Others
Last tributes paid to Shib Narayan Das at Shaheed Minar
People from all walks of life bid farewell to Shib Narayan Das, one of the designers of the first flag of Bangladesh and a freedom fighter, by placing wreaths on the coffin of deceased at the central Shaheed Minar.
When the body of Shib Narayan Das was taken to the central Shaheed Minar at 10:30 am on Saturday a guard of honor was given district administration.
Representatives from various cultural organisations, institutions paid tributes to him by laying wreathes till 12 pm.
State Minister Naheed shocked at Shib Narayan's deathShib Narayan Das died at 9:25 am on Friday in the ICU of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital at the age of 78.
According to the family, Shib Narayan Das's eyes have been donated to 'Sandhani' and his body will be donated to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.From Shaheed Minar Shib Narayan Das' body was taken to his village in Cumilla. His body will be handed over to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the afternoon after people from all walks of life pay tribute there.
National flag’s first designer Shib Narayan passes away
Arnab Aditya Das, son of Shib Narayan Das, said, "My father was a man who never compromised with injustice, corruption and lies. He never compromised with the spirit of the Liberation War and non-communal politics."
Heat wave: Assembly at all govt primary schools suspended
In the wake of the current heat wave condition, the daily assembly at government primary schools across the country will remain suspended until further notice.
The Primary and Mass Education Ministry issued a notice, signed by its senior information officer Mahbubur Rahman Tuhin, in this regard on Saturday.
The ministry is observing the prevailing heat wave situation, it said.
10,000 primary teachers to be recruited by June: state minister
A mild to severe heat wave is sweeping different parts of the country for the last several days.
The highest temperature in the capital was recorded at 38.4 degrees Celsius on Friday while Chuadanga experienced the season’s highest temperature at 41.3 degrees Celsius.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Friday issued an alert saying that the prevailing heat wave over the country may continue and increase further in the next 72 hours commencing 9 am on Friday.
Primary, secondary schools to remain closed during Ramadan: HC
“Due to moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase,” said the Met office special bulletin.
No respite from heat wave for five days: BMD
Severe heat wave is sweeping Khulna division and Rajshahi, Pabna and Tangail districts, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
The heat wave condition will remain unchanged for the five days commencing 9 am on Saturday, it predicted.
Heatwave sweeps over 8 divisions as temperatures soar
Country’s highest temperature was recoded in Chuadanga at 41 degree Celsius on Friday. The district also experienced the season’s highest temperature in the previous three days.
A mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping Barishal division, rest part of Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions and Chandpur and Moulvibazar districts and it may continue, it said.
Heatwave to continue in Dhaka, 3 other divisions for 72 hours: BMD
Besides, rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Mymensingh, Sylhet and Chattogram divisions with hails at isolated places.
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Heatwave in Dhaka, other districts; rain likely in parts of country
Day and night temperatures may rise slightly over the country. Due to the increase of moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase.
A trough of westerly low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area.
Rotary will partner with PMO to achieve SDGs in Bangladesh
Rotary in Bangladesh has declared that hundreds of its clubs and thousands of Rotarians across the country will work with the government to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by Bangladesh as part of its focus on serving humanity.
In a daylong Incoming Leaders Training Seminar (ILTS) held at BIAM Auditorium in Dhaka, the Rotary leaders declared on Friday evening that they were working to build partnership with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to promote the SDGs. Rotary as an international humanitarian organisation works in seven areas including water, sanitation, providing clean water, saving mothers and children and protecting the environment.
Rotary Club of Uttara awards Dr Debapriya , 7 others
The Rotary leaders said that many of the UN-declared targets under the SDGs with a 2030 deadline are aligned with Rotary’s seven areas of focus, and thus Rotary’s partnership with the government would be a win-win proposition.
Akhter Hossain, Senior Secretary and Principal Coordinator of the SDGs, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), said Bangladesh is progressing in achieving many of the SDG targets under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said that the government is keen to partner with a reputed humanitarian group like Rotary, which has an international standing to serve humanity through service projects in Bangladesh and else where to achieve the target of the SDGs.
