08-09-2021

WedneSday Dhaka: September 8, 2021; Bhadra 24, 1428 BS; Muharram 29,1443 hijri
www.thebangladeshtoday.com; www.bangladeshtoday.net
Regd.No.Da~2065, Vol.19; N o. 133; 12 Pages~Tk.8.00
international
Germany's Merkel
backs Laschet as
party lags in polls
Zohr
>Page 7
SPortS
Tigers gear up to
confirm series against
New Zealand today
>Page 9
information and Broadcasting minister Dr hasan mahmud on Tuesday met indian External
affairs minister S Jaishankar.
Photo : Courtesy
Covid in Bangladesh
Single-day
fatalities fall to 56
DHAKA : Bangladesh logged 56 Covid-
19 deaths and 2,639 cases in 24 hours till
Tuesday morning, showing a decline in
single-day fatalities and cases compared
to the ones a day before.
The country reported 65 Covid-related
deaths and 2,710 cases on Monday.
The daily case positivity rate also fell
slightly to 9.69% from Monday's 9.88%,
according to the Directorate General of
Health Services (DGHS).
The fresh numbers pushed the country's
total fatalities to 26,684 while the
cases reached 15,19,805, the DGHS said.
The new cases were detected after
testing 27,466 samples during the 24-
hour period.
Besides, the recovery rate rose to
96.11%, while the case fatality remained
unchanged at 1.76 per cent compared to
the corresponding period.
Among the new deaths, 20 died in
Dhaka division, 15 in Chattogram, six in
Khulna, five in Sylhet, four in Barishal,
three in Rajshahi, two in Rangpur, and
one in Mymensingh divisions.
Of them, 19 were men and 37 women.
The country last saw 54 Coronavirusrelated
deaths on June 18 and the
upswing in the fatalities reached its peak
on August 5 and 10 when 264 deaths
were recorded.
However, the situation was much
more catastrophic than June in the latter
part of August as the country experienced
a surge of Covid-related caseloads
and deaths during that time.
Between May and June this year,
there was a 273% rise in monthly caseloads
and 162% in fatalities. In July,
there was a 150% increase in caseloads
and a 170% rise in deaths compared to
the previous month, according to the
World Health Organization (WHO).
04:27 AM
12:04 PM
04:26 PM
06:15 PM
07:30 PM
5:42 6:10
Hasan for joint efforts to
make people's movement
easier in region
NEW DELHI : Information and
Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan
Mahmud on Tuesday called upon all
concerned to work together to help
make people's movement easier in the
region for their betterment.
"It is a reality that the region is a
least integrated one although there is a
cultural bondage and attachment
among the people since long," he said
and cited an example from the present
Europe where anybody can move one
country to another freely.
Interacting with the Indian media fraternity
at Bangladesh mission yesterday
afternoon, he said the movement of
people between Bangladesh and India
has to be made easier as their movement
increased many folds in the recent
times for different purposes ranging
from tourism to treatment.
Journalists working in different foreign
and local media joined the programme
followed by a working lunch.
Giving an example, the minister
said when an artiste (from
Bangladesh) wants to visit India,
he/she needs clearance from customs
department, ministries of cultural
affairs, foreign affairs and
Indian ministry of External Affairs.
"We have connectivity…we have road
link, river link, rail link, air link…Now
we have to make movement of people
easier," he said and urged all concerned
to work together on it. He urged especially
the journalist community to
build up public opinion in this regard.
Referring to meetings with Indian
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
and Information and Broadcasting
Minister Anurag Thakur, he said that
they had discussed wide ranges of bilateral
issues covering connectivity, cultural
cooperation, corona issue and vaccine
cooperation.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to
India Muhammad Imran gave a welcome
address on the occasion.
Later, the minister joined a book
launching ceremony at Indian Council
of World Affairs here. The book titled
"Bangladesh War Commentary" was
written by U. L Baruah on the War of
Independence of Bangladesh.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister
paid rich tribute to the martyrs especially
the Indian army personnel who laid
down their lives during the Bangladesh's
1971 War of Independence.
No tradition of calling govt officials
Sir or Madam: Farhad Hossain
Shafiqul iSlam (Shafiq)
State Minister for Public Administration
Farhad Hossain has made it clear that
there is no such thing as government
officials have to say sir or madam. He
also said that 55 BCS cadre officers have
been punished in 32 months for breach
of discipline. Besides, government officials
and employees as well as ministers
will give an account of their assets. He
was responding to various questions
while participating in a dialogue organized
by the Bangladesh Secretariat
Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Media
Center at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
BSRF President Tapan Biswas presided
over the dialogue and General Secretary
Masudul Haque conducted the dialogue.
The chief information officer of
information department Shahenur Mia
and others was also present at the event.
The state minister for public administration
said, Sir, madam or something like
that has to be addressed, there is no such
custom. Addressing the government officials,
he said, your attitude is very important
when someone goes to take service.
If you don't have a welcoming attitude
when someone goes to get a service, you are
reprimanded or angry- these are corruption.
Abuse amounts to corruption. It can't
be done. You speak beautifully, fluently.
Your behavior means the behavior of the
government. Everyone thinks your office is
a part of the Prime Minister's Office.
He said an incident had taken place
recently when an official in the field
administration did not address him. As
we saw there, it happened to those who
were around.
State Minister said the word sir means
sir. Madam means greatness. Mr. or Mrs.
It is not in the Rules of Business. What
was the direction of the father of our
nation? Look at those who come to you for
service, like your brother, like your father,
like your relatives.
Khaleda's family seeks
permission again to
send her abroad
DHAKA : The family of BNP Chairperson
Khaleda Zia has submitted an application
to the government seeking further extension
of her conditional release and allowing
her to go abroad for receiving
advanced treatment, reports UNB.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's
younger brother Shamim Iskander
recently submitted the application to the
Home Ministry, an official at the ministry
said on Tuesday.
Contacted, Law Minister Anisul Huq
told UNB, "As the suspension of
Khaleda Zia jail sentences is going to end
on September 24, her family has applied
for its extension."
In the application, the minister said,
the BNP chief's family claimed that her
physical condition has worsened due to
post-Covid complications, and they
again sought the government permission
to send her abroad for treatment.
Upon their application, Anisul said,
the Home Ministry sent a file to the
Law Ministry afew days back seeking
its legal opinion. "We gave our opinion
over the matter, and sent the file back
to the Home Ministry this (Tuesday)
morning," he said. The minister said
the Home Ministry will now send the
file to the Prime Minister's Office for
approval.
Covid-19
Bangladesh kicks
off 2nd dose mass
vaccination
campaign
DHAKA : The government on Tuesday
started administering the 2nd doses of
Covid-19 vaccine under its mass vaccination
campaign, aiming to fight the
deadly virus.
Vaccination centres in Dhaka and
elsewhere in the country drew huge
crowds as vaccine seekers were seen
standing close to each other with little or
no regard to social distancing rules.
The vaccination campaign will continue
for three days in all cities from September
7-9 while one day outside the cities on
September 7, reports UNB. The decision
came from a videoconference held on
Monday with PM's Principal Secretary Dr
Ahmad Kaikaus in the chair.
In the city areas, those who received
the first doses on August 7 and 8 will be
given the second doses on September 7,
while those who got the first doses on
August 9 and 10 will receive the second
doses on September 8 and the people
who received the first doses on August 11
and 12 will be given the second doses on
September 9, according to a decision
taken in the meeting.
art & culture
Rakul appears
before ED in
drugs case
>Page 10
Padma Bridge
Sujan worries about inauguration
of road, rail route together
MUNSHIGANJ : Railways Minister
Md Nurul Islam Sujan yesterday said
that it will not be possible to introduce
train on Padma Bridge on the same
day, with inauguration road communication,
if the railway section of the
bridge is not handed over to the railway
authority by next January.
"It will take six months to install rail
tracks on the main bridge. If the
Bridge Authority hands over (the rail
section to the rail authority) by next
January, train can run on Bhanga-
Mawa route through the Padma
Bridge on the same day along with the
road," he said.
While inspecting the railway links on
both sides of the Padma Bridge, Sujan
said that the Dhaka-Bhanga railway
route will be launched on December 16
in 2022.
He said the Bridge Authorities is not
allowing the railway authority to start
Sinha murder trial
COX'S BAZAR : The third day of second
phase of testimonial statements in the murder
case of Maj (retd) Sinha Mohammad
Rashed Khan concluded at a Cox's Bazar
court Tuesday with the testimony and statement
of the fifth witness, reports UNB.
The court adjourned at around 5 pm after
Hafeez Mohammad Amin's testimony as an
eyewitness and his interrogation by defense
lawyers. The statement was recorded before
Cox's Bazar district and session court Judge
Md Ismail. He was presented before the court
amid tight security around 10 am on the day.
After the hearing, defense lawyer Rana
Dasgupta told the media that Mohammad
Amin is a Rohingya.
"He said that he saw the murder from atop
a mosque and he used to work there.
However, the president and the general secretary
of the mosque informed us that they
don't know anyone by this name."
Public Prosecutor Faridul Alam refuted the
claim and said that the witness is a
Bangladeshi citizen. He went on to say that
the national identity of the witness is irrelevant
and the matter is being brought up to
steer the conversation to a different direction.
Plaintiff's lawyer Advocate
Mohammad Jahangir added that the
aforementioned mosque does not have
the construction of roads, electricity
and gas connections and walkways on
the Padma Bridge before March next.
"And it will take six months to complete
the work of the railway. As a
result, it will not be possible to complete
the work by June.
That's why there is an uncertainty
about the inauguration of the bridge's
road and railway together," the railways
minister said.
Railways Secretary Selim Reza,
Director General of Bangladesh
Railway Dhirendranath Majumder,
Padma Bridge Rail Link Project
Director Md Afzal Hossain, Additional
Superintendent of Police of
Munshiganj (Srinagar Circle) Md
Asaduzzaman, Louhjong Upazila
Nirbahi Officer Abdul Awal and
Padma Bridge Executive Engineer
Dewan Abdul Quader were, among
others, present on the occasion.
Fifth witness testifies
before court on day 3
any committee.
"The concept of the president and general
secretary not knowing the witness is ludicrous
as the mosque doesn't have a committee
in the first place," he added.
Earlier, during the three-day testimonial
statements recording from August 23 to
August 25, plaintiff Sharmin Sahariya
Ferdous, sister of Sinha, and witness
Shahedul Islam Sifat's statements were
recorded. On Sunday, third witness
Mohammad Ali's statement was recorded at
the court on the first day of the second phase
of testimonial statements.
On Monday the court heard from the
fourth witness, CNG driver Kamal Hossain's
testimony. The 11 other witnesses who
received the court notice are scheduled to testify
by Wednesday. On July 31 last year, Sinha
was shot dead at the Shamlapur police checkpost
in Baharchhara Union of Cox's Bazar
while returning to town after filming for a
documentary.
On August 5, Sinha's sister, Sharmin
Shahriar Ferdous, filed a case with Teknaf
Senior Judicial Magistrate Court accusing
nine members of law enforcement agencies
of being involved in the killing, including
Pradeep Kumar Das and Baharchhara police
outpost inspector Liakat Ali.
The government on Tuesday started administering the 2nd doses of Covid-19 vaccine under its
mass vaccination campaign. The picture is taken from Rajarbagh Police hospital. Photo : TBT

wednesdAY, september 8, 2021
2
Jnu passed a budget
of 148.87 crore Tk
Nakibul ahsaN Nishad; JNu
Jagannath university (Jnu) has passed the main revenue (nondevelopment)
budget of Tk 148.87 crore for the year of 2021-22.
as well as by person examination policies are approved.
On Monday at 3 pm Jagannath university Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Md. imdadulhaque chair the 85th syndicate meeting.
in this syndicate meeting, the revised budget of Jagannath
university for the year 2020-21 was Tk 128 crore 6 lakh 45
thousand and the basic revenue (non-development) budget of
Tk 148 crore 87 lakh for the financial year 2021-22 was passed.
among the notable sectors, the budget of the research sector for
the last financial year 2020-21 has been increased from Tk 2
crore to Tk 5 crore for the financial year 2021-22.
in addition, capital grant (equipment, vehicles, information
communication technology, other grants) sector 8 crore 46
lakh, recurring grant (teachers and staffs salaries and
allowances) 98 crore 37 lakh, goods and services assistance 32
crore and 90 lakh. 2 crore 30 lakh has been allocated for
pension and retirement benefits and 1 crore 84 lakh has been
allocated for other grants.
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WeDneSDay, SepTeMBer 8, 2021
4
Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam
e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Encouraging need
based education
The Minister for Education told an
international workshop sometime
ago that enlarging the sphere of
vocational education to create human
resources amply should be the thrust point
in the educational sector of the country.
He could not be more apt in his
observation. But the same also invites the
question of what is being done to increase
government run centres for technical or
vocational education.
Of course, the present government has to
its credit the taking of steps to expand
opportunities for technical and vocational
education. It has done more compared to
previous governments in the last two
decades to increase facilities for technical
and vocational education. But as it is,
government run polytechnic institutes in
Bangladesh are 77, technical schools and
colleges 64, technical training centres 38,
medical colleges 18, agricultural colleges 4,
agricultural university 1, textile institute 6,
agricultural institutes 13, forest institute 1,
marine institute 1 and textile vocational
institutes 40. The above figures clearly
show that for a country with over 165
million people and a big part of them being
teenagers or fast reaching the age to enter
the labour market through some kind of
need based education, the number of state
run organizations to impart such
education, is small compared to the need.
For example, when there should be at
least two or three polytechnics in each of
the country's 64 districts, the total number
of polys is 77. The same kind of
insufficiency is noted in the other groups
particularly in the areas of technical
schools and colleges and technical training
centres. It is also relevant to mention in
this connection that the media often
focuses on the poor state of whatever
institutions are there in the state sector for
vocational or technical education. In many
cases, it is alleged that these do not have
adequate number of teachers or trainers
against sanctioned posts or equipment
and machines for training are missing or
remain dysfunctional.
The budget makers are seen spending
money to pave the way for getting degrees
by hundreds of thousands of youngsters in
general, theoretical and religious
education every year. But what good such
generalists or potential prayer leaders--
who pass out in hordes annually-- can do
to fill the ranks of skilled manpower needs
to take the country to a higher level of
economic existence ?
It is imperative from the highest levels of
the government to realize that the
priorities in education must be redefined
at the fastest and remedial actions taken
just as fast. Useless and redundant forms
of education need to be discouraged and
curtailed. Allocations must be much
increased for creating centres for types of
education that would create real human
resources.
How was The person Bangabandhu
Honourable reader! Let
us introduce you to
Bangabandhu anew
today. You all know
about Bangabandhu's
contribution in politics.
But today we will discuss
what this man was like outside of politics. Once
a gentleman asked Bangabandhu, "What do
you expect your children to be when they grow
up?" In reply, Bangabandhu said, 'I want my
children to become human beings. This is
Sheikh Mujib. In response to this question, his
attitude towards life and his character traits
came to light. He said about their careers, they
will choose their careers as per their choice. I
don't want to sniff at her. He has been a gentle,
humble and considerate person since his
student days. His behavior is extremely sincere.
His always majestic face is easily filled with a
generous smile. His sense of humor has saved
him from all the pains and lawsuits of his life.
The thing that amazes his the most is his great
confidence. Once he decides that he has made
the right decision, he has pushed forward no
matter what obstacles come his way. He would
easily catch the eye in the crowd. Wherever he
was, Bangabandhu could easily attract the
attention of everyone. His transformation from
a tall, slender body in his youth to a great
personality leader. When Bangabandhu stood
in the midst of the people and addressed them
in a strong and powerful voice about the
stupidity of the government, the real man could
not be recognized. When one came closer, one
could understand how sincere, domestic and
sensitive Bangabandhu was in his behavior,
with a smile on his face. But no one could fool
him. Although Bangabandhu likes new ideas,
he does not reject the previous ones without
looking at them well. Sheikh Mujib's life is a very
ordinary life of austerity. He is one of the
successful world leaders today because he did
not have any fascination with comfort, luxury
etc. This indifference towards home, money,
comfort, etc. has increased the respect and
esteem of the people towards him many times.
His steps towards life were faster and stronger
than usual.
Sheikh Mujib used to spread the charisma of
his strong personality among the people who
used to come near him. When he spoke on
stage, he spoke in clear, simple language, and
occasionally added funny anecdotes. This ability
to handle people with sensitive and skilled
hands has further increased Bangabandhu's
popularity and power. It is very rare that he had
a stubborn and strong temperament. Sheikh
Mujib's characteristic was a stubborn and
arrogant affair. Although stubborn, he was a
forgiving man. Michelle was a marvel of
stubbornness and power. Bangabandhu used to
forgive people and forget about people's crimes.
