The New Nation - Internet Edition

Scouting inspires youths to become good citizens: President

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed Is scheduled to naugurate the 36th general meeting of the national council of Bangladesh scouts at the national scouts training center at Mouchak, Gazipur at 11 am on February 4, a press release of the Scouts said on Saturday.

On this occasion President and chief scout Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed gave separate messages.

In his message, President Dr Iajuddin said, " scouting is basically a social movement which provides inspiration to the children, juveniles and youths to become good citizens."

He said, the besides their studies, scouts of the country are contributing in the welfare of the distressed humanity. In future Bangladesh scouts would be able to play more stronger roles in serving the motherland. The scout movement will become more dynamic involving more students," he hoped.

Chief adviser Dr Fakhruddin in his message said," the ideal of scouting could help the students to become ideal citizens, developing their patriotism and character by imbibing them to serve the distressed humanity. To stand beside the helpless people during natural disasters is one of the major duties of the scouts. The scouts will always carry out this duty with a sense of service", he added.

During the 36th meeting of the national council four distinguished scouters will receive the highest award of Bangladesh Scouts, the silver tiger and five others will receive the second highest award, the silver Hilsha from the President and chief scout Professor Iajuddin.

The names of recipients of other awards will be announced at the council meeting. It will be attended by 250 councillors. All preparations for holding the council have been completed at Mouchak.

Before inaugurating the council session the President and the chief scout will attend the grand yell of the cub holiday at 10-45 am at Mouchak. Cub holiday takes place in Mouchak on February 3-5. Four hundred selected cub scout and officials will participate in the cub holiday, the press release said.

UK expat donates Tk 5 lakh to AMCH

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladeshi expatriate pharmacist in the United Kingdom Syed Kamal Uddin Haider on Saturday donated Taka five lakh to the Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital (AMCH).

Syed Kamal Uddin handed over a cheque for Taka five lakh to Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) president Kazi Rafiqul Alam at the mission bhaban on Saturday.

DAM sources said a bed of the AMCH will be dedicated to Syed Kamal Haider's late sister Syeda Nargis Ara.

Call to transfer rice production knowledge among farmers stressed

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a week-long training course at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) in Gazipur put emphasis on transfer of modern rice production techniques to the farmers' level including good seed, transplanting of younger seedlings at right times and places.

They said application of these technologies do not require extra inputs, time or labour except the proper knowledge although it increases per unit yield of rice, a press release said here on Saturday.

BRRI Director General Dr Mohammad Nur-E-Elahi inaugurated the course today as the chief guest while BRRI Director (Admin) Dr AW Julfiquer was present as special guest.

Head of the training division of BRRI Dr M Jahirul Islam presided over the inaugural session.

A total of 24 Sub-Assistant Agricultural Officers (SAAO) from various parts of the country are taking part in the long course.

22nd poetry festival ends

BSS, Dhaka

The two-day 22nd National Poetry Festival concluded on the Dhaka University (DU) campus here on Saturday.

About 300 poets from home and abroad participated in the festival organized by the Jatiya Kobita Parishad.

Jatiya Kobita Parishad has introduced Shamsur Rahamn Award this year in memory of the founder president of the Parishad, the organizers said.

Eminent poets recited poems at different sessions during the festival.

Call to work unitedly to maintain peace

BSS, Dhaka

Former Chief Justice Syed J R Modassir Hossain on Saturday called on all auxiliary agencies to work unitedly side by side with police force to maintain peace and discipline in society.

Speaking as the chief guest at a workshop, he said the police and other law enforcing agencies play a pioneering role in protecting human rights.

Jointly organised by Bangladesh Society for Enforcement of Human Rights (BSEHR) and Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium, Mudassir Hossain said the police officials can help the proceedings in the court by collecting information through the use of modern technology.

Findings of a research titled 'study on duties and obligations of the law enforcing institutions' was presented by professor of Social Welfare and Research Institute of Dhaka University Dr Golam Azam at the workshop.

Presided over by BSEHR acting secretary general Nurul Islam Khan, the function was addressed, among others, by former information secretary and former IGP M Abdul Quaiyum, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) director general Hassan Mahmud Khandakar, BSEHR executive director advocate Elina Khan, BSEHR national committee member Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley, CRAB President Madhusudan Mandal and CRAB General Secretary Azhar Mahmud.

In his speech, Abdul Quaiyum said the role of police is very important in establishing the rule of law in a democratic society.

RAB Director General Hassan Mahmud Khandakar said the police are now playing a more positive role compared to any other time in the past to maintain law and order.

