Dhaka
Dhaka still in holiday mood
Dhaka city is still to get its usual look though the city dwellers have started returning to the capital after holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr and Pahela Baishakh.
The bustling capital looked empty with most of the roadside shops, shopping malls closed and few public and private vehicles plying the streets in the morning.
The government, semi-government, and private offices including banks and financial institutions opened today but there was a low presence of employees.
Officials and staff were seen exchanging Eid greetings with colleagues by embracing each other.
A small number of buses and private vehicles were seen plying the streets in Malibagh, Shantinagar, Gulshan, Firmgate , Dhamondi, Mirpur and Shahbagh areas in the morning.
Read more: Delicious Bhorta Recipes for This Pahela Baishakh
Md Yousuf, an employee of a private bank, said, “Still a festive environment is prevailing in the city. There is no traffic jam or chaos on streets. It took me only 6 minutes to reach Gulshan from Rajarbagh area by car that usually takes 30 to 40 minutes on the other regular days due to traffic congestion. It’s a temporary relief for Dhaka dwellers.”
On the occasion of Eid, April 10, 11, and 12 (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) were public holidays. After Eid, there was a weekly holiday on Saturday, April 13, and a Bengali New Year holiday on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh on Sunday, April 14.
However, many of the government and private sector workers who went outside Dhaka to celebrate Eid took optional leave.
As a result, it will take a few more days to start the proceedings in full swing in the offices, courts, banks, and stock market.
Besides, schools and colleges will also open next week. Then the capital will return to normal.
Read more: No respite from heat wave in five days: BMD
No respite from heat wave in five days: BMD
Six divisions including Dhaka have been experiencing mild to moderate heat wave and it may continue for next five days commencing Monday (April 15, 2024), according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
Country’s highest temperature was recorded in Rangamati at 40 degree Celsius on Sunday.
“Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Sylhet divisions and Rangpur & Nilphamari districts and it may continue,” said a Met office bulletin.
Dhaka’s air 2nd worst in the world this morning
Day temperature may remain nearly unchanged and night temperature may rise slightly over the country in 24 hours commencing 9am on Monday.
Trough of westerly low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area. Seasonal low lies over South Bay.
The Met office also forecast rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind at one or two places in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places in 24 hours from 9am on Tuesday.
Dhaka’s air quality 5th worst in the world this morning
Besides, Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions may experience rains or thunder showers in 24 hours from 9am on Wednesday, it said.
Where to Learn the French Language in Dhaka
French is becoming increasingly popular among professionals and students in Bangladesh. Being one of the leading international languages of the world, skills in the French language can open career and academic opportunities for Bangladeshis. Besides, several European countries and Canada value French language skills for immigration. Let’s delve into several learning centers in Dhaka that offer French language courses.
Some Popular Places to Learn French in Dhaka City
Alliance Française de Dhaka
Alliance Française de Dhaka or AFD is the premier organization in Bangladesh for learning French. The non-profit organization has been working in Bangladesh since 1959 and is playing a key role in promoting French art and culture in the country.
AFD offers French learning options for children, teens, and adults. They have both extensive and intensive courses for each level. In addition to A1, A2, B1, and B2, AFD also has a “Beginner” course to start things off from absolute basics. All of the classes are conducted offline.
The course duration is about 40 hours for the extensive program and 76 hours for the intensive one. The cost varies depending on the age group and course type. The fees range from 3,500 BDT (non-beginner children) to 16,600 BDT (extensive adults). The intensive program for adults can cost up to 19,800 BDT with books.
Read more: Essential Skills to Learn Before Going to Study Abroad
Institute of Modern Languages (IML), Dhaka University
The Institute of Modern Languages of Dhaka University is one of the oldest language research projects and learning institutes in Bangladesh. Founded in 1974, IML works as an instituted faculty under Dhaka University and offers bachelor's, master's, Ph.D., and M.Phil. in selected linguistics and culture.