But Bangabandhu had no revenge against the
former politicians who slandered
Bangabandhu. Bangabandhu never wished
them misfortune.
One of the vice-presidents of the Awami
League thought that Sheikh Mujib would end
up in the Agartala conspiracy case and he would
have to spend at least 20 years in jail. The man
slandered Sheikh Mujib but later returned to
the Awami League. Later he started traveling to
the Awami League office. When Mujib met him,
he seemed to realize that he had completely
forgotten about the past. However,
Bangabandhu had earlier said to his political
colleagues, 'I will not allow this man to join the
Awami League again. This shows how
generous, kind and compassionate
Bangabandhu was.
John Gunther said that Gandhiji enjoyed the
solitude of prison. He meditated and meditated
on God. Sheikh Mujib also had no fear of jail. It
can be said that the jail was Bangabandhu's
second residence. One day he said to one,
'Prison is my other home. However, life in
prison was not very pleasant for him. He
thought it was a waste of time to stay in jail
because there was so much work outside.
According to him, "solitary confinement is the
most heinous punishment of the government."
He can also be called a prisoner. He had to
spend nine years and eight months in jail after
the creation of Pakistan. It was the longest
imprisonment for any Pakistani politician.
Sheikh Mujib would have been the first victim of
a change of government. Putting him in jail
seemed to be a casual affair of the government.
After martial law was imposed in 1958, he was
imprisoned along with Maulana Bhasani and
Abul Mansur. The first night they spent together
and spent the whole night talking. To them it
was a political get-together. They discuss the
dire consequences of politics and military rule.
The next day they were sent to a separate cell. It
was a torture for a happy-go-lucky man like
Sheikh Mujib. Like many other politicians, he
settled in prison, reading books, planting
vegetables and flowers. He collected a mango
sapling from another ward of the jail and
planted it in the backyard of his cell. While
planting the saplings, he told the jail
superintendent, "I want to eat mangoes from
this tree before I get out of this jail." The prison
superintendent was impressed by the way he
spoke, even though he was joking. Sheikh Mujib
was not only brave, his soul was as strong and
solid as granite. Every time he has gone to jail in
the past, there have been problems with where
and with whom to leave the five children.
However, after taking up residence in
Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangabandhu breathed a
sigh of relief, thinking that the family had a place
to live. One day he said, "Even my friends did
not dare to rent me a house after martial law
was imposed." This anxiety has returned to his
wife. In those uncertain, miserable days, he had
to move from house to house. Having a
permanent address in Dhaka, he no longer had
to worry about his family. He can now jump into
any risk without causing any pain to his
relatives. Thinking this, Bangabandhu breathed
a sigh of relief.
He used the living room of Dhanmondi's
house occasionally. Anyone could easily enter
the bedroom in front of him. There he would sit
in a reclining chair or in a corner of the bed.
When he saw the visitor, he would smile and
greet him, hug him and let him sit in the chair.
Bangabandhu loves to watch movies. But only
historical pictures. He said, 'I haven't had a
chance to see one or more pictures in two or
three years. He has seen the historical picture
Sirajuddaula after the recent martial law was
imposed. Although he had wanted to watch this
movie for a long time.
When Bangabandhu was asked about his
favorite books, he would say, "I like the writings
of Nazrul, Rabindranath, Bernard Shaw,
Kennedy and Mao Zedong." Bangabandhu was
a big fan of former US President John F.
Kennedy. He liked Kennedy very much as a
man. A quote from Kennedy was
Bangabandhu's special choice, "Don't ask what
the country can give you, but ask yourself what
you can do for the country." His list of likes and
dislikes was quite extensive and sophisticated.
However, Bangabandhu rarely got time to read
books as he had to give lectures in the districts
or give time to the visitors. In his home library,
there were only two bookshelves full of books -
Churchill, Karl Marx, History of Bengal, History
of France and England, Kennedy and Bertrand
Russell. Bangabandhu had deep respect and
confidence in Islam. He said, 'I am a Muslim.
Through these words, confidence and inner
faith of the mind are sounded in his voice. This
is possible only if one has deep faith in the
original. He was more a believer in the
fundamentals of Islam than in performing
nayeeM ISLaM nIBIr
XU LIngUI
religious rites. He feared that the years-long
rituals would surround Islam in a way that
could lead Muslims astray.
As Bangabandhu once said in context, my
wife is extremely frugal and cautious, she is
always ready for adversity. I have given him all
the authority to run the battlefield called Sansar.
The joke came out in his eyes, 'I have given full
autonomy to my wife to run the home
administration just as I want autonomy for East
Pakistan. His wife is a majestic woman with a
happy disposition. All the qualities of a Bengali
mother exist in her. She is gentle, loving and
kind. Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib used to help
the poor and needy people with open heart. The
humor of this majestic woman was also very
strong. A few days after the imposition of
martial law, she remarked that martial law had
become better. I have a chance to talk to him
now. Otherwise, he is always surrounded by
visitors. They stay with him till 12 o'clock at
night, again they come to him at dawn. She has
comforted her husband in times of financial
hardship. She has always stood by her side in
times of misery and suffering. Sheikh Mujib has
occasionally jumped into danger and risk
because he knew his wife would not be
overwhelmed by anxiety or worry. Behind
Mujib's sacrifice is the sacrifice of his wife, who
has endured years of grief and suffering. When
Mujib goes to jail, she does not know when her
husband will be released from jail. Belief in her
husband's thoughts and actions was the only
source of strength for this majestic woman.
Sheikh Mujib was full of praise for his wife.
Mujib is not worried about going to jail, because
he knows he is leaving his children in safe
hands. He thinks his wife is a loving and kind
woman. But the thing that attracted
Bangabandhu the most was that his wife was
very brave. In the past, when the police came
and took him away and put him in jail
indefinitely, his wife never shed a tear and
showed no sign of breaking up. Did she cry
during the Agartala conspiracy case? To this
question Mujib said, I don't know by crying.
Maybe she cried behind me. I can't say for sure.
Sheikh Mujib is undoubtedly lucky to have such
a life partner.
Mujib's parents arranged the marriage. Their
marriage was very successful and both were
suitable as a couple. Apparently the two seem
different. Mrs. Mujib is soft-spoken, silent and
Sheikh Mujib is her opposite. He is very warm,
friendly and prefers to take risks. Yet they are
bound in the same bond of courage and
compassion. The party workers greeted
Bangabandhu with great respect and courtesy.
Fazlul Haque used to call him grandson and
Suhrawardy used to caress him like his own
child. "I am not Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the
people of my party," he told a US journalist. "I
am Mujib bhai."
Apart from family, people and politics,
another place of love for Mujib was the
countryside of East Pakistan. He once told a
friend that if I had a house on the side of the
road in the village. Then I would see green
nature from a distance for a while.
Despite his love of life and politics, he was a
nature lover. Everyone will need a few hands of
land. "Do you sometimes think about death?
When asked, Bangabandhu replied, "I always
think of death." Sheikh Mujib had no qualms
about eating habits. "I like white rice, pulses and
mashed potatoes the most," he said of his
favorite food. He also likes fish broth. Sheikh
Mujib is a man of real perception. His insights
did not come from reading books or from
abstract things, but from the frustration of
unemployed youth, the helplessness of farmers,
the hunger and sickness of their children.
Insight was more important than intelligence.
He does not like lazy, incompetent and
emotional idealists. Their stupidity made him
angry. He yelled at his colleague, the secretary,
but forgot about it after a while. This quality was
also present in his leader Suhrawardy. Loyalty
and gratitude are two good political weapons,
Bangabandhu believed. The goal of
Bangabandhu's life was to do good to the
people. He used to say, 'I have demanded
autonomy for both East and West Pakistan. In
my eyes, there is no difference between the poor
people of East and West Pakistan. After his
release from the Agartala conspiracy case,
Bangabandhu was much happier than before.
Thinking that West Pakistanis may have
understood the plight of East Pakistanis.
Despite all the arrogance and pride of East
Pakistan, Bangabandhu was not a lowly and
introverted nationalist. When Ayub Sarkar tried
to narrow down our cultural life by omitting
Rabindranath Tagore's poems and songs,
Sheikh Mujib declared, 'Rabindranath is not
just a Bengali poet, he is a world poet. Just as
people want to read Shakespeare, Aristotle, Karl
Marx, they also want to read the writings of
Rabindranath Tagore.
He is in dire straits, yet he has not given up
hope. As he has always felt, he is an element of
East Pakistan's destiny. He once said to himself,
'I thought I might be jailed for 20 years in the
Agartala conspiracy case. Even if the sentence is
commuted considering the case, I will be 64
when I get out of jail.
If the exploitation of my people still does not
stop and my six points are not achieved, I will
fight for it.
Bangabandhu was kind from his childhood.
Even before the beginning of political life, seeing
the misery of the impoverished people of the
village, he was clearly moved by it. He did not
hesitate to donate his sheets to the coldblooded.
He was a righteous man all his life.
Observing his political life, we can see his
honesty, devotion and concentration. He used
to speak in simple language, he used to express
the faces of common people in his speeches. He
loved ordinary people. Wherever he went,
ordinary people would become his relatives.
His honesty, devotion has made him a
legend. Wherever he has gone, everyone seems
to be his own, very close person. Bangabandhu
is not just a name, it is a history. Bangladesh and
Bangabandhu are inseparable.
If you want to know Bangladesh, you also
need to know Bangabandhu. Bangabandhu is a
perfect example of how to build yourself as a
leader. His long struggle was very diverse.
Repeatedly faced death but did not
compromise. The man who has spent his whole
life to liberate the country from subjugation, to
see an independent sovereign country. But just
four years after independence, the man was
killed by some greedy and misguided army
officers.
We have come to the very edge of the
discussion. I'm finishing with a few more
discussion! Bangabandhu was not a party
leader. He is the national leader of all,
irrespective of party affiliation. Although he was
the leader of one party, he built national unity
with all parties to liberate the country.
Bangabandhu knew that the country could not
be made independent without unity.
People from all walks of life also adorned him
with seats of honor. So he is the leader of all the
party. He always loved national unity. Not as the
head of the party, but as the leader of the people
of the country, the leaders of different parties
have accepted and respected him. Analyzing the
life of Bangabandhu, one can learn that
"Courage is not a thing that can be achieved by
a single act. You have to live with this courage
for the rest of your life."
Nayeem Islam Nibir is a young
generation political leader and columnist
in Bangladesh. He can be reached:
nayemulislamnayem148@gmail.com
U.S. attempt to pressure China by politicizing
COVID-19 origins-tracing doomed to fail
The United States is playing its old
trick again by releasing a so-called
summary of the intelligence
community assessment on COVID-19
origins, under the delusion that it can
hamper China by politicizing COVID-19
origins-tracing.
The summary, released by the Office of
the Director of National Intelligence of the
United States on Friday, does not rule out
either natural exposure or laboratory
accident, and blatantly claims that China
"continues to hinder the global
investigation, resist sharing information
and blame other countries."
Obviously, the "report" concocted by the
U.S. intelligence community is not
scientifically credible. As a matter of
science, the origins-tracing should and
can only be left to scientists, not
intelligence experts.
The assertion of lack of transparency on
the part of China is only an excuse for the
U.S. politicizing and stigmatizing
Sheikh Mujib used to spread the charisma of his strong personality
among the people who used to come near him. When he spoke on
stage, he spoke in clear, simple language, and occasionally added
funny anecdotes. This ability to handle people with sensitive and
skilled hands has further increased Bangabandhu's popularity and
power. It is very rare that he had a stubborn and strong temperament.
campaign. China has taken an open,
transparent and responsible attitude since
COVID-19 cases were reported in the city
of Wuhan.
As the first to cooperate with the World
Health Organization (WHO) on global
origins-tracing, China has invited WHO
experts to conduct the investigations twice
in the country. The openness and
transparency China have displayed have
won full recognition from international
experts.
The joint study report of the scientists of
the WHO and China, which was released
earlier this year after two joint study
missions in the country, has reached the
The U.S. side has been shying away from tracing the virus origins
at home and closing the door on any such possibility. If the U.S.
side insists on the lab leak theory, it should invite WHO experts to
investigate military bio-lab Fort Detrick. If the U.S. side is "transparent
and responsible," it should make public the data of its early
cases and examine it to find out what happened on its turf first.
conclusion that introduction through a lab
accident in Wuhan is "extremely
unlikely".
The United States, however, has chosen
to ignore this finding.
The U.S. intelligence community's
"report" is based on a presumption of guilt
on the part of China, seeking to scapegoat
China for the U.S. side's failure to
effectively protect its citizens from the
virus. With its rich medical resources, the
United States has, however, registered the
most infections and death cases from
COVID-19 across the globe.
The U.S. side has been shying away
from tracing the virus origins at home and
closing the door on any such possibility. If
the U.S. side insists on the lab leak theory,
it should invite WHO experts to
investigate military bio-lab Fort Detrick.
If the U.S. side is "transparent and
responsible,"
it should make public the data of its
early cases and examine it to find out what
happened on its turf first, instead of
continually slinging mud at others.
China stands a clear-cut position on
global origins-tracing: this is a matter of
science. And any attempt to pressure
China by politicizing COVID-19 originstracing
is doomed to fail.
The writer is Senior Editor,
Xinhua News Agency

WEDnESDay, SEPTEmbEr 8 , 2021
5
JEnny ValEnTISH
At 2.16am, I stumble to the
bathroom. I catch a glimpse
of myself. The light from the
red bulb is flattering - I've
been told to eliminate all
blue light on my nocturnal
trek - but the sleep-tracker headband, currently emitting the
sound of gently lapping waves, kills any woke-up-like-this
vibe. I adjust its double straps and feel my way back to bed.
The next time I wake is at 6.30am - after fractured dreams
in which the Dreem 2 headband makes many cameos - to
birdsong, also from the headband. When I check the app, I
see I have slept six-and-a-half hours of my anticipated eight.
Anxious to remedy this, I head out for my first coffee. In his
new book Blueprint: Build a Bulletproof Body for Extreme
Adventure in 365 Days, athlete Ross Edgley warns that this
sort of overriding behaviour can bring about "biochemical
bankruptcy". Not now, Ross.
Health influencers like Edgley are all over sleep lately, and
no wonder, when so many of us obsess over it. A 2021 report
released by the Sleep Health Foundation estimates around
one in 10 Australians have a sleep disorder, while a report
from 2019 found that more than half are suffering from at
least one chronic sleep symptom. Studies have suggested
that sleep deficiency can lead to weight gain and a weakened
immune system and that poor sleep patterns may contribute
to later dementia risk.
In recent years, sleep-fretting has intersected with fitnesstracking,
with the latest bio-hacks regularly featured on the
podcasts of personal-development heavyweights such as Joe
Rogan, whose Whoop Strap - worn around the wrist - told
him he was getting four or five hours a night, not the seven
or eight he'd thought; and Aubrey Marcus, whose Oura ring
measures various biomarkers overnight and gives him a
total score in the morning. "If I can get close to 80%, I'm
golden for the day," Marcus told the authors of My Morning
Routine.
Wearables, such as watches, rings and headbands, appeal
to those of us who enjoy geeking out on our stats, but could
they also be cultivating anxiety and feeding into insomnia?
Associate Prof Darren Mansfield, a sleep disorders and
respiratory physician who is also deputy chair of the Sleep
Health Foundation, thinks some balance is needed.
"These devices in general can be a good thing," he says.
"They're not as accurate as a laboratory-based sleep study,
but they are progressing in that direction, and technology
enables the person to be engaged in their health. Where it
can become problematic is people can become a bit enslaved
by the data, which can lead to anxiety or rumination over the
results and significance. That might escalate any problems,
or even start creating problems."
As a clinician, Mansfield thinks that the most useful role of
these devices is monitoring routine, not obsessing over the
hours of good-quality sleep. "There will be some error
margin, but nonetheless when we're looking for diagnostic
The smart devices help us sleep
an Oura smart ring, designed to measure resting heart rate.
information, like timing of sleep and duration of sleep, they
can capture that," he says.
Since Mansfield admits his sleep doesn't need much
hacking, I seek out an insomniac-turned-human guinea pig.
Mike Toner runs the dance music agency Thick as Thieves,
and has been on a mission for five years to fix the sleep issues
earned from a decade of late nights in Melbourne clubs and
reaching for his phone to answer international emails at
3am.
"I tried everything," he says. "Magnesium capsules and
spray, melatonin and herbal sleep aids. I even signed up for
treatment at a sleep centre. You sleep in this room with all
these wires connected to you, things coming out of your
nose, cameras trained on you. Ironically, I slept better that
night than I have any other night."
He decided to start monitoring his body in earnest,
learning about the latest devices from the Huberman Lab
Podcast and The Quantified Scientist. Sleep-monitoring
wearables have progressed from having an accelerometer to
track movements which are fed through an algorithm to
predict when a person is asleep, to being able to track sleep
Photo: Winni Wintermeyer
latency; sleep efficacy; heart-rate variability; light, deep and
REM sleep and sleeping positions.
Toner's accumulated a few as the technology becomes
more sophisticated. He estimates having spent around
$1,500 on them, and a further $3,500 for the sleep-centre
treatment.
Then there are the cooling devices. Toner beds down on a
Chilipad as soon as the weather gets warmer - a hydropowered
cooling mattress.
The idea is that lying down in a cool room - perhaps after
taking a warm shower - tricks the body into slumber, since
our body temperature drops when we're asleep.
Non-techy strategies include having hands and feet out
from under the covers, or using a fan. Lifestyle guru and
entrepreneur Tim Ferriss recommends a short ice bath
before bed. Be warned, though: Dave Asprey - founder of
Bulletproof, which sells high-performance products - once
tried putting ice packs on his body right before bed. As he
told MensHealth.com: "I ended up getting ice burns on
about 15% of my body."
Mansfield says that ensuring you're cooler in the evenings
may help with sleep.
"Generally, a lower-level
temperature is better
tolerated at night … 25C can
make a beautiful,
comfortable day, but can be
unbearably hot at night
when our own core temperature drops, so 18C or 19C is
more tolerable.
"Then in the last two hours before getting up, your
temperature rises again - you might have thrown off the
blanket in the night and then might wake up at 5am feeling
freezing cold."
And what about the new frontiers of technology?
According to neuroscientist Matthew Walker, in his
influential book Why We Sleep, in the future, we can expect
the marriage of tracking devices with in-home networked
devices such as thermostats and lighting. "Using common
machine-learning algorithms applied over time, we should
be able to intelligently teach the home thermostat what the
thermal sweet spot is of each occupant in each bedroom,
based on the biophysiology calculated by their sleeptracking
device," Walker says. "Better still, we could
program a natural circadian lull and rise in temperature
across the night that is in harmony with each body's
expectations."
Mansfield thinks this kind of integration is feasible, and
that a thermostat linked to a device measuring circadian
rhythms offers plausible benefits in preparing people's sleep,
but he predicts that automated control of room lighting will
wind up being manually overridden, because technology
can't necessarily gauge when we're in the middle of reading
a book or having a conversation. "It's liable to just irritate
people," he says. He's more interested in technology that will
track conditions like sleep apnoea.
As Toner has concluded, no device is a silver bullet.
Ultimately, it was a $70 online cognitive behavioural therapy
(CBT) course that his GP referred him to that fixed his sleep
over three months of strict adherence. Now he just uses
technology to make sure he's not drifting off track.
The key lessons? Only use your bedroom for sleep and sex.
Set your alarm for the same time, no matter how late you get
to bed. Screens off early. No day-napping. Alcohol is a bad
idea. All of these things are easily monitored yourself using a
good old notebook, and they don't cost a cent. They just take
persistence.
With those good habits in place, Toner is now mindful of
how he will put the CBT pointers he's learned during
lockdowns into practice once his life picks up its pace again.
"I used to put this obligation on myself to be there all the
time with my artists, but interestingly, coming out of this
pandemic, a lot of the artists are having the same train of
thought as I am, wanting to avoid late nights," Toner says.
He's even coaching some of them for a charity run - quite
the lifestyle change for many. "I've spent so long fixing this
that one of the things I've realised, when we eventually go
back to work routines, is I'm going to be fiercely protective of
my sleep."
The most common long-haul
COVID symptoms in kids
The nature of long-haul COVID in kids may be changing due to the delta variant. Sergey Sidorov
CaTHErInE PEarSOn
One of the few mercies of the
coronavirus pandemic is that
children are, by and large,
spared the most serious
outcomes. More than 4.7
million pediatric cases have
been diagnosed in the United
States so far, and under 2%
have resulted in
hospitalization.
But questions still remain
about the long-term effects of
COVID-19 on kids, especially
its long-haul iteration. Here's
what parents need to know
about the most common
symptoms, and how to protect
their children.
For the most part, the most
common complaints of
children grappling with longhaul
COVID ? which the
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention now often
refers to as a "post-COVID
condition" ? are pretty much
the same as those of adults.
Difficulty breathing,
shortness of breath, and
tiredness or fatigue are right
at the top of the list, but the
severity of those symptoms
runs the gamut. For example,
Carey Lumeng, a pediatric
pulmonologist with C. S. Mott
Children's Hospital who leads
the Pediatric Post-COVID
Syndrome Clinic, said that his
team has treated several
pediatric patients who are
athletes and noticed they were
unable to run and play in the
same way they could pre-
COVID.
Other kids experience levels
of tiredness that are profound
and relentless. Experts are
exploring how long-haul
COVID in children might
overlap with serious
conditions like chronic fatigue
syndrome or postural
orthostatic tachycardia
syndrome, which can cause
lightheadedness, exhaustion,
and heart palpitations.
"I think it's important for
parents to know that in most
children, thankfully, COVID is
mild," said Dr. Diane Arnaout,
a Texas-based pediatrician
who regularly posts COVID
tips for families on her
Facebook page. "But it doesn't
mean they can't get severely
or chronically sick."
Children with long-haul
COVID also report dealing
with "brain fog," which is a
broad (and non-clinical) term
used to describe difficulty
thinking or concentrating.
"In children and
adolescents, this can look like
they suddenly developed
attentiondeficit/hyperactivity
disorder
(ADHD) without the
hyperactivity," according to
the American Academy of
Pediatrics.
While those are among the
most common symptoms,
they're not the only ones. One
study, which focused on
adults, found that there may
be 200 symptoms associated
with long-haul COVID-19.
"I have one poor teenager
who, months out from her
COVID infection, smells feces
anytime she's near meat of
any kind," said Arnaout. "That
seems mild, but it can really
do a number to one's appetite
and mental wellbeing."
Long-haul COVID is a
syndrome - a group of
symptoms that often occur
together - so it's not
something that can be
diagnosed with a test. "Longhaul
COVID in kids can look
like a lot of things," Arnaout
said.
Furthermore, children can
develop long-term symptoms
even if they initially had no
symptoms, or just very mild
symptoms. They might not
even have been tested for
COVID-19, or could have
inconsistent results on
subsequent antibody tests.
"There is no one diagnostic
test for [long-haul COVID]. In
addition, there's no one single
treatment for it," said
Lumeng, who added that in
the clinic he oversees,
treatments tend to be based
on symptoms. So if a child has
asthma-like symptoms, they
deal with those the same way
they'd treat a child with
asthma. An ear nose and
throat specialist might help
with loss of smell or taste.
But to further complicate
matters, there is not a
universal definition for what
"long-haul" means, though
many experts consider the
starting point to be three
months after the onset of
symptoms.
"The definition of 'long
COVID' is still being decided.
We definitely know children
can have symptoms for as
long as four weeks, and that's
actually fairly normal,"
Lumeng said, though he
noted he was not dismissing
how challenging it can be on
kids and parents when a child
is unwell for weeks on end.
"Many children can have
symptoms that are prolonged
as long as two to three months
that eventually resolve.
Certainly, that's distressing to
the family. They don't know
what's going on. But there is
actually a kind of drop-off at
about three months when
things do get better," he
added.
Talk to your child's
pediatrician if you're at all
concerned that they're dealing
with long-haul COVID. Early
on in the pandemic, there was
some research suggesting that
the prevalence of long-haul
COVID symptoms in children
may be as high as 60%,
Lumeng said.
But subsequent research
has been much more
reassuring. One study found
that about 4% of children had
symptoms about one month
after their initial infection,
and two months out, less than
2% of children did. However,
research published this week -
which has not been subject to
peer review - found that
somewhere between 2 and
14% of kids have symptoms
several months after the fact.
By contrast, studies suggest
that one in four adults may
develop long-haul symptoms,
even if their initial infection
was relatively mild.
"Thankfully it seems to
happen more rarely in kids
than adults," said Arnaout.
While doctors are heartened
by the fact that long-haul
COVID in children is a lot less
common than they once
feared, pediatric cases are
surging right now as a result
of the more-contagious delta
variant.
The chronic stress
survival guide
EllE HunT
At a time when all life's challenges have
been amplified by the pandemic - and
awareness of burnout, at home and at
work, has never been higher - stress
might seem to be our baseline
condition. For most of us, these periods
of pressure pass relatively quickly. Even
serious stress can be temporary and,
given the chance to recover, we usually
will. "But emotional resilience won't
solve everything," says Rachel Boyd,
from the mental health charity Mind.
"Some of the causes of stress are very
challenging to cope with, even when we
feel OK."
Many of our everyday challenges
have been amplified by the pandemic
and its consequences for the economy
and society. Those living with financial
hardship, health conditions, or
caregiving responsibilities, in
particular, may feel there is no end in
sight. But even if stress seems essential
to your circumstances and you don't
have the option or the resources to
change them, there are ways you can
support yourself.
Short-term bursts of stress can be
weathered without a negative impact
and can even be productive, says
Victoria Zamperoni, senior research
officer for the Mental Health
Foundation. "But if stress is really
intense, frequent or chronic, that's
when you see it having knock-on effects
… and the threshold will be different for
everybody."
Harvard University's Center on the
Developing Child distinguishes
between positive, tolerable and toxic
stress (the terms refer to the effects on
the body, not the stressful event or
experience itself - though questions of
context, intensity and duration are
relevant). Toxic stress response can
result from strong, frequent or
prolonged adversity without adequate
support - and the health effects can
accumulate and last for a lifetime.
When your situation is so
overwhelming, protecting your
wellbeing can seem irrelevant or even
impossible. But it's important to take
whatever steps you can. Ongoing stress
can cause or exacerbate many serious
health problems including
cardiovascular disease, high blood
pressure, heart disease and heart
attacks, and stroke. It impairs your
memory, thinking and judgment in the
present, and has been linked to
developing depression, anxiety and
perhaps even Alzheimer's disease.
"Stress is a really important physical
influence and it deserves to be taken
seriously," says Zamperoni. "If
someone is struggling, they should
reach out for help."
"Stress is often a legitimate response
to difficult circumstances, that no
amount of resilience or self-care can
overcome," Boyd says. Much prolonged
stress is a product of poverty, financial
struggle and health conditions and
exacerbated by cuts to benefits and
support services. So any discussion of
ways to cope must acknowledge that
the solution lies in structural societal
change, such as welfare reform, more
protective labour laws and more
support and resources for caregivers.
Middle-aged women, in particular,
shoulder the burden, often working
full-time while also caring for young
children and elderly parents. "It's
unfair to put all of the responsibility for
staying healthy on the individual," says
Zamperoni. "At the same time, that
social change is often slow - so people
do need resources they can draw on in
the meantime."
Everyone's experience of stress is
different, says Zamperoni. "Stressors
can vary by your environment, your
past and present, and the social or
economic situation you find yourself
in."
Even genetics inform our stress
response, meaning other people's
strategies won't necessarily help you;
the key is to come up with your own.
Public Health England's Every Mind
Matters online tool helps people come
up with a personalised "mind plan".
"You could say, 'I've got to learn to
cope', but there are specific things that
will help you," says Paul Gilbert, a
clinical psychologist and the founder of
the Compassionate Mind Foundation.
"What's going to help you with your
elderly relatives is not going to be
what's helpful on a Covid ward.
Different stressors require different
solutions."
Try to approach your stress with
curiosity: what triggers it and what
makes you feel better? Boyd suggests
taking time to reflect on your specific
experiences, either alone or with a
friend. "You might be surprised to find
out just how much you're coping with
at once."
We all know the importance of
movement, nutrition and sleep, but it's
not always easy to do something about
it, especially when resources are
stretched. In desperate circumstances,
these might seem like simplistic
solutions. But they can either
exacerbate your experience of your
circumstances or help you to cope. "A
good night's sleep makes a world of
difference, which sounds like a pat
thing to say - but it really does," says
Stress can feel like a baseline condition for many of us.
Photo: Steven Gregor
Zamperoni.
As stress is partly physiological, says
Gilbert, paying attention to physical
health is relevant to regulating our
response. Even breathing matters: "Get
your body into a position where it's
much more grounded."
If just the thought of taking this on is
overwhelming, Boyd suggests only
doing what feels comfortable, and
taking small steps at a time: "Pick one
or two things that feel achievable at
first, before moving on to try other
ideas. Something as simple as looking
after an indoor pot plant or counting
the birds you see from your window can
help." Establishing a daily routine adds
to a sense of control.
If making time for sleep or exercise
feels self-indulgent when others are
depending on you, reframe it as what
you need to do to be an effective
provider or caregiver for them.
Not only does asking for help lighten
your load, it will make your situation
feel more tolerable. Individuals'
biological response to stress is
moderated by genetics, over which we
have no control - but also the
availability of supportive relationships,
which we do.

WeDneSDAY, SePTeMBeR 8, 2021
6
The roof casting of the two-storied building of Panchbibi Shiratti Mastafabiya Fazil Degree Madrasa
in Joypurhat has been inaugurated onTuesday.
Photo: Masrakul Alom
29 more test
positive for
COVID-19
in Bhola
BHOLA: A total of 29 people
detected positive for Covid-
19 in the district after testing
163 samples at Bhola 250-
bed General Hospital Covid-
19 laboratory during the last
24 hours till last morning.
Among the newly positive
cases, 15 are in Sadar
upazila, two in Daulatkhan
upazila, seven in
Charfashion and five in
Lalmohan upazila, Civil
Surgeon Dr KM
Shafiquzzaman told BSS.
With the diagnosis of 29
cases, the total number of
Covid-19 cases reached
6,645 in the district.
Meanwhile, a total of 48
patients recovered from
Covid-19 in the span of 24
hours, climbing the total
healed patients to 6,117 here,
the health official said.
A total of 89 people have
so far died due to Covid-19 in
the district, he added.
Dr Shafiquzzaman said
infected 10 people are now
undergoing treatment at
Bhola 250-bed General
Hospital and the rest are at
home quarantine under the
supervision of their
respective Upazila Health
Complex doctors.
He urged all to follow the
health rules strictly and use
masks to prevent the spread
of the lethal virus and also
called upon everyone to be
more aware for preventing
Covid-19 infection.
RAJSHAHI: Wide-ranging
promotion of model
poultry farming can be the
effective means of
protecting the public health
from various health
hazards through ensuring
safe poultry products,
reports BSS.
To make the poultry
farming and its products
safe and hygienic, all
concerned, including
poultry farmers, traders,
buyers, feed manufactures
and sellers should come
forward and work together.
The observations came at
a workshop titled "Market
Linkage with Consumers,
Buyers and Model Poultry
Farmers to Promote Safe
Poultry Products" at Hotel
Warisan in Rajshahi city
yesterday.
Local unit of Consumers
Roof casting of Shiratti
Mustafabiya Madrasa
inaugurated at Panchbibi
MASRAKUL ALOM, JOYPURHAT CORRESPONDENT
The roof casting of the two-storied building of Panchbibi
Shiratti Mastafabiya Fazil Degree Madrasa in Joypurhat has
been inaugurated on Tuesday.
Marking the occasion, the President of the Governing Body
of the Madrasa, Abu Taher Sheikh, presided over the
function while parliament member of Joypurhat-1
constituency Adv. Shamsul Alam Dudu was present as the
chief guest. Among others, Panchbibi Thana Awami League
President Abu Bakar Siddique, Organizing Secretary Razaul
Karim, Madrasa Principal Abdul Bari Sardar, Shiratti College
Principal Shahjahan Ali, Awlai UP Awami League President
Ibrahim Hasain, General Secretary and former UP Chairman
Ekramul Haque Wahidir were also present at the occasion.
RMCH records five more
deaths in Covid-19 unit
RAJSHAHI: Five more deaths were recorded at the Covid-
19 unit of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) in the
last 24 hours till 6am yesterday, raising the fatality to 52 in
last seven days of this month.
The previous day's fatality figure was ten. Earlier, the
number of casualties was 340 in August, 566 in July and 405
in June, health officials said.
RMCH Director Brigadier General Dr Shamim Yazdani
told newsmen that two of the deceased were the residents of
Rajshahi, two from Chapainawabganj and one from
Naogaon, he said.
"Of the fresh fatalities, one tested positive for Covid-19 and
four others had its symptoms," he said.
Twenty-two more patients were admitted to the designated
Covid-19 wards of the hospital in the last 24 hours, raising
the total number of admitted patients to 140, including 50
positive cases.
Sixteen patients returned home from the Covid-19 unit
after being cured during the time.
Yazdani said the infection rate has decreased by 1.7 percent
in Rajshahi compared to the previous day.
A total of 48 people were diagnosed with Covid-19 after
testing 476 samples in Rajshahi's two laboratories on
Monday, showing 13.25 percent positivity rate against 14.95
percent on Sunday.
Yazdani said the number of admitted patients has declined
during the last couple of weeks. So, the number of designated
wards and beds in the hospital was reduced, he added.
Promoting model
farming to ensure
safe poultry food
stressed
Association of Bangladesh
(CAB) organised the
workshop in association
with an issue based project
on Food Safety in Poultry
Sector and UKaid and
British Council.
The meeting discussed
and devised ways and
means on how to build a
strong linkage with
farmers, buyers and
consumers for the sake of
their mutual interests in
terms of safe poultry
products and safe food.
District Livestock Officer
Dr Julfiker Akter Hossain
and Deputy Director of the
Department of National
Consumers Rights
Protection Apurba Kumar
Adhikary addressed the
workshop as the chief and
special guests respectively
with CAB local unit General
Secretary Golam Mostofa
Mamun in the chair.
Upazila Livestock Officer
Dr Monirul Islam, Senior
Vice-president of Rajshahi
Chamber of Commerce and
Industries Masudur
Rahman and Paba Upazila
Vice-chairman Wazed Ali
Khan also spoke.
CAB Project Field
Coordinator Mizanur
Rahman gave an overview
of the project along with its
aims, objectives and
implementation strategy
during his keynote
presentation.
Police distribute
relief to flood
victims in
Gaibandha
GAIBANDHA: Police
yesterday handed over food
items to over 200 flood
affected people of different
char areas at Fulchhari
upazila in the district,
reports BSS.
Superintendent of Police
(SP) Muhammad Towhidul
Islam formally distributed
the food material.
He also assured of
providing all sorts of help
and assistance from the
district police during the
natural calamities.
Additional SP-B circle Abu
Laichh Md. Illias Ziku,
officer-in-Charge of
Fulchhari Thana Md. Kaisar
Ali, Traffic Inspector
(Admin) Noor Alam Sohag
and other police officials
accompanied the SP during
the relief distribution.
Three drug
traders held
with phensidyl
in Gobindaganj
GAIBANDHA: Gobindaganj
Thana Police in a drive
arrested three drug traders
with 94 bottles of Indian
phensidyl from a passengers
bus at Gobindaganj upazila
town on Monday night,
reports BSS.
The arrested are identified
as Masud Rana, 26, son of
Hamidul Islam of Dalla
Nunamati village and Noor
Islam, 21, son of Hafizur
Rahman of Dallah
Baniakhari village under
Chirir Bandar upazila and
Sakib Miah, 21, son of Bablu
Miah of Baraipur village
under Kotoali Thana of
Dinajpur district.
Acting on a tip-off, a team
of the Gobindaganj Thana
Police halted a Dkaka-bound
Passengers bus coming from
Dinajpur in Badhan Patrol
Pump area of the upazila
town around 10.30 pm and
recovered 94 bottles of
contraband phensidyl
wrapped in a school bag
while searching the
passenger's bags of the bus.
Besides, police also held
three persons in this
connection.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of
Gobindaganj Thana AKM
Mehedi Hasan confirmed
the incident and said a case
was filed with the thana
against them under
Narcotics Control Act.
The flood situation has improved in Gaibandha's Sundarganj upazila. However, water has not yet receded
from many homes in remote char areas. The floods have inundated 550 hectares of crops in Tarapur,
Belka, Haripur, Chandipur, Sreepur and Kapasia unions of the upazila.
Photo : Rafiqul Islam
Bicycles and
sewing
machines
distributed
in Lohagara
IqBAL HASSAN, LOHAGARA
CORRESPONDENT
Bicycles have been
distributed among poor
female students and sewing
machines have been
distributed among poor
women in Lohagara on
Monday. According to
sources, bicycles were
distributed among 30
female students and sewing
machines among 60 poor
women Upazila Parishad
conference room under the
LGSP-3 project organized by
Lohagara Upazila
Administration.
Narail
Deputy
Commissioner Mohammad
Habibur Rahman
distributed bicycles and
sewing machines as the chief
guest. Lohagara Upazila
Nirbahi Officer Roksana
Parveen presided over the
function while among
others, Additional Deputy
Commissioner (General)
Mohammad Fakhrul Hasan,
Narail Coordinator of LGSP-
3 Project Farzana Mustahid,
Assistant Commissioner
(Land) Rakhi Banerjee, UP
Chairman Kazi Bani Amin
were among others also
present on the occasion.
Covid-19 cases reach 53,837
with 100 afresh in Rangpur
RANGPUR: The number of Covid-19 cases
reached 53,837 with the diagnosis of 100
cases afresh on Monday in Rangpur division
where the coronavirus situation continues
improving during the last one month,
reports BSS.
"The 100 new Covid-19 cases were
reported after testing 895 samples at the
positivity rate of 11.17 percent on Monday,"
said Focal Person of the Covid-19 and
Assistant Director (Health) for Rangpur
division Dr ZA Siddiqui.
Earlier, the daily positivity rates were 9.79
percent on Sunday, 9.80 percent on
Saturday, 6.88 on Friday, 13.48 percent on
Thursday, 12.04 percent on Wednesday and
12.08 percent on Tuesday last in the division.
The district-wise break up of total 53,837
patients include 12,221 of Rangpur, 3,591
Panchagarh, 4,336 of Nilphamari, 2,700 of
Lalmonirhat, 4,562 of Kurigram, 7,293 of
Thakurgaon, 14,372 of Dinajpur and 4,762 of
Gaibandha districts in the division.
"Meanwhile, two more patients died in
Thakurgaon and Gaibandha districts during
the last 24 hours ending at 8 am yesterday
raising the number of casualties to 1,211 in
the division," he said
"The average casualty rate currently stands
at 2.25 percent in the division," Dr Siddiqui
said.
The district-wise break up of the 1,211
fatalities currently stands at 287 in Rangpur,
79 in Panchagarh, 87 in Nilphamari, 64 in
Lalmonirhat, 66 in Kurigram, 245 in
Thakurgaon, 320 in Dinajpur and 63 in
Gaibandha districts of the division.
"Since the beginning of the Covid-19
pandemic, a total of 2,62,396 collected
samples were tested till Monday, and of
them, 53,837 were found Covid-19 positive
with an average positivity rate of 20.52
percent in the division," Siddiqui added.
Divisional Director (Health) Dr Md
Motaharul Islam said the number of healed
Covid-19 patients reached 49,313 with
recovery of 313 more patients on Monday
raising the average recovery rate to 91.60
percent in the division.
The 49,313 recovered patients include
10,072 of Rangpur, 3,241 of Panchagarh,
4,158 of Nilphamari, 2,486 of Lalmonirhat,
4,293 of Kurigram, 6,505 of Thakurgaon,
13,891 of Dinajpur and 4,667 of Gaibandha
districts in the division.
Among the 53,837 patients, 141 are
undergoing treatments at isolation units,
including 11 critical patients at ICU beds and
seven at High Dependency Unit beds, after
recovery of 49,313 patients and 1,211 deaths
while 3,172 are remaining in home isolation.
"Meanwhile, the number of citizens who
got the first dose of the Covid- 19 vaccine rose
to 21,21,541, and among them, 8,45,253 got
the second dose of the jab till Monday in the
division," Dr Islam added.
Talking to BSS, Chief of Divisional
Coronavirus Service and Prevention Task
Force and Principal of Rangpur Medical
College Professor Dr. AKM Nurunnobi Lyzu
said the overall Covid-19 situation is
improving now in Rangpur division.
"However, everyone should be careful
enough and properly abide by the health
directives, hygiene rules, wear masks and
maintain physical distance to further contain
spread of the deadly virus in the division," he
added.
Bicycles have been distributed among poor female students and sewing machines have been distributed
among poor women in Lohagara recently.
Photo: Iqbal Hassan
831 more cured from Covid-19
in Rajshahi division
RAJSHAHI, A total of 831 more people were
cured from Covid-19 in the division on
Monday, taking the recovery cases to 91,442
since the pandemic began in March last year,
reports BSS.
A number of 184 more people have tested
positive for the deadly virus in all eight
districts of the division on the day, taking the
caseloads to 96,655, said Dr Habibul Ahsan
Talukder, divisional director of health.
The new daily infection figure is one of the
ever-lowest in the last couple of weeks since
the second wave hit the country around five
months back. The previous day's positive
cases were 174 here.
The death toll however reached 1,625,
including 669 in Bogura, 301 in Rajshahi
with 177 in its city, and 170 in Natore, as
three fresh cases of fatality were reported
during the period, Dr Talukder added.
Besides, all the positive cases for Covid-19
have, so far, been brought under treatment
while 22,119 were kept in isolation units of
different dedicated hospitals for institutional
supervision. Of them, 17,884 have by now
been released.
Meanwhile, 137 more people have been
sent to home and institutional quarantine
afresh while 440 others were released from
isolation during the same time.
Of the total new positive cases, the highest
44 were detected in Natore, followed by 37 in
Rajshahi, including 33 in its city, 30 in
Sirajganj, 28 in Pabna, 23 in Bogura, 18 in
Joypurhat, three in Naogaon and one in
Chapainawabganj districts.
With the newly detected patients, the
district-wise break-up of the
total cases now stands at 27,414 in
Rajshahi, including 22,088 in city, 5,524 in
Chapainawabganj, 6,324 in Naogaon, 8,184
in Natore, 4,529 in Joypurhat, 21,156 in
Bogura, 11,104 in Sirajganj and 12,420 in
Pabna.
A total of 1,10,784 people have, so far, been
kept under quarantine since March 10 last
year to prevent the community transmission
of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19).
Of them, 1,07,159 have, by now, been
released as they were given
clearance certificates after completing
their 14-day quarantine.
A number of 184 more people have tested
positive for the deadly virus in all eight
districts of the division on the day, taking the
caseloads to 96,655, said Dr Habibul Ahsan
Talukder, divisional director of health.
The new daily infection figure is one of the
ever-lowest in the last couple of weeks since
the second wave hit the country around five
months back. The previous day's positive
cases were 174 here.
The death toll however reached 1,625,
including 669 in Bogura, 301 in Rajshahi
with 177 in its city, and 170 in Natore, as
three fresh cases of fatality were reported
during the period, Dr Talukder added.
Besides, all the positive cases for Covid-19
have, so far, been brought under treatment
while 22,119 were kept in isolation units of
different dedicated hospitals for institutional
supervision. Of them, 17,884 have by now
been released.
Meanwhile, 137 more people have been
sent to home and institutional quarantine
afresh while 440 others were released from
isolation during the same time.
Of the total new positive cases, the highest
44 were detected in Natore, followed by 37 in
Rajshahi, including 33 in its city, 30 in
Sirajganj, 28 in Pabna, 23 in Bogura, 18 in
Joypurhat, three in Naogaon and one in
Chapainawabganj districts.
With the newly detected patients, the
district-wise break-up of the total cases now
stands at 27,414 in Rajshahi, including
22,088 in city, 5,524 in Chapainawabganj,
6,324 in Naogaon, 8,184 in Natore, 4,529 in
Joypurhat, 21,156 in Bogura, 11,104 in
Sirajganj and 12,420 in Pabna.
2 more die, 1
test positive for
COVID-19 in
C'nawabganj
CHAPAINAWABGANJ:
Two more persons died of
Covid-19 during the last 24
hours raising the total
number of deaths to 154 in
the district, reports BSS.
The new fatalities are
from sadar upazila.
A total of 104 persons of
Chapainawabganj sadar
upazila, 29 persons of
Shibganj upazila, 10
persons of Gomostapur
upazila, six persons of
Nachole upazila and five
persons of Bholahat
upazila have so far died of
COVID-19 in the district.
On the other hand, the
number of Covid-19 cases
climbed to 5,768 as one
more people was detected
positive after testing 39
samples in the district
during the last 24 hours
while the infection rate is
2.56 percent, Civil Surgeon
Office sources confirmed.
The newly detected
patient is from sadar
upazila.
At present there are 126
COVID-affected patients in
the district and of them, 26
patients are undergoing
treatment in dedicated
Covid hospital and others
at home.
Meanwhile, 5,488
patients with 71 new have
recovered from the disease
here, the sources added.

The Taliban declared the war in Afghanistan over Monday after claiming to have wiped out the last
pocket of armed resistance, while they vowed to form a new government soon. Photo : Courtesy
Taliban claim control of whole
country, say war is over
ISLAMABAD : The Taliban declared
the war in Afghanistan over Monday
after claiming to have wiped out the last
pocket of armed resistance, while they
vowed to form a new government soon,
reports UNB.
"War has ended," Taliban spokesman
Zabihullah Mujahid told a press
conference in Kabul, local broadcaster
TOLONews reported three weeks after
the group swept to power in the Afghan
capital.
His remarks came just hours after the
Taliban announced its forces had
completely captured Panjshir, a small,
mountainous valley province northeast
of Kabul, from opposition forces led by
Ahmad Massoud.
But the opposition forces, which call
themselves the National Resistance
Front, earlier denied the Taliban claim,
saying in a Twitter post that they
"continue the fight" from strategic
positions across the valley.
Massoud, in a message to the nation
posted later Monday on Twitter, issued
a call for a general uprising throughout
Afghanistan.
"Stand up, seize the moment, and
accept our call for resistance! For those
who want to take up arms, we are with
you.
For those who will resort to protests,
we will stand next to you, and will join
you," he said.
The Taliban was previously in power
between 1996 and 2001, before being
ousted by a US-led invasion in the
months after the September 11 terrorist
attacks orchestrated by al-Qaeda,
which was then under the protection of
the Afghan group.
The seizure of Panjshir, the last
holdout among 34 provinces, would
complete the Taliban's takeover of
Afghanistan.
They captured Kabul on August 15,
two weeks ahead of the withdrawal of
the last US and NATO troops.
Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman,
said the group initially wanted to
resolve the issue of Panjshir via
dialogue with the resistance forces, but
the talks failed.
Massoud, for his part, accused the
Taliban of ignoring Islamic clerics' call
for a ceasefire and negotiations, and
instead of initiating "a full-scale
military offensive on people which led
to numerous victims." The Taliban
media showed a video of the Taliban
flag being raised at the alleged Panjshir
governor's office.
The province has historically been
difficult to capture, and the Taliban
were unable to control it when they
were previously in power.
On the future government, Mujahid
said it would be announced soon but
would likely act as a caretaker
government to usher in changes and
reforms, according to TOLONews. He
said he would be an Islamic and
accountable government.
When asked about the fate of the
Afghan security forces, Mujahid
reportedly responded that those
trained in the last 20 years would be
asked to rejoin security departments
alongside Taliban forces.
On Afghanistan's foreign relations,
Mujahid said the Taliban wants good
relations with the world, especially with
China as it is a big economic power and
it can help Afghanistan in
reconstruction and development, the
local broadcaster reported.
Taliban fire shots
to disperse
protests in Kabul
KABUL : The Taliban on
Tuesday fired shots into the
air to disperse hundreds of
people who had gathered at
several rallies in Kabul, the
latest signs of defiance by
Afghans against the hardline
Islamist movement which
swept to power last month.
Afghanistan's new rulers
have yet to form a
government, but many in
the capital are fearful of a
repeat of the Taliban's
previous brutal and
repressive reign between
1996 and 2001.
At least three rallies were
held across Kabul in a show
of resistance that would
have been unthinkable
during the Taliban's last
stint in power-when people
were publicly executed and
thieves had their hands
chopped off.
"Afghan women want
their country to be free. They
want their country to be
rebuilt. We are tired,"
protester Sarah Fahim told
AFP at one rally outside the
Pakistani embassy, where
more than 70 people, mostly
women, had gathered.
"We want that all our
people have normal lives.
How long shall we live in
this situation?"