The police are being run under the laws enacted 200 years back, he said and stressed the need for bringing necessary reforms keeping pace with the changing world.

According to the study findings, 23.2 percent of the police force abuse power and 11.91 percent take money from those who come to police stations to file general diaries.

Condition of Saifuddin Manik deteriorates

BSS, Dhaka

The condition of ailing Gano Forum General Secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Manik has deteriorated further.

He is now undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Comfort Hospital in the city.

Doctor at the ICU, Satyajit Dutta, said Manik is suffering from cancer, which has now spread to different parts of his body. His blood pressure is falling quickly.

Manik got admitted to Comfort Hospital on January 24. He was taken to the ICU on Friday when his condition deteriorated.

Poetry festival concludes

BSS, Dhaka

The two-day 22nd National Poetry Festival concluded on the Dhaka University (DU) campus here on Saturday.

About 300 poets from home and abroad participated in the festival organised by the Jatiya Kobita Parishad.

Jatiya Kobita Parishad has introduced Shamsur Rahman Award this year in memory of the founder president of the Parishad, the organisers said.

Eminent poets recited poems at different sessions during the festival.

Harkatul Jihad carried out grenade attack on AL meeting

UNB, Sylhet

Harkatul Jihad carried out the grenade attack on a meeting of local Awami League at Hotel Gulshan Centre in city's

Taltala on August 7, 2004, police said.

CID Inspector Jubair Ahmed Saturday told journalists that Harkat leader Mufti Hanann and his brother Mofijur Rahman Ovi have confessed during interrogation of their involvement in the grenade attack.

Three other people Shahrif Sahedul Haque Bipul, Humayun Kabir Himu and Fahim were involved in the attack. Of them, Bipul is now in custody while others are on the run, said Jubair.

Publicity secretary of city AL Mohammad Ibrahim was killed and 30 others were injured in the grenade attack.

Mayor of Sylhet and city AL president Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran, who was present in the meeting, had escaped unhurt.

The CID official said Mufti Hannan admitted of supplying grenade to his followers for carrying out the attack on Sylhet City Mayor.

On expiry of three-day Mufti Hannan and Ovi were produced before the court today that sent them to the jail.

Press confce in UCBL's name turns out to be a hoax

Staff Reporter

No UCBL shareholders or their representatives turned up at the press conference, which was called yesterday through fax by someone named Mamun Chowdhury.

Claiming himself as the voice of UCBL shareholders, Mamun invited all electronic and print media organisations at the Dhaka Reporters Unity. But reaching at the site, none of the host was present.

According to reliable source from the UCBL, Mamun and his group has called the press conference to pressurize the UCBL management.

Source claimed that after a backdoor negotiation, they have cancelled the press conference without informing the press and have obtained handsome benefits from the management, leaving remaining shareholders behind.

Ordinary shareholders, however, have appealed to the SEC and law enforcement agencies to dig out facts so that every one receives equal treatments.

They also have demanded to unveil the identity of Mamun Chowdhury and his group.

No alternative to SME for employment generation: BB Dy Governor

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Ziaul Hasan Siddiqui has said there is no alternative to SME for employment generation in the country as it is a labour-intensive industry. "It's not highly technology-oriented and capital intensive business. So, entry into and exit from the SME business is easier," he said while inaugurating a two-day workshop titled 'SME Development & Credit' that began at BRAC Centre Inn here today. Education Excellence, a new generation consulting, education and communication firm, organised the workshop.

Senior bankers and experts on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) made presentations on the concept of SMEs, growth of SME credit sanction and disbursement, prospect and potentials of SMEs in Bangladesh.

A total of 31 officials from different banks and institutions attended the workshop.

The workshop was also attended by Vice Chancellor of Northern University Prof Dr M Shamsul Haque and CEO of Education Excellence Samira Farhat Amin chaired the inaugural function. In his speech, the Deputy Governor said in Bangladesh SMEs constitute 80 percent of business contributing 25 percent to the GDP, while in Pakistan 60 of business entities are SMEs with a GDP contribution of 15 percent and in China 99 percent of business units belong to SMEs with a GDP contribution of over 60 percent.

He said, "Establishment of BASIC Bank bears the testimony to government's commitment to the SME sector."

He hoped that holding workshop like this would help managers understand the industry more deeply allowing greater contributions to the sector.

Key features of the training were attractive and informative presentations, trainers-participants interactions, action learning, group discussions, and question answer sessions. Bankers from public and private sectors and SMEs, emerging industrialists, and new generation business leaders took part in the workshop.