Currently, IML offers non-degree certificate courses in 13 different languages including French. The French language course curriculum comprises 1 year in the junior certificate course and senior certificate course. The minimum requirement to be admitted to the junior certificate course is to have at least a 2.5 GPA in HSC.
There’s also a 3-month long short course (60 Hours) on French language. All of the classes are conducted offline. The application fee is 500 BDT and the course fee is 9,500 BDT.
BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL), BRAC University
BRAC Institute of Languages or BIL is the third UGC-approved language research institute of Bangladesh. BIL started its journey in modular form offering English language courses to the students of BRAC University back in 2005.
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Over the years, the modular structure evolved into a structured language research institute which was then renamed as BIL in 2012.
As part of its Modern Languages curriculum, BIL offers courses in 7 different languages including French. Currently, BIL offers on-campus offline beginner-level courses in French. The course fee for the program is 6150 BDT.
Shield Language Academy Dhaka
Shield Language Academy Dhaka is another leading institute for learning French in Dhaka. With over several years of experience, Shield is a trusted language learning center specializing in different languages.
Shield Academy offers A1 to B2 level programs for the French language. The duration for each of the courses is 4 months with 2 classes per week. The cost of each course is 16,500 BDT. Additionally, the admission fee will be 1000 BDT and the textbook and workbook fee will also be 1000 BDT.
Read more: 10 Ways You Can Improve Your English Pronunciation
AIUB Institute of Continuing Education
AIUB Institute of Continuing Education started its journey back in 2007 as a means to provide technical skill development programs to the graduates of the university. The aim was to make them industry-ready and initiate essential skills to thrust them ahead in the job market.
Over the years, AIUB ICE has expanded into a diverse foray of skill development including foreign language courses. Currently, it provides A1, A2, B1, and B2 level French courses to its students as well as outsiders.
The duration of the French course of ICE is about 4 months. Classes are held on Fridays and the medium of instruction is online. The cost of each level is 9000 BDT.
Daffodil Institute of Languages, Daffodil University
Daffodil Institute of Languages was formed as part of Daffodil University’s outreach upskilling program. DIL aims to provide certified knowledge of foreign languages to individuals to help in their career prospects. Currently, DIL offers certificate courses in English, pre-university English, Japanese, Chinese, French, and Quranic Arabic.
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Currently, DIL is offering an A1-level French course. The duration of the course is 2 months with three classes per week. The cost of the course is 30,000 BDT including the registration fee for the A1 DELF exam.
Eid holiday: Nine million to depart Dhaka by road, says NCPSRR
The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) forecasts that around 15 million individuals are poised to exit the greater Dhaka area, including Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Gazipur, and Narayanganj city corporation areas, for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.
An estimated 60% of these holidaymakers, roughly nine million people, will opt for road travel, while the rest will utilise waterways and railways.
The projection, released in a press statement by NCPSRR on Monday, sheds light on the massive seasonal migration and its implications on transportation and safety.
Despite admitting potential inaccuracies due to the lack of a comprehensive database, NCPSRR's general secretary, Ashis Kumar Dey, stated that the report was compiled from a variety of sources, including research data, civic groups, and transport sector organizations.
Read more: Dhaka Metro Rail operations to continue past 9 pm from today
The committee has voiced concerns over the possibility of increased public suffering and accidents on the roads, similar to previous years. Nevertheless, it acknowledged the government's significant efforts to facilitate smoother Eid travel for millions.
Drawing from the latest census, the report details the population distribution within the Dhaka division, noting that about 75% of the country's garment factories are in Gazipur. Workers, who predominantly reside in the Gazipur region, contribute to the large-scale exodus during Eid.
Additionally, significant populations in Narayanganj and adjacent districts add to the surge of travelers seeking to return to their native places for the Eid holiday.
Read more: Seasoned journalists, experts stress vital role of media in creating awareness to make roads safe again
The report highlights several challenges faced by travelers, including the inadequate capacity of the road transport sector to manage the massive flow of people within a week leading up to Eid.