WeDneSDAY, SePTeMbeR 8, 2021
7
Lake Tahoe residents relieved
homes spared from wildfire
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE : Connor Jones
sunbathed with his dog on the otherwise
empty beach at Ski Run Marina on Monday,
as residents trickling back into town filled up
their cars at a gas station behind him and
employees of a water sports rental company
docked jet skis and boats they had anchored
away from the shores of Lake Tahoe to
prevent them from igniting from wildfire.
He and others living in the resort city of
South Lake Tahoe breathed a collective sigh
of relief on Sunday when officials
downgraded a mandatory evacuation order
put in place a week ago to a warning.
"I figure they wouldn't take repopulation
lightly and, if they made the decision to allow
people to come back, then they were probably
confident that they're not going to have any
issues," he said.
When the Caldor Fire gobbled up pine trees
and crossed the Sierra Nevada last week,
South Lake Tahoe, a scenic community of
22,000 people on the California-Nevada state
line, transformed into a smoke-choked ghost
town.
After worrying throughout all of last week
about the fire approaching their homes and
landmarks they hold dear, residents who
returned on Monday said they were thankful
firefighters had stopped the blazes on the
town's doorstep. But it appeared most
residents remained away and most shops
remained closed in usually thriving Labor
Day destination town.
While many large wildfires have ripped
through large swaths of Northern California
in recent years, it's the first time in more than
a decade that South Lake Tahoe residents saw
a blaze get this close. As of Monday evening,
5,072 firefighting personnel were battling the
Caldor Fire, which had scorched roughly 338
square miles (876 square kilometers).
The threat to the region hasn't entirely
vanished, with mandatory evacuation orders
remaining for parts of unincorporated El
Dorado County south of South Lake Tahoe,
including Meyers and Christmas Valley. And
questions remain about the smoke blanketing
the region and how long it may take for the
clean air and crystalline waters that draw
millions of tourists to the area annually to
return.
Authorities warned residents, that in the
absence of humans, bears had gone to town,
spreading trash. "The delicate balance
between humans and bears has been upset,"
and anyone who thinks a bear may have
entered their home should call law
enforcement, El Dorado County Sheriff's Sgt.
Simon Brown said. Chirawat Mekrakseree
said he had seen signs. of bears sifting
through the trash at his restaurant on Lake
Tahoe Boulevard, My Thai Cuisine.
Mekrakseree plans to reopen and start
serving curries and noodle dishes on
Wednesday but worries the tourists he
depends on may not come back while the
smoke lingers. And he doesn't know what to
tell his staff about when business will return
to normal after an already uncertain year with
the pandemic, he said.
"Everybody has expenses, rent, car
payments," he said as he power-washed ash
off outdoor picnic tables.
UN ramps up Afghan aid
appeal as 'catastraphe' looms
GENEVA : The United
Nations appealed for almost
$200 million in extra funding
for life-saving aid in
Afghanistan after the
Taliban's takeover sparked a
host of new issues, reports
BSS.
The UN humanitarian
agency OCHA said the extra
sum meant a total of $606
million in aid was now
needed for Afghanistan until
the end of the year.
"Basic services in
Afghanistan are collapsing
and food and other life-saving
aid is about to run out," said
OCHA spokesman Jens
Laerke.
The issue will be discussed
next Monday at a ministerial
meeting in Geneva hosted by
UN chief Antonio Guterres.
The country, now under the
control of the Taliban after 20
years of war, is facing a
"looming humanitarian
catastrophe", Guterres's
spokesman Stephane
Dujarric warned last week
when announcing the
conference.
OCHA voiced hope that
countries would pledge
generously at the conference,
saying $606 million was
needed to provide critical
food and livelihood assistance
to nearly 11 million people,
and essential health services
to 3.4 million.
The funds would also go
towards treatment for acute
malnutrition for more than a
million children and women,
water, sanitation and hygiene
interventions, and protection
of children and survivors of
gender-based violence.
Most of the requested funds
had already been asked for at
the end of last year as part of a
$1.3-billion humanitarian
appeal for Afghanistan, which
remains
severely
underfunded.
Even before the Taliban
victory, Afghanistan was
wearing inappropriate
dress shoes to the scene.
But Merkel defended
him during a visit to the
city of Hagen on Sunday,
telling reporters he was
"leading the largest state
in Germany very
successfully". The CDU-
heavily aid-dependentwith
40 percent of the
country's GDP drawn from
foreign funding.
New Orleans: Seniors left in
dark, hot facilities after Ida
NEW ORLEANS : Officials in New Orleans
will thoroughly inspect senior living
apartments in the city in the aftermath of
Hurricane Ida after finding people living in
buildings without working generators, which
left residents trapped in wheelchairs on dark,
sweltering upper floors, Mayor LaToya
Cantrell said Monday.
Hundreds were evacuated Saturday and the
city later said five people had died in the
privately run buildings in the days after the
storm. The coroner's office is investigating
whether the deaths will be attributed to the
hurricane, which struck land nine days before.
The managers of some of the homes for
seniors evacuated out of state without making
sure the residents would be safe after the
storm, New Orleans City Council member
Kristin Palmer said at a news conference.
"They're hiding under the loophole of
'independent living,'" Palmer said. "It's not
independent living if there's no power and
you're in a wheelchair on the fourth floor."
The city is creating teams of workers from
the health, safety and permits, code
enforcement and other departments. Their
first focus is to make sure the senior homes are
safe and evacuate people if necessary, Cantrell
said. But after that, management will be held
accountable, and the city will likely add
requirements that include facilities having
emergency agreements in place with
contractors who will make sure generator
power is available at the sites, the mayor said.
Crews in Louisiana have restored power to
nearly 70% of greater New Orleans and nearly
all of Baton Rouge after Hurricane Ida, but
outside those large cities, getting lights back
on is a complex challenge that will last almost
all of September, utility executives said
Monday.
It's going to involve air boats to get into the
swamps and marshes to string lines and repair
the most remote of about 22,000 power poles
that Ida blew down when it came ashore on
Aug. 29 as one of the most powerful
hurricanes to hit the U.S. mainland, Entergy
Louisiana President and CEO Phillip May
said.
More than 530,000 customers still don't
have power in Louisiana, just under half of the
peak when Ida struck eight days ago. In five
parishes west and south of New Orleans, at
least 98% of homes and businesses don't have
power, according to the state Public Service
Commission.
UN denies Sudan refugee camps
used as bolthole for Tigray rebels
ADDIS ABABA :The UN on Tuesday denied
claims that refugee camps in Sudan were
being used by Ethiopian rebels as a bolthole
after Ethiopian officials said fighters had been
caught with refugee ID cards, reports BSS.
Tens of thousands of Ethiopian refugees have
streamed across the border into Sudan since
war broke out 10 months ago in Ethiopia's
northernmost Tigray region, exacerbating
tensions between the two Horn of Africa
neighbours.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into
Tigray to topple the regional ruling party, the
Tigray People's Liberation Front, saying the
move came in response to TPLF attacks on
army camps.
Although the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize
winner vowed a swift victory, the war has
dragged on and spread into the neighbouring
Afar and Amhara regions.
In recent days, Ethiopian officials have said
TPLF fighters recently crossed from Sudan to
Ethiopia carrying IDs issued by the UN
refugee agency UNHCR.
"The TPLF has tried to expand the conflict
by entering Benishangul Gumuz and Amhara
regions crossing the long Sudanese border,"
Ethiopia's foreign ministry said late Monday.
"All of its attempts in these areas have proven
futile but new evidence has come to the
surface. Some TPLF soldiers infiltrating from
the Sudanese side, have been captured
carrying UNHCR ID cards."
A UN official told AFP Tuesday that
UNHCR was aware of reports alleging
Ethiopian refugees registered in Sudan were
now involved in the conflict but said the
agency was "not in a position to verify" them.
Connor Jones sunbathed with his dog on the otherwise empty beach at Ski Run Marina on Monday, as residents
trickling back into town filled up their cars at a gas station behind him and employees of a water
sports rental company docked jet skis and boats they had anchored away from the shores of Lake Tahoe
to prevent them from igniting from wildfire.
Photo : AP
Germany's Merkel backs
Laschet as party lags in polls
BERLIN : German
Chancellor Angela Merkel
on Tuesday endorsed
Armin Laschet as the best
choice to succeed her,
ahead of September 26
elections that polls show
her CDU party losing
under its gaffe-prone new
leader, reports BSS.
"It is a special election,
not only because for the
first time since 1949 no
incumbent chancellor is
running for re-election,"
Merkel said in what was
likely her last speech in
parliament ahead of the
vote.
"It is also a special
election because it is a
decision on the direction
of our country in difficult
times-and it is not
irrelevant who governs
this country," she said.
"The best way for our
country is a CDU/CSU-led
federal government with
Armin Laschet as
chancellor, because his
government stands for
stability, reliability,
moderation and
centrality." Laschet, the
chancellor candidate for
Merkel's CDU and its
Bavarian CSU ally, was
long the favourite to
replace her as chancellor,
but his ratings have
plummeted following a
series of gaffes.
As the head of North
Rhine-Westphalia state,
one of the areas worst
affected when deadly
floods swept western
Germany in July, Laschet
was criticised for his
lacklustre response to the
disaster. The 60-year-old
Rhinelander was caught
on camera joking with
local officials during a
tribute to flood victims,
and was also mocked for
CSU alliance has seen
some of its worst poll
results in years as Merkel
prepares to bow out of
politics after 16 years in
power.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday
endorsed Armin Laschet as the best choice to
succeed her, ahead of September 26 elections
that polls show her CDU party losing under its
gaffe-prone new leader.
Photo : AP
One survey for the Bild
daily on Sunday showed
the conservative alliance
on 20 percent, its worst
score in the post-war
period. The bloc won 33
percent at the last election
in 2017 under Merkel.
The frontrunner is now
Vice Chancellor and
Finance Minister Olaf
Scholz, whose centre-left
Social Democrats (SPD)
scored 25 percent in the
poll.
Turkey says 'no need to
rush' recognising Taliban
ISTANBUL : Turkey said on
Tuesday there was "no need
to rush" in recognising the
Taliban's rule in
Afghanistan, adding that
Ankara was still holding
discussions about operating
Kabul's strategic airport.
In a wide-ranging
television interview, Foreign
Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu
sounded a cautious note
about Turkey's future
relations with the
fundamentalist Islamist
group, reports BSS.
He said Afghanistan's new
government needed to be
"inclusive", adding that
women and a range of ethnic
groups should be given
ministerial posts.
The Taliban on Monday
claimed total control over
Afghanistan, saying they had
won the key battle for the
Panjshir Valley, the last
remaining holdout of
resistance against their rule.
But Cavusoglu said the
international community
should take a wait-and-see
approach before recognising
its rule, sounding a similar
tone to one adopted by the
European Union at a
meeting last Friday.
"There is no need to rush,"
he said. "This is our advice to
the entire world. We should
act together with the
international community."
Turkey has been holding
talks with the Taliban in
Kabul, where it still has a
diplomatic presence, about
the conditions under which
it could help operate the
Afghan capital's airport.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021
8
IUBAT Mechanical graduate's road
to Oxford Immune Algorithmics
Dutch-Bangla Bank Signed an Agreement with Bangladesh Bank for collection of Govt.
Revenue/Taxes through Automated Challan System (ACS) recently. Md. Forkan Hossain, General
Manager, Accounts & Budget, Bangladesh Bank & Abul Kashem Md. Shirin, Managing Director &
CEO of Dutch-Bangla Bank signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Ahmed
Jamal, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank was present as the Chief Guest in the program. Under
this agreement Revenue/Taxes can easily be paid through Automated Challan System (ACS) from
any branches of Dutch-Bangla Bank. These services are also available through Bank's Nexus
Gateway.
Photo: Courtesy
Khondoker Rashed Maqsood, Managing Director & CEO recently inaugurated
a day-long workshop on "Streamlining Investment Assessment
Process" as chief guest at Standard Bank Training Institute. Md. Touhidul
Alam Khan, Additional Managing Director, CRO & CAMLCO of SBL conducted
whole day sessions of the workshop as resource person, where he
covered topics like "Investment Risk Assessment & Decision Making
Process", "Customer Relationship Management", "Teamwork &
Leadership" etc. Managers of 40 Branches attended the session as participant.
Mohammad Amzad Hossain Fakir, Faculty of the Training Institute
coordinated the Workshop.
Photo: Courtesy
Executive Vice Chairman of MRA Md. Fashiullah handing over the permission
letter of collecting money from stock and money market. Photo: Courtesy
TMSS gets
permission to
collect money
from stock market
Microcredit Regulatory
Authority (MRA) has given
a permission letter to
TMSS to collect money
from stock and money
market for expanding the
NGO's financial activities
to overcome the economic
damage caused by the
Pandemic Corona Virus.
This approval has opened
new horizons for NGO's
and MFI's. Under this
approval TMSS can collect
money from stock and
money market.
In this regard EBL and
Mutual Trust Fund (MTF)
would be doing their duties
respectively as issue
manager and fund
manager. In the handing
over ceremony, the
Executive Vice Chairman
of MRA Md. Fashiullah
and the other high officials
of two organisations were
present.
UK awaits fallout from end
of jobs support scheme
LONDON: e British government's furlough scheme that
has supported millions of private-sector jobs during the
pandemic is close to ending, a move that risks a spike in
unemployment according to economists.
Experts, however, do not expect sectors seriously affected
by a shortage of staff owing to the virus outbreak and Brexitsuch
as road haulage-to necessarily benefit from the bigger
pool of available workers.
"The furlough scheme has played a key role... protecting
nearly 12 million jobs over the last 18 months," the Treasury
told AFP in a statement ahead of the multi-billion-pound
programme finishing at the end of September.
With the UK economy in recovery mode thanks to the
lifting of lockdown restrictions at home and abroad, Britain's
unemployment rate stands at 4.7 percent, down from a
pandemic peak of 5.2 percent at the end of last year. But the
UK already has more than one million job vacancies despite
the furlough scheme supporting jobs at a cost of almost o70
billion ($95 billion, 82 billion euros).
"It is certainly possible, if not likely, that there will be a
temporary fall in employment and rise in unemployment in
October," noted Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital
Economics research group.
"But we think that the strength of the economy will mean
that either most of those workers will find a job before long
or, more likely, that other unemployed people will find work
and offset the decline." Britain's economy rebounded 4.8
percent in the second quarter as the government began
relaxing lockdown restrictions amid its fast-paced
vaccination programme.
However the country's factories, restaurants and
supermarkets are facing stubborn supply problems.
China trade enjoys
forecast-beating
surge in August
BEIJING : ina's exports and
imports enjoyed forecastbeating
growth in August, as
data on Tuesday showed
overseas demand for cars,
electronics and consumer
goods surged while a
domestic coronavirus
resurgence was brought to
heel, reports BSS.
The news follows a recent
spate of weak figures that had
suggested the recovery in the
world's top economy was
flattening owing to a spike in
the Delta Covid variant that
has forced some countries to
impose strict containment
measures and hit consumer
sentiment.
It also came despite the
shutdown of a major port
caused by a virus outbreak,
which observers had expected
to hit shipments.
Exports jumped 25.6
percent on-year, while
imports rose 33.1 percent,
according to the Customs
Administration. The readings
were both sharply up from
July and far better than
estimates in a Bloomberg
survey of 17.3 percent and
26.9 percent, respectively.
The eye-popping numbers
were boosted by last year's low
base of comparison when the
virus was rapidly spreading.
Outbound shipments were
helped by "improving
overseas demand for
consumer goods", said
Moody's Analytics in a
Monday note.
Social cost of
2019's plastic
more than
GDP of India
MARSEILLE: The pollution,
emissions and clean-up
costs of plastic produced in
2019 alone could be $3.7
trillion, according to a report
released Monday by wildlife
charity WWF, warning of
the environmental and
economic burden of this
"seemingly cheap" material,
reports BSS.
There is increasing
international alarm over the
sheer volumes of fossil-fuel
based plastics entering the
environment,
as
microplastics have
infiltrated even the most
remote and otherwise
pristine regions of the
planet. In its report, WWF
said societies were
"unknowingly subsiding"
plastic, with their estimates
for the lifetime costs of 2019
production equivalent to
more than the gross
domestic product of India.
"Plastic appears to be a
relatively cheap material
when looking at the market
price primary plastic
producers pay for virgin
plastic," said the report
Plastics: The cost to society,
environment and the
economy, produced for
WWF by the consultancy
Dalberg.