Monirul Islam, Additional Secretary on the SDGs, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Bangladesh, made a detailed presentation on the SDGs and its advancement in Bangladesh.
The session was moderated by Rotary International President’s Special Advisor and Past District Governor Ashish Ghosh while Past District Governor in Bangladesh and Chief Training Coordinator Ishtiaque A Zaman also spoke.
President urges Rotary to work for public welfare
Data Magfur, a prominent Rotary trainer, led the daylong training programme with trainers lecturing on budgeting, club administration, public image and building leadership.
The Rotary leaders said they expect Rotary would soon sign an agreement with the Prime Minister’s Office to work together in the field of the SDGs.
In Friday’s event, some 1200 Rotarians and young Rotaractors from across the country discussed their preparation for the next year 2024-2025. Rotary year starts on July 1 and ends on June 30 next year.
Rotary, headquartered in Illinois in the Unites States, is a global network of 1.4 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe.
Bangladesh has a network of more than 300 Rotary clubs.
Dhaka's air unhealthy for sensitive groups this morning
Dhaka's air quality was categorised as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” this morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 121 at 8:53 am, Dhaka ranked 10th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
Thailand’s Chiang Mai, India's Delhi, Nepal’s Kathmandu and Indonesia’s Jakarta occupied the first four spots on the list, with AQI scores of 173, 167, 164 and 162, 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.
No improvement in Dhaka’s air quality, still ‘unhealthy’ for sensitive groups
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
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.
Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’ this morning
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
PM taking nation forward by removing all obstacles: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister and Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Hashan Mahmud on Friday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is taking the country forward by overcoming all the obstacles and challenges.
He said Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina did not get upset after repeatedly returning from the valley of death, instead she took forward the caravan of people's struggle with a more solid position, and put the country on the seat of dignity and honor in the heart of the world.
Hasan Mahmud attends "9th Our Ocean Conference" in Greece
Hasan made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a book launching ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He unveiled of the book 'Bhubanjora Sheikh Hasinar Asankhani" written by journalist and Director General of Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) Zafar Wazed, who was awarded the Ekushey Padak.
Bangladesh participates in Fashion World Tokyo
Bangladesh participated in Fashion World Tokyo (FaW) held from April 17- 19 in Japan's Tokyo Big Sight.
It the largest trade show for the fashion industry in Japan with around 800 exhibitors from all over the world participating this year’s event showcasing all kinds of fashion wear, apparel, bag, shoes, textile, leather goods, fashion accessories and fashion sourcing.
Under the market development initiative of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Ministry of Commerce, 12 exporters from the apparel and leather goods industry participated in this fair.
In addition, 6 companies participated through their own arrangement.
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed inaugurated Bangladesh pavilion on 17th April and visited Bangladeshi booths as well as NRB exhibitors.
In the evening on the same day, the Embassy of Bangladesh organized a Seminar on ‘Made in Bangladesh Textile, Leather, and Jute Goods’ at Tokyo Big Sight.
Ambassador Shahabuddin Ahmed delivered a welcome speech at the event. The Ambassador is his speech urged the Japanese companies to source more ‘Made in Bangladesh’ quality products from Bangladesh.
US-Bangla launches flight to Abu Dhabi
Private carrier US-Bangla Airlines launched its first-ever flight to Abu Dhabi on Friday marking the third UAE destination served by one of the country's leading airlines.
This initiative will fulfil the growing demand of Bangladeshi expatriates living and working in Abu Dhabi.
The private carrier will operate flights from Dhaka to Abu Dhabi every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and from Chattogram every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 5.50 pm. It will land at 9:10 pm local time in Abu Dhabi, according to a press release.
Return flights will depart Abu Dhabi at 10:00 pm local time, landing in Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 4:50 am every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday and Chattogram every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The inaugural flight, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 174 passengers, departed Chattogram at 5:50 pm and is scheduled to arrive in Abu Dhabi at 9: 10pm local time. And will fly to Dhaka at 10:10 PM local time from Abu Dhabi and land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 4:50 am BdST, reads the release.
