The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rafiqur wins Reuters best cameraman award-'07

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladeshi cameraman Rafiqur Rahman has won the Reuters Camera Operator of the Year 2007 Award for "his outstanding and courageous coverage of Bangladesh events" for Reuters Television during the year.

Reuters Editor in Chief David Schlesinger handed over the award to him at a function at the Reuters headquarters in London on February 28.

"Over the last 27 years, and particularly in 2007," Schlesinger mentioned in the citation, "Reuters has been able to showcase remarkable exclusive video overage of Bangladesh through Rafiqur's dedication to the story event in the most hazardous conditions."

"This award is given to an individual who has produced excellent footage either on a particular even or at a number of events throughout the year," said Reuters.

Working with Reuters since 1982, Rafiqur Rahman is currently the cameraman for Reuters Television in Bangladesh. He started as a news photographer in now defunct Dhaka daily, The People, in 1970. Later, he was press photographer for two other dailies, Banglar Bani and the Bangladesh Times.

A Reuters, overview on him said, "Rafiqur Rahman is the ultimate example of the modern day video journalist." Over the past year, it said, Rafiqur's work in Bangladesh has demonstrated his expertise and courage.

Despite the cancellation of elections in January last year, along with the violent protests that followed, Rafiqur showed "tenacity and determination to get the story."

Day after day, it said, he was on the street at first light to highlight the security situation, ensuring an edit and script were in Singapore in time for European breakfast bulletins, then back out on the streets for the inevitable street protests later in the day.

In the middle of these protests, said Reuters, he was set upon by a mob and beaten with iron bars.

Rafiqur has been the principal television shooter for Reuters Television and its predecessor Visnews for the Past 27 years, said Reuters.

'Prices of essentials cheaper in BDR-run sales centers'

BSS, Dhaka

Prices of essentials were cheaper on Thursday in the BDR-run sales centers and markets compared to those in the city's ordinary markets, according to a BDR market report released here on Friday.

Flour in packet is being sold between Taka 42 and 45 per kg in the ordinary markets, it said adding, the item was sold at BDR-run open markets at Taka 42 and Taka 34 in the BDR-run sales centers. The price of one-kg flour in Kolkata is equivalent to Taka 24.13.

Coarse rice was sold in different markets at Taka 29 to Taka 30 per kg, while the price of the same item in the BDR-run open markets is Taka 29.50 and BDR-run sales centers Taka 25 and in Kolkata markets, it is being sold at Taka 25.

Onion (imported) was sold at Taka 14 per kg in the BDR-run open markets. Price of onion in other city markets were between Taka 13 and 15. The item is being sold in Kolkata at Taka 10.34.

Potato is being sold from Taka 12 to Taka 14 per kg in the ordinary markets, while its price in the BDR-run open markets is Taka 11. In Kolkata, price of the item is Taka 6.89.

Sugar is being sold at Taka 37 to 40 per kg in different market of the city, while the item is being sold at Taka 37 in BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, price of the item is Taka 32.75.

The price of soybean oil ranges between Taka 106 and Taka 118 per liter in the ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 114 in the BDR-run open markets and Taka 92 in its sales centers. In Kolkata, price of the soybean oil is Taka 120.68 per liter.

Palm oil is being sold between Taka 100 to Taka 104 per liter in the ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 106 per liter in the BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, price of the palm oil is Taka 103.44 per liter.

Hilsha fish was sold in different markets from Taka 260 to Taka 290 per kg.

Salt is being sold at Taka 10 per kg in the BDR-run sales centers. Price of salt in other city markets were between Taka 11 and 14. The item is being sold in Kolkata at Taka 13.92, the report said.

RCC implements Tk 109 cr project

BSS, Rajshahi

Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has been implementing a development project aimed at attaining economic prosperity and poverty alleviation in the metropolitan areas.

Sources said the four-year project styled "Secondary Towns Integrated Flood Protection (Phase-2)" is being implemented with the objectives of promoting economic growth and alleviate poverty in the metropolis by providing a flood-free and secure living environment within the framework of integrated flood protection. Talking to BSS Superintending Engineer of RCC Ashraful Haque said the Taka 109- crore project would be executed in four components like flood protection works, urban drainage system and environmental improvement including solid waste management, sanitation and slum improvement and capacity building and implementation assistance.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) and OPEC have been extending financial support to implement the project.

RCC has been constructing large and open unlined drainage outfalls in addition to improving the existing drains aimed at reducing flooding of low-lying urban areas and to improve environmental conditions.

Engineer Ashraf said the project would focus on upgrading the conditions of the poorest and needy groups of people particularly in the slums.

It would also promote active participation of women in municipal management and services through urban governance reforms and support to gender and development activities.

Road improvement works for small stretches connecting slums and solid waste disposal facilities are also included in respective subcomponents.

Apart from this, Water Development Board (WDB) will develop and rehabilitate the 19-kilometer city protection embankment along with its existing infrastructures like drainage regulators and bank protection spars and groins from Berpara to Satbaria point.

On successful implementation, the project would contribute a lot to make the city more hygienic and habitable, officials added.

Obituary

BSS, Dhaka

Haji Mohammad Sