The New Nation - Internet Edition

Fruit farming becomes profitable venture for women in Northern regions

BSS, Rangpur

Fruit cultivation has become a lucrative and profitable venture in northern region that helped many poor women to become self-reliant.

Hundreds of women are engaged in farming at least 80 varieties of high valued and traditional fruits in their lands, officials of Agricultural Department said.

Among them Kamrunnahar Begum, 47, is one of the fruit farmer who could improved her standard of living. She said fruit farming is a very profitable venture and poor women should come forward to improve their standard of living.

" Rich can purchase fruits from the markets but poor can not so they should produce fruits for meeting their own demand. Human body requires vitamins, minerals and nutritional ingredients that fruits can supply", she said.

Encouraging by women farmers many local affluent people have also entered into the fruit cultivation in the region. Nursery owner Alhaj Shafikul Islam, 65 is one of them. "I earn huge money by selling saplings of different high valued and hybrid variety fruits, wood, medicinal and other trees produced in his nursery every year", he said.

A silent revolution has taken place in his Union Parishad area and many poor people have changed their lots by producing huge quantities of fruits in most of the villages, UP Chairman Hassan Ali said adding that the government should provide support to the women farmers.

"Like other neighbours, I myself sell various variety fruits produced in my garden and homesteads worth over two lakh every year," he added.

UP Chairman Fote Ali Khokan said fruit farming is the most profitable and people of his area. "I have been cultivating 15 varieties of fruits in my own land since last four years and earning a handsome amount of money every year", he said.

Agro-experts Abdul Jalil and Nur Mohammad said people should grow indigenous varieties along with hybrid varieties fruits that have huge nutritional value to meet local demand of all. Rural women community can lead this new movement of fruit cultivation.

Experts are of the view that the government can boost up the fruit sector providing the women of this region proper training, credit support and marketing facilities.

Navigation on 33 rivers in Barisal become endangered due to shoals

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Navigation on 33 out of 40 rivers and coastal routes of southern region became endangered and often as under water shoals emerged and buoys, beacon lights and other marking signs went out of order or floating away every day by extreme current and deposit of silts carried from the upstream to downstream .

Khorshed Alam, vice chairman of Barisal launch owners association, said that although local BIWTA claiming safe navigation in 22 out of 40 regional routes, but practically navigation in only seven routes are operating amid high risk and disrupted in rest 33 routes since long days.

Different stations on Barisal-Matbaria, Barisal-Hularhut, Barisal Mohipur, Barisal-Goma, and Barisal-Galachipa routes are already closed and Shaberhut-Tungibaria canal on Barisal-Bhola, Basnir Khal on Barisal-Dhaka routes often disrupted due to emerging under water shoals.

Navigation through Bamirchar, Vashanchar channel on Barisal-Dhaka routes endangered due to absence of buoy, beacon and other route signs and markings, he added.

Rafikul Islam, BIWTA port officer of Barisal, said that there are floating and onshore 107 tower beacon lights and six buoys lights in this region.

Fishermen often breaking these instruments after their nets became intertwined with theses lights and sometimes solar panels valued worth Tk. 7 lakhs installed on each of these lights stolen by the thieves.

Besides acute work force shortage also creating problems in monitoring safe navigation situation as posts of 12 out of 32 pilots and 8 out of 25 marksmen lying vacant since long days.

Claiming regular dredging operations for maintaining navigability on these routes, the port officers said that only seven old model dredgers under BIWTA dredging fleet in the country could not sufficient to maintain navigability on huge number of river routes , especially in the silt-prone downstream rivers, he added.

However, number of water transports increasing in major river routes while day by day those routes losing navigability. As Shipping ordinances are not revised in accordance with modern navigation rules, most of the water transports are running without sufficient trained deck and driving crews, radars, hydraulic wheels and eco-sounding equipments for measuring depth of water, fog lights, caused accidents.

At least four lightened buoys, various types of marking signs have been washed away, and replacement of those under threat, said Md. Shahjahan, senior deputy director in charge of navigation routes in this region of Bangladesh Inland Waterways Authority.

Ranjan Mia, master of a BIWTC sea truck vessel plying on Barisal-Bhola-Laxmipur coastal route, said the route has many under water shoals and without marking signs, it is very difficult to ply the vessel safely due to emerging under water shoals and absence of marking signs.

