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“Human Demonstration” demand for more focus on renewable energy
Speakers at a “Human Demonstration” have demanded the government put more focus on renewable energy’s development saying that the fossil fuel-based power plants are destroying the environment and violating human rights.
They also observed that the local population is suffering due to the acquisition of land for the establishment of power plants while the working labourers are also deprived of their human rights in various ways in these projects.
To mark the International Human Rights Day 2023, the event was jointly organised by non-governmental development organization ISDE Bangladesh, Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Youth Group, BWGED (Bangladesh Working Group for Ecology and Development, Clean (Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network) at the historic CRB premises in Chattogram on Saturday.
CAB central vice president SM Najer Hossain, Joint Secretary of District Social Entrepreneurship Council, Mohammad Jane Alam, CAB leaders Shaheen Chowdhury, Harun Gafur Bhuiyaa, Abu Hanif Noman, Tania Sultana, Mohammad Raihan, Niloy Biswas, and Abrarul Karim Nehal.
The speakers demanded an end to human rights violations in the energy sector and developing renewable energy to be owned by local communities.
They said local landowners are being cheated by middlemen in acquisition. Many families are displaced due to illegal land acquisition and many, including farmers and fishermen, are forced to change their occupation which is a clear violation of human rights.
They alleged that the biggest example of violating the human rights of workers in the power sector was Chattogram Banskhali power plant.
From 2016 to 2021, 12 people were killed by the police while protesting for various demands, including payment of outstanding wages to coal-based power plant workers owned by S Alam Group and China's Sepco and HTG Group.
Also the working environment of the power plant is not at all favorable. They have to work in the power plant with their own protective equipment, local workers are given only first aid in case of injury.
The speakers also said that 50.4 percent of Bangladeshi women are engaged in domestic work and agriculture.
According to local culture, women are directly engaged in cooking, caring for children and family members. They consume the maximum amount of fuel for household needs. But energy planning, implementation and distribution have nowhere to involve them.
With only 2-4 percent of land owned by women, women's participation in power plant ownership, access to information and consultation is neglected, the speakers said.
Women empowerment in Bangladesh fulfills Begum Rokeya's dream: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said Bangladesh is advanced enough in terms of women empowerment as the country has fulfilled the dream of Begum Rokeya.
“We always are making endeavours so that our women would be self-reliant and stand on their own feet as Begum Rokeya said. She (Rokeya) said her dream would be fulfilled on that day when women become judges and barristers. We are advanced enough in that case,” she said.
The premier was addressing an event arranged in the city's Osmani Memorial Auditorium to celebrate Begum Rokeya Day 2023 and distribute Begum Rokeya Padak 2023.
Hasina said many developed countries couldn’t elect a woman as the head of the government yet. A woman couldn’t be the president even in the most powerful country till date, she said.
Talking about Rokeya’s dream, she said, “We’ve been able to fulfill her expectation largely in Bangladesh.”
Talking about her role behind the appointment of Nazmun Ara Sultana as the first woman justice in the country’s higher court, the prime minister said she has one regret that Nazmun Ara couldn’t be the chief justice.
Nazmun Ara was the first woman justice in the high court division and then the first woman in the Appellate Division as well.
“I wish I had made a woman the chief justice at that time. And she was in my mind. But there is so much conservativeness in some areas in our society. It takes time to break these. This is why I couldn’t do it at that time. I still have this regret,” said Hasina.
She said economic self-reliance is the biggest matter for a woman. “If a woman is not financially strong, she has no niche anywhere in society or family,” she added.
Referring to the international conference on “Women in Islam” arranged by OIC in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in November last, Sheikh Hasina said had Begum Rokeya been alive now, she would have been happy that women rights are being ensured there in Islamic countries and they are not being confined behind the veils.
An exhibition was also organized there in Jeddah, displaying names of women who were physicians, teachers and scientists, said Hasina, the only woman head of government among the OIC member countries.
PM Hasina directs restoration of canals and rivers of Dhaka the soonest
She said now the Saudi government has also come forward to ensure women rights. So, none can confine women behind the veils in the name of Islam anymore here, she added.
“Yes, they (women) would move, maintaining decency. It doesn’t need to move like the western world. But they can’t be kept away from employment,” said the PM.
Turning to gender equality, she said girls have surpassed boys in case of success rate in the recently published HSC examination result.
Hasina said now an initiative is required so that the larger or equal number of boys gain success in the examination in order to maintain gender equality.
“If we want to maintain gender equality, we will have to pay attention to boys, not girls. The girls are moving forward,” she said.
Mentioning that December 09 is the birthday of her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, Hasina sought blessings from all for her daughter on this day.
The Women and Children Affairs Ministry arranged the event on the occasion of the 143rd birth and 91st death anniversary of Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain.
The PM handed over the Begum Rokeya Padak 2023 to five noted women for their outstanding contributions towards society, women's education and women empowerment.
The five recipients are first female vice chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) Professor Khaleda Ekram (posthumous) of Bogura for women education, noted reproductive health expert Dr. Halida Hanum Akhter of Rangpur for establishing women's rights, Kamrunnesa Ashraf Dina of Netrakona for her contributions to the socio-economic development of women, Ronita Bala of Thakurgaon for rural development and Nishat Mazumder (Mountaineer) of Lakshmipur district for her contribution to awakening of women.
On behalf of the recipients, Nishat Mazumder shared her feelings on the occasion.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira presided over the event, while Women and Children Affairs Secretary Nazma Mobarek read out the citation of the recipients.
PM confers Begum Rokeya Padak 2023 on five noted women
PM confers Begum Rokeya Padak 2023 on five noted women
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday conferred the Begum Rokeya Padak 2023 on five women for their outstanding contributions to society, women's education and empowerment.
Sheikh Hasina handed the awards at a programme in Dhaka’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium, marking the 143rd birth and 91st death anniversary of Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain.
Govt invites applications for ‘Begum Rokeya Padak-2020’
The five recipients are: first female vice chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) Professor Khaleda Ekram (posthumous) of Bogura for women’s education; noted reproductive health expert Dr. Halida Hanum Akhter of Rangpur for women's rights; Kamrunnesa Ashraf Dina of Netrakona for her contributions to the socio-economic development of women; Ronita Bala of Thakurgaon for rural development; and Nishat Mazumder (mountaineer) of Lakshmipur district.
On behalf of the recipients, Nishat Mazumder shared her feelings on the occasion.
Women and Children’s Affairs Ministry arranged the event to celebrate Begum Rokeya Day 2023.
PM distributes Begum Rokeya Padak
State Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira presided over the event, while Women and Children’s Affairs Secretary Nazma Mobarek read out the citation of the recipients.
Dhaka’s air quality 3rd worst in the world this morning
Dhaka ranked third on the global list of cities with the worst air quality this morning.
The air in Dhaka city was classified as 'very unhealthy' with an AQI score of 212 at 9:01 am.
Pakistan's Lahore and Karachi occupied the first and second spots on the list, with AQI scores of 270 and 214, respectively.
Dhaka’s air quality 3rd worst in the world this morning
An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', while 201–300 is 'very unhealthy', and 301+ is 'hazardous', posing severe health risks.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
Dhaka's air quality worst in the world this morning
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Dhaka’s air quality 4th worst in the world this morning
Seminar on ‘Development and Election’ held in the city
A seminar on "Development and Election" was organized by 'Education, Research and Development Forum of Bangladesh (ERDFB)', a research-based organization consisting of university teachers, at Abdus Salam Auditorium of National Press Club on Friday.
Professor Md. Moshiur Rahman, Vice Chancellor of National University, was present at this seminar as a chief guest and Professor Md. Shahadat Hossain Siddiquee, of the Economics Department of Dhaka University, was the keynote speaker under the chairmanship of Professor Md. Sajjad Hossain, member of Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) and president of ERDFB.
Besides, Professor Mohammad Abdur Rashid, Vice Chancellor of Islamic Arabic University, Professor Mahbuba Nasreen, Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University and Professor Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Professor of Development studies Department of Dhaka University were present at this seminar as special guests.
Professor Abdul Jabbar Khan, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology was also present at the seminar as an inaugural speaker.
Chief guest Prof Moshiur Rahman said in his speech that the society of Bangladesh has been built on the sweat and labour of the helpless farmers of this country. The transition from agriculture-based Bangladesh to industrial-based Bangladesh has been made possible by their own sweat and toil, and not anyone else's.
Prof. Abdul Jabbar Khan, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology gave the opening speech at this seminar under the supervision of Vice Chancellor (Routine Duties) of Barishal University and General Secretary of ERDFB Professor Badruzzaman Bhuiyan.
“My Food, My City” exhibition inaugurated in Dhaka
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, proudly announced the inauguration of the “My Food, My City” exhibition aimed at showcasing the activities done under the project Support for Modelling, Planning and Improving Dhaka’s Food System (DFS).
This groundbreaking initiative aims to foster inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability in the urban food system of Dhaka Division's four City Corporations – Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Gazipur, and Narayanganj, according to a press release.
The exhibition will remain open to the public till 16 December, 2023 at the Vasker Novera Gallery of Bangla Academy, the exhibition contributes to the larger framework offered by the Dhaka Food Agenda 2041, a visionary project developed through action research, evidence-based analysis, and a collaborative multi-stakeholder approach.
This project aligns seamlessly with national policies and priorities, representing a significant stride towards a more comprehensive and integrated urban food system.
Pedro Garzon Delvaux, Project Manager for FAO said, “Living in cities constantly changes the way we relate to food, even more so in an urban area like Dhaka which is evolving rapidly. Thinking about this ‘my food-my city’ relationship – and more so in an entertaining way – is something that can help us make better individual and collective choices today and, in the future.”
“My Food, My City” exhibition features a curated set of displays, including maps, infographics, and interactive games, all centred around the theme of healthier diets and future scenarios of Dhaka’s food systems.
Running daily from 10am to 6pm, this exhibition seeks to re-think Dhaka’s urban food landscape.
Visitors are invited to explore and engage with exhibits focusing on fresh food markets, supermarkets, diets, processed food, and urban agriculture, reads the release.
