The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Most essentials, including vegetables and other items, were sold at cheaper prices in BDR run sales centers and markets the city on Tuesday in comparison with other open markets.

According to a market report of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on Wednesday, the price of coarse rice in different markets, including Kamalapur, New Market, Karwanbazar, Kalyanpur, Kachukhet and Mohammadpur, ranged between Taka 23 and Taka 25 per kg Tuesday.

Rice was sold at Taka 25 at BDR-run open markets and Taka 20 at BDR-run sales centres in Tuesday while in Kolkata per kg coarse rice was sold at a price equivalent to Bangladesh Taka 21.62.

Each kg of packet flour was selling at Taka 37 and 38 and in ordinary markets while the price of the item was Taka 40 in BDR- run open markets and Taka 35 at BDR-run sales centres. In Kolkata, the flour is being sold at Taka 25.22 per kg, the report said.

The price of imported lentil (mashur) is ranging between Taka 64 and Taka 68 per kg in ordinary markets, while it is being sold at Taka 63 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 60 at BDR-run sales centres. In Kolkata, the price of the lentil is Taka 61.26 per kg.

Onion (imported) was sold at Taka 54 to Taka 57 per kg in ordinary city markets while its price in Kolkata was Taka 28.57. Onion is being sold at Taka 57 per kg in BDR-run open markets and Taka 45 at BDR-run sales centres.

The price of imported gram (Chhola) was between Taka 46 and Taka 48 per kg in different retail markets yesterday while in Kolkata, the item is being sold at Taka 57.65.

The item is being sold at Taka 57 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 55 at BDR-run sales centres.

Sugar is being sold between Taka 29 and 31 per kg in ordinary markets compared to Taka 26.78 in Kolkata and Taka 31 in BDR-run open markets.

The price of green chili, however, is ranging from Taka 32 to Taka 40 per kg in ordinary city markets. The item is sold at Taka 24 at BDR-run open markets. The green chili in Kolkata is being sold at a price equivalent to Taka 26.78.

Potato is being sold at Taka 20 to Taka 22 per kg in the ordinary markets. The price of potato in BDR-run open market is Taka 21 and at BDR sales centres Taka 18. In Kolkata, the price of the item is equivalent to Taka 16.07.

Soybean oil is being sold at Taka 90 per liter in ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 84 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 81 in BDR-run sales centres. In Kolkata, the price of soybean oil is Taka 103.57 per liter.

Palm oil is being sold at Taka 80 to Taka 85 per liter in ordinary markets. In Kolkata, the price of palm oil is Taka 98.21 per liter.

It is being sold at Taka 78 per kg in BDR-run open markets, the report added.

BSS, Dhaka

Health and Family Welfare Adviser Major General (retd) Dr ASM Matiur Rahman yesterday urged all to take part in the anti-smoking campaign as smoking is harmful to both smokers and non-smokers.

"Eighty percent of Chronic Obstruction of Pulmonary Disease (COPD) could be prevented just by giving up smoking," he said while speaking at a scientific seminar as the chief guest here, an official Handout said.

The seminar was organised by Bangladesh Lung Foundation (BLF) to mark the World COPD Day at National Asthma Centre auditorium of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Hospital.

The adviser said the government is actively considering setting up respiratory unites at all medical college hospitals across the country as a lot of people suffer from lung diseases.

Quoting a recent survey report, the adviser said 65 lakh people of the country have been suffering from COPD. Of the COPD patients, 80 percent are poor though the treatment of the disease is very expensive, the report said.

Presided over by BLF President Professor Dr M Rashedul Hasan, the seminar was also addressed by Director General of Health Department Dr Mohammad Shahjahan Biswas and BLF Secretary General Professor M Ali Hossain, among others.

Director of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Hospital Professor Dr M Mostafizur Rahman presented the keynote paper.

BSS, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury yesterday underscored the need for early warning system to control and mitigate floods.

"Early warning is an essential element of flood control and mitigation, and this is best effected in a regional mode," he said.

The foreign adviser was talking to the visiting Director General of International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Dr Andreas Schild, who called on him at the foreign ministry.

The ICIMOD is an inter-governmental body based in Kathmandu and involved in sustainable development work in mountainous regions.

It groups Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.

Dr. Schild praised the contribution of Bangladesh to the technical programmes of the eight-nation ICIMOD which included focus on water and sustainable development.

Talking to journalists after the meeting, the foreign adviser said, "ICIMOD is doing excellent work at technical levels on raising awareness of issues related to its mandate in the region and Bangladesh welcomes that."

Next year ICIMOD under Bangladesh's chairmanship will observe its 28th anniversary, he said while appreciating the achievements of the organisation.

BSS, Dhaka

Deputy Minister of Commerce of Myanmar Brigadier General Aung Tun has expressed his satisfaction over the role of the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) in the country's economic development.