A mechanical engineering
graduate of the International
University of Business
Agriculture and Technology
(IUBAT) A Matin Sobuj gets
a job at Oxford Immune
Algorithmics (OIA), UK. OIA
is an award-winning Bio and
MedTech Company
incubated by the University of
Oxford which builds
technology to move
healthcare away from its
reliance on population-wide
symptom pattern matching
toward value-based precision
medicine and personalized
diagnostics, a press release
said.
Sabuj passed Mechanical
Engineering from IUBAT in
2015. Recently secured this
prestigious job in OIA. The
young talented mechanical
engineer was offered a
position in UK, in December
last year. However, Covid-19
crisis caused a delay in
joining. As everything is
coming back to normal, he is
set to join the global company
by the second week of
September 2021.
A reception was organized
for him by the Mechanical
Engineering chapter of the
Alumni Association of IUBAT
on Friday, 3rd September
2021 at IUBAT conference
hall. IUBAT Vice Chancellor
Prof Dr. Abdur Rab and
Treasurer Professor Selina
Nargis congratulated Sobuj
for his brilliant achievement.
Chairman, Coordinator,
faculty members and Alumni
of Mechanical Engineering
Departments also spoke in
the ceremony. Sobuj shared
his feelings on the road to
Oxford Immune Algorithmics
job. He advised graduates
who are entering the job
market to not just rely on
mainstream education as
learning surpasses the
boundaries of an academic
building.
Bangladesh Bank and NBLi
signed an agreement
Bangladesh Bank and
National Bank Limited have
signed an agreement on
Automated Challan System
(ACS) services that will
empower the customers to pay
the VAT, Tax, or other Govt.
bills through challan system at
all the NBL branches & Subbranches
using online banking
recently, a press release said.
The agreement was signed
at the Zahangir Alam
Conference Hall of
Bangladesh Bank by Md.
Forkan Hossain, General
The Computer department
of Walton Digi-Tech
Industries Limited has
recently launched a new
model of affordable laptop
with latest features and
attractive design which is
best for all kinds of graphical
work. The Karonda series
laptop has already received
huge response from users, a
press release said.
According to Walton
Computer department,
priced at only BDT 79,990,
the Karonda GX510H laptop
has Intel's Core i5 10300H
series processor, 3200MHz
8GB DDR4 RAM, NVIDIA
MX350 2GB graphics card,
512GB M.2 SSD, 15.6 inch
IPS full HD display along
with many other features.
Engineer Mir Shah Arfin,
product manager of
Walton's computer
department, said this is the
second model of the
KarondaGX series as
Walton had released
another core i7 processor of
Karonda GX710G Pro model
laptop earlier in the market.
The new laptop is suitable
for all kinds of graphical
work along with playing
light games. The laptop can
be a great choice for various
users especially for
Manager, Accounts and
Budgeting Department of the
Central Bank and Shah Syed
Abdul Bari, Managing
Director and CEO of The
National Bank Limited on
behalf of their respective
organizations in presence of
the Chief Guest of the signing
ceremony Ahmed Jamal, the
Deputy Governor of
Bangladesh Bank.
From the National Bank
Limited, Sheikh Akhter Uddin
Ahmed, Senior Executive Vice
President; Krishna Kamal
freelancers and people who
make contents for social
media.
The device has Intel's
dedicated HM470 express
chipset and it is combined
with the built-in Intel UHD
Graphics 630 and 2GB
external graphics card. In
addition, the laptop has a
full HD resolution IPS
display panel and a
multicolor illuminated
keyboard, giving the users
an unique experience.
The black colored laptop's
RAM can be expanded up to
32 GB. The device provides
two 2 watt speakers to
Ghose, FCA, Senior Vice
President; AKM Salah Uddin
Khan, Senior Vice President
were also present at the
ceremony.
The automated Challan
System will allow the
customers to pay their
Treasury Challan Bills from
any branches, sub-branches of
The National Bank Limited
which will gradually ensure
smooth payment of all Govt.
revenues in real-time in Govt.
Treasury without any hassle.
ensure high definition audio.
The sound quality will
remain unchanged using
separate speakers as it has
sound blaster cinema 6. It
also has built-in array
microphone.
Runs on windows-10
operating system, a powerful
4-cell polymer battery pack
has been used to ensure
long-term power backup of
the laptop which will
provide over 8 hours of
battery back-up. It has a 1
mega pixel HD camera for
video calls and selfies.
Connectivity features
include 2 USB 3.2 Type A
IUBAT is one of the leading
private universities in
Bangladesh, maintaining a
conscientious focus on social
development across the
country by providing higher
education. IUBAT was
founded in 1991 by eminent
academician Prof Dr M
Alimullah Miyan. The longterm
vision is to produce at
least one professional
graduates from each village.
High inflation
looms over
ECB meeting
FRANKFURT: Rising
eurozone inflation provides the
backdrop for the meeting of
European Central Bank
governors Thursday, with
markets hoping for hints when
policymakers might start
easing their massive pandemicera
stimulus, reports BSS.
As the economic recovery
gathered steam in the 19-nation
club, consumer prices rose in
August at a pace not seen in the
past decade, climbing beyond
three percent-overshooting the
ECB's new two-percent target.
ECB president Christine
Lagarde previously promised
to "look through" the surge and
policymakers expect the rate to
rise even further in coming
months before falling back.
"We are more worried about
the inflation rate being too low
in the medium term rather
than too high," Isabel Schnabel,
a member of the ECB's
executive board, said last
month.
The ECB considers the jump
in consumer prices to be driven
by one-off, pandemic-related
effects as energy prices recover
and policies aimed at
mitigating the economic
impact are rolled back.
Walton launches new laptop
of Karonda series
ports, 1 USB 3.2 Type C port,
1 USB 2.0 port, six in one
card reader, dual band WiFi,
Bluetooth 5.0, 2 M.2 card
slots, HDMI and mini
display port etc.
With its versatile features,
the laptop can be easily
carried out anywhere as its
total weigh is only 1.85 kg
with 359.5mm width,
238mm depth and 21.9mm
height.
Customers will get 2 years
after sales service for the
laptop from Walton service
centers.

WeDNeSDAY, SepteMBer 8, 2021
9
Bangladesh are keen to hit back in the winning way and thereby confirm the five-match twenty20
International series against New Zealand.
photo: BCB
Tigers gear up to confirm series
against New Zealand today
SportS DeSk
Bangladesh are keen to hit back in the
winning way and thereby confirm the
five-match Twenty20 International
series against New Zealand as they take
on the visitors in the fourth game today
(Wednesday) at the Sher-e-Bangla
National Cricket Stadium, reports BSS.
The match which starts at 4 PM will
be aired live in Gazi TV and T sports.
After winning the first two matches
by seven wickets and four runs,
Bangladesh conceded a 52-run defeat,
allowing New Zealand to keep the series
alive.
The Kiwis in fact showed their ability
to cope with the slow surface in
surprisingly quick fashion and suddenly
raised a prospect of winning the series
too when talks were doing the rounds of
a 5-0 result in Bangladesh's favour.
In fact the way Bangladesh crushed
Australia by 4-1 in the five-match series,
they were dubbed absolutely favourite
against Blackcaps who sent a team, full
of young players, who are yet to cement
their place in the main team.
But the Kiwis performance in the last
two matches spoke a volume of their
capability. In second match, they are
actually on the way to win the game but
only an extraordinary bowling effort of
Mustafizur Rahman denied their
victory. But they didn't let Bangladesh
dominate the proceedings in the third
match and won it in style, bowling
Bangladesh out for their joint second
lowest ever score of 76, which is also
their lowest ever at home.
Despite getting the wicket, strongly
suited their strength, Bangladesh's
performance was below par when Kiwis
came up with spirited performance. It
clearly indicated Bangladesh need to lift
their game to a great degree if they want
to hit back in the winning ways.
Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad, who
now lost the game on his 100th T20
International game as first Bangladeshi
batsman, rued for lack of partnership
but believed they are capable of
bouncing back and thereby confirm the
series. "What was missing were the
partnerships and hopefully we can come
back hard. Still two games to go and
hopefully we like to win the next game
and the series," Mahmudullah said.
"The bowlers did a great job to restrict
them to 130. We started well, but we lost
wickets in a cluster, and couldn't
capitalise on it."
The main problem of Bangladesh
was the off form of Shakib Al Hasan in
the third game. Standing on the brink of
being the first player to score 12000
runs and claim 600 wickets
simultaneously and also being the
highest wicket- taker in T20
International cricket, going past Lasith
Malinga's 107 wickets, Shakib was
surprisingly off-colour.
Shakib needed just two wickets to
reach those two milestones. But he went
wicket-less in the last match, was
dismissed for duck and also missed a
catch. Shakib's performance is needed
to help the team get back on track.
When Bangladesh is looking to plug
the loopholes that were now wide open
after the defeat, New Zealand vowed to
keep the winning spree.
"It is nice to win and keep the series
alive. As a group, we are improving
every game. The conditions have varied
in each game, which is another
challenge in itself. It is great to see guys
learning on the job effectively," said New
Zealand batsman Henry Nicholls who
were part of a match-winning 66 runs
partnership with Tom Blundell for
unbeaten sixth wicket to help the side
win the third game eventually.
"Tom (Latham), as the captain, has
been really clear with the guys telling
them that it is tough but we have to look
to find ways to improve. If we keep
doing it each game, those results will
come. We turned the tables a little bit on
Bangladesh. Put them under pressure. It
can be tough for them as well,"
"We saw Australia come here before
and they struggled in a format they
know really well. When we play at home,
we take pride on that as well. We knew
they were going to be a strong challenge.
The spinners set the tone for us, and we
could put them under pressure. We
know if we can do the little things well,
there's a lot of success there for us."
Djokovic tested but wins at US
Open to advance Slam quest
Novak Djokovic struggled but advanced within three matches of completing the
first men's singles calendar-year Grand Slam in 52 years on Monday. photo: Ap
SportS DeSk
Novak Djokovic struggled
but advanced within three
matches of completing the
first men's singles calendaryear
Grand Slam in 52 years
on Monday by outlasting
American Jenson Brooksby
at the US Open, reports BSS.
World number one
Djokovic rallied past 99thranked
Brooksby 1-6, 6-3, 6-
2, 6-2 to book a quarter-final
encounter with Italian sixth
seed Matteo Berrettini in a
rematch of July's
Wimbledon final.
"It's going to be exciting,"
Djokovic said. "He loves the
big stage. Big serve, big game
overall. I know what to
expect. Going to try to
prepare a good game plan
and hope for the best."
The 34-year-old Serbian
star would become the first
man since Rod Laver in 1969
to sweep all four major titles
in the same year by
capturing his fourth career
US Open crown.
Djokovic also seeks a
men's singles record 21st
Slam trophy, which would
boost him one ahead of "Big
Three" rivals Roger Federer
and Rafael Nadal, both
absent with injuries.
An epic shocker seemed
possible when Brooksby, a
20-year-old American
wildcard who hadn't played
Djokovic before, broke in the
second and sixth games and
fired a service winner to
claim the first set in 29
minutes.
"He just played a perfect
first set," Djokovic said. "I
could do nothing. I was still
finding my footing on the
court. "I must say it wasn't a
great start. Jenson was
pumped. He had a clear
game plan. He was executing
his shots tremendously. I
was on my back foot. He was
reading the play well for a set
and a half." Djokovic broke
in the second game of the
second set, but was broken
in a electrifying 20-minute
fifth game, netting a
backhand on Brooksby's
sixth break chance as the
American raised his arms
and jumped for joy. But
Djokovic broke back in the
sixth game, ripping a crosscourt
forehand winner for a
4-2 lead, and held from there
to take the 68-minute set.
"After that, I started hitting
more cleanly and through
the court," said Djokovic.
"Whenever I needed a serve I
found my spot well. It was
physical, a lot of exhausting
rallies."
In all, Djokovic won 15 of
the last 20 games after the
marathon broken serve,
rolling to victory in the
stamina test after two hours
and 59 minutes.
Berrettini advanced by
defeating 144th-ranked
German qualifier Oscar Otte
6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Tokyo
Olympic champions
Alexander Zverev and
Belinda Bencic advanced
with straight-set triumphs,
as did British 18-year-old
qualifier Emma Raducanu.
German fourth seed
Zverev stretched his win
streak to 15 matches by
beating Italian 13th seed
Jannik Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 7-6
(9/7).
Swiss 11th seed Bencic
eliminated Polish seventh
seed Iga Swiatek, last year's
French Open champion, 7-6
(14/12), 6-3.
UAE cricketer
banned under anticorruption
code
SportS DeSk
UAE wicketkeeper-batsman
Gulam Shabbir has been
banned from all cricket for
four years after admitting
breaching the International
Cricket Council's anticorruption
code, the global
governing body said on
Monday, reports BSS.
The six breaches included
failing to disclose
approaches and attempted
approaches to "engage in
corrupt conduct" in relation
to matches in 2019.
The player, 35, also
admitted to obstructing the
anti-corruption unit's
investigation by "concealing
information that may have
been relevant to the
investigation".
He has accepted the
sanction of a four-year
period of ineligibility which
ends at midnight on August
20, 2025, the ICC said in a
statement.
Shabbir last represented
the UAE in a Twenty20
international in October
2019.
Alex Marshall, the general
manager of the ICC's
integrity unit, said: "Shabbir
played 40 matches for the
UAE and was expected to
understand
his
responsibilities as an
international cricketer.
"He also attended at least
three anti-corruption
education sessions in which
players were reminded of
their obligations to report
any approaches by
corrupters.
Former France
defender Adams
dies after almost
40 years in coma
SportS DeSk
Former France defender
Jean-Pierre Adams has died
aged 73 after almost 40 years
in a coma, his former club
Nimes announced on
Monday, reports BSS.
Adams, who made 22
international appearances in
the 1970s, slipped into a coma
after a mistake by the
anaesthetist during routine
knee surgery in 1982.
The anaesthetist had to take
responsibility for eight
patients that day -- many of
the staff at the hospital were
on strike -- and left a trainee
to keep an eye on Adams.
Both were found guilty in
court in the 1990s and
received a one-month
suspended sentence and a
750 euro ($890) fine.
"I was not up to the task I
was entrusted with,"
commented the trainee later.
His widow Bernadette
cared for him for the
remainder of his life following
his discharge from hospital 15
months after the operation.
"Jean-Pierre feels, smells,
hears, jumps when a dog
barks. But he cannot see,"
Bernadette said in 2007.
Bernadette, who had two
sons with Adams, told the
BBC in 2016 that despite the
sentences handed to the
anaesthetist and the trainee,
the hospital in Lyon had
never apologised.Born in
Dakar in 1948, Adams was
one of the first men born in
West Africa to play for France.
His centre-back
partnership with Marius
Tresor for France was
nicknamed "the black guard"
by then French national
coach Stefan Kovacs.
"We learned this morning
of the death of Jean-Pierre
Adams," Nimes wrote on
Twitter, extending their
"sincere condolences to his
family".
Adams also played for Nice
and Paris Saint-Germain.
Nice tweeted their
condolences and said they
would pay homage to him
before their next Ligue 1
home match with Monaco on
September 19.
PSG also tweeted a tribute
to "one of its glorious old
players" saluting his "joie de
vivre" and his charisma.
Brazil legend Pele recovering
after tumor operation
SportS DeSk
Brazilian football great Pele has undergone
surgery for a suspected colon tumor and is
recovering, the hospital in Sao Paulo treating
him announced on Monday, reports BSS.
"The tumor was identified during routine
cardiovascular and laboratory examinations
and the material was sent for pathological
analysis," said the Albert Einstein Hospital,
where Pele has been treated since August 31.
"I thank God for feeling very well," the 80-
year-old wrote on his Instagram page on
Monday. "Fortunately, I'm used to
celebrating great victories alongside you.
"I will face this match with a smile on my
face, a lot of optimism and joy for living
surrounded by the love of my family and
friends."
Pele is due out of intensive care on
Tuesday, the hospital said in a statement.
His former club Santos shared a message
of support for the star on Twitter. "It will be
one more victory in your life, we wish you a
Ganguly brags of Indian
cricket supremacy after
defeat of England
SportS DeSk
India's cricket chief Sourav Ganguly has said
his country's win over England proves they
are "far ahead" of the rest in the Test world,
reports BSS The Indian board president said
it had been a "great show" to see Jasprit
Bumrah lead the Indian attack to bowl out
England for just 210 on the final day, giving
India a 157-run win and a 2-1 lead in the
fivbragse-match series.
"The skill is the difference but the biggest
difference is the absorbing power of
pressure. Indian cricket is far ahead than the
rest," the former national captain wrote on
Twitter.
India, second in the world Test rankings,
made a remarkable turnaround after being
dismissed for 191, and after England claimed
a first-innings lead of 99.
