The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Terming Prof Dr Mohammad Ibrahim as a symbolic representative of all humanitarian services in Bangladesh, Health Adviser Major General (Retd) Dr ASM Matiur Rahman yesterday said there should be more hospitals like BIRDEM to provide treatment facilities to increasing numbers of diabetic patients of the country .

Recalling his memories with Prof Dr Ibrahim , the founder of BIRDEM hospital, health adviser said, quoting from the holy Quran , "The great man in certainly now living in the highest heaven since he served the distressed humanities innovating treatments especially for the diabetic patients.''

He was speaking as the chief guest at a memorial meeting to observe the 18th death anniversary of Prof Dr Ibrahim at BIRDEM auditorium yesterday.

Presided over by Prof AK Azad Khan, President, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Major General (Retd) Prof AR Khan , Major General Ziauddin Ahmed, Director General, BIRDEM and Md Saif Uddin, Secretary General , Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, among others, addressed the memorial meeting.

Though he passed away many years ago, all of his great contributions show his existence before us, Matin emotionally stated saying Prof Dr Ibrahim was his first teacher.

The whole world is still remembering him for the innovation in medical science which I personally understood during my recent visit to France where the French president was also present

He said, all the delegations were looking for the Bangladeshi representative at the last World Health Congress to learn about diabetic treatment from us .

To establish the BIRDEM , the great institution , he sought help from the state leaders including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib but he did never go to them for the course of his own interests . This is the main characteristic of the great man, he added. We think for the poor but Prof Dr Ibrahim thought for the ultra poor, the adviser said.

Terming Prof Dr Ibrahim as a respected and eminent teacher Matiur Rahman said, we should work for the expansion of Prof Dr Ibrahim's institution.

Meanwhile different social organisations chalked out various programmes across the country to mark the 18th death anniversary of Prof Dr Ibrahim.

BIRDEM hospital observed the day as their Service Day while Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute organised a free heart camp.

Officials and staffs of BIRDEM placed wreaths at his grave and prayed for the eternal peace of his soul going to the graveyard at Banani in the city. Rich foods were also distributed among the poor patients in the hospital. BIRDEM , NHN and HCDP arranged free diabetic tests in the city.

BSS, Dhaka

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Thursday hailed Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed and Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed for their assurance of regulatory reform in favour of the private sector in the country.

"DCCI believes that if the assurance given by the government is implemented, it will allay the fear of businessmen and bring normalcy in the country's business and investment environment," a DCCI press release said here.

It said the businessmen would also remain free from the fear of harassment or possible financial losses and conduct their economic activities leading to creating jobs and increasing production to help reduce the prices of essential goods.

Expressing its satisfaction over the present socio-political stability in the country, DCCI urged the government to take necessary steps to remove all obstacles prevailing in the country's business environment

"DCCI also expects that the proposals for establishing a high level Regulatory Reform Commitee, a Bangladesh Beter Business Forum, an Interim Development Fund and a Bangladesh Economic Development Commitee will be expedited to facilitate Public- Private partnership and accelerate development of the Private Sector," the press release said.

Besides, it added, DCCI hopes that the business community will look at this move as a new beginning and now they will drive to recover the losses what they have incurred.

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a seminar underscored the need for introduction of cost-effective digital meter to taxi meters along with pre-paid cards for reducing existing system losses.

"Taxi using cost-effective meters would not only cut system losses but will also help enhance revenue of power companies" they added.

The seminar on "Microprocessor and Microcontroller Based Educational Learning Systems and Measuring Instruments", organised by Islamic University of Technology (IUT) in its auditorium on Wednesday here.

IUT vice-chancellor Professor Dr M Fazli Ilahi was present as the Chief guest, while Prof Dr Ashraful Haque of IUT presided over the seminar.

Associate Professor of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology Golam Mostafa was the key-speaker in the seminar.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Golam Mostafa said simple prototype of prepaid taxi meter could be manufactured locally and it will help minimise transportation cost

Professor Dr M Fazli Ilahi said such kind of seminar could enhance the knowledge of students to a greater extent and would be useful in their professional life.

BSS, Dhaka

Discussants at a roundtable on Thursday laid emphasis on the autonomy of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) for taking up research and other programmes.

