United News of Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has taken the seat next to Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman in Parliament following Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s assumption of office as President. The first sitting of the current parliament session began at 3:00pm on Thursday, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair. Under the new seating arrangement, Salahuddin occupied the seat beside the Prime Minister, which was previously held by Mirza Fakhrul. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, Women and Children Affairs Minister AZM Zahid Hossain, Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Selima Rahman have been given seats in the front row. Amanullah Aman was also allocated a seat in the front row following the rearrangement.  

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat on Monday said Cox’s Bazar International Airport will be inaugurated in October this year. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to open the airport, he said during a meeting with members of the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) at the Secretariat. He said international airlines alongside Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate flights from Cox’s Bazar International Airport. “Several foreign airlines have already expressed interest in operating flights from Cox’s Bazar,” he said. The government has taken initiatives to launch direct international flights from Cox’s Bazar through discussions and coordination with international airlines, the minister said, adding that the process of signing the necessary agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) is underway. Regarding the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Millat said the government is working towards launching the terminal in December. “Necessary preparations are underway. An agreement with the Japanese consortium will be signed next month,” he said. Once operational, the third terminal will increase the airport’s passenger-handling capacity and improve service quality, enabling the airport to provide international-standard facilities, he added.  

Bangladesh on Tuesday officially launched the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SPECS 2030 Initiative, marking a major step towards expanding access to quality, affordable and people-centred eye care services across the country.  State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit launched the initiative at a function held at a city hotel. Speaking on the occasion, he said the government is planning to establish dedicated outpatient, inpatient and operating theatre facilities for eye care at the 151-bed hospitals being constructed at the upazila level. The state minister said the government is also finalising an integrated National Eye Care Plan, targeting around 1 million cataract surgeries, distribution of several crore pairs of spectacles and expanded treatment for diabetic retinopathy. “We are committed to taking modern eye-care services to the grassroots,” he said, adding that nearly 500 upazilas will eventually have access to advanced eye-care facilities so that people do not have to travel to district towns or Dhaka for treatment. Muhit said primary eye care will be incorporated into the training of around 100,000 health workers currently under the government’s recruitment process. The government also plans to strengthen regular cataract surgery and refraction services in at least half of the country’s districts by coordinating existing district hospital infrastructure, he added. He said the government has been coordinating with international and local organisations over the past six months to strengthen and expand eye-care services. The WHO SPECS 2030 Initiative, introduced globally in May 2024, seeks to improve access to refractive error services worldwide. It supports countries in achieving the first global target for refractive error endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2021, a 40-percentage-point increase in effective refractive error coverage (eREC) by 2030. Orbis International Bangladesh played a key coordinating and convening role in bringing together government, WHO and other eye-health stakeholders and helped drive the process towards the national launch of the initiative. At the launch, WHO and government representatives stressed that addressing the existing gaps will require an integrated approach involving primary healthcare, trained personnel, referral systems, affordable spectacles, reliable data and stronger collaboration among government, WHO, NGOs, professional bodies, development partners and the private sector. The launch was preceded by a presentation on the global, regional and country perspectives of the SPECS 2030 Initiative by Dr Tashi Tobgay, Regional Adviser and Unit Head for NCD, Mental Health and Disabilities at WHO South-East Asia Region. Prof Dr ASMM Quadir, Director (In charge), National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIO&H), and Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh, also addressed the launching event. After the launch, a panel discussion titled “Strengthening Eye Care Services with Specific Focus on Refractive Error and WHO SPECS 2030 Implementation in Bangladesh” was conducted by Dr Munir Ahmed, Country Director of Orbis International Bangladesh and Honorary Country Chair for Bangladesh of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). Panellists Max Tunon, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh; Rajesh Narwal, WHO Deputy Representative to Bangladesh; Indra Prasad Sharma, Regional Officer for South-East Asia, IAPB; and Johurul Islam Jewel, Senior Programme Manager, CSF Global, highlighted the need for workplace eye health, evidence-based policymaking, stronger workforce capacity, affordable spectacle provision and coordinated action across sectors. The SPECS 2030 framework is built around five strategic pillars and seeks to bring governments, professional associations, NGOs, academic institutions and the private sector together to expand access to refractive error services. The launch of the initiative is expected to provide a national framework for coordinating these efforts and developing an implementation roadmap towards the 2030 global target.   END/UNB/SI/AM

The 42nd death anniversary of Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, former chief of the Bangladesh Navy and former minister for communications and agriculture, will be observed on Thursday. Elaborate programmes have been chalked out to observe the day with due respect, both at home and abroad, said a press release. The day’s programmes will begin with the placing of floral wreaths at his grave, where Quran Khatam, Khawani and special prayers will be held. His grave is beside his favourite Naval Headquarters. On August 6, 42 years ago, Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, also the father-in-law of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, sacrificed his life while serving the nation. The Bangladesh Navy will pay tribute to him by laying a floral wreath at his grave in the morning. Food will also be distributed among underprivileged people, while special doa mahfils and prayers will be held after Zohr prayers at naval mosques across the country for the eternal peace of his departed soul. Quran Khatam, Quran Khawani, doa mahfils and special prayers will also be held at Mahbub Bhaban in the capital. Begum Mahbub Ali Khan has requested all well-wishers to pray for the deceased. A doa mahfil and special prayers will also be organised at SUROVI, a charitable organisation for underprivileged children founded by Begum Mahbub Ali Khan in 1979. Quran Khatam, Quran Khawani and doa mahfils will be held at several madrasahs and orphanages in Dhaka, including Jamia Qurbania Talimia Women's Madrasah and Orphanage at Bawniabad, Jamia Qurbania Arabia Madrasah and Orphanage at Bhashantek, and Sanmandi Khan Bari Daryl Quran Hafizia Madrasa and Orphanage in Sonargaon. Special prayers have also been arranged at numerous mosques in Dhaka, including the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The anniversary will also be observed in his birthplace, Sylhet, with doa mahfils, remembrance meetings, Quran Khawani and food distribution. Similar programmes have been arranged in Bogura and Jamalpur. Overseas, commemorative programmes, including Quran Khatam, doa mahfils and special prayers, will be held in Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Malaysia, China, South Korea, Singapore and the Maldives.

Ferdousi Shahriar, Additional Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, died on Wednesday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital. She was 54. She breathed her last at around 4:30 pm at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital, the ministry said in a statement. Ferdousi Shahriar joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an Assistant Secretary on January 25, 1999. During her distinguished career, she served at several Bangladesh missions abroad, including in Bangkok, Rome, Manchester and Washington DC. She last served as Bangladesh's High Commissioner to Singapore. She is survived by her husband, three children and many well-wishers. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and officials and employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep sorrow at her death. They prayed for the eternal peace of her departed soul and conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family.

Senior journalist and Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) executive committee member Abu Hena Rasel died at a hospital in the capital on Wednesday. He was 57. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital at 1:20pm, according to CRAB. Rasel was taken to the hospital following a sudden chest pain while taking fuel for his bike at a filling station near the Asad Gate in the capital. He is survived by wife, a son, a daughter and a host of relatives and admirers. His first namaz-e-janaza was held on the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) premises in the afternoon. Meanwhile, CRAB President Mirza Mehedi Tamal, General Secretary MM Badshah and other leaders expressed deep sorrow over the death of Rasel and conveyed condolences to his bereaved family. Rasel had been working as a special correspondent at the Khobor Sangjog. He earlier worked for several newspapers, including Bhorer Kagoj, Samakal and Kaler Kantho. He also served in various leadership roles at DRU and CRAB.

The 6th death anniversary of freedom fighter Shajahan Siraj, who read out the manifesto of Bangladesh’s independence at a historic rally in 1971, will be observed on Tuesday. Shajahan Siraj, a former minister and veteran politician, died in Dhaka on July 14, 2020 at the age of 77. Various programmes have chalked out by the Shajahan Siraj Foundation, Kalihati Shajahan Siraj College and Shajahan Siraj Welfare Trust to mark the occasion. The programmes include placing of wreaths at his grave at the Banani graveyard in Dhaka, recitation of the Holy Quran in Kalihati of Tangail and Dhaka, food distribution among needy children, and special prayers in mosques and temples of various unions in Kalihati. Shajahan Siraj College will organise a special commemorating meeting and prayers at 10am on the college campus in Kalihati. Shajahan Siraj played a very important role in the Six-Point Movement of 1966 and the Mass Uprising of 1969. On March 3, 1971, he read the manifesto of the great independence at a rousing rally of students and the public at Paltan Maidan. Shahjahan Siraj was one of the initiators of the formation of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) after independence and later joined the politics of BNP. He was elected as MP five times from the Tangail-4 (Kalihati) constituency. In his colourful political life, he served as state minister for shipping, and forests and environment minister.

Bangla Academy president and eminent writer Professor Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq passed away on Sunday afternoon. He was 86. He breathed his last at around 2:30pm at the National Heart Foundation in Mirpur after falling sick at a family progrmame, said Serajul Islam (Seraj Salekeen), chairman of the Department of Bangla of Dhaka University. Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq was a distinguished literary critic and a professor who taught for 40 years in the Department of Bangla at the University of Dhaka. He graduated from the University of Dhaka in 1965 and completed his master's degree at the same university in 1966. He served as the convener of the Rashtrabhasha Bangla Rokkha Committee (State Language Bengali Protection Committee). He also served as the president of Bangla Academy. He received several awards for his contributions to literature and research, including the Bangla Academy Award (1981), the Alakta Memorial Literary Award (2004), the Bangladesh Writers’ Association Humayun Kabir Memorial Award (1974), and  Kolkata Little Magazine Library and Research Center Award (1991), according to Bangla Academy. His first book, Muktisangram was published in 1972. More than 250 research articles of Prof Huq were published in national and international journals. His works included 32 books, 1 translation and he edited a total of 23 books. His son, publisher Faisal Arefin Dipon, who owned Jagriti Prokashony, was killed by Islamist militants on October 31, 2015.

The Tagore University of Creative Arts (TUCA) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Selina Rahman Chowdhury, wife of Saidur Rahman, Chairman of the university's Board of Trustees. In a statement issued on Monday, TUCA said it was deeply saddened by her passing and prayed for the eternal peace of her departed soul. Selina Rahman died at her residence in Priyanka City, Uttara, at 5:00pm on Sunday. She was 63. She is survived by her son, Sourav Rahman, and daughter, Shatila Rahman Disha, as well as numerous relatives and well-wishers. She was laid to rest at 10:30pm following her second namaz-e-janaza at Priyanka Western City in Birulia. Thousands of people from all walks of life attended her janaza and offered prayers for the forgiveness of her soul.

Eminent artist and cultural personality Mustafa Monwar passed away at a hospital in Dhaka on Monday. He was 90. The renowned artist breathed his last around 8:30 am while undergoing treatment at the hospital due to old-age complications, said his family. In a condolence message, Bangla Academy Director General Prof Mohammad Azam said Bangladesh’s legendary cultural figure and honorary fellow of Bangla Academy, Mustafa Monwar, passed away on Monday morning. He said Monwar’s contribution to the creative development of the country’s media including Bangladesh Television is unforgettable. He also prayed for the eternal peace of the artist’s soul and expressed sincere condolences to the bereaved family. According to family sources, Monwar had been suffering from various age-related health complications for several years. Mustafa Monwar is known as the "Puppet Man of Bangladesh". During the Liberation War in 1971, he organised puppet shows at the refugee camps in West Bengal to make people aware about the war. His television puppet show ‘Moner Kotha’ ran on BTV for 12 years, which told the story of a little girl called Parul and her seven brothers named Champa who were cursed and turned into flowers. It is based on the folklore ‘Saat Bhai Champa’. Born on September 1, 1935 in Jashore, Monwar was the youngest of six siblings. His father was renowned poet Golam Mostafa. Mustafa Monwar studied at Narayanganj Government School before briefly enrolling in science at Scottish Church College, Kolkata. He later shifted to the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, graduating in 1959 with first class first in Fine Arts. After beginning his professional career as a lecturer at the then East Pakistan College of Arts and Crafts, Mustafa Monwar went on to serve as Deputy Director General of Bangladesh Television, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and National Institute of Mass Communication.  In his illustrious and successful career, he held the position of director general at Bangladesh Television (BTV), Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and the National Media Institute. He also served as the managing director of the FDC, and the founder president of Directors Guild Bangladesh. This eminent art maestro earned the prestigious All India Fine Arts Competition award, Zainul Abedin Gold Medal and most notably country’s highest honor, the Ekushey Padak in 2004. His creative works enriched the childhoods of several generations and left a lasting impact on Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.