Md. Jahir, a BIWTA pilot of Barisal-Chittagong coastal route, said it is very difficult to ply water transports during fog and over unmarked under water shoals.

Abdul Huq, another BIWTA pilot of Barisal-Khulna route, said marking signs, especially the signs of newly emerged under water shoals, yet to be reinstalled in most of the routes.

Abdul Mannan, master of triple decked launch MV Sundarbon-7, plying on Barisal-Dhaka-Barisal route, said at least five lighted buoys are required on Koilarkhal to Nalbunia channel of this route and in absence of those we operating the vessel blindly with great risks in dark and foggy nights.

Construction of embankment progressing fast in Gaibandha

BSS, Gaibandha

The construction of a 4-km retired embankment at Ratanpur, Singria and Katlamari under Fulchhari upazila in the district is going on in full swing under Brahmaputra Right Embankment Project.

Water Development Board (WDB) is implementing the project at a cost of Tk. 2 crore and 32 lakh with the financial assistance of Asian Development Bank.

The Army led joint forces is also supervising the construction of the embankment round the clock.

Brigadier General Ibrahim Jamal, commander of 66 Artillery Brigade, visited the Ratanpur area of the project on Wednesday and inquired about the progress of the work.

Brigadier Jamal also instructed the concerned officials to complete the work within the stipulated time frame. Commander of Gaibandha Army Camp Major Dewan M. Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Commander Major Jahangir, Executive Engineer of WDB M. Shafiul Azam, Sub-divisional Engineer M. Shafiqual Islam, Union Parishad chairmen including journalists were present on the occasion.

WDB sources said a portion of the embankment went under water of the river two years ago and as a result vast areas in Fulchhari and Shaghata and Sadar Upazila were inundated twice in 2007.

Earlier, Deputy Commander of Gaibandha Army Camp Major Jahangir formally inaugurated the construction of the embankment at Katlamari point on February 14 as the chief guest.

Acute textbooks crisis prevails In Gouripur

Our Correspondent, Gouripur (Mymensingh)

Study of secondary schools students in most high schools of Gouripur upazila in Mymensingh district is being hampered due to acute text book crisis although two months have already passed. Students cannot follow up their syllabus.

Guardians are more worried about this crisis and about their children's proper study. Some local book dealers said that they had to buy textbooks form the wholesales in the city at higher rate more than retail cost of these book. So, they had to sell these text books at higher rate. Besides it is observed that many students are collecting text book with note books from the bookstalls. A guardian said "it is a must to control the problem done by the wholesales and some beneficiaries for the interest of the high school going students whole are being deprived of the facility for the text books.

Meeting on disaster risk reduction held in Gaibandha

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

A two-day long advocacy meeting for the students and the teachers on "Disaster Risk Reduction" ended at South Folia Girls' High School of sidar upazila in the district on February 28.

The aim of the advocacy meeting was to create preparedness and awareness among the people on how to face the natural disasters like cold wave, earthquake, tornado and flood with minimum losses, sources said.

HEED, Bangladesh, a non-government organisation, organised it with the financial assistance of TEAR fund, UK.

A total of 75 participants of them, 50 students of the high school and 25 teachers of five neighbouring primary and high schools attended the advocacy meeting. Rafiel Tushar Chakraborty, disaster management officer of HEED Bangladesh, conducted the lecture season as resources person.

Day-long confce of trainer mosque imams held in Gopalganj

Our Correspondent Gopalganj

A day-long Annual Conference of the trainer Mosque Imams in the five upazilas of the Gopalganj district organised by the Islamic Foundation Gopalganj district office was held at Gopalganj District Council auditorium on February 25 (Monday).

The day-long annual conference of the trainer Mosque Imams was inaugurated by SM Ashfaque Hussain Deputy Commissioner Gopalganj as chief guest.

The function was presided over by Mohammad Nurul Islam, Chief Executive Officer Gopalganj district council and the programme addressed, among others by Moulana Abdul Hamid Principal Gopalganj SK Alia Madrasha Moulana Anisuzzaman Deputy Director, Islamic Foundation Gopalganj district office, Moulana Mukti Hafizur Rahman, Imam Gopalganj Court Mosque and Moulana SM Habibullah former Principal Gopalganj Government Bangabandhu University College. 150 trainer Mosque Imamas in the five upazilas of the Gopalganj are Gopalganj Sadar upazila, Kotalipara upazila Tungipara upazila, Kasiani upazila and Muksad Upazila.