The function was organised on the 50th anniversary of the BIDS, the country's lone government-funded thinktank.

Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam was in the chair. Researchers, academics, representatives of different multilateral agencies and civil society organisations took part in the discussion on the theme "Policymakers and Policies: From the Past into the Future."

Former finance ministers M Syeduzzaman and AMA Muhit, former minister for planning Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khondker, former finance adviser M Hafizuddin, and former adviser for planning Professor Rehman Sobhan spoke as designated panelists on the occasion.

As former ministers and advisers, they dealt with the BIDS, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Planning, in the past and on Thursday they gathered to share views on its 'golden jubilee' celebrations.

BIDS Director General Dr Qazi Shahabuddin presented the opening statement on the occasion.

Referring to various socio-economic problems the country is now facing, the participants said much of it has arisen because the policies taken up in the past were not transparent in the first place and they also lacked accountability.

More significantly, public ownership on such policies and projects were missing in most cases, they said pointing to a gap between policymakers and policy researchers in one hand and policymakers and the public as stakeholders on the other.

They dealt with poverty reduction, health, population control, education, resources allocation, globalisation, trade diversification, import substitution and a lot of other issues and said these require a renewed approach now in moving the nation forward.

The participants said BIDS autonomy is not only important through the changing of time but there is also a need for linking policy decision-making process with supplying valuable research inputs.

On how to make the BIDS pro-active, Prof Rehman Sobhan said the government can lend more support to it in terms of various policy research engagements.

Moreover, the organization may at the same time create its own demand by puting a strong supply side by working on burning market-related issues, he emphasized.

AK Khondker said the Planning Ministry might give guidelines to the BIDS but a minimum intervention may be useful to all.

Stressing more research support to policymaking process and to policymakers in particular, Finance Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam said it has now become more important

He said as the gap between the domestic and global issues influencing the economy is ever narrowing, only adequate policy research on issues influencing the economy can tell the direction of changes and the way that the country should follow.

He said as the economy is becoming more and more globalised, the sovereignty in economic decision-making is also declining.

"What was once the domain of local policymaking is no more so," he said pointing to many difficult factors that have to be reckoned with now in taking a decision.

Referring to various conflicting issues, he further said trade liberalisation and local protectionism are often taking conflicting stand and the government has to make compromise often at the displeasure of many local quarters.

He said at the end the country will have to stand on its competitive strength and local protection or subsidy cannot be continued for long except in case of new industry.

BSS, Tokyo

Generations have praised the wisdom of geting up early in the morning, but a Japanese study says early-risers are actually at a higher risk of developing heart problems.

The study, conducted by researchers from several universities and hospitals in the western Japanese city of Kyoto, revealed a link between wake-up times and a person's cardiovascular condition.

"Rising early to go to work or exercise might not be beneficial to health, but rather a risk for vascular diseases," said an abstract of the study.

The study, covering 3,017 healthy adults aged between 23 through 90, found that early risers had a greater risk of heart conditions including hypertension and of having strokes.

However, the study also noted that early risers were usually older.

The study is being presented this week at the World Congress of the World Federation of Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine Societies, being held in Cairns, Australia.

A separate study released in June by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that chronic sleep deprivation adds stress to the heart, puting a person at greater risk of cardiovascular disease and death.

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, during a meeting with First Vice-Governor Victor N Lobko of St Petersburg City government, proposed the twining of Chitagong and St Petersburg cities.

St Petersburg already has such arrangements with many other cities in the world, which have led to mutual benefit

During discussions, they spoke of the possibilities of the use of many academic and medical institutions in St Petersburg for the use of Bangladeshi students, according to a release received from St Petersburg.

The Foreign Adviser said this would encourage more Bangladeshi students to take advantage of Russian scholarship offers. "There is also ample scope for expanding trade, and I have discussed this with the leadership of the Russian Federation in Moscow," he added. Dr Chowdhury, who spent a few hours in the port city, returned to Moscow on Wednesday and met with Ivan S Materov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Energy with whom he discussed bilateral cooperation in energy, gas exploration and investment

The Adviser atended a reception hosted in his honour by the Bangladesh Charge de Affaires of Bangladesh Rezina Ahmed at the Bangladesh House. The reception was largely atended by many ministerial and high level representatives of the Russian Federation and Regional Governments.

A number of Russian legislators, foreign Ambassadors and journalists were also present

The Adviser explained the current developments of Bangladesh to expatriate Bangladeshis residing in Moscow, and encouraged them to invest in Bangladesh with the possibilities of high return now and beter than ever. "Our expatriates are a major source of our economic growth and progress," he said.

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League presidium member Amir Hossain Amu left here on Thursday for Singapore with his ailing wife for her beter treatment

An air ambulance flew Amu and his wife Feroza Hossain to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.

Feroza has been suffering from cancer for long. She was admited to Lab Aid Hospital on September 2 as her condition deteriorated. She is surviving with life support

Pro-reformist Amu returned to Dhaka on August 28 along with his ailing wife after two months' stay in Singapore.

AL leaders Tofail Ahmed, Mukul Bose, Abdul Mannan, Sultan Mohammad Monsur, Aktaruzzaman, Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Prof Nazma Rahman, KM Jahangir and Raju Uddin were present at the Lab Aid Hospital. Amu sought 'doa' (blessings) from all for his wife's early recovery.

UNB, Dhaka

New BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain Thursday rejected expelled BNP leader Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan's claim they are the mainstream of BNP, saying that one can forcibly occupy land but not politics.

Talking to reporters at his NAM apartment, he said when Mannan Bhuiyan had been party's secretary general for 11 years everything was correct Now he wants to clean everything.

"While he was in power everything was correct, now being outside of power everything is wrong," Delwar said.

Replying to a question, he said people would decide who are mainstream BNP and who are outsiders. "Politics cannot be pursued unlawfully, it requires people's support"

Ridiculing Bhuiyan's remarks that BNP under his leadership would win the election, Delwar said: "Has he got the magic lamp? How could he say this before the vote?"

"It was only possible to win the elections without vote during the Ershad's time," he added.

On party reforms, the new BNP secretary general said it would be done in accordance with the BNP constitution when ban on politics would be withdrawn. "We'll call the council session when it will be possible." He recalled that while in power in 1991, there had been some reforms in BNP through consultations.

In reply to a question, Delwar said he is not sure whether fear

factor prevents BNP leaders from meeting him. "Hold patience for few more days, you'll see who enjoy the majority support" BNP leaders Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman and Rizvi Ahmed were present Kazi Saiful Islam, on behalf of Saudi Arabia branch of Jubo Dal, presented a bouquet to Delwar.

UNB, Chitagong

A court here on Thursday framed charge against 42 leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Chhatra Shibir including former MP Shahjahan Chowdhury for killing UP chairman Nurul Kabir in 1998.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Paresh Chandra Sharma framed the charge after a hearing and also issued warrant of arrest warrant against former Jamaat MP Shahjahan Chowdhury.

Court sources said assailants on October 8, 1998 killed Nurul Kabir, a freedom fighter and chairman of Eochia union parishad (UP) in Satkania upazila.

On the same day, Nurul Kabir's brother Shahabuddin filed a case against 42 people accusing them of the killing. Police submited charge sheet against the accused in 2000.

Former MP Shahjahan Chowdhury obtained bail on February 16, 2006 and since then he did not appear before the court during the charge hearing on various pretexts.

Of the indicted persons, 17 are in jail custody while 25 others have been granted bail.

UNB, Chitagong

A court here on Thursday convicted a man and awarded him death penalty for killing his uncle in 1997. The convict is Iftekhar Ali Haider Khokon, of Panchalaish thana of the city.

According to the prosecution, Iftekhar had wanted to marry his cousin Mahbuba Mostafa but his uncle M Mostafa, 57, former director of Education and Statistics Bureau, arranged his daughter Mahbuba's marriage At this Iftekhar became furious and slaughtered his uncle after entering into his bedroom on April 25, 1997. A case was filed in this connection and police submited charge sheet against four people, including Iftekhar.

After examining the witnesses and records Additional Sessions Judge M Shamsul Huda pronounced the verdict acquiting three others.

UNB, Dhaka

Deep convection is continuing over north Bay while steep pressure gradient also persisting.

Squally weather may continue to affect the maritime ports, said a warning message of Met office.

