Bangladesh
‘Mujibnagar Day’ observed by Bangladesh High Commission in Brunei
The High Commission of Bangladesh in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam observed the historic Mujibnagar Day with due solemnity and respect.
In the morning the high commission organised a programme with the expatriate Bangladeshi communities in attendance,according to a message received here.
The programme started with hoisting of National flag and continued with recitation from the Holy Quran, and observing one minutes silence for the salvation of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his family members, the four National Leaders of Bangladesh: Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain M Mansur Ali, and AHM Kamaruzzaman, and the martyrs of our glorious liberation war. The Bangladesh High Commissioner Nahida Rahman Shumona read out messages from the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on the historic Mujibnagar Day.
The nation observes historic Mujibnagar Day
A documentary on Mujibnagar Day was screened, reflecting on the historical significance of the ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh in the tiny mango grove-covered village in Baidyanathtala, now under Meherpur district.
The Bangladesh high commissioner enlightened the audience with factual analysis of the history of ‘Mujibnagar Day’ in particular, in relation to how important the formation and oath-taking of the provisional government was during that epochal moment in the history of the nation's independence movement and liberation war.
She paid tribute and homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and the martyrs of our glorious liberation war.
The high commissioner requested the Bangladesh community members to work hard with utmost sincerity and honesty so as to help materialize the vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to build ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041.
Hasan Mahmud attends "9th Our Ocean Conference" in Greece
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has attended the "9th Our Ocean Conference Greece 2024" held in Athens on April 16-17.
He led a delegation at the Conference which is a regular platform for governments, international organisations, academia, private sectors and NGOs to come together with the aim of sharing a common vision for the protection of oceans and taking actions to support this vision.
The conference was inaugurated by the Greek President through a video message, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the first day, apart from various plenary sessions on greening of the shipping sector, confronting plastic pollution, effective management of marine protected areas, ocean-climate nexus, the foreign minister participated in a high-level segment with the participation of Heads of State/Government, preceded by an event where the Geek Prime Minister delivered the keynote speech.
The foreign minister also took part in a working lunch hosted by the Greek foreign minister in honor of the participating toreign ministers.
9 BNP men land in Naogaon jail
In the morning of 16th April, on the sidelines of the conference, the foreign minister had a bilateral meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis.
The ocean plays a key role in human existence; it is essential for people's survival, well-being and prosperity.
It provides food, regulates our climate, and generates most of the oxygen we breathe.
It also serves much of the world’s economy, supporting sectors from tourism to fisheries and to international shipping while it is connected to our culture and is a major source of inspiration.
Number of Benazir-like wealthy people increased: Rizvi
However, the health of seas and the ocean, and of marine ecosystems in particular, is threatened by unsustainable practices such as discharges of wastewater and marine litter, unregulated and unreported fishing, unsustainable shipping and tourism activities, said the speakers.
To mitigate the negative impacts from human interventions and improve the current state of our oceans, it is essential to join efforts on a global scale, they said.
Collaboration among nations, NGOs, private entities, academia, professional groups, civil society organisations and more, is of paramount importance for implementing effective solutions, fostering sustainable practices, and safeguarding the delicate equilibrium of oceans.
Read more: SeaKeepers Society: Making waves in ocean conservation
Lightning kills 2 in Sunamganj
Two farmers died after being struck by lightning in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj district on Tuesday.The deceased were identified as Malek Nur, son of Ukil Ali of Madhurapur village and Abdun Nur of Rasulpur village in the upazila.Malek fell down on the land when a thunderbolt struck on him while working in haor area in the evening, said Emdad Chowdhury Mintu, a UP member of Bhatipara Union.
Lightning kills 2 brothers in NaogaonLater, he was taken to Sadar Hospital where the doctors declared him dead.Abdun Nur died on the spot when a streak of lightning hit him while returning to his home amid a storm in the evening, said Ekrar Hossain, chairman of Kulanja Union.2 dead in lightning during football match in Kushtia
Family counting days for safe return of MV Abdullah's chief engineer
The family members of the Chief Engineer of ‘MV Abdullah’ Saiduzzaman Syed have been eagerly waiting for his return home after the pirates released all 23 crew members including Syed after weeks of captivity.
The news of his release has brought relief to the family. Now his parents, wife and family members are waiting to see him.
Hijacked cargo vessel MV Abdullah anchors in Somalia’s Hobyo portProf. Abdul Quaiyum, father of Syed of Naogaon said “We have been passing horrifying days since the news of captivity by Somali pirates circulated. In the meantime, the holy Eid-ul-Fitr came, but we were not happy. Now a sigh of comfort has been prevailing among us after hearing the release of all 23 crew members. We are enjoying the joy of Eid anew.”Tamanna Tahrin, wife of the chief engineer of the hijacked cargo, said “We heard the news of his release over the phone around 3:30 am on Sunday then I talked to my husband. During the tele conversation, he said they were released and the 65 pirates left ‘MV Abdullah’. Now they are heading towards the United Arab Emirates and they will likely to reach there by April 22-23.”She also expressed her gratitude to the Almighty Allah. Now she is waiting for the safe and healthy return of her husband.
Previous experience used to rescue MV Abdullah, crew: KSRMThe Bangladeshi-flagged ship and its 23 crew members were released after 31 days of being taken hostage in the Indian Ocean reportedly for a large ransom.A Somali news outlet reported that MV Abdullah was released for $5 million (Tk 55 crore).Earlier, on March 12 at 1:30 pm Bangladesh time, Somali pirates boarded and took control of the MV Abdullah while it was en route from the port of Maputo, Mozambique, to the United Arab Emirates.The ship was carrying 55,000 tons of coal. All 23 crew members on board are Bangladeshis. The ship is owned by SR Shipping Limited, an affiliate of Chattogram-based Kabir Group. The pirates then took the ship to the coast of Somalia.Nine days after the ship was hijacked, the pirates contacted the ship's owner's group to demand ransom. There were then negotiations at various levels. The ship's owner had hinted that the sailors would be released this month.SR Shipping is one of the largest shipping companies in the country. They operate ocean-going merchant ships. The bulk carrier MV Abdullah, with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 45,653 tons, has an overall length (LOA) of 185.74 metres and a width of 30.4 metres.
47 members of Myanmar border guards take shelter in Bangladesh again
Amid a conflict between the Myanmar military and the armed rebel group in Myanmar’s Rakhine, 47 members of Border Guard Police (BGP) took shelter again in Bangladesh on Wednesday , the authorities said.
So far, a total of 261 BGP members have taken refuge in Bangladesh, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Earlier in February, 330 members of Myanmar security forces including BGP, army personnel and immigration officials had taken shelter in Bangladesh.
High-level BGB-BGP meeting begins
On February 15, they were handed over to Border Guard Police of Myanmar amid tight security.
BGB, BGP to work together to step up border security
2 held with 40 gold bars worth over Tk 4 cr in Jhenaidah
Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested two individuals along with 40 gold bars, weighing 4.63 kg from Choygharia in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah district.
The arrestees were identified as Jashim Uddin, 53, son of Makbul Hossain and Humayun Kabir, 40, son of Akter Ali of the upazila.
Tipped off, a team of BGB-58 conducted a drive in the area and intercepted a motorbike carrying two people passing through the Palianpur bordering area around 4:30 pm on Tuesday, said a press release of BGB.
2 arrested with foreign cigarettes, gold bars at Ctg airport
Later, the BGB members arrested the duo while trying to flee the scene and seized the gold bars worth Tk 4.48 crore.
A case was filed with Maheshpur Police Station and the seized gold bars will be deposited to the Jhenaidah Treasury Office.
2 held with 20 gold bars in Joypurhat
The nation observes historic Mujibnagar Day
The historic Mujibnagar Day is being observed on Wednesday marking the formation of Bangladesh's first government that led the War of Liberation in 1971.
The day began with hoisting the national flag and placing wreaths at Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial in Meherpur.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day.
Historic Mujibnagar Day tomorrow
She paid homage by placing a wreath at Bangabandhu's portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence.
Flanked by central leaders of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the party, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of Awami League.
JS passes Mujibnagar University, Meherpur Bill,2023
The government declared the day as a public holiday at Mujibnagar upazila in Meherpur district.
On the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages.
Different socio-cultural and political organisations are marking the day with elaborate programmes.
National dailies brought out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, and private radio and television channels aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
Similar programmes at district, upazila level, and Bangladesh embassies in different countries have been arranged to highlight the significance of the day.
Senior leaders of Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala, a mango orchard, which was later named as Mujibnagar, in Meherpur district on April 17, 1971 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh in the absence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who was arrested and flown to Pakistan after Pakistan military had cracked down on the Bangalees on the night of March 25, 1971.
Bangabandhu was declared the first President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, while Vice-president Syed Nazrul Islam became the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.
Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first Prime Minister, while Khandoker Moshtaque Ahmed, M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman were named cabinet members.
PM Hasina pays homage to Bangabandhu on Mujibnagar Day
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day.
She placed a wreath at Bangabandhu's portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence.
Mujibnagar Day to be observed tomorrow
Flanked by central leaders of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the party, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of Awami League.
On this day in 1971, Bangladesh's first government in exile was formed at the Baidyanathtala mango orchard in Meherpur, under the then Kushtia district.
The place was later renamed Mujibnagar as a tribute to Bangabandhu who was declared the president of the government-in-exile.
Mujibnagar Day observed in Washington
Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.
Bangabandhu was arrested and taken to West Pakistan after the then Pakistani military regime launched a brutal crackdown in the night of March 25 in 1971.
Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first prime minister, while Captain M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman were made cabinet members.
The successful leadership of the core cabinet steered the Liberation War to victory on December 16 that year.
END/UNB/FF/F
No improvement in Dhaka’s air quality, still ‘unhealthy’
Dhaka's air quality has been identified as ‘unhealthy’ this morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 159 at 08:56am, Dhaka ranked 4th on the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality.
Pakistan’s Lahore, Nepal’s Kathmandu and India’s Delhi occupied the first three spots, with AQI scores of 172, 167 and 163, respectively.
No improvement in Dhaka’s air quality, still ‘unhealthy’
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 151 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', and 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.
Dhaka’s air quality 5th worst in the world this morning
Dhaka has long grappled with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in the winter and improves during the monsoon.
Natore District Chhatra League's general secretary dies
Shariful Islam Shahin, general secretary of Natore District unit of Awami League’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League, passed away at the age of 30 as his heart stopped functioning on Tuesday.
Shariful Islam Ramjan, general secretary of the district unit of Awami League, confirmed the matter saying that on Tuesday evening when Shahin felt unwell at his home in Krinjapur village of Sadar Upazila, his relatives rushed him to Natore Sadar Hospital.
As his condition deteriorated there, he was transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital at night, where he succumbed to death, he said.
At night, leaders and activists of district Awami League, Chhatra League, and allied organisations rushed to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital hearing the death news.