President Abdul Hamid
Shortage of vaccines a 'temporary' problem, follow health guidelines: President
President Abdul Hamid on Friday urged everyone to follow the hygiene rules as it is not possible to impose lockdown for the indefinite period to deal with the Corona situation .
He called on the countrymen in a congratulatory message on the occasion of Eid at Bangabhaban.
"Almost thirty lakhs of people around the world have lost their jobs and are living inhumane lives. It is not possible to impose lockdown for an indefinite period to deal with the Corona situation indefinitely. So if we want to make a living, we have to deal with the situation, we have to work to control the corona without panicking," he said.
Also Read: President offers Eid prayers at Bangabhaban
He also said "It is necessary for every citizen of the country to follow the complete hygiene rules, that is, to wear a mask, wash their hands regularly and adhere to social distance. On this joyous day of Eid, I urge everyone to follow the hygiene rules."
He further said that Eid brings the message of happiness to all irrespective of race, caste and religion.
"But this year, the whole world stands still for the coronavirus pandemic. Alongside, the life and livelihood of the people of Bangladesh is also facing a difficult challenge. While saving lives is the first priority, the importance of making a living is inevitable too," he added.
Saying "The government is making every effort to deal with the Corona situation," Hamid said the government had already taken various steps to provide medical assistance as well as support to the helpless people. In addition, economic activities are going on with various incentives to continue.
Terming the collection of vaccines during the global catastrophe as a temporary problem, he said corona vaccination has already begun. The government has taken strong efforts to procure vaccines from different countries of the world with the highest priority.
He also expressed his hope this problem will be solved soon for the timely initiative of the government.
Saying Eid-ul-Fitr is a means of self-purification and self-control, he said "There are many helpless and needy people around us. Everyone should try their best level so that they are not deprived of the joy of Eid."
Hamid also urged the government as well as various non-governmental organizations, social and cultural organizations and the affluent members of the society to contribute as much as they can to help the indigent and helpless people.
President saddened by passing of Upazila Chairman Sarwar Alam
President Abdul Hamid on Saturday expressed deep grief over the death of Bajitpur Upazila Chairman Sarwar Alam of Kishoreganj district.
In a condolence message, the President sought forgiveness of the soul of the late Sarwar Alam and conveyed deep sympathy to his bereaved family.
Bangladesh keen to work with China for research, production of Covid vaccine: President
Emphasising strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic, President Abdul Hamid said that Bangladesh is keen to work together with China in this regard and take joint initiative in research and production of Covid-19 vaccine.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe at Bangabhaban on Tuesday.
China is also keen to extend comprehensive cooperation to Bangladesh in the fight against the virus, said the Chinese minister, Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told UNB after the meeting.
Welcoming the Chinese Defense Minister, the President said China is one of the most important development partners of Bangladesh. China's relationship with Bangladesh is gradually expanding in various fields, including trade and investment. Chinese investment in various sectors, including infrastructure and communication, is playing an important role in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.
The President thanked his Chinese counterpart on behalf of himself and the people of Bangladesh for providing the video message on the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence.
President Hamid said China has very good relations with Myanmar. By exploiting this relationship, China can play an important role in repatriating the forcibly displaced Rohingyas. He hoped that China would take effective steps in this regard.
Referring to the defense relations between Bangladesh and China, the President hoped that these relations would be further strengthened in the days to come.
The President congratulated the President and people of China on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
The Chinese Defense Minister said that military cooperation between China and Bangladesh is gradually increasing. China will continue its strategic cooperation in the development of Bangladesh's armed forces.
Besides, China is also working to solve the Rohingya problem, the visiting minister said.
Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Waqar-Uz-Zaman, Secretary to the President's Office Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin and Secretary (attached) Wahidul Islam Khan were present on the occasion.
Mujibnagar govt played historic role in freedom struggle of Bangladesh: Envoy
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran on Friday highlighted the significance of the historic Mujibnagar Day that falls on April 17 and said the Mujibnagar government played a historic role in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh.
"As an independent nation, we’re forever indebted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the greatest Bengali nation of all time," he said.
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi observed the day in advance on Friday with due dignity.
To mark the Day, the High Commission organised a discussion meeting at Bangabandhu Hall of the Chancery in the afternoon with the High Commissioner in chair.
Also read: Historic Mujibnagar Day to be observed Saturday
High Commissioner Imran paid tributes to Bangabandhu, the greatest Bengali of all times, the four national leaders, Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain Mansur Ali and AHM Kamruzzaman.
Historic Mujibnagar Day to be observed Saturday
The historic Mujibnagar Day will be observed on Saturday, marking the oath-taking ceremony of the country’s first government on April 17, 1971, which led the Bangladesh War of Liberation.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion.
In his message, the President said the first government of the independent and sovereign Bangladesh formally took oath at a mango orchard in the erstwhile Baidyanathtala under Meherpur district on April 17, 1971.
With the formation of the Mujibnagar government, a constitutional government started its journey under the leadership of public representatives elected in the 1970 election to conduct the Liberation War, he said.
“On the Mujibnagar Day, I call upon the people of the country to perform their respective duties properly in building the country, being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War,” said President Hamid.
