The New Nation - Internet Edition

Immortal Ekushey observed in Netraokona

Our Correspondent, Netrakona

Immortal Kkushey was observed in Netrakona district with paying glowing tributes to the memories of the Language Movement martyrs. Netrakona district administration chalked out an elaborate programme in line with the national programme highlighting the significance of the Immortal Ekushey February in the district.

The programme was formally started with placing of floral wreaths by Aiyatullah Mojumder, Deputy Commissioner, Netrakona and Police Super Netrakona Sakawath Hussain at the district Central Shahid Minar here at one minute past after the zero hour of the day.

The programme included holding of bare footed mourning procession in the morning, hoisting of National flag at half-mast atop of all the public and private buildings immediately after the sunrise, organisnig of competitions of art, recitation from the poem and patriotic songs at the Shishu Academy, screening of documentary film show for the children at Mukterpara playground, holding of discussion and musical soiree based on patriotic songs at the Shahid Minar premises, holding of Quran khwani at Islamic Foundation office and offering of special prayers at mosques, temples, churches and other places of worships seeking divine blessings for peace and salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs of the Language Movement.

1000 chickens culled in Barisal

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Officials of District and Upazila Livestock offices with the help of administration and law enforcing agencies culled about thousand fowls in the city on Friday and Saturday.

District Livestock Officer Joynuddin Molla, Sadar Upazila Livestock Officer Dr. Abdur Rashid, BCC Mayor Awlad Hossain Dilu, Barisal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Khan Sayed Hassan, BMP Assistant Commissioner Hayatul Islam, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi officer Rezaul Karim were present during that culling operation.

Sources said, about one thousand fowls of the poultries owned by Abdul Halim, Nuru Mallik, Milon Mia and other residents of surrounding one kilometres of Thana Council and Islam Para areas of the city were culled. Tk. 80 would be given as compensation for per culled fowl to the owners, the sources said. The action was taken after samples of dead fowls of those poultry firms sent to Dhaka for testing on February 17 and laboratory test report confirmed presence of avian influenza virus in those on Thursday night.

Mathematics festival held in Jhenaidah

BSS, Jhenaidah

The day-long mathematics festival was held at the Government KC College here on Friday.

The festival was inaugurated by Principal of the Government KC College Prof. Abdul Jalil Khan. The Deputy Commissioner of Jhenaidah district Mohammad Abu Syed Fakir distributed the prizes among the winners at the end of the festival in the evening.

Former principal of the KC College Prof. Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Head of Mathematics Department of Khulna University Prof. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam and Head of Mathematics Department of Islamic University Mizanur Rahman were present at the festival as special guests.

About 1,000 students took part in the festival.

Massive targets for Boro cultivation taken in Kurigram

Our Correspondent, Kurigram

In this current season about eighty-nine hundred hectares of land have been brought under "Boro" cultivation in the district Kurigram. The land under cultivation this year is more than the previous year.

The boro cultivation has already been completed in different areas of the district. It has been completed maximum 97% of the district still now, sources said.

District Agriculture Extension (DAE) Office sources said the cultivation of Boro would reach one lakh hectares of land as per the seed-beds prepared in the district. Sources said there are no problems regarding the help from Agriculture Rehabilitation such as supply of power, fertiliser and diesel. The farmers have started cultivating Boro paddy in full swing in the district.

Deputy Director of DAE office Mohsin Ali told The New Nation Correspondent, Boro was cultivated on 85,585 hectares of land last year whereas hybrid variety 16,292 hectares, Uphsy variety on 67,823 hectares and local variety on 1,470 hectares. The total production was 3,41,800 tonnes of rice. About 82,920 hectares of land were targeted for Boro cultivation the first time, next it has been increased at 85,820 hectares, finally the target was changed 89 hectares of land this year.

DAE sources said there is no problem regarding the supply of fertiliser, power and diesel in the district. If the climate becomes in favour the target will be successful. The Agriculture Department is giving seeds and fertiliser worth of Tk. 5,38,62,000 to 59,850 farmers for the varieties of cultivation under Agriculture Rehabilitation.

Day-long workshop on water sanitation hygiene held in Gopalganj

Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

A day-long workshop on the Water Samitation and Hygiene was held at Gopalganj Circuit House auditorium jointly organised by Gopalganj District Administration and BRAC Gopalganj on February 17 last.

Abu Mohammad Abdur Rahman Deputy Commissioner Gopalganj inaugurated the workshop as the chief guest with Mohammad Nazrul Islam ADC (education) in the chair.

The workshop was addressed among others by Milon Kamti Barai Chief of the Health BRAC Head Office Dhaka Dr Abdul Mannan UNO Gopalganj Sadar Mohammad Rahul Amin UNO Muksudpur, Mrs Shameen Aktar Jahan Headmistress SM Model Government Primary School. Gopalganj, Hafizur Rahman Khan (Mukul) Chairman Majigati UP under Gopalgnaj Sadar Upazila. Bhidhan Krishna. Dey Assistant Engineer Public Health Engineering Department Gopalganj Manamatho Sikder, Regional Manager BRAC Gopalganj Mrs Afroja Begum BRAC worker, Ghosher Char, Gopalganj Mohammad Muradul Islam, Imam Baliakandhi Mosque under Kasiani Upazila Mohammad Anisuzzaman Deputy Director, Islamic foundation Gopalganj office and Sekender Ali Khan Headmaster Bima Pani Govt Primary School.