Maritime ports of Chitagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number three.

Under its influence, heavy rainfall is likely at places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Barisal, Chitagong and Sylhet divisions during the next 24 hours commencing 10am today.

Low-lying areas of the coastal districts and three off-shore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by a wind driven surge of height 1 to 3 feet above normal astronomical tide.

All fishing boats and trawlers over north Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Baul Samity (BBS) will organise a two-day 'Baul Charity Show' begining from today in the city with a view to helping flood affected people in the country.

The Charity Show will be held at Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh. A total of 101 baul singers, including popular singer Momtaj Begum, are likely to perform in the mega event sponsored by 'Pran Juice Joy'.

BBS President Momtaj Begum said this while addressing a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) auditorium yesterday.

She said half of the money to be earned from the charity show would be deposited to the relief fund of the Chief Adviser while the rest half would be distributed among the flood affected people by the members of the BBS.

Entry passes in four categories, would be distributed from the BBS office near Mirpur Shah Ali Market The minimum charge for each pass of the 'D' category has been fixed at Tk 200 while the charge for a card for the 'A' category has been kept open so that one can donate in accordance with his ability.

Private TV Channel ATN Bangla, The New Nation and Radio Today are the media partners of the charity show. Momtaj Begum called upon the well off people to come forward to help flood affected people in the country.

Among others, founder of the BBS Shah Sufi Sarker Mohammad Shahjahan Bhandari, ATN Vice President Nowajesh Ali Khan, Pran Group Executive Director Ilias and Mofizur Rahman Babu of 'Right Way' were also present at the press conference.

UNB, Benapole

Three terrorists were arrested with bomb making materials from Bhaberber village here early on Thursday. The arrested were identified as Firoz, 30, son of Shawkat member, and Miajul Islam Mia, 25, son of Motaz Ali, both of Goyra village, and Yakub Ali, 24, son of Idu Aksar, of Bhaberber village. Acting on a tip-off, a team of Rapid Action Batalion (RAB) nabbed Firoz from his house at Bhaberber village and recovered bomb-making materials weighing one and half kilograms during a raid in the early hours.

As per the confession of Firoz, two others-Miajul and Yakub-were arrested from separate places.

After interrogation, the three arrested were handed over to Benapole port thana. A case has been filed.

Police said the three arrested have long been engaged in smuggling of bombs and bomb-making materials into the country from India and selling those to other terrorists across the country.

UNB, Dhaka

Death toll from flood-related diarrhea, drowning, snakebite and respiratory diseases rose to 817 with nine more deaths reported in 24 hours till 9 am on Thursday. According to Health department sources a total of 1,40,512 people were affected by diarrhea so far across the country since the advent of flood on July 30.

According to Food and Disaster Management Ministry, over 1.6 crore people in 256 upazilas of 39 districts were affected by flood that also damaged 65,522 houses completely and 9,19,575 others partially. The flood also damaged crops on 7,79,751 acres completely and 7,78,908 acres partially, 3,619 kms roads completely and 25,104 kms roads partially, 557 educational institutions completely and 7,592 others partially, 88 kms dam completely and 801 kms dam partially. Besides, 78 bridge-culverts were damaged completely and 1,692 others partially.

The flood also affected a total of 11,596 people who took refuge at 41 flood shelter centres.

Meanwhile, rice, cash, grants for rebuilding houses and other goods, supplied by the Chief Adviser's Relief Fund and the Food and Disaster Management Ministry, continued to be sent for the flood victims. VGF programme has been launched in 41 districts so far since August 22. Under the programme, each affected family will get 10 kgs of rice per month till December this year.

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed Thursday said the central bank would pursue its monetary policy as per the demand of the economy.

"We'll take steps that are necessary for us," he told a visiting delegation from International Monetary Fund (IMF) at Bangladesh Bank conference room.

Led by IMF's Adviser for the Asia and Pacific Department Thomas Rumbaugh, the delegation met the Governor as part of their two-week "Exploratory Mission for PRGF" in Bangladesh that began on Wednesday. The IMF delegation is here to review the most recent macroeconomic situation, including the impact of the ongoing reform programmes the present government is pursuing.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Salehuddin said Bangladesh Bank apprised the delegation of Bangladesh's efforts to improve the supply situation. "The inflation will come down if we can improve supply."

