The New Nation - Internet Edition

DCC gives safety gears to its cleaners

BSS, Dhaka

Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) on Wednesday distributed necessary safety gears to its cleaners for improving the safety and sanitation standard of the city's waste management.

All DCC cleaners of ward no 36 and 76, a total of 224 cleaners received the safety gears that include gloves, boots, masks, and first aid kits.

The initiative was taken under a DCC project titled 'Strengthening of Solid Waste Management (SSWM) in Dhaka City' which is being implemented with the support from Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA).

Chief Conservatory officer of DCC Maksudur Rahman Chowdhury distributed the equipments to the cleaners at Dainik Bangla crossing of ward 36 and Munir Hussain lane of Ward 76 here.

Commissioner of Ward 36 Abdur Rob, Commissioner of Ward 76 Makbul Islam Khan Tipu, Deputy Chief Adviser of Jica Riad JET and JICA expert Akio Ishii were also present on the occasion.

DCC has a plan to distribute safety gears including raincoats to its all cleaners in the Dhaka city, DCC officials said noting that the corporation has formulated a 'Clean Dhaka Master Plan' during 2003-05 for comprehensive improvement in the waste management in Dhaka city by 2015.

Ta 5 lakh donated to CA's Relief Fund

BSS, Dhaka

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) on Wednesday donated a cheque for Taka 5 lakh to the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund.

Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman handed over the cheque to Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at the latter's office in the city, an official handout said.

Assistant Air Chief (Director and Training) Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Inamul Bari was present.

The donated money comes from one-day salary of the Air Force officials and voluntary donations from other officials of the BAF.

Earlier, the BAF donated Taka five lakh to the CA's Relief and Welfare Fund, the handout said.

Diabetic Association accords reception to Foreign Adviser

BSS, Dhaka

The Diabetic Association of Bangladesh on Wednesday accorded a reception to Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury for his role in the passage of a Bangladesh resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly to observe the "World Diabetic Day" on November 14 as the United Nations Day.

The United Nations unanimously passed the resolution 61/225 on December 20, 2006. Dr. Chowdhury was the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN at that time.

The function was held at the BIRDEM auditorium with Prof. A K Azad Khan, president of the association, in the chair. Mr. Saif Uddin, secretary general and Prof. Hazera Mahtab, member of the national council of the association, also addressed it.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Chowdhury paid glowing tributes to the founder of the organization Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim and said thousand of people have been benefited by his noble work.

He said that it was an arduous job to get a resolution passed particularly for a non-communicable disease by the United Nations. But, he said that 192 members of the body passed it unanimously on December 20, 2006. He described it as a 'diplomatic milestone' for Bangladesh.

Prof. Azad Khan said that although the Diabetic center in Bangladesh is the biggest of its kind in the world, it could cater services to only 25 percent of estimated 60 lakh patients. He said that a total of 32 lakh diabetic patients die each year across the globe.

Prof. Hazera Mahtab said that BIRDEM is the biggest health service provider in the country and 55 affiliated organisations are working across Bangladesh to provide service to the diabetic patients.

Gandhi memorial lecture held at DU

BSS, Dhaka

The Dhaka University Vice Chancellor S M A Faiz on Wednesday said Gandhiji's mission was to convert every Indian as well as Englishmen to nonviolence for regulating political, economic, social relations.

Speaking as the chief guest at the second Mahatma Gandhi memorial lecture jointly organised by the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies of Dhaka University and the Indian High Commission he described the late leader as a staunch soldier against untouchability, drugs and alcohol and inter faith divide.

He underscored the need for peace, economics justice, human rights, promotion of non-communal and harmonious cooperation of all the people on the earth.

Referring to lack of international peace in today's world marked by clash of civilisations, preemptive attacks by powerful countries, unjust aggression by major powers on the weaker countries in the name of democracy and human rights, he said, it was time to look back to Gandhi.

Chaired by Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, other speakers Included Dean of Social Sciences Faculty of the university Prof Harun-or-Rashid, Chairman of the Peace and Conflict Studies Department Dr Rafiqul Islam Prof Anisuzzaman, and Counselor of the Indian High Commission Ajit Gupte.

Japanese envoy calls on Mahbub Jamil

BSS, Dhaka

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Masayuki Inoue called on Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for Youth and Sports Mahbub Jamil at his office here on Wednesday.

Jamil, who is also in charge of the ministries of civil aviation and tourism, and industries, discussed with the Japanese envoy matters of mutual interests, an official handout said.

Dhaka Club distributes warm clothes in city

BSS, Dhaka

Dhaka Club distributed 2000 pieces of blankets and 2000 pieces of pullovers to the footpath dwellers of Shahjahanpur, Motijheel, Baitul Mukarram, High Courts and Bangla Academy area on mid-night of January 28.