The appreciation came when a 16-member trade and business delegation of Myanmar led by the deputy commerce minister visited the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) on Tuesday, said a BEPZA press release.

During the visit, the business delegation held a meeting with Executive Chairman of the BEPZA Brigadier General Ashraf Abdullah Yussuf.

Speaking at the meeting, the BEPZA executive chairman highlighted the background and the performance of the EPZs.

General Yussuf said, presently, the EPZs are contributing 18 percent to the national export earnings. More than two lakh jobs have been created in the EPZs and some 264 enterprises are operating in the EPZs, he added.

Aung Tun said the zone's role has been making significant impact on the poverty alleviation programme of Bangladesh.

The business delegation also visited the South China Bleaching and Dyeing Ind. Ltd.

BSS, Dhaka

Anti-Corruption Comm-ission (ACC) yesterday gave clearance to the enquiry officers to file graft cases against former state minister for power Prof Rafiqul Islam and former Awami League MP Rafiqul Anwar.

ACC Director General (admin) Col. Hanif Iqbal told reporters that the commission approved the first information reports (FIRs) against them on charge of acquiring huge wealth beyond their legal income sources, concealing information in their wealth statements and dodging taxes.

He said the commission also approved charge sheets of the graft cases against eight persons including former Awami League MP Dr HBM Iqbal, his wife Mamtaz Begum Dolly, two sons and one daughter.

ACC filed the graft case against Iqbal and his family members with Gulshan police in June this year on the allegation of amassing wealth of around Taka 11 crore through illegal ways and concealing information in the wealth statement submitted to the commission.

The DG said the commission also approved the charge sheets of the graft cases against Jubo League general secretary and former MP Mirza Azam, managing director of Metro Spinning Ltd. of Dilkusha Alhaj Mohammad Ali Khokan and its director Showkat Ali.

He said the ACC has decided to serve notices on Samsul Alam, APS of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, Ameer Khasru, CBA leader of Rajuk, and Chand Khandakar, a businessman of Faridpur.

Staff Reporter

Private satellite channel NTV is putting on air a children-programme titled "Pran Junior Tiffin er Fakay" from November 16. This show is sponsored by Pran Junior, a business house.

Mostofa Kamal Syed programme chief of NTV and Shankha Basu, General Manager (Brand) of Pran Group disclosed this at a press briefing yesterday in the city. The briefing was followed by a premier of the programme.

Mujahidul Islam Tusher programme executive and Priya Dais anchor of the programme were present. The premier was moderated by Sanjib Chowdhury of Band Group Dalchut.

Mostafa Kamal said media could influence the society. But all kinds of programmes were not appropriate for children. This programme was produced keeping this message in mind.

Mujahidul Islam informed about new entry of quiz titled Mogoj Meter. In 26 episodes 26 student quiz winners would get multimedia computer.

School spots would be selected in Dhaka and also at the district level. Students performing in the programmes would be given gift hampers.

UNB, Sirajganj

A court here Tuesday convicted a man and sentenced him to 14 years rigorous imprisonment in a forgery case. The convict is identified as Ali Akbar, son of Mozammel Sarker of Beripatal Charpara village in Kazipur upazila. The court also fined the convict Tk 5,000, in default, to suffer one year more imprisonment. According to the prosecution, DB police raided Akbar's house, seized 18 fake notes of Tk 500 from his moneybag and arrested him on June 27, 2005.Later, a case was filed with Kazipur thana in this connection. After examining the records and witnesses, District and Sessions Judge Biblob Goswami found him guilty and handed down the verdict.

UNB, Dhaika

An alleged mugger was arrested along with a pistol from city's Pallabi area Wednesday noon.

The arrested youth was identified as Golam Mostofa, 18. Police said they chased three snatchers after they snatched away three mobile sets and Tk 15,000 in cash from "Binimoy Telecom Service" at section-12, Block-D, Road-2.

Later, they managed to catch only Mostafa. After searching Mostofa's body, police recovered a foreign made pistol from his possession. However, police could not manage to recover the looted money and mobile phone sets as two cohorts of Mostofa fled away with the booty.

UNB, Kishoraganj

Former MP Majibur Rahman Manju was yesterday sent to jail hajot when he surrendered to the court in connection with a murder case.

Manju who was elected from Bajitpur-Nikli constituency on BNP ticket is the main accused in the murder of Gurui UP chairman Taheruddin Tahu who was shot dead on October 10 last year.

The wife of the victim filed the case against Manju and his accomplices. Manju later secured ad interim bail from the High Court to avoid arrest.

Informed sources said Manju quietly came to Dhaka early this week to meet BNP secretary general Khandkar Delwar Hossain.

Staff Reporter

Birth centenary of legendary Swedish writer A Lindgren was celebrated in the city on yesterday (Wednesday), by publishing her two renowned child-literary works with Bangla translation.