The President hoped that the present generation would be able to know the real history of the Liberation War and contribute towards building ‘Sonar Bangla’ dreamt by Bangabandhu.
Also read: Mujibnagar govt played historic role in freedom struggle of Bangladesh: Envoy
In a separate message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the April 17 is the historic Mujibnagar Day, which is a memorable day in the life of Bengali nation as the first provisional government of independent Bangladesh took oath at a mango orchard in Baidyanathtala under erstwhile Meherpur Mahakuma on the same day in 1971.
On the occasion of the 50 years of the Mujibnagar Day, the PM urged all to uphold the country’s independence that was earned in exchange for the supreme sacrifices of 30 lakh martyrs and the dignity of two lakh women.
Bangladesh gives importance to developing ties with neighbours: President
President Abdul Hamid on Monday said Bangladesh gives importance to developing relationships with neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan.
He made the remarks when outgoing Afghan Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdul Qayoom Malikzad paid a courtesy call on him. President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.
Hamid said Afghanistan can use Bangladesh's experience in women empowerment, basic education, healthcare, sanitation and human resource development.
Also read: Bangladesh offers support to Afghanistan for development
The President also praised Afghanistan's recent efforts to establish democracy.
He said 2021 is a year of great joy and pride for Bangladesh. This year, Bangladesh is celebrating the golden jubilee of independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman together.
Besides, this year, Bangladesh has received the final recommendation of the United Nations to become a developing country.
Shab-e-Barat on Monday night
The holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune and forgiveness, will be observed in the country on Monday with due religious fervour.
According to Muslim belief, it is the night when Allah arranges the affairs of the following year. On this night, Allah writes the destinies of all the creations for the coming year by taking into account their past deeds.
Muslim devotees will offer special prayers, reciting from the Holy Quran, hold religious gatherings seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind.
They will pass the whole night offering prayers.
This year worshipers will offer prayers following health protocols amid a growing number of coronavirus cases and an alarming uptrend in the daily infection rate.
Also read: Shab-e-Barat holiday rescheduled to March 30
Bangladesh reported 3,908 new cases and 35 Covid-related deaths during a 24-hour period until Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) imposed a ban on the transport and use of fireworks and firecrackers on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes while newspapers will publish articles highlighting the significance of the night.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion.
Also read: Shab-e-Barat to be observed on March 29
In his message, the President said the holy night opens up an opportunity for the mankind to get special blessings and forgiveness of the Almighty Allah.
“I pray to Almighty Allah during the holy night for the continued progress and welfare of the country and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah,” he said.
The Prime Minister in her message said Shab-e-Barat is a night of fortune which brings the blessings of Almighty Allah for the mankind.
She urged all to offer prayers during the Shab-e-Barat night maintaining the social distancing rules and hygiene.
Hasina seeks fair share of Teesta water
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday reiterated Bangladesh’s long-pending request for concluding the interim agreement on the sharing of water of the Teesta River with Bangladesh's fair share to alleviate sufferings of millions.
It is necessary that Bangladesh receives its fair share of the Teesta water, the draft agreement of which has already been agreed upon by both governments in January 2011 to alleviate the sufferings and save the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on the Teesta River basin, she underscored.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts to conclude this agreement, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
“There’s positive approach (from Indian side) but a date has not been fixed when it will be delivered. They can’t spell out that it’ll happen within a week,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters at a briefing at Sonargaon Hotel.
India will always stand by Bangladesh: Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India will always stand by the progress and development of Bangladesh as a faithful friend.
He said this when he paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban in the evening.
Modi said Bangladesh has always been considered a trusted friend of India.
Also read: Ground-level cooperation needed to check all border incidents: Modi
He also lauded the continuous socio-economic development of Bangladesh under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin told UNB after the meeting.
President Hamid welcomed the Indian Prime Minister at Bangabhaban and thanked him for attending the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence.
He said Modi’s visit would be a unique milestone in strengthening the existing diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Also read: Bangladesh, India for progress of whole world: Modi
During the meeting, President Hamid expressed sincere thanks to the Government of India for conferring the ‘Gandhi Peace Prize 2020’ on Bangabandhu posthumously in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.
The President also thanked the Government of India for sending Coronavirus vaccine doses to Bangladesh as gift. He hoped that vaccine doses would come to Bangladesh from India on a commercial basis would also arrive in time.
Referring to India's support in 1971, the President thanked the Government and people of India for their support and cooperation in the Great War of Liberation.
Also read: Dhaka-Delhi to accelerate momentum; eye next 50 years diversified ties
The Indian PM also signed the visitors' book at Bangabhaban.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Momen, Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, among others, were present there.
Genocide Day observed in Jordan
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Amman, Jordan has observed the Genocide Day 2021 with due solemnity.
Due to the ongoing lockdown and social distancing measures of the Jordanian government, the Embassy had to arrange the event in a very limited scale.
A number of Bangladesh community members living in Amman joined the Embassy officials and staff members in commemorating the Genocide Day, said a media release on Thursday night.
The programme commenced with the reading out of verses from the Holy Quran.
Then, a one-minute silence was observed in remembrance of the martyrs of 25th March and the War of Independence.