Eid-ul-Fitr
BGB deployed on Paturia-Daulatdia, Shimulia-Banglabazar routes
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) teams have been deployed on the Paturia-Daulatdia and Shimulia-Banglabazar routes in Manikganj and Munshiganj from tonight to stop the mad rush of homebound people.
Md Shariful Islam, Public relations officer of the BGB headquarters confirmed the development to UNB.
He warned that strict actions will be taken against those gathering at the ferry terminals despite suspension on water vessels plying from tomorrow.
Earlier today, Paturia ferry terminal saw a mad rush of homebound people ahead of Eid despite a so-called decision of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) to suspend daytime ferry services.
Also read: Ferry services suspended to contain spread of Covid
BIWTC took the decision late Friday night to suspend daytime ferry services on Paturia-Daulatdia and Shimulia-Banglabazar routes from Saturday morning as per government instructions to curb the spread of coronavirus infection ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
However, three ferries were selected to transport ambulances and hearse vehicles.
While visiting Paturia ferry terminal early Saturday morning, the UNB correspondent saw flocks of people stranded there, completely unaware of the hastily made late night decision of BIWTC.
Although some of them were forced to return, hundreds of passengers continued to hold their ground in an attempt to celebrate Eid with the loved ones at any cost.
Also read: Mad rush of homebound people at Paturia terminal
When an ambulance carrying a dead body was getting into the Madhobilota, a ferry kept for emergency situations, hundreds of these people forced themselves onto it.
The same incident happened with two other ferries anchored at separate terminals of Paturia.
After a few hours, two of those ferries, carrying hundreds of people, left the terminals and this was more or less the entire story of the day, which means the late night suspension of BIWTC has proved insufficient.
However, Jillur Rahman, deputy general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Aricha office said, “At all times the plying of water vessels has been suspended following BIWTC’s decision. Only three ferries are operational for emergency use. But we are facing difficulties in operating them because of excessive pressure by people wanting to get in.”
Mad rush of homebound people at Paturia terminal
Paturia ferry terminal saw a mad rush of homebound people ahead of Eid despite a so-called decision of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) to suspend day time ferry services.
The corporation took the decision late Friday night to suspend daytime ferry services on Paturia-Daulatdia and Shimulia-Banglabazar routes from Saturday morning as per government instructions to curb the spread of coronavirus infection ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
However, three ferries were selected to transport ambulances and hearse vehicles.
Also read: Ferry services suspended to contain spread of Covid
While visiting Paturia ferry terminal early Saturday morning, the UNB correspondent saw flocks of people stranded there, completely unaware of the hastily made late night decision of BIWTC.
Although some of them were forced to return, hundreds of passengers continued to hold their ground in an attempt to celebrate Eid with the loved ones at any cost.
When an ambulance carrying a dead body was getting into Madhobilota, a ferry kept for emergency situations, hundreds of these people forced themselves onto it.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 45 more deaths with 1285 new cases
The same incident happened with two other ferries anchored at separate terminals of Paturia.
After a few hours, two of those ferries, carrying hundreds of people left the terminals and this was more or less the entire story of the day, which means the late night suspension of BIWTC has proved insufficient.
Also read: Bangladesh detects first case of Indian Coronavirus strain
However, Jillur Rahman, deputy general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Aricha office said, “At all times the plying of water vessels has been suspended following BIWTC’s decision. Only three ferries are operational for emergency use. But we are facing difficulties in operating them because of excessive pressure by people wanting to get in.”
Noted citizens demand release of detained students before eid
A group of noted citizens, including Dr Kamal Hossain, on Saturday demanded the release of over 50 students, belonging to Chhatra Odhikar Parishad arrested around two months backs, on bail before Eid-ul-Fitr.
They made the demand at a press conference at the conference room of the Gonoshasthaya Kendra in the city’s Dhanmondi area.
On May 5, 18 eminent citizens sent a letter to Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain requesting him to take steps to remove the barriers to the release of the arrested students on bail.