In response to the appeal from Sadat Hossain Salim, President Dhaka Club, the members responded spontaneously with generous donation in cash and kind.

Sadat Hossain Salim and the members of the Executive Committee personally distributed warm cloths on behalf of the members of the club to the people who were passing sleepless nights fighting the biting cold under the open sky.

The club will also donate winter cloths to the people of northern districts of the country.

Enactment of hawkers-friendly laws stressed

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers here today demanded enactment of hawkers friendly laws for, what they said, stop indiscriminate eviction of the poor traders who are surviving hand to mouth in these days of economic hardships.

"In the absence of any pro-hawkers laws in the country, the real hawkers could not be properly rehabilitated, " they said.

They also called upon the authorities not to evict them without making any alternative sources of their livelihoods for the shake of justice.

They were speaking at the annual meeting and installation ceremony of Bangladesh Launchghat Hawkers Kallayan Samity at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) auditorium.

Jatiya Samjtantrick Dal (JSD) president Hasanul Haq Inu attended the function as chief guest while former information secretary and noted journalist-columnit Bahauddin Chowdhury , historian Sirajuddin Ahmed, journalist Azizul Islam Bhuiyan and Advocate Khandkar Shamsul Alam Dudu were the special guests.

Presided over by Samity President Abdus Salam Khokan, the function was also addressed, among others, by labour leader Kazi Siddiqur Rahman, youth leader Abdul Jalil, Samity general secretary Masum Howladar and joint secretary Abdul Halim Chowdhuyr Mizan.

In his speech Hasanul Haq Inu called for formulation of a national policy for the hawkers, rickshaw pullers and small traders of the city. "Before preparation of such a national policy, Dhaka City Corporation should prepare a full list of genuine hawkers, rickshaw pullers and small traders, especially the footpath dealers, " he said.

Inu said that it was unfortunate that the footpath hawkers had to be the first targets of any regime change as there was an ill practice to rehabilitate party-supporters in such trades removing the genuine ones.

Samity leaders demanded allotments of shops in the newly built building to the genuine members of the Samity. Expressing their indignation over reported allotments of such shops among, what they said "fake hawkers', they called upon the authorities to immediately cancel those "controversial allotments."

The Samity also announced a month-long programme including holding of press conference on February 10, formation of human chain in front of the head office of the BIWTA on February 20, submission of memorandum to anti-corruption commission on February 25 and handing over another memorandum to Shipping adviser on February 28 to press home their demands.

Ta 8 crores allocation for 19 projects of Women and children affairs

BSS, Dhaka

The government has allocated Taka 8 Crores for 19 development projects in the annual development programme of 2007-08 under the Women and Children Affairs Ministry.

The allocation comprised project assistance of Taka 4 crores while the rest is provided by the government, said an official handout here today adding that progress of work in the 19 projects is 39 percent.

It was told at a meeting held at the Women and Children Affairs Ministry on Tuesday to review the progress of the development projects.

The projects include: nine under the women affairs department, four under Jatiya Mahila Sangstha, two under Bangladesh Shishu Academy and four under Women and Children Affairs Ministry, according to the handout.

Women and Children Affairs Secretary Rokeya Sultana presided over the meeting while Adviser for Women and Children Affairs, Primary and Mass Communications, and Cultural Affairs Ministry Rasheda K Choudhury was present as the chief guest. Concerned senior officials attended.

The adviser stressed on completing the projects in time and Said, it is not difficult if all work unitedly.

She asked the officials to expedite the pace of work, the handout said.

Australia provides $ 6.5 m for cyclone Sidr-victims

BSS, Dhaka

The Australian government will provide An additional Australian $ 6.5 million to help Bangladeshi communities recover from cyclone Sidr, which caused widespread devastation in November last year.

Earlier, Australia made a contribution of Aus $ 3 million as relief for cyclone-affected people in the northern districts, said a release here on Wednesday.

"Australia's additional funding of A$ 6.5 million will help meet immediate needs through provision of food to 800,000 people, upgrading water and sanitation facilities and distribution of nutrition supplements for over 50,000 women and children, Australian High Commissioner, Douglas Foskett said.

The funding will also support rehabilitation of damaged schools in the affected areas, the Australian envoy said.

"This contribution reflects Australia's strong commitment to Bangladesh, particularly in its time of need, and our concern for people suffering in the affected areas," he added.

Australia will contribute Aus $ 4 million to the World Food Programme (WFP)'s post cyclone response programme, which will provide rice, pulses, vegetable oil, iodized salt, high-energy biscuits and wheat soya blend to families in urgent need. This contribution is in addition to Aus $ 1 million already contributed to WFP for its immediate cyclone relief program.

Australia will also provide Aus $ 1.5 million to BRAC for provision of nutrition supplements to 16,000 pregnant women and nursing mothers for six months, rehabilitation of around 2000 destroyed and damaged schools, replacement of school supplies, and provision of water and sanitation facilities.

