunities in Bangladesh, PM Hasina to global investors
The eight new structures are working women's hostel with 5-bed hospital facilities and labour welfare centre at Bandar in Narayanganj; six-storey Shilpa Samparka Shikhayatan Bhaban in Chattogram; five-storey regional labour office in Narayanganj; three-storey labour welfare centre and regional labour office in Bogura, three-storey labour welfare centre in Gaibandha; three-storey labour welfare centre at Mongla in Bagerhat; four-storey labour welfare centre at Rupsha in Khulna and labour welfare complex at Ghagray in Rangamati.
Labour and Employment Secretary Md Ehsan-E-Elahi delivered the welcome speech.
The Prime Minister said it is a matter of pride as environment-friendly industries have really developed in Bangladesh.
She said her government has provided various facilities to mills and factories, including garment ones so that the industrial units can develop as green ones.
Hasina hoped that the Green Factory Award will act as an inspiration for the factories to create a decent environment for the workers and employees, and encourage the non-factories to be environment-friendly ones.
Talking about the gender disparity in pay, she said women are given less wage compared to their male counterparts in many countries. But the government has taken measures to ensure equal wages for women workers in Bangladesh, she added.
The Prime Minister said her government put emphasis on industrialization not only in Dhaka or some particular places, but also in special industrial zones and elsewhere in the country.
She said Ziaur Rahman had revoked rights to trade union in 1975, but her party realiesed that in 1984 through a dialogue with the then president.
Sheikh Hasina highlighted different measures taken by her government for the welfare of workers, particularly after resuming power in 2009.
The measures include raising the minimum wages to Tk 8,300 from Tk 4,150 for workers in 42 industrial sectors, formation of worker welfare fund as well as a central fund for the socio-economic development of the workers of 100 percent export-oriented garment industry and their families, enactment of the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Act-2018, formulation of Bangladesh Labour Rules-2015, National Child Labour Elimination Policy-2010, National Labour Policy-2012, National Occupational Health and Safety Policy 2013 and Domestic Worker Protection and Welfare Policy-2015.
Junior minister Murad Hassan quits at PM’s instruction
Disgraced State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murad Hassan has resigned from the cabinet following the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for his offensive and indecent remarks on women.
The under-fire junior minister submitted his resignation letter to the Prime Minister on Tuesday showing personal reasons for quitting his job.
"Yes, State Minister Murad Hassan’s resignation letter, addressing the Honorable Prime Minister, reached the Information Ministry. It’ll be forwarded to the Cabinet Division for taking necessary steps,” a senior official told UNB wishing anonymity.
Murad Hassan had been under increasing criticism by various quarters for his disrespectful remarks on women in an interview on social media. A number of audios and videos containing indecent remarks by Murad Hassan also went viral on social media during the last few days.
Also read: PM asked junior minister Murad to resign by Tuesday: Obaidul Quader
A two-year-old phone conversation of the junior minister with actor Mamnun Hasan Emon and actress Mahiya Mahi recently went viral on social media. In that audio clip, Murad made "derogatory comments" on the actress, threatened her and gave her an alleged indecent proposal.