The students were arrested during their protests against the Digital Security Act and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Bangladesh.
Joining the press conference virtually, Gonoforum President and veteran jurist Dr Kamal Hossain said the arrested students should be granted bail. “Bail is a matter of rights, not a matter of mercy.”
He said students always work to mobilise public opinion and wage movements on different important and time-befitting issues. “We’ve always encouraged this practice. So, the students should be granted bail.”
Mentioning that the judiciary has a long tradition of granting bail to student leaders, he said even the lower court played a courageous role in giving bail to students in the past.
“We can recall that leaders had been taken to jail for their various remarks during the tough movements in the past. But they were given bail by the court immediately after filing petitions.”
He said people had been kept in jail by implicating them in Agartala conspiracy case. “We then showed the power of court by securing bail for them. “The lower court used to grant bail whoever was caught in the past.”
Speaking at the press conference, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said getting bail is people’s human and legal right. “Now our main problem is that judges are no longer driver by conscience. They’re heavily controlled by the government and the police.
He said it has been over a month since the cases were filed against the students, but they are not being granted bail. “Five similar cases were filed and it’s necessary to get bail in all the cases which is a long trial process. A specific directive should be given by the Chief Justice in this regard.”
Stating that eid will be celebrated within a few days, he urged the Chief Justice to ensure bail for the students before the festival exercising the judiciary’s constitutional power. “It must be remembered that these students have been created today's Bangladesh. The Bengali language was established as the students waged the language movement.”
Earlier, Dhaka University teacher Prof Asif Nazrul read out the letter sent to the Chief Justice by the 18 eminent on citizens on May 5 in this regard.
Freedom fighter Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Zonayed Saki, writer and anthropologist Rehnuma Ahmed, noted photographer Shahidul Alam, and former vice president of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) Nurul Haque Nur, among others, spoke at the programme.
Eighteen noted citizens who sent the letter to the Chief Justice include Dr Kamal Hossain, Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury, Dr Zafrullah, Barrister Mainul Hosein, Hafizuddin Khan, ASM Abur Rob, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Badiul Alam Majumder, Prof Dilara Chowdhury, Rehnuma Ahmed, Dr Reza Kibria, Asif Nazrul and Zonayed Saki.
Siam Safa inspiring everyone to share their Eid happiness in OPPO’s new Eid microfilm
Smart device brand Oppo is airing new microfilm to inspire the privileged people to share the happiness of Eid with the needy ones during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
In the microfilm, Siam Ahmed and Safa Kabir are seen preparing food and buying new attire for their beloved ones and in the end, they share their good feelings and joyous moments with the old parents at a nursing home.
Read Robishop brings big deals, discounts ahead of Eid
F19 Pro Eid edition
Oppo has also launched the limited Eid edition of F19 Pro. The phone uses Oppo's popular Reno Glow Effect and its crystal silver colour introduces an improved printing effect that is a step above the etching process.
Moreover, the F19 Pro Eid edition also features Dual-View Video along with AI Color Portrait Video mode that comes with a suite of AI algorithms, which provide the subject matter in natural colours while presenting the background in natural monochrome.
Read bKash offers up to 40% instant cashback on Eid shopping, iftar, grocery payment
The Dual-View Video feature lets users harness both the rear and front cameras to make a split-screen video that offers both perspectives.
F19 Pro is equipped with 30W VOOC Flash Charge 4.0; the users can enjoy 3.2 hour-talk times with five minutes of charge and it takes only one hour to charge the device fully, read a press release.
Read iPhone Eid mega deal in G&G
Mall crowds may bring back Covid nightmare, warns minister
Voicing concerns over huge crowds at shopping malls violating health safety rules, Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Thursday warned that the coronavirus transmission may spike again if this trend continues till Eid-ul-Fitr.
“The government has allowed reopening shops and shopping malls on the occasion of eid, but the crowds we’re seeing there will surely contribute to the virus surge again,” he said.