Issues such as the poor condition of long-distance roads, over 500 risky turning points nationwide, and the manual collection of tolls exacerbating traffic congestion are identified as major obstacles to smooth travel.
Despite these hurdles, the NCPSRR remains optimistic that the implementation of government measures could alleviate some of the public's difficulties on the roads during this peak travel period. The focus now shifts to ensuring that these initiatives are carried out effectively to enhance the Eid travel experience for millions.
Read more: Wheels of hazard: Motorcycle safety crisis unfolding on Bangladesh’s roads
After a day of being ‘moderate’, Dhaka’s air quality back to being ‘unhealthy’
Dhaka's air quality is in the ‘unhealthy’ zone this morning (April 01, 2024). With an air quality index (AQI) score of 142 at 9:00 am, Dhaka ranked 11th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
Thailand’s Chiang Mai, Vietnam's Hanoi, Indonesia's Jakarta occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 177, 164 and 161, respectively.
An AQI between 101 and 150 is considered 'unhealthy', AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
After rain, Dhaka’s air quality ‘moderate’ this morning
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.
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.
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After rain, Dhaka’s air quality ‘moderate’ this morning
After rain, Dhaka’s air quality has improved. The capital city ranked 33rd on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 86 at 9:10 am this morning (March 31, 2024).
Dhaka’s air was classified as 'moderate' today, according to the air quality index.
India’s Delhi, Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Pakistan’s Karachi occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 201, 179 and 171 respectively.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, 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.
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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.
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. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per 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.
Read more: What is ‘Zero Waste’ and why is it important?
No headway in taking Dhaka’s internet, satellite TV overhead cables underground
Despite repeated efforts by the Power Division, no progress has been made in bringing the distressing overhead internet and satellite TV cables underground although power utilities are implementing their project in this regard.
It has even not possible to make the operators of internet and satellite TV cables agreed to join the ongoing underground cabling projects of the power utility bodies.
According to official sources, Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) has been implementing its first project in the Dhanmondi area to take its all overhead transmission lines underground.
“But despite repeated calls by the DPDC, no internet or TV cable operator agreed to join the project. They were even offered free of cost to join the scheme. But no response was received,” a top official of the Power Division told UNB.
In such a frustrating situation, recently the Power Division reconstituted its previous committee and also convened a meeting to find a solution to it. But finally the meeting was not held for unknown reasons.
Dhaka’s air quality 3rd worst in the world this morning
Member secretary of the reconstituted committee and director of the Power Cell Md. Salim Ullah Khan informed that the power Division’s efforts will continue.
“But the other departments and agencies are not interested in cooperating with the Power Division’s efforts in this regard,” he told UNB.
Sources at the Power Division blamed the Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) and internet service providers (ISPs) for the horrible situation of the overhead cables.
After a number of meetings, the previous committee of the Power Division found it difficult to address the problem without their cooperation.
According to its report submitted to Power Division, Summit Communications Limited (SCL) and Fiber@Home (FAH) have been working as NTTN in the city and they laid underground cables for operating their main internet network in the city while some 1734 legal and some 5,000 illegal internet service providing (ISP) companies have been operating as local ones to provide internet connections to homes and offices through overhead cables.
As per the system, the ISPs are supposed to take connections from SCL and FAH to take internet service to homes and offices from the main network. Recently, Bahon Limited, another NTTN company, also joined the network.
But NTTN companies alleged that the ISPs are not taking connections from Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) or Access Point (AP) installed by NTTN as it will cost them financially, says the report.
Rains likely in parts of Dhaka, 7 other divisions
On the other hand, the report reveals, the IPS companies alleged that they do not prefer taking connections from LDP or AP as they do not get required and instant solutions from the NTTN companies if any problem takes place in any internet service connection.
Besides, the NTTN are charging excessively in providing connections to the ISP companies from their LDP and AP, the report mentions quoting the ISP companies.