Another Aus $ 1 million would be provided to UNICEF for micronutrient fortified blended food for pregnant and nursing mothers and infants. This support will contribute to UNICEF's efforts to prevent a potential outbreak of malnutrition among vulnerable cyclone-affected women and children.

With the Australian contribution, UNICEF will provide food to over 40,000 pregnant and nursing mothers and infants between 6 to 24 months old.

Mosque-cum-cyclone centre to be built : Army Chief

BSS, Dhaka

Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday said multi-story mosque-cum-cyclone centers will be built in phases in the country's disaster-prone districts with a view to minimising loss to lives and property during natural calamities.

The army chief said initially we will build five mosque-cum- cyclone centres in the designated areas and work on such project has already been started.

General Moeen said this while receiving donations from different organisations and individuals for the cyclone victims at the Army Headquarters' Officers Mess at Dhaka Cantonment here.

The army chief said, apart from using the mosques as cyclone shelters, each establishment will have accommodation facilities for an Imam with 360 devotees offering prayers at a time. The army chief said all temples damaged by the cyclone Sidr will be reconstructed or repaired.

He said all the damaged villages will be reconstructed and affected micro professionals in the far-flung areas rehabilitated. The fishermen, who had lost their boats and nets in the cyclone, will be provided with monetary support, he added.

The army chief said because of an enormous post-cyclone rehabilitation programme being carried out by various organisations and individuals the cyclone affected people have again started going back to their normal life.

"We have taken advanced measures to distribute reading materials among the students, including SSC and HSC candidates, in the cyclone affected areas as the government books do not reach the grassroots level within the stipulated timeframe." Moeen said.

He said the army has provided the farmers with power tillers in the affected areas in fulfillment of a demand made a conference of the local government representatives in Dhaka recently.

Moeen said various individuals and organisations have so far donated Taka 23.66 crore to the army relief fund and Prabashi Palli, an expatriate's organisation, alone donated Taka 47 lakh today for building one mosque-cum- cyclone centre.

The construction of the said mosque-cum-cyclone centre is going on in full swing at Southkhali area under Sarankhula upazila of Bagerhat district, ISPR sources said.

The individuals and organisations today donated Taka 1,75,10,505. The donors included PWD Sports Club of Dhaka, Dhaka WASA, Mohammedan Sporting Club, BD PBC Pipe Manufacturer Association, Continental Courier Service, Mosque Council, Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners Association, Gausia Market Shop Owners Association, Eastern Mollika Shop Owners Association, Expatriates Bangladeshi Socio-Economic Development Project in Saudi Arabia, AN Wahid Uddin Chowdhury of Australia-based Charity Quest, Bangladesh Kindergarten Association, Expatriate Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia, Ladies Club Chittagong, Bangladesh Cookeries Business Association, Essential Drugs Company Limited, Rangpur Dental College and Mogbazar Kisholaya Association.

Bird flu may be a new problem for economy

BSS, Dhaka

Discussants at a roundtable on the 'state of the economy' yesterday said the bird flu may be a new problem.

They praised the government efforts for setting up the better business forum and the regulatory reform commission, and expressed concern over the slow business and investment. The efforts are good, but not enough, they said.

The discussants said, although the government has an election roadmap, but going beyond it the announcement of an election date at this stage will work as a big boast to public confidence in bringing pace to domestic and foreign investment.

The discussants at the roundtable organised by Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) at its office at Gulshan in the city included CPD executive director Prof Dr Mustafizur Rahman, banker Manun Rashid, former president of FBCCI Yusuf Abdullah Harun and President of Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Salahuddin Qasem Khan.

BEI president Faruq Sobhan was in the chair while Prof Dr Atiur Rahman presented the keynote.

Dr Atiur Rahman said 'food inflation' which is around 22 percent for some low income groups.

But he anticipated that this year the country may witness a 'super-bumper' boro harvest if agricultural inputs such as fertiliser, fuel and pesticides can be supplied timely to farmers. He said a successful boro harvest will only be able to stabilise the market and reduce prices.

Dr Atiur Rahman said since the country is importing a huge amount of rice and other foodgrains from India, the depreciation of taka against rupee is becoming a problem.

He said the GDP growth this year may vary from 6.2 percent on the top to 5.7 percent downside while the discussants were critical on the slow pace of the implementation of the annual development programmes. The performance should be improved, they observed.

Referring to high cost of food items and the inflation, the discussants opined that the real value of wages of the garment workers has rather depreciated over the recent time and suggested the garment factories and other establishment may open shops of their own to provide low cost food for workers.

They emphasised the need for a new breakthrough in agricultural productivity saying the food import is going to be most costly item in near future and only a boast to domestic productivity may help reduce the supply crisis and bring its prices at the affordable level.