Replying to a question, he said he expected the supply of essential items to increase in the market and the month of Ramadan would witness a smooth supply.

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court Thursday declared illegal the detention of former state minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman Patal, stating that the grounds of action were "vague". A two-member bench, headed by Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman, delivered the judgment upon a habeas-corpus petition filed by Patal's younger brother Harun-or-Rashid.

The court also ordered release of Patal "forthwith", if not wanted by police in any other criminal case.

Despite HC orders, the central BNP leader from Natore cannot come out of jail as he has been implicated in another criminal case, said his counsel, Barrister Mahbubuddin Khokon.

Army-led joint forces during its ongoing drive against corruption arrested Patal on May 29 and sent him to jail with a 30-day detention order under the stringent Special Powers Act Later the order of detention was extended by 90 more days.

UNB, Sylhet

Election Commissioner Sohul Hussain Thursday said preparation of voter ID card with photograph is an historic step and people of all strata would have to cooperate in implementing such a work to establish democratic state and government system. "The present government has initiated work on preparing a flawless voter list with the direct cooperation from army. We are also taking fingerprints so there will be no fault in making voter list with photograph. Cooperation from all is extremely desirable in this regard," he said.

Addressing an opinion exchange meeting at the District Council auditorium at noon, Sohul Hodssain said there would be no vote rigging in the elections if a voter list with photograph could be made. "There will also be no allegation of vote rigging and none able to cast vote of others."

He said names of all adult population of the country would have

Speakers in a workshop on Thursday at Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC) emphasised on community participation in disaster preparedness programmes, strengthening GO-NGO partnership, beter understanding on technical assessment and local resource mobilization for an effective disaster management mechanism across the country.

The views were expressed in the Risk Reduction Sharing Workshop organised by BPATC and Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) under the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management

The workshop was a follow up event of field visit by the participants of 47th Senior Staff Course in the CDMP working areas in Lalmonirhat, Shunamgonj, Shirajgonj and Faridpur districts. A total of 24 joint Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh are participating in the course.

The field experience on disaster risk reduction initiatives were presented by Md. Jahirul Hoq, ABM Khorshed Alam, Apurba Kumar Biswas and Ahmedur Rahim. MDS of BPATC Md. Ashraf Hossain moderated the working sessions while the programme was addressed among others by Mohshina Ferdousi, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management, Ian Rector, Chief Technical Advisor of CDMP.

The participants appreciated the CDMP initiatives for Community Risk Assessment and community empowerment for risk reduction and sustainable development

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) will organize a seminar on E-commerce during the launching Ceremony of the SME Helpline Center (SME HC) on September 10, at 10.45 a.m. at DCCI Chamber Building (5th Floor), 65-66, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000, says a press release.

Main objectives of the SME-HC are: (i) to establish office support facilities, equipped with computers, photocopiers and internet connection; (ii) to act as depository in information; (iii) to provide SMEs with trade & technology information and iv) to provide advisory support services to them.

A keynote paper will be presented of E-Commerce by Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Science & ICT and Deputy Director (Training), Bangladesh Computer Council to create awareness among the SMEs about updated policies of e-commerce in Bangladesh as well as benefits of the use of ICTs by the SMEs.

Dr. Md. Nurul Amin, Secretary, Ministry of Industries, Govt of the People's Republic of Bangladesh will grade the occasion as the Chief Guest

World Space Week Association is an affiliated organisation of the United Nations aimed at creating space awareness among the school students around the world through celebration of World Space Week in every year from 4 to 10 October.

About 55 countries participate this important space event including Bangladesh. F.R Sarker, General Secretary of Bangladesh Astronomical Society was nominated by the World space week association as the National Coordinator for Bangladesh in 2003, and since then Bangladesh has been celebrating World Space Week regularly.

The programmes of the event include highlighting of space related subjects through Lectures, Debates, Quizzes, Drawings, Rally etc.

By this time, Bangladesh has earned good appreciation for its excellent performance of WSW for which the World Space Week Association has been pleased to allow opportunity for a Bangladeshi students to ride on a special plane for Zero Gravity Flight on 6 October, 2007 from Las Vegas, USA, says a press release.