267 arson attacks reported during blockades, hartals since Oct 28: Fire Service
A total of 267 arson attacks have been recorded till 6 am on Friday during the blockades and hartals called by BNP, Jamaat, and like-minded opposition parties since the end of October.
An arson attack was reported between 6 am on Thursday till 6 am on Friday during the second day of the latest road, rail, and waterways blockade called by the opposition parties.
Also read: 253 arson attacks reported during blockades, hartals since Oct end: Fire Service
The arson attack was carried out in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area at 1:35 pm on Monday, said Wearhouse Inspector Anwarul Islam of the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters (media cell).
A total of 10 members of two firefighting units worked to douse the fire, added the fire official.
Also read: Fire Service records 12 arson incidents in 24hrs
In the last one and a half months, 263 vehicles and 15 structures were damaged in arson attacks.
Among the vehicles, 162 were buses, 44 trucks, 23 covered vans, eight motorcycles, and 26 other vehicles.
Dhaka's air 'moderate' Friday morning amid December showers
As December showers triggered by Cyclone Michaung continue to drench Dhaka, the capital's air quality was termed moderate on Friday morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 82 at 8:36 am, Dhaka ranked 37th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
Also read: Despite rain Dhaka's air quality 'unhealthy' this morning
Vietnam's Hanoi, Pakistan's Lahore and Kuwait City occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 200, 200 and 188, respectively.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone.
Also read: Air pollution causing severe health concerns: CPD
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Also read: Bangladeshis, Indians, Nepalis and Pakistanis expected to live 5 years less due to air pollution: AQLI
National Institute of Mass-communication services now available on MyGov
Digitization of four services of National Institute of Mass-communication as part of the rapid digitization activities under the government’s ‘MyGov’ platform has been inaugurated.
Organized by the National Institute of Mass-communication and the technical support services of Aspire to Innovate-a2i have been launched on this digital platform, according to a press release.
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md. Humayun Kabir Khandaker inaugurated the digitized services as the chief guest at a day-long workshop on ‘Unlocking National Institute of Mass-communication Services on MyGov Platform’ on Thursday.
Director General of National Institute of Mass-communication (Additional Secretary) Nurun Nahar Hena presided over the workshop and a2i's Joint Project Director (Joint Secretary) Mollah Mizanur Rahman was present as a special guest.
Read: Metro rail: DU, Bijoy Sarani stations open from Dec 13
The four services of the National Institute of Mass-communication launched on MyGov are- application for media training, certification of trainees of National Institute of Mass-communication, application for rent of premises of National Institute of Mass-communication and online registration.
Md. Humayun Kabir Khandaker stated that the government wants to provide hassle-free services to the citizens. This requires an integrated platform. For this purpose, the government has developed MyGov platform in collaboration with a2i.
Digitization of 17 departments/organizations under the Ministry is ongoing. 4 citizen services of National Institute of Mass-communication have been opened to citizens in the first phase. The services of other companies will be added gradually soon.
REad: Five prominent women named as Begum Rokeya 2023 awardees
He further said, we want to take our services under hundred percent digitization. We want to make our services cashless and paperless and more citizen friendly. Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would like to contribute to the realization of the dream of Smart Bangladesh.
Nurun Nahar Hena said that service users can take citizen-friendly services digitally without going to the office. In Smart Bangladesh, services will be available in less time, less cost and less travel. MyGov urged the government officials to ensure all applications of citizens or organizations in the fastest time and highest quality service.
MyGov is an integrated service delivery platform that provides easy integration of existing technology building blocks and e-service systems of Ministries and Divisions/Organizations on the platform.
The platform offers a total of 1900 digitized services, including 1200 citizen services.
It has been developed by the a2i program to provide government services at the fingertips of the citizens. Presently, MyGov has 40 lakh registered users and has processed 26 lakh out of 27 lakh service applications. The platform has had a positive impact on government services, allowing citizens to easily search and apply for services anytime, anywhere, through the web, mobile app, digital center, or national helpline-333.
Mohakhali petrol pump explosion: one succumbs to injuries at DMCH
A person who suffered burn injuries after a gas cylinder exploded at the Royal Filling Station in Dhaka’s Mohakhali on Wednesday died at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Thursday evening.
The deceased was identified as Engineer Khair Gazi, 44, son of Afaz Uddin Gazi of Chandpur Sadar upazila.
Md Tariqul Islam, resident doctor of Burn Institute, said Khair Gazi succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the burn unit of the DMCH around 5:30pm.
The victim sustained various injuries including15 percent burns of his body, added the doctor.
Earlier on Wednesday night, eight people suffered burns after a fire broke out following the explosion at the Royal Filling Station in Dhaka’s Mohakhali.
Tejgaon Industrial Area Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Anath Mitra along with locals took them to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
The others injured are Md Salauddin (38), Mohammad Mamun (30), Masum (25), Amir Hossain Sumon (32), Md Rana (30), Kamal Abedin (50), Jibon (21).
None of the injured are out of danger, said Dr Md Tariqul Islam, a resident physician at the burn institute.