The New Nation - Internet Edition

Condolence meet on Selim Al Deen at JU today

BSS, Savar

Jahangirnagar University (JU) will hold a condolence meeting today for renowned playwright and teacher of the department of Drama and Dramatics in JU Professor Selim Al Deen.

Vice Chancellor of JU Prof Khondoker Mustahedur Rahman will be the chief guest at the meeting to be held at the central auditorium of the University at 12.00 noon.

Pro Vice Chancellor of JU Prof Muniruzzaman and Treasurer Prof Sayed Abdul Hie will remain present as special guests.

Teachers, students and officials of the University have been requested to attend the meeting. A milad mahfil will also be held at the central mosque of the University in the afternoon tomorrow.

Prof Selim Al Deen died on January 14 at LAB AID Cardiac Hospital after suffering various diseases.

Classes of the University will remain suspended due to the condolence meeting. But the scheduled examinations will be held.

Cold spell with dense fog next week likely

BSS, Dhaka

The winter will not be short in Bangladesh, rather the weather experts forecast repeated cold spells that might penetrate deep inside the country in the middle of next week.

Met office sources told BSS that the cold spells will start generating and reaching inside the country from January 21 or January 22 powered with turbulent wind from the sub- continental highs.

They said, the country experienced one or two weak cold spells which could not make much waves in the mainland up till now.

The spells are coming late because of not enough shifts in the parameters that generate cold spell in this region.

The cold waves yet to spread all over the sub-continent with required strength because of the unfavorable changes in the highs that power the spells. The cold waves are likely to sweep most areas of the country. The first cold spell of this winter may couple with dense fog.

The cold spells often disrupt the life of the poor people in the northern region of the country who becomes the worst sufferers in the chilling cold. Unable to buy warm clothes, these people struggle to ward off cold bites at night by wrapping themselves with gunny and plastic bags, torn kantha, mosquito nets and such other things.

Moreover, the cold spell may increase the sufferings of hundreds of people in the Sidr affected districts who are still reeling from the devastation of the cyclone.

Agriculture experts say if the cold spell is severe then it would harm as well as benefit cultivation of cereals, other crops and fruits in the region.

Experts told BSS that the bitter cold is good for blossoming of mangoes, litchis and other summer fruits as well as for wheat, maize and pulse.

They, however added, if the cold continues for more than a week, it will increase pest attack on various crops, including paddy saplings and roots of potato plants.

BRAC Dy Director awarded

BSS, Dhaka

Dr. Mushtaque R. Chow-dhury, Deputy Executive Director of BRAC, has been awarded the prestigious PESON Oration Medal for his contribution to the field of maternal and newborn health.

Dr. Chowdhury, also a Professor of Population and Family Health at Columbia University in New York, received the medal at the biennial meeting of PESON in Nepal recently, a press release said here on Friday.

Professor Rita Thapa, President of the Perinatal Society of Nepal (PESON), handed over the award to Dr Mushtaque in Kathmandu. Ms. Surjalekha Yadav, the Deputy Speaker of the interim Nepalese Parliament, was present on the occasion.

The PESON is the most prestigious and respected professional association of renowned health experts in Nepal.

Dr Mushtaque, now the Dean of James P. Grant School of Public Health of BRAC University, received another award for his innovative work to make reading glasses available at affordable prices for the poor in Bangladesh.

The Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University of USA conferred the 'Social Innovator of the Year 2006' award to the Bangladesh public health professional.

Preparations afoot for Biswa Ijtema

BSS, Gazipur

All preparations are afoot to hold Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of the Muslims after the holy Haj, at Tongi on the bank of the River Turag from January 25.

The three-day Biswa Ijtema organised by the Tablig Jamaat will conclude through "Akheri Munajat" on January 27.

Muslim devotees from home and abroad are pouring in to the sprawling venue to participate in the annual religious congregation.

About fifty thousand musallis, who have already assembled in the Ijtema ground, on Friday offered Juma prayer at the historic Tablig Math, organisers said.

Tubewells, main pandal of Biswa Ijtema Math, toilets, electricity and loudspeakers are being arranged under the management of the Ijtema organisers.

Besides, members of the Armed Forces are working to build floating bridges on the Turag river. BDR, police and Ansars are also working hand in hand to prepare the Ijtema ground.

Many devotees coming from different districts are working as volunteers for preparing the Ijtema field.

Tongi Pourasabha Chairman Advocate Ajmat Ullah Khan is coordinating with various agencies to give on-the-spot solutions of different problems relating to holding of the Ijtema.

60 persons held in Rangpur

BSS, Rangpur

Police arrested 60 persons including suspected criminals on different charges from various places in the district during the past 48 hours till yesterday afternoon.

Police said the arrested persons included listed terrorists, drug smugglers, addicts, gamblers, suspected criminals and accused persons in different cases, drug-peddlers and traffickers, thieves, muggers and other anti-social elements.

Police also recovered huge quantities of narcotics substances including ganja and phensidyl, locally produced wine, smuggled goods, scraps, sharp weapons, stolen and other illegal things during the drives.

Kotwali police arrested 14 persons, Gangachara four, Taraganj two, Badarganj 11, Mithapukur 10, Pirganj 10, Pirgacha one, Kawnia six and DB police arrested two persons during the period.

The arrested persons were sent to jail hajat when police produced them before different Rangpur courts, police said.