The minister said, “What if you don’t buy clothes for an Eid? The government has reopened markets, but it’s up to us whether to go or not there. Many women go shopping with children without wearing masks. Though we’ve given various instructions in this regard, people aren’t maintaining the health safety rules accordingly.”
Speaking at a virtual discussion arranged by Bangladesh Private Medical College Association, he said people must cooperate with the government in containing the virus by maintaining health safety rules, physical distancing and wearing masks.
Describing lockdown as the most effective way of controlling coronavirus transmission, he said the ongoing lockdown has helped reduce the coronavirus infections and death rates in the country. “But lockdown is not a long-term solution as it affects the economy and the livelihoods of people.”
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 41 deaths in 24 hours, lowest in 39 days
The minister said the government resumed bus services in the capital and districts due to pressure from various quarters.
Zahid Maleque said the coronavirus infection came under control early this year, but the second wave of the virus has created due to people’s reckless attitude, travelling spree, mass gathering, and apathy to the health safety rules.
“We forget the past and didn’t take a lesson from it. We should keep in mind how people are suffering and dying due to the oxygen crisis in India. So, we should keep our country well by following the health safety guidelines,” he said.
Bus services resume in Bangladesh cities
Bus services resumed in cities across Bangladesh, including capital Dhaka, on Thursday, albeit with a limited number of passengers.
However, inter-district bus services will remain suspended in the country during the lockdown period. The lockdown-related movement restrictions have been imposed by the government to break the chain of Covid-19 infections in Bangladesh.
Also Read: Lockdown to continue until May 16, intra-district public transport services from May 6
A reality check by UNB in Dhaka revealed that several buses left their depots in the morning and were plying on several key stretches of the capital -- Mirpur Road, Begum Rokeya Sarani, Uttara, Banani and Mohakhali, to name a few.
Like buses, other public transport vehicles like microbuses were also seen plying on the capital's roads and carrying passengers, but with 50 percent of their seating capacity.
People were seen using public transport, strictly adhering to all Covid-safety protocols.
Police said they were keeping a strict vigil on all public transport vehicles and taking action against passengers found without masks or flouting social distancing norms.
Traffic inspector Asaduzzaman said, "Bus services have resumed in the city since morning and we are checking each and every bus to ensure that all passengers maintain all Covid-safety protocols."
UNB's Cumilla correspondent reports: Buses left almost all the terminals in the district, including Shashangacha, Jangalia and Chakbazar, early in the morning. And no passengers were allowed to board the bus without masks.
Public transport services were suspended in Bangladesh on April 5, with the government announcing a countrywide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus.
However, the government partially resumed the operations of city bus services on April 7 only to suspend the same with the imposition of the countrywide complete lockdown from April 14.
The transport owners' associations have already urged the government to resume bus services in the country and demanded food assistance for all unemployed transport workers across Bangladesh.
Also Read:Covid’s daily death toll in Bangladesh falls to 50
Bus fare increases
The government has increased the bus fares by 60 percent across the country, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on March 30.
On May 31, 2020, the government raised the fares of inter-district (Dhaka, Chittagong and adjoining areas) buses and minibuses by 60 percent in order to compensate vehicle owners carrying 50 percent less passengers to prevent the transmission of coronavirus.
Lockdown extended
The government has issued a notification extending the ongoing lockdown till May 16 with six fresh directives alongside the existing ones to contain the spread of Covid-19.
According to the notification issued by the Cabinet Division, officials of all government, semi-government autonomous and private organisations, banks and financial institutions have been asked to remain at their respective workstations during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
Shops and shopping malls will remain open from 10 am to 8 pm, maintaining health guidelines. If any violations are seen, the shopping malls and shops will be closed instantly, says the notification.
Inter-district transport services will remain suspended, while only intra-district transport services will operate adhering to health guidelines from Thursday.
However, launch and train services will remain suspended.
As coronavirus cases have been growing at an alarming rate since mid-March, the government imposed a ‘loose’ nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain its spread.
Also Read:Officials asked not to leave workstations during Eid holidays
Later, a ‘stricter’ lockdown was declared from April 14 to 21. On April 28, the government again extended the lockdown till May 5, with the country struggling to contain the Covid-19 transmission.
On April 23, the Cabinet Division issued a notification allowing shops and shopping malls to operate from April 25 (10am-5pm) on the condition that they would maintain proper safety protocols.
OPPO presents trove of gifts, offers for Eid
Smartphone brand OPPO broke a bucket list of cheery news for smartphone enthusiasts ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of Muslims.
Lucky draw winners under the Eid Dhamaka Offer, setting out with a gamut of prizes on April 29, will get their hands on a Gixxer motorcycle, cashback up to Tk 10,000, or data bundle. A lucky F19 Pro buyer may even win another handset of the same model.
Any OPPO handset buyer can check out his/her fortune through the lucky draw by following this link www.oppoluckycampaign.com, filling up a form, and clicking the 'check your luck' option.
Apart from the lucky draw, A15 and A15s buyers will be gifted a pair of Limited Wired Headphone, A53 customers will be entitled to a T-Shirt celebrating the country’s 50th years of independence, and F17, F17 Pro, F19 Pro, and Reno5 purchasers will be given an OPPO travel backpack.
Even the dealers will not miss out on the share of their prizes for the extra mile they go.
Every wired headphone is provided with an OPPO Limited Gift sticker. The outlets wore a festive look with banners and cutouts displaying the offers in the front. To know more about the Eid Dhamaka Offer visit the @OPPOBangladesh Facebook page and official website.
Eid-Ul-Fitr: JaPa leader GM Quader greets PM
Jatiya Party Chairman and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Ghulam Muhammed Quader on Wednesday greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of the upcoming Eid-Ul-Fitr.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, her Protocol Officer Md Abu Zafar Raju received a greeting card from GM Quader's Assistant Private Secretary M Abu Tayeeb.
Also read: People want to know initiatives about vaccine: GM Quader
Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad and Deputy Opposition Leader and Jatiya Party Chairman Ghulam Muhammed Quader on the occasion of the Eid and sent greeting cards to them.
Govt likely to ease lockdown after Apr 28
The restrictions on movement are likely to be relaxed to some extent from April 28, two weeks before the Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of the Muslims.
But there has not been any final decision yet and it is not clear right now to which extent the restrictions will be slackened. “The decision will be taken on April 28,” State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told UNB.
Read Extension of lockdown causing anxiety among low income earners
“Even if the restrictions are relaxed, we’ll have to properly maintain health guidelines and the government will ensure strict implementation of ‘no mask, no service’ policy,” he said.
State Minister Farhad said health guidelines will be ensured after the shops and shopping malls are opened from April 25.
“Covid infections can be kept in check if all of us follow health guidelines, wear masks and maintain recommended physical distancing,” he said. “We’ll get a positive result if we follow the restrictions until April 28. We’re focusing on health rules.”
Also read: Govt issues circular extending lockdown until April 28
No decision on public transport
Asked what the relaxed lockdown will look like, State Minister Farhad said there won’t be many restrictions. “The existing ones will be limited. There’ll be guidelines for daily life,” he said.
A circular will be issued within April 28 on the operation of offices.
Farhad said they are discussing the public transport issue. “There hasn’t been any decision yet. But once they resume, we’ll ensure that health rules are strictly followed,” he noted.
Read More people, vehicles on Dhaka roads in defiance of lockdown rules
Minimum Fitra Tk 70, maximum 2,310
The minimum Fitra for this year has been fixed at Tk 70 per person while the maximum at Tk 2,310.
The decision was taken at a virtual meeting of the National Fitra Fixing Committee held on Wednesday (April 21, 2021) with its chairman and Baitul Mukarram National Mosque’s senior pesh imam Hafez Maulana Mizanur Rahman in the chair.
Fitra is paid to the poor before the jamaat (congregation) of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Read How to Celebrate the Holy Eid Festival Safely during COVID-19 pandemic