United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday encouraged the young people engaged in scouting to help open doors for others and discover the world of opportunities, know people better with broader friendship and contribute to positive changes. "Scouting has opened a big door of opportunities for you. It is a big opportunity for you to open the door for others," he said while inaugurating Bangladesh Scouts Cub Carnival at the Chief Adviser’s Office. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Yunus said this is a great opportunity to discover the world, more importantly to discover things within the youngsters involved in scouting. “Otherwise, there is no other opportunity to get to know you. You must remember that you can create the world of the future with your scouting experience,” he said. The Chief Adviser presented the highest award of Cub Scouts, the ‘Shapla Cub Award’, and the 'Gallantry Award' of Bangladesh Scouts to the family members of eight scouts who were martyred in the July movement for their bravery. Scouter Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho, Rover Rohan Ahmed Khan, Rover Tanjir Khan Munna, Scouter Sharif Uddin Ahmed Ahnaf, Scouter Mahbub Alam, Scouter Golam Nafiz, Scouter Tahir Zaman Priyo and Scouter Ariful Islam Saad's family members received the award from the Chief Adviser. This carnival has started simultaneously in 527 places across the country. Prof Yunus urged the young people who were engaged in scouting not to get stuck pointing fingers at the closed doors stressing that they need to open the door. He said it is an opportunity for the young people to depict the path of future taking advantage of their involvement in scouting. Bangladesh Scouts Day to be observed Monday The Chief Adviser shared his personal experiences of getting involved in scouting at an early stage of his life. In the year 1955, Prof Yunus was part of the boy scout group who got the chance to travel to Europe and North America to the 10th World Jamboree of Boy Scouts held in Canada. “Today is a special day in the history of scouting. Not only in the case of scouting in Bangladesh, but in the case of scouting in the whole world, today is a day of special pride,” Prof Yunus said, adding that this history was created with the eight scouts who sacrificed their lives for the country, for the people of the country, and to create a new Bangladesh. He said there is no such precedent anywhere else in the history of scouting. “We congratulate the Scouts of Bangladesh on behalf of the whole world for creating history.” Congratulating the awardees, Prof Yunus said those who received the award and those who are present today - it is the responsibility of all of them to open the doors for others. “Don’t stay in regret that the doors are closed. You have to open the doors. Since you have come a long way, because you have come forward, you have become a Scout, while the rest of your school has not. So it is your responsibility to open the doors for others. If you do not open, this door will remain closed,” said the Chief Adviser. Funded by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Cub Carnival is being implemented simultaneously in all upazilas and special districts of Bangladesh under the management of the Bangladesh Scouts Program Department.

A high-stake political meeting between Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has officially begun in London, amid hopes for a breakthrough in the ongoing political crisis ahead of the general election. The meeting began at the Dorchester Hotel in London at 2:00 pm Bangladesh time on Friday, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. The meeting is scheduled to end at 4pm (BST). The two-hour meeting—expected to be one-on-one but open to expansion if the leaders choose—comes at a time of rising tension over the timing of the next national election. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, along with Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, received Tarique Rahman upon his arrival at the hotel around 1:50 pm. BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said, Tarique, accompanied by BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and International Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, left his London residence around 1:00 p.m. for the meeting venue. Several hundred leaders and activists from the BNP’s UK Chapter, who had gathered in front of The Dorchester earlier in the morning, warmly welcomed Tarique as he arrived. Meanwhile, Dr Khalilur Rahman and BNP leader Amir Khosru also held a separate meeting at The Dorchester Hotel, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. BNP media cell convener Dr. Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel said Amir Khosru will brief reporters on the outcome of the meeting between the Chief Adviser and the BNP Acting Chairman. The high-profile meeting has already sparked significant interest in the country’s political arena. All eyes are now on London, as many see this as a potential turning point in Bangladesh’s political landscape ahead of the upcoming election. BNP senior leaders and political analysts believe several key issues are likely to be raised. These include the election timeline, proposed reforms, the July Charter, justice for the victims of the July–August mass uprising, a safe and orderly transfer of power, ratification of decisions made by the interim government, a dignified exit strategy for the interim administration, and the possible return of Tarique Rahman to Bangladesh. Prof Yunus-Tarique meeting: What may dominate agenda? “This is going to be a very important meeting for Bangladesh ahead of the election,” said CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. “One of them is the chief of the interim government, and the other is the chief of the largest political party of Bangladesh.”                      The meeting follows Professor Yunus’ recent national address, in which he announced that the 13th general election would be held in the first half of April next year. The BNP, which has repeatedly demanded the election be held by December this year, reacted with disappointment, calling the decision unilateral and unrealistic. BNP leaders consider this meeting a significant step towards  resolving the deadlock over the election schedule, suggesting that adjusting the timeline will be a central issue in the talks. BNP insiders believe Tarique Rahman will argue that holding the election in April is not practical, citing weather conditions, Ramadan, and public examinations. A compromise date in January or February may be proposed, should the Chief Adviser show willingness. Another sensitive issue is the possible return of Tarique Rahman to Bangladesh, ending his 17 years of exile in London. Prof Yunus-Tarique meeting to usher in a fresh breeze for democracy: Rizvi