Astrid Lindgren, one of the foremost literary figures in Europe, who extensively wrote for children.

Diplomats stationed in Dhaka, writers and artists joined together at a programme to pay tributes to the Swedish writer. Swedish Ambassador in Dhaka, Britt F. Hagatrom attended the function as chief guest, held at the National Museum, with National Professor Kabir Chowdhury on chair.

The ambassador formally unfurled the Bangla version of the books of the Swedish writer, a publication of Ankur Prokashani, a private publication house.

Swedish ambassador Britt F. Hagatrom elaborated some aspects to project the writer's contribution in child literature.

"Books, written by Astrid Lindgren have been translated into 90 different languages, across the world. It's an honour to witness our literature is being translated and published in Bangla as well," said the ambassador.

"Million women like me who have grown up with child literacy, written by Astrid Lindgren on their shelf, knows how their lives have been changed by the characters of her works," she said.

According to her, A Lindgren's works have given confidence, generated motivation and shown dream to youngsters in European societies for a long time. By translation of her two famous books in local language, I believe, it would result into broadening mental horizon among young generations in Bangladesh, said added.

While presiding over the meeting, National Professor Kabir Chowdhury emphasised the shortage of quality literary work for children in Bangladesh. "We have neglected the child literature for long, which has resulted to major lack of understanding, in juvenile psychology. On the other hand, mentality of our youngsters also have been scattered," said Professor Kabir.

He, however, expected that the translation of such great work by A Lindgren would enrich our local literature.

UNB, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed have felicitated Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva on the occasion of his country's Republic Day to be observed on Thursday.

In a message to his Brazilian counterpart, President Iajuddin Ahmed expressed his confidence that the existing bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries would be further strengthened in depth and dimension in the years ahead.

In a similar message, the Chief Adviser expressed his hope that the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Brazil would be further solidified in the days ahead.

The two Bangladeshi leaders wished him good health and personal well-being, and continued peace, progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Brazil.

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury has said a new beginning has been made in terms of manpower export to Poland as 204 skilled workers have already been selected for the purpose. The adviser, also in charge of the Expatriate's Welfare and Overseas Employment ministry, said this after Mr. Jacek Ziellinski, Managing Director of a Polish Company Promo Man, met with him at the Foreign Office here on Wednesday.

"This is just a start and I understand the Polish authorities are eager to import more manpower from Bangladesh in the future." Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury has said while received an official delegation from Poland and has discussed expanding economic relations including in manpower.

"This is exactly in line with our new 7-point strategy for manpower export", Chowdhury further stated.

"If we can prepare ourselves adequately, many more new markets will open up for us", he concluded.

Chittagong Correspondent

Speakers at a workshop on 'Packaging of Shrimp & Fish Products' emphasized the need for quality assurance of perishable products to grip up the fast changing global markets.

They said that safe packaging had been a must for attracting buyers apart from qualitative production of exportable.

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA) and Swiss Import Promotion Program (SIPP) jointly organized the workshop at a city hotel.

Vice Chairman of EPB Mohammad Sahabullah joined the workshop as chief guest while Vice President of BFFEA Mahmudul Hasan conducted it.

Deputy Director of Quality Control and Fisheries Inspection Department, Chittagong region, KUM Shahidur Rahman addressed it as special guest while Taslim Uddin Chowdhury, Tomas Sparer and Bernard Livio among others joined the workshop.

Vice Chairman of BED Mohammad Sahabullah in his speech opined that it would be difficult to compete in the world market if international standard packaging system cannot be ensured apart from ensuring products' quality.

Appreciating role of BFFEA he said that export volume of shrimp and frozen foods was remarkable over the last couple of years.

Speakers urged the SIPP to take a project to conduct a frozen shrimp and foods identification program. It is learnt that 515 million US dollar had been earned by exporting shrimp and frozen fish in the last fiscal.

Meanwhile, another workshop on the same issue will be held in Khulna on November 15.

Chittagong Correspondent

Students of Chittagong University (CU) have been asked not to date at several risky points of the campus for their own safety and avoid snatching.

Management of the University took the decision shortly after two major incidents of snatching at places near fountain area adjacent to the Arts faculty and Goalpukur area adjacent to the south campus residential area.

The snatchers took away the belongings including cell phones and cash money of four students including two admission-seekers. The snatchers also chopped Hossain Ahmed, a student of Communication and Journalism department, when he tried to resist the snatchers.

The management also imposed a ban on cycling and motor biking at south residential area and the south points of the central Shaheed Minar for the outsiders.

Proctor of the University Professor Jashim Uddin told this correspondent that the University management took the decision for the sake of student's safety.

On the other hand, students of the University urged the authorities concerned to withdraw ban on access to several points of the campus and demanded strengthening the on-campus security.

They alleged that most of the on-campus snatching had been taking place over the years due to the irresponsibility of university's security men.