SM Ashfaque Hussain Deputy Commissioner Gopalganj said the trainers Mosque Imams provide Islamic education at Mosque-level for child immediately.

Diabetic Day observed

BSS, Rajbari

A national diabetic awareness day was observed here with great enthusiasm today.

Kazi Keramat Ali, President of Rajbari Diabetic Association and former MP of Rajbari-1 was in the Chair.

A discussion meeting was held on Rajbari Diabetic Hospital premises to mark the day. Abdus Statter, Saifur Rahman, Joint Secretary, of Diabetic Association and Dr. Mohosin Uddin spoke on the occasion.

News briefs

Fertiliser seized

Dinajpur, Feb 28: Some 1,808 sacks of different fertilizer were recovered from a godown at Khansama road in Birganj upazila Wednesday on charge of hoarding. Acting on a tip-off, members of joint forces raided the Rizan Traders godown at about 9:30 pm and recovered 1,500 sacks of Gypsum and 308 sacks of TSP and Potash fertilizer. Golam Sarwar, owner of the godown, fled away sensing the arrival of joint forces. A case was filed with the local thana, reports UNB.

2 killed in road mishap

Mymensingh, Feb 28: Two motorcyclists were killed in a tragic road accident at Kashiganj on Mymensingh-Netrakona road on Thursday morning. Police said a Birishiri-bound bus hit a motorcycle at about 10am leaving its riders Siddiqur Rahman, 45, and Dulal, 40, dead on the spot. Both of them hailed from Bishka village in Tarakanda thana of the district. A case was filed, reports UNB.

Robbers kill one in Gazipur

Gazipur, Feb 28: A young man was killed and another injured by robbers at Bagherpara in Kaliganj upazila Wednesday midnight. Police said robbers stabbed grievously Zahirul and one of his friends as they tried to resist them when they were going to commit a robbery to a nearby area. Hearing screams, local people chased the dacoits and caught one of them, Sirajuddin, 25. He was handed over to the police later. The injured were taken to Kaliganj health complex where Zahirul, 25, was declared dead, reports UNB.

Bombs recovered

Chapainawabganj, Feb 28: Police recovered 10 live bombs from the rooftop of a shop at Rohonpur station bazar in Gomostapur upazila Thursday. Acting on a secret information, police went to the shop of one Aslam and recovered the bombs in abandoned condition. None was arrested in this connection, reports UNB.

Fake RAB man held in Savar

Savar, Feb 28: A fake RAB member was arrested at Bhagnibari village here Thursday. Sources said Lehajuddin, 39, of Dhamrai upazila, demanded toll of Tk 20,000 from trader Abul Hossain identifying himself as RAB member few days back. On information, a RAB team arrested Lehajuddin when he went to Abul Hossain's house for realizing the toll this morning along with his two accomplices. His cohorts, however, managed to escape the scene, reports UNB.

Agri fair begins in B'baria

Brahmanbaria, Feb 28: A five-day agricultural fair began in the district town here Wednesday. Deputy Commissioner M Abdul Hye inaugurated the fair as chief guest organized by Department of Agricultural Extension. A total of 21 stalls displaying various agricultural products and inputs have been set up at the fair, reports UNB.

Man stabbed to death in Keraniganj

Keraniganj, Feb 28: A man was stabbed to death at Jinjira Namabari in the upazila early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Shahidul Islam, 38, a cloth trader of Islampur. Police quoting family sources said some friends of Shahidul called him out of his residence at about 12.30am but he didn't return home the whole night. Local people found the body of Shahidul near Namabari mosque adjacent to his house at about 4am. On information, police recovered the body that bore stab injury marks and sent it to Mitford Hospital morgue for autopsy, reports UNB.

Youth killed in road mishap

Madaripur, Feb 28: An unidentified youth was killed and six others were injured as a truck rammed into a three-wheeler tempo in new bus stand area of the district town Tuesday. Witnesses said the truck hit the tempo when its driver lost control over the steering, leaving seven tempo passengers injured, reports UNB.