The decision to operate US-Bangla flights to Abu Dhabi will further strengthen the ties between the two countries. Senior US-Bangla officials personally bid farewell to passengers on the inaugural flights from Dhaka and Chattogram.
Apart from international routes, US-Bangla Airlines is operating domestic flights, especially from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Sylhet, Saidpur, Jashore and Rajshahi.
With the addition of four new flights on the Dhaka-Chennai route, US-Bangla has increased its weekly flight frequency to a total of 11 starting on Friday (April 19), it added.
State Minister Naheed shocked at Shib Narayan's death
Naheed Ezaher Khan, state minister of Cultural Affairs, has expressed profound shock at the death of the country's war-time national flag designer and valiant freedom fighter Shib Narayan Das.
In a condolence message, she prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
In her condolence message, the state minister said that Shib Narayan will stay forever in the hearts of people and will be remembered for his works. "In his death, the nation lost an ideal patriot."
Shib Narayan Das, who had designed the first flag of Bangladesh just before the independence, breathed his last on Friday morning at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the capital.
He was born in Cumilla to a martyr's family. His father Satish Chandra Das was captured and killed by the Pakistani army during the liberation war in 1971. He is survived by his wife Gitashree Chowdhury and their son Arnab Das.
No More WB-IMF Loans to avoid debt catastrophe
As the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings got under way in Washington civil society groups worldwide on Friday launched protests saying money borrowed from the lenders must not lead to debt catastrophe.
As part of that, civil societies in Bangladesh also organised a protest rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday.
Lag in pvt investment and its minimal contribution to GDP critical concern for South Asia’s job market: World Bank Economist
In addition, the global civil society will create a Twitter storm by posting their protest messages on Twitter Friday at 8 pm Bangladesh time. Their primary demand is that the illegitimate debt imposed on the people should be canceled immediately because the World Bank and IMF have reparations to pay.
The protest rally in Dhaka, jointly organised by the Asian People's Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), Bangladesh Farmers Federation, Coast Foundation, Waterkeepers Bangladesh, and CPRD, was chaired by General Secretary of Bangladesh Farmers Federation Zayed Iqbal Khan and moderated by Coast Foundation Director Mustafa Kamal Akand.
Coast Foundation Deputy Executive Director Sanat Kumar Bhowmik said in his speech that Bangladesh is offered a loan for the development of local communities affected by the Rohingya refugees and to deal with climate change mitigation.
"We are not responsible in any part for such problems. So why should we take a loan for this? Those who are responsible for this should compensate us instead,"he added.
Nearly 1 mln Bangladeshis at risk of poverty: World Bank
Ferdous Ara Rumi, general secretary of the World Rural Women's Day Observation Committee, said that developed countries like Germany pay an average of 1.5% interest on loans, and America gives 3.1%. In comparison, African countries pay an average interest of 11.6%, and Asian countries pay 6.5%. The poorer the country, the higher its interest rate. Because they are taking these higher-interest loans from private institutions as public institutions no longer lend to them, she said.
Zayed Iqbal Khan of the Bangladesh Farmers' Federation said that developing countries repay their debts mainly from export earnings. In the last decade, they have lost that ability. In 2010, developing countries' debt accounted for 71% of their exports, rising to 112% in 2022. They have already incurred and continue to incur more debt than their income, he added Mostafa Kamal Akand of the Coast Foundation said that developing countries are exhausting their resources to pay the interest on their debts. The 139 World Bank-borrower countries spend 35% of their revenue budgets on debt repayment.
Bank mergers could be counterproductive without international best practices: World Bank
Low-income countries (LIC) and lower-middle-income countries (LMIC) pay 57.5% and 44.5%, respectively, he said.
Kamal Akand also said "we refuse this public debt imposed on the poor because the World Bank and the IMF are responsible for their poverty."
Among others, CPRD's Sheikh Noor Ataiah Rabbi, and Bangladesh Bhumihin Samity’s General Secretary Engineer Foyej Ahmed Khan also spoke at the protest rally.