About 200 representatives of the different organisations including, teachers, reporters, NGO's UP Chairman and elite attended the workshop.

Valuables worth Tk 2 lakh gutted in RU female dormitory

RU Correspondent

Valuable worth about Tk two lakh and fifty thousands were gutted in a fire incident at a female dormitory named is Rahmatuneesa in the Rajshahi University (RU) on Saturday midnight.

Authority and students of this hall said 'the fire originated from electrical short circuit about 2.30 AM at ground floor where situated canting room and burnt to ashes along with a stationary shops and valuable furniture, electrical fan .

A fire brigade unit rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire with help of dormitory employees at 4.00 AM. RU VC Prof. Dr. Altaf Hossain visit the incident place and also formed a five members prove body with Dr. Saiduzzaman, provost of Shar-e-Bangla Hall as its convenor to investigate the reason of the fire incident within five days.

Amar Ekushey observed in Monirampur

Our Correspondent, Monirampur

Amar Ekushey February was observed in Monirampur on Thursday with paying respect to the language martyrs.

On the occasion barefooted mourning rally with wearing black ribbons and holding bouquets. At 12-01 Upazilla Nirbahi Officer and Pourashava Chairman Md. Rahat Anwar and Shahid Md Iqbal Hossain respectfully placed wreaths at the Shahid Minar. Discussion meeting. Milad Mahafil, recitation from poetry and drawing competition were held working the programme. A number of participant participated in the function.

News briefs

104 sacks of garlic seized

SUNAMGANJ, Feb 27: Members of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) seized 104 sacks of garlic while being smuggled out of the country by 13 small boats through the bordering Konimara river under Doarabazar Upazila on Monday. Sources said a team of BDR jawans from Sonalichela BOP seized the garlic while on patrol duty. Sensing the presence of the border guards the smugglers left the place leaving behind the boats loaded with garlic, reports BSS.

Pavilion of Tele Talk inaugurated

CHITTAGONG, Feb 27: A mega-pavilion of the Tele Talk Bangladesh Limited (TTBL), the only public sector cellular phone company of the country was inaugurated at Chittagong International Trade Fair -2008 (CITF) here on Monday. Mohammad Habibur Rahman, General Manager (Marketing) of TTBL formally opened the stall as chief guest. Mohammad Shah Alam, General Manager, Chittagong region of the company and other senior officials were present at the function, reports BSS.

Shutter-guns recovered

JESSORE, Feb 27: Police recovered three shutter-guns at Hakimpur Shalbagan area under Chougacha Upazila of the district in abandon state on Sunday. Police said, in a secret information, a police team conducted the drive in the area on Sunday and recovered the arms in a bag. The miscreants managed to escape the scene sensing of police. A case was filed with Chougacha police station in this connection, reports BSS.

One killed in B'Baria road accident

BRAHMANBARIA, Feb 27: One person was killed and four others were injured in separate road accidents on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway on Sunday, police said. The victim was identified as Ayub Ali, 16, son of Shohag Miah of Faridpur village under Lakhai Upazila of Habiganj district. Police said the accident took place when a bus ran over Ayub Ali at Shohagpur in Ashuganj. In another accident, four persons were injured as a truck dashed a tempo near Kathpatty under Sarail Upazila in the district, reports BSS.

Smuggled yarn seized

CHUADANGA, Feb 27: Members of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) seized smuggled yarn worth about Taka 1.50 lakh from Charulia under Damurhuda Upazila of the district and arrested one person in this connection on Saturday. The arrested person was identified as Ramzan, 42, of village Kutubpur of Damurhuda Upazila. BDR sources said, acting on a tip-off, a patrol team of the border guards intercepted smuggler Ramzan when he reached Charulia village with the yarn. They arrested Ramzan and seized the yarn, reports BSS.

Obituary

CHUADANGA, Feb 27: Abdus Samad Sarkar, of village Kabikhali under Sadar Upazila of the district died at his home on Sunday at the age of 125 years. He was oldest person man in the district, family sources claimed. Abdus Samad was buried at his family graveyard following a Namaj-e-janaza participated by thousands of people. He left behind his wife, three sons, four daughters and a number of grandchildren, reports BSS.

Workshop on bird flu held

LAKHIPUR, Feb 27: A workshop on 'bird flu' was held at Dakhin Tumchar Government Primary School on Saturday to create awareness among the people about the disease. Mass line Media Centre, a non-governmental organisation, organised the workshop. About 100 people, including government officials, service holders, businessmen, poultry farm owners, farmers, housewives and professionals, attended the workshop, reports BSS.