Rohit Sharma scored 127 as the tourists
made 466 in the second innings.
"What a comeback! The boys just kept
bouncing back after every setback," batting
great Sachin Tendulkar said on Twitter.
"What a way to stamp authority on the last
day when England were 77-0."
The Times of India newspaper headlined
their report "The Oval Renaissance" while
former batsman V.V.S. Laxman said it had
been a "special" win.
The tourists still have worries as coach
Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and
fielding coach R Sridhar tested positive for
coronavirus and will have to stay away from
the fifth Test starting Friday.
The Times of India said the Board of
Control for Cricket in India was angry
because captain Virat Kohli and other
players had not sought approval to attend
the launch of Shastri's book before the
fourth Test.
India, second in the world test rankings, made a remarkable turnaround
after being dismissed for 191, and after england claimed a first-innings
lead of 99.
photo: Ap
SportS DeSk
FIFA said Monday it regretted the chaotic
scenes that preceded the suspension of the
World Cup qualifier between Brazil and
Argentina and a decision on possible
disciplinary action would be taken "in due
course", reports BSS.
The match at Sao Paulo's Neo Quimica
Arena on Sunday was halted when Brazilian
health officials ran onto the pitch seven
minutes after kick-off, triggering a melee
involving team officials and players from
both sides.
The officials intervened just hours after
health authorities in Brazil said four
England-based players in Argentina's squad
should be placed in "immediate quarantine"
for breaching Covid-19 protocols.
"FIFA regrets the scenes preceding the
suspension of the match between Brazil and
Argentina for the CONMEBOL qualifiers of
the FIFA World Cup 2022 which prevented
millions of fans from enjoying a match
between two of the most important football
nations in the world," football's world
governing body said in a statement.
"The first match official reports have been
sent to FIFA. This information will be
good recovery!" the club said.
Pele, whose real name is Edson Arantes
do Nascimento, has been in poor health in
recent years, and has had various spells in
hospital, most recently in April 2019, in
Paris, because of a severe urinary tract
infection.
Back in Brazil, he had a kidney stone
removed.
At the end of 2014, he suffered from a
serious urinary tract infection and was
placed in intensive care and on dialysis.
He also has hip problems and needed a
walker to move around during his latest
public appearances.
In February 2020, Pele reassured his fans
about his mental health, after remarks by his
son Edinho saying that he was "reclusive"
and suffering "from a certain form of
depression."
The only player in history to win three
World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970), Pele is
considered by many to be the greatest
footballer of all time.
FIFA 'regrets' chaos at
abandoned Brazil v
Argentina match
analysed by the competent disciplinary
bodies and a decision will be taken in due
course," FIFA added.
Brazil's National Health Surveillance
Agency (ANVISA) said the Argentinian
Premier League players -- Giovani Lo Celso
and Cristian Romero of Tottenham, and
Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez and
Emiliano Buendia -- had given "false
information" when they entered Brazil.
Romero, Lo Celso and Martinez were all in
Argentina's starting line-up for Sunday's
game, prompting the intervention of
ANVISA officials.
In scenes of confusion on the pitch,
Argentina captain Lionel Messi and his
teammates left the field while Brazil's squad
began a practice game.
After the game was abandoned, Messi
criticised the intervention of the Brazilian
officials.
"We've been here for three days, why are
you doing this just now?" he said on
Argentina's TyC network.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni told
reporters that "at no time were we told that
they could not play the game".
The Argentina team arrived back in
Buenos Aires early Monday.

WeDNesDAY, sepTeMBeR 8, 2021
10
Bibek's song 'Sreshtho Shontan'
about Bangabandhu
TBT RepoRT
Musician-director Imtiaz Rahman Bibek composed
a song about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman, the best Bengali of the millennium and
the father of the nation. The title of the song is
'Sreshtho Shontan'.
The melody of the song is composed by Bibek and
IrfanaTusi with the words of Shibbir Ahmed.
Sung by Ankur Mahmud, Shahnaz Chitra, Tuhin
Asad, Shumi Tumpa Khan, Irfan Tusi and
Shuvendu Das Shuvo respectively. The
arrangement of music is by Bibek himself.
Regarding the song, Imtiaz Rahman Bibek said,
'The song was composed out of patriotism and love
for Bangabandhu. Through this song, I was able to
pay homage to the father of the nation on pen and
paper, this is the most beloved thing. I believe the
audience will like the song too.'
In the last week of August, the month of
mourning, Bibek released the song in a lyrical video
on his Facebook page. Meanwhile, Bibek is
currently composing new songs for himself as well
as a number of young artists. He said that the songs
will be released soon.
Rakul appears before
ED in drugs case
Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh arrived at the
Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Hyderabad
in relation to the 2017 Drug case. Rakul was called
for questioning on 6th September but due to her
busy schedule the actress had requested to prepone,
due to which ED asked her to come on 3rd
September. Along with Rakul Preet Singh, 12 big
names from south were also called
up for questioning, including
Rana Daggubati, Ravi Teja,
Puri Jagannad, and
Navdeep.
Cinematographer
Shyam K. Naidu,
actors Subbaraju,
Tanish, Nandu
and Ravi Teja's driver Srinivas were also among
those questioned. Apart from this case, Rakul Preet
Singh was questioned by the Narcotics Control
Bureau (NCB) last year in the drugs probe linked to
Sushant Singh Rajput's death.
Previously, an ED official had told Times of
India, "Around 12 cases were booked by Telangana
Excise and Prohibition department and 11 charge
sheets were filled. Mostly drug traffickers around
eight persons were charge sheeted in the cases
then. Most of them are lower-level drug
traffickers."
The ED officials are questioning the film
personalities about the financial transactions, if
any, with those involved in the drugs case. Both
Puri and Charmme were reportedly questioned
about the suspected links with Calvin Mascaren
has, a key accused in the case.
Speaking to TOI after the questioning,
Charmee said, "Whatever documents ED
asked, I submitted them. From my side, I am
fully cooperating with them. I will continue
to cooperate with the investigators and be
ready to give everything that the law
wants. I can't speak anything further as
the law doesn't allow me." The drugs
racket was busted on July 2, 2017
when customs officials arrested Calvin
Mascaren has, a musician, and two
others and seized drugs worth Rs 30
lakh from their possession.
They had reportedly told the
investigators that they are supplying
drugs to film celebrities, software
engineers, and even students of some
corporate schools. Mobile numbers
of some Tollywood celebrities were
allegedly found in their contact lists.
Source: Times Of India
TBT RepoRT
Internationally famed Bangladeshi
filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar
Farooki's upcoming film 'No Land's
Man' has been nominated for the
Kim Jiseok Award at the 26th
Busan International Film Festival
(BIFF).
The other six films in the
competition include Aparna Sen's
'The Rapist' (India), Wang Qi's
'The Bargain' (China), Ilgar Najaf's
'Sughra's Sons' (Azerbaijan-
France-Germany), Ogigami
Naoko's 'Riverside Mukolitta'
(Japan), Royston Tan's '24'
(Singapore-Thailand) and
Brillante Mendoza's 'Gensan
Punch' (Philippines-Japan).
The 26th BIFF, which will be held
from October 6 to October 15, has
selected 7 nominees for the Kim
Jiseok Award. This year, the Kim
Jiseok Award is expected to be
more competitive due to the
inclusion of new titles from
prominent filmmakers such as
Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Brillante
Mendoza, Ogigami Naoko, Aparna
Sen, among many others, according
to a press release published on the
website of BIFF on Monday.
Leading Bangladesh's New
Wave, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki,
who is already familiar to Korean
audiences with his BIFF 2012
TBT RepoRT
Abul Hayat is a Bangladeshi actor.
Yesterday 7thSeptember was the birthday of
Ekushey Padak and National Film Awardwinning
actor, playwright and director
Abul Hayat, who turns 78. He started his
career in television with the drama
'Oedipus' in 1968. Afterwards, he has acted
in radio production, theatre and film.
Abul Hayat has been with the country's
entertainment world for more than 60
years. Although he started acting as a hobby
in the beginning, later he chose it as a
profession.
Abul Hayat said to The Bangladesh Today,
he shared how hehad celebrated his
birthday this year. "It's my granddaughter's
birthday too. We havecelebrate the occasion
at my house with the family members. In
the evening, I went to my daughter's house
to celebrate my granddaughter's birthday."
When asked about his childhood memories
regarding his birthday, he said, "When I was
a kid, my family didn't celebrate birthdays
that much. The birthday celebration trend
started much later. It started with
celebrating my daughters' birthdays. Now
they celebrate mine. I feel very lucky to have
Actors Jason Statham, Sylvester
Stallone, 50 Cent and Megan
Fox among others will be seen in
the new 'Expendables' film.
Lionsgate and Millennium
Media have announced that a
new 'Expendables' movie is
coming with a bunch of familiar
Farooki's 'No Land's
Man' nominated for
Kim Jiseok Award
closing film, 'Television' (2012), has
been nominated for the Kim Jiseok
Award with his new title, 'No Land's
Man' (2021). The film, which was
selected at the Asian Project Market
(APM) 2020, carefully deals with
discrimination and hate crimes
based on race, religion, and
nationality with AR Rahman's
them in my life." "During my birthday, I
miss everyone who is close to me, especially
my parents. I often feel nostalgic for my
mother on my birthday," he added.
Hayat's notable stage plays include
'Mukhosh', 'Bishorjon' and 'Shot Manusher
Khonje'. He directed 'Bishorjon', which was
inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's novella
of the same name. Hayat received immense
praise for his role in Aly Zaker-directed
'Shot Manusher Khonje' and 'Mukhosh' is
directed by Sara Zaker.
Abul Hayat is one of the founding members
of the pioneer theatre group, Nagorik Natya
Sampradaya, which was established in
faces and some new additions,
reports aceshowbiz.com.
The fourth instalment will
bring back the franchise
veterans such as Sylvester
Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph
Lundgren and Randy Couture.
The four stars, which have
music, the press release added.
The eighth feature film of Mostafa
Sarwar Farooki and second of his
'identity series' (first one is being
'Saturday Afternoon'), the much
anticipated 'No Land's Man' has
already created buzz for casting the
star of critically commercially
successful movie 'Gangs of
Sylvester, Jason, other
big guns reunite for
'Expendables 4'
appeared in the previous three
instalments, are set to reprise
their roles as Barney Ross, Lee
Christmas, Gunner Jensen and
Toll Road, respectively.
Meanwhile, Curtis "50 Cent"
Jackson, Megan Fox and Tony
Jaa are joining the upcoming
movie as new characters. Plot
details have not been revealed,
but according to The Hollywood
Wasseypur' and Netflix series
'Sacred Games', Nawazuddin
Siddiqui. 'No Land's Man' also stars
Australian actor Megan Mitchell
and celebrated Bangladeshi singeractor
Tahsan Khan in the leading
roles. Expressing his feelings about
the film, Farooki said, "As a
filmmaker, I have explained some
of my personal feelings in the film! I
was born in Noakhali, the southern
part of the country. People from this
area have been trolled for many
years. So, at a very young age, I
understood that I had to find a
way to protect myself from this
troll. As I grow up, I realise how it
affects the mind and how it
creates a void in our hearts when
we can't be recognised with our
own identity, can't even accept
ourselves, and not comfortable
with our own identity. This
mental trauma has inspired my
film. The central character in 'No
Land's Man' feels the pain of this
non-existence of my childhood."
'No Land's Man' is produced
under the banner of
Nawazuddin Siddiqui's
production house 'Magic If
Films', alongside awardwinning
US producer Shrihari
Sathe, director Mostafa Sarwar
Farooki, actor Nusrat Imrose
Tisha, Square Group Director
Anjan Chowdhury and Bongo.
Abul Hayat celebrates his 77th birthday
1968. Talking about his theatre days, Hayat
said, "I miss my theatre days a lot. It made
me love acting. It was the starting point of
my acting career. After theatre, I acted in TV
dramas and films. All that happened
because of my involvement in theatre which
is very close to my heart. I have plans to
resume performing in stage plays when the
corona situation gets better."
Abul Hayat told The Bangladesh Today that
two of his most memorable theatrical works
are Nagorik Natya Sampradaya's
'BakiItihash', in which he played Sitanath
Chakrobarty and 'Dewan Gazir Kissa' where
he played the role of a 30-year-old man.
'Hajar Bochhor Dhore' is one of the popular
radio projects of Abul Hayat. His
performances in radio plays 'Shesh Rokkha'
and 'Gora Namok' are particularly notable.
He has appeared in a number of classic
television dramas, including 'Kothao Keu
Nei', 'Eishob Din Ratri', 'Bohubrihi' and
'Ayomoy'. His performance as Misir Ali in
TV under the direction of Mustafizur
Rahman was applauded by the audience.
Abul Hayat made his film debut with Ritwik
Ghatak's 'Titash Ekti Nodir Nam' in 1973. In
the same year, he also acted in 'Arunodayer
Agnisakshi'.
Reporter, the movie will once
again focus on a group of
veteran mercenaries.
The movie will also mark
the transition from Stallone to
Statham as the focal point,
with Fox being tapped as the
female lead. "It's so much fun
to bring these stars together
for a no-holds-barred action
film.
H o R o s c o p e
ARIes
(March 21 - April 20) : Make an effort
to connect with someone you miss
today, Aries. Even if it feels painful at
first, you'll feel a lot better once you do.
Pick up the phone, write a note, or send an email.
Let the person know you miss and care about him or
her. Expressing yourself is often far better than
stuffing your feelings. The person may be missing
you just as much.
TAURUs
(April 21 - May 21) : Today may be a
time of heightened reasoning and
judgment for you, Taurus. What a great
way to get things done! Pull out
unfinished projects and get going. Tackle issues or
problems that have surfaced recently by facing them
directly. Make the most of this day's energy by
thinking about ways to do things more efficiently. Be
confident that you can handle anything.
GeMINI
(May 22 - June 21) : Feed your mind
today, Gemini. The day's energy
supports growth and expansion, so
why not see about learning about
something you're interested in? Challenge
yourself by reading or taking a class. There are
plenty of online subjects to engage you. Find
something that interests you that you can do in
your own time.
cANceR
(June 22 - July 23) : You're more into
socializing today than anything else,
Cancer. This could be great providing
you don't have a heavy workload. See
who's available and go for it. If you need to get
something done, you'll have to resist the temptation to
chat too long. Use breaks for this and keep your focus
on getting done what you've taken on. There's always
the evening to get together with friends.
Leo
(July 24 - Aug. 23): Don't be surprised
if you getting back into the swing of
things more slowly than usual today,
Leo. Not every day starts off with a
bang, so don't be too hard on yourself for this. Just
take things slow and easy. If you have a deadline,
consider asking for a short extension. Pushing
yourself to get things accomplished can leave you
feeling even less productive.
VIRGo
(Aug. 24 - Sept. 23): Don't be
surprised if you're pensive, Virgo. It's one
of those days when daydreaming can
happen more readily. Your imagination
may also be at a peak. Rather than fighting this so you
can be more productive, jot your ideas down. It may be
to your advantage, as better and innovative ways of
doing things can pop into your mind. Take time to
ponder. It can bring great results.
LIBRA
(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23): Chatting with your
loved ones may be more appealing to you
today than any other day, Libra. It may be
important to curb this desire if there are
many things that need your attention. If you're at home,
don't spend all your time on the phone or loafing.
Consider tending first to things that need to get done.
Socializing will be far more enjoyable without guilty
feelings about what you should be doing.
scoRpIo
(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) : Scorpio, you can
expect to feel a little more energetic
today. In fact, you may run circles
around everyone. What a great way to
start the day. Head out with the confidence that you
can easily handle anything that comes your way. Take
time to enjoy the company of others as much as
possible. If there are meetings on the agenda, handle
them right away.
sAGITTARIUs
(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21): You might feel like
doing something different today,
Sagittarius. Everyone needs a break from
the regular grind and this is a good time
to try something new. Perhaps you feel like varying
your routine. If this is your day off, you might spend the
day doing whatever strikes your fancy. Try a new
wardrobe style. Go to a movie. Do something to spice
up your life today.
cApRIcoRN
(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20): Start your day
writing in a journal, Capricorn. This
provides an avenue to communicate and
connect with your inner being. Things
you need to do, ambitions, and even challenges can
appear while you're writing, providing a map that you
can follow. Even if starting is difficult, stick with it.
The words will come if you give it a chance. It can
make your day much easier.