Under the circumstances, the ISP companies are hanging overhead cables indiscriminately and giving connections to homes and offices without following any rule or regulation, the report says, adding that only the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) can step in and resolve the conflict.
Finally, the committee adopted an 11-point recommendation to have a solution and take all overhead cables underground through coordination with electricity distribution companies —DPDC and Desco.
The committee found that the haphazardly hanged internet, security and satellite TV cables are not only posing a great threat to the power distribution system, but also creating a major obstacle to the government’s move for the beautification of the capital.
Rashed Amin Biduyt, an official of the Bahon Limited, said they are not joining the DPDC underground cabling project due to technical reasons as it will not fulfill its requirements to facilitate connections to ISPN.
"But we're laying our own cables underground with the permission of the South City Corporation," he said.
Read more: Installation of underground cables completed in Hatirjheel area
Dhaka Metro Rail operations to continue past 9 pm from today
In a significant move to enhance late-night transportation options, the Dhaka Metro Rail has announced an extension of its operating hours. Starting today (March 27, 2024), the service will run an additional hour past its previous closing time, now concluding at 9:40 pm.
This decision, as explained by MAN Siddique, the Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), is a direct response to the increasing public demand for extended metro service hours. The announcement was made on March 25, marking a pivotal change in the metro's schedule to accommodate the needs of late-evening commuters.
Dhaka Metro Rail service hours being extended from March 27
Under the new timetable, the final train from the Motijheel station is scheduled to leave at 9:40 pm, while the last departure from the Uttara terminal will be at 9:20 pm. This adjustment will see the introduction of trains departing every 12 minutes during the newly added service hour, integrating an additional 10 trains into the daily rotation.
With this extension, the total number of daily metro trips will rise from 184 to 194, reflecting the DMTCL's commitment to improving public transportation accessibility and convenience.
Metro rail operating hours to be extended by one hour from 16th Ramadan
Prior to this change, Dhaka Metro Rail's operation hours spanned from 7 am to 8:40 pm. The service frequency included trains running every 8 minutes during peak hours—from 7 am to 11:30 am and 2 pm to 8 pm—and every 12 minutes during off-peak periods, between 11 am and 2:30 pm. This schedule adjustment is anticipated to significantly benefit the city's metro users by providing more flexible travel options during the evening.
Dhaka Metro Rail service hours being extended from March 27
In a move to cater to the increasing demand for late-night transportation, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced the extension of metro rail service hours beyond 9 pm, starting from Wednesday, March 27.
During a press briefing scheduled for tomorrow, the Managing Director of DMTCL, M. A. N Siddique, will provide detailed information regarding this significant service extension.
According to sources from DMTCL, the last train from Motijheel will now depart at 9:40 pm, and from Uttara end at 9:20 pm. This extension will introduce trains running every 12 minutes during the additional service hours, adding 10 more trains to the current schedule.
Read more: Metro rail operating hours to be extended by one hour from 16th Ramadan
Consequently, the total number of daily trips will increase from 184 to 194.
Currently, the Dhaka metro rail operates from 7 am to 8:40 pm, with trains running every 8 minutes during peak hours (7 am to 11:30 am and 2 pm to 8 pm) and every 12 minutes during off-peak hours (11 am to 2:30 pm).
This expansion of metro rail service is aimed at enhancing the commuting experience for Dhaka's residents, providing a more flexible and accessible transportation option during the evening hours.
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Banani slum fire under control
The fire which broke out at Godown slum in Dhaka’s Banani area has been brought under control.
The fire started at the slum around 4:05 pm on Sunday and engulfed it, said Talha bin Jasim, station officer of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD).
TK Group’s super board manufacturing factory catches fire in Munshiganj
On information, six firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control around 5:33 pm.
A team of Bangladesh Army also joined with the fire service teams, said a press release of ISPR.
Fire in Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar; chemical warehouse burnt down
However, the origin of the fire and extent of damages could not be ascertained yet.