AQUARIUs
(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) : You might find it
hard to get going, Aquarius. Taking
direction could rub you the wrong way,
especially if you're set on doing
something different. Communicate your ideas and
how you want to approach things rather than let
irritation get to you. Your approach will be better
received if you leave emotions out of it. You may
even get kudos for staying calm and collected.
pIsces
(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) : You might feel
cheerful and generous today, Pisces.
Helping others will probably suit you,
and matters will move along smoothly. If
there are outstanding projects from earlier, tackle
them first. It's an opportune time to get caught up on
challenges. Don't hesitate to lend a hand if you're
approached or notice someone in need. This will
benefit them as well as you.

wednesdAY, september 8, 2021
11
Displaced flood-hit people returning
homes in B'putra basin
RANGPUR : Many
displaced people started
returning homes following
further improvement of the
flood situation in the delugehit
northern districts in the
Brahmaputra basin during
the last 24 hours ending at 9
am on Tuesday.
Bangladesh Water
Development Board
(BWDB) officials said water
levels of major rivers
marked further sharp falls to
flow below their respective
danger levels (DL) at most
places except at Kazipur and
Sirajganj points Tuesday.
The improving trend in
the flood situation may
continue with further
recession in water levels of
the major rivers in the basin
during the next 48 hours.
Meanwhile, sporadic
incidents of riverbank
erosion have been reported
from several points
alongside the Dharla,
Dudhkumar, Teesta,
Brahmaputra, Ghaghot and
Jamuna rivers due to
stronger river current with
recession of floodwater.
Water levels of the
Brahmaputra marked falls
by 25cm at Noonkhawa,
28cm at Hatia and 25cm at
Chilmari while Dharla
marked fall by 41cm at
Kurigram and Ghaghot by
26cm at Gaibandha points
during the last 24 hours.
Water levels of the
Jamuna marked sharp falls
by 32cm at Fulchhari, 35cm
at Shaghata, 34cm at
Bahadurabad, 29cm at
Sariakandi, 22cm at
Kazipur and 25cm at
Sirajganj points during the
period.
Workshop on fact-checking
and verification techniques
on health-journalism held
Bangladesh NGO's Network for
Radio and Communication
(BNNRC) organized a two-daylong
workshop at Zabeer Hotel
International at Jashore on
Fact-Checking and Verification
Techniques on Health
Journalism for an in-depth
reporting on important and
complex health issues to
enhance the professional skills
of journalists with the support
of The Asia Foundation on 7-8
September 2021.
The purpose of the workshop
is to enhance the capacity of
journalists working in creating
and publishing objective,
insightful and influential news
on health management;
Encourage journalists to
acquire knowledge and skills in
modern techniques (info
graphics, data analysis, data
visualization) in data
verification and presentation in
creating neutral and balanced
health reports. A total of 20
journalists from national
dailies, online news portals,
and television channels
participated in the workshop.
At the beginning of the
workshop, AHM Bazlur
ECNEC approves
Tk 4,300cr project
to groom youthfolk
as workforce
DHAKA : The government
on Tuesday approved a Taka
4,300 crore project to groom
the country's youth folk,
women
and
disadvantageous section of
people suitable for getting
employed and thus build
themselves as demandbased
workforce of the
country.
The approval came from a
meeting of the Executive
Committee of the National
Economic Council (ECNEC)
held on Tuesday with its
Chairperson and Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina in
the chair.
The Premier joined the
meeting virtually from her
official Ganobhaban
residence while Ministers,
State Ministers, Planning
Commission Members and
Secretaries concerned
attended the meeting from
the NEC Conference Room
in the city's Sher-e-Bangla
Nagar area.
Briefing reporters after the
meeting, Planning Minister
MA Mannan said a total of
eight projects were approved
on Tuesday involving an
overall estimated cost of
Taka 7,589.72 crore.
"Of the total project cost,
Taka 5,009.72 crore will
come from the government
of Bangladesh portion while
the rest of Taka 2,580 crore
as project assistance," he
added.
Rahman, CEO of BNNRC,
discussed the goal, objectives,
perspectives of the workshop,
and what challenges are being
faced in the era of the Fourth
Industrial Revolution, and how
to keep pace with the current
technology era. Abu Rushd
Md. Ruhul Amin, Senior News
Editor, Banglavision, and
Farazi Ahmed Sayed Bulbul,
Staff Reporter, Ittefaq Jashore
discussed the issues.
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Wednesday, Dhaka: September 8, 2021; Bhadra 24, 1428 BS; Muharram 29, 1443 Hijri
Strategic plan launched to ensure greater
gender equality in Bangladesh police force
DHAKA : Bangladesh Policewomen
Network (BPWN) Strategic Plan (2021-
2023) was launched on Tuesday which
seeks to ensure gender equality in the
country's police force and empowerment
of female police officials.
The event was jointly organized by UN
Women Bangladesh and BPWN
Bangladesh Police Headquarters in the
city. The Strategic Plan aims to ensure
higher gender equality within the police
force through meaningful participation,
representation, contribution, progression,
and empowerment of female
police officials, as well as safety and
security of women and girls.
It will also act as an important steppingstone
for Bangladesh Police to fulfil
its commitments within the Bangladesh
National Action Plan for Women, Peace
and Security (UNSC resolution 1325),
over a 3-year period.
Speaking at the function, Mia Seppo,
UN Resident Coordinator in
Bangladesh said male-dominated teams
with few women leaders do not cut it.
"Gender parity across ranks is critical
to ensure that the specific needs of
A court on Tuesday placed nine leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami,
including its secretary general Mia Golam Porwar, on four-day remand
each in a case lodged under the anti-terrorism act. Photo : TBT
BNP is flag-bearer of
politics of vengeance,
says Quader
DHAKA : Awami League General
Secretary Obaidul Quader on
Tuesday described BNP as the flagbearer
of politics of intolerance and
vengeance and said that the people
don't believe BNP would establish
democracy as the party itself does
politics in undemocratic ways.
"BNP is the bearer of malevolent
and intolerant politics. The people
don't believe any more that BNP
will establish democracy in the
country by running the party on undemocratic
paths," he said while
speaking at a press conference at
BRTA head office here.
Quader, also Road Transport and
Bridges Minister, said AL always
talks about BNP's practicing of illpolitics
and now pro-BNP intellectuals
have started talking about the
party's irregularities.
Though BNP always utters hollow
words of democracy, a pro-BNP intellectual
revealed BNP's undemocratic
practices inside the party as
well as election process of the party's
leadership, he said.
He said BNP is suffering from
jealousy as their evil-acts are being
revealed.
Mentioning that BNP leaders are
constantly spreading hatred against
the government, the minister said
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's
government is tolerating these with
its liberalism.
About BNP's allegation that the
country's politics has been going
through a crisis for the last one era,
Quader said actually BNP's politics
is going through a deep crisis
throughout the last era.
He said the people have no trust
in BNP because of the party's evilpolitics.
"BNP is suffering from
frustration as the people have no
trust and confidence in it. Their politics
of falsehood is liable for that,"
he said.
Earlier, the minister joined a
view-exchange with officials of
Bangladesh Road Transport
Authority (BRTA).
BRTA Chairman Nur
Mohammad Mazumder was present,
among others.
Though international flights with
different countries remained suspended
during the Covid-19 crisis,
now the resumption of flight operations
with different countries helps
reopen manpower exports, he said.
Under the circumstances, it has
become essential to provide license
to applicants who intend to go
abroad, he added.
The minister said delay or sluggishness
in providing license can
damage the country's all achievements,
so anymore delay cannot be
accepted by any means. Quader also
gave directives for preparing license
in Bengali.
women and girls are reflected in decisions
at all levels. BPWN leads the way
in the Bangladesh Police toward gender
equality, reaching Zero Tolerance on
Sexual Harassment, and raising awareness
of gender-based violence," she said.
Seppo further stressed on the importance
of senior level engagement in realizing
the Bangladesh National Action
Plan on Women Peace and Security.
Inspector General of Police Dr.
Benazir Ahmed said they are committed
to creating an enabling and conducive
working environment for all women
police officials that is free from all forms
of harassment.
In this regard, alongside the male
police officials playing their part, the
women police officials too, need to voice
their rights as well, he said.
"This practice of gender responsive
policing needs to start from our homes."
Calling the Strategic Plan, a comprehensive
and forward-looking guideline,
the IGP also said that this will ensure a
broader representation of women police
officials within the country and help
strengthen the vision of gender responsive
policing.
The BPWN provides a platform to
15,000 female police officers for professional
growth in terms of improved
services, trainings, modern healthcare
and inclusion of new techniques.
BPWN strategy was initiated in 2018
with the support from UN Women, to
strengthen the platform.
Five strategic aims that BPWN will
proactively implement within the next
three years, were presented by Amena
Begam, DIG (Protection and Protocol)
SB, Bangladesh Police and President of
BPWN.
They are: maximize women contribution
in Bangladesh police, increase representation
of women in Bangladesh
Police across all ranks and departments,
support the development and progression
of women throughout Police, promote
appropriate working environment
across police, maximize the contribution
of the BPWN in supporting Bangladesh
Police to provide a gender responsive
policing service thereby improving safety
and security of women and girls
within community.
DSCC conducts
drive against
Aedes mosquito as
dengue cases rise
DHAKA : In a bid to contain the dengue
outbreak Dhaka South City Corporation
on Tuesday filed six cases and collected a
fine of Tk 1.05 lakh from owners of
buildings where Aedes mosquito larvae
was found, reports UNB.
As many as four mobile courts conducted
the drive in Kalabagan, Demra,
and Dhakeshwari area of South Dhaka.
During the drive the mobile courts
inspected153 buildings and found Aedes
larvae in six of them.
Executive Magistrate Tanjira Kabir
Tropa, who led the drive at Kalabagan
said, "Today we conducted a raid in the
Crescent Road area of Kalabagan.
During the raid, stagnant water was seen
in several places on the ground floor of a
house behind the Green Life Hospital."
"We have fined its owner Tk 70,000,"
she said.
Also on Tuesday a record 343 patients
were hospitalised with the mosquitoborne
disease , said the Directorate
General of Health Services (DGHS).
Among the new patients, 286 were
admitted to government and private
hospitals in Dhaka while the remaining
57 cases were reported from outside the
division, according to DGHS.
Some 1,281 patients diagnosed with
dengue fever are receiving treatment in
the country as of Tuesday morning,
according to DGHS.
Of them, 1,133 patients are receiving
treatment at different hospitals in the
capital while the remaining 148 were
listed outside Dhaka.
This year's total death toll from
dengue remained static at 52.
Dragon fruit is being cultivated at remote area of Kalapara in Patuakhali. Dragon fruit has become popular
day by day due to its nutritious and good quality.
Photo: PBA
Dhaka, Delhi for quick completion
of 'Bangabandhu' movie
DHAKA : Bangladesh and India have
agreed to fast track the completion of
"Bangabandhu", a biopic on Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman, as it is expected to be
released globally in March 2022, reports
UNB.
Indian Information and Broadcasting
Minister Anurag Singh Thakur held a
meeting with a delegation of Bangladesh
led by Information and Broadcasting
Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud in New Delhi
on Tuesday and discussed the issue.
They discussed matters of mutual interests
to further the strong ties between the
two countries in areas of broadcasting and
entertainment, strengthen people-to-people
contact and explore the potential of
soft-power interface between the two
countries.
Anurag Thakur expressed satisfaction
over the production of the movie on the
life and times of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
and mentioned "major part of the production
has been completed.
"I expect the productionto be over by
March, 2022, if the Covid situation permits,
so that the movie could be released
internationally in March, 2022," he was
quoted by the Press Information Bureau
of India as saying.
Hasan Mahmud thanked Anurag Singh
Thakur for hosting him and his team to
discuss the matters of mutual interest and
cooperation.
He appreciated the pro-active steps
taken by the Indian government and
made special mention of the visit of Shri
Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime
Minister to Bangladesh in March, 2021.
It was also agreed to pro-actively pursue
production of the documentary film on
"Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971".
There were discussions also on
strengthening the ties between the two
countries in the areas of digital entertainment
and screening of films of each other's
country through mutual exchange.
JS body for filling 1585 vacant
posts in CHT primary schools
DHAKA : The Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Chittagong Hill Tracts
(CHT) Affairs Ministry on Tuesday recommended
recruiting teachers in 1,585
vacant posts in the primary schools in
Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) areas,
reports UNB.
It also suggested nationalising 142 primary
schools under special consideration
in the CHT areas under a project that was
taken to establish 1000 primary schools in
the villages where there is no school.
The parliamentary standing committee
came up with the recommendations at its
9th meeting held in the Jatiya Sangsad
(JS) Bhaban with its chairman Alhaj Md
Dabirul Islam in the chair.
The parliamentary watchdog also asked
the government to shift the responsibility
of recruiting Doptori (employee) of primary
schools to District Councils from the
District Administrators (Deputy
Commissioners) as per the rules and policy
formulated in line with the CHT Peace
Accord. In the meeting, it was said that a
total of 1048 head teachers and 6789
assistant teachers are teaching in the primary
schools in three CHT districts.
Committee members CHT Affairs
Minister Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing
(Bandarban), Dipankar Talukdar
(Rangamati), A.B.M. Fazle Karim
Chowdhury (Chattogram-6), Kujendra
Lal Tripura, Mir Mushtaque Ahmed Robi
(Satkhira-2) and Basanti Chakma
(Women Seat-9) attended the meeting.
The CHT Affairs Secretary and other
officials from the ministry and the parliament
secretariat were present at the meeting,
said a Jatiya Sangsad handout.
Part of the small bridge has collapsed for about two years back. So a bamboo bridge has been
made next to it for movement. Its condition is also dilapidated. Van-rickshaws, people move in
any way. The picture is taken of Phulbari Bridge in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah.
Photo : TBT
Dengue
Record 343 patients
hospitalized
DHAKA : Although no death from dengue
was reported in 24 hours till Tuesday
morning, a record 343 patients were hospitalised
with the mosquito-borne disease,
said the Directorate General of Health
Services (DGHS), reports UNB.
Among the new patients, 286 were
admitted to government and private hospitals
in Dhaka while the remaining 57
cases were reported from outside the division,
according to DGHS. Some 1,281
patients diagnosed with dengue fever are
receiving treatment in the country as of
Tuesday morning, according to DGHS.
Of them, 1,133 patients are receiving
treatment at different hospitals in the capital
while the remaining 148 were listed
outside Dhaka. This year's total death toll
from dengue remained static at 52.
Among the deceased, 48 were in Dhaka city
alone, two in Chattogram division, one in
Khulna and one in Rajshahi. Some 12,434
patients have been admitted to different hospitals
with dengue since January. So far,
11,101 dengue patients have been released
from hospitals after recovery, said the DGHS.
The number of Dengue patients hospitalized
in a single day crossed 300 marks
on September 2 with 330 patients. Health
authorities have been recording over 200
dengue cases per day since August 1.
Tk 850-cr missing
ACC questions
mid-level officers at
Ctg Custom House
DHAKA : Anti-Corruption Commission
(ACC) on Tuesday interrogated a revenue
officer and seven assistant revenue officers
of Chittagong Custom House as part
of investigation into allegations of embezzlement
of government funds by evading
revenue of Tk 850 crore, reports UNB.
Deputy Director of ACC public relations
office Muhammad Arif Sadeq told
UNB over the phone that assistant revenue
officers Saifun Nahar Johnny,
Mirza Saeed Hasan Farman, Mahmudul
Hasan Munshi, Mahbubar Rahman,
Omar Farooq, Saiful Islam, Mahmuda
Akter Lipi, and Revenue Officer Saiful
Islam were all questioned today.
According to ACC, the officials embezzled
the amount using the IDs of two
recently transferred officials, and with
the support of seven Clearing and
Forwarding agents. They abused their
power for various irregularities and corruption,
the Commission also said.
Ziauddin Bablu hospitalised
with Covid infections
DHAKA : Jatiya Party Secretary General
Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu has been admitted
to a city hospital with Covid-19 infections,
reports UNB.
He was admitted to Labaid Specialised
Hospital in the capital's Dhanmondi area
on Monday evening, Jatiya Party chairman's
deputy press secretary Khandaker
Deloar Jalali told UNB on Tuesday.
He said Bablu underwent Covid test
the same day and the result came out
positive.
Jalali, however, said the physical condition
of the Jatiya Party leader is good
as there is no major complication.
He said their party chairman, GM
Quader, urged all to pray for the speedy
recovery of Bablu.
Party sources said Bablu recently took
part in electioneering in favour of the
Jatiya Party candidate in Sylhet-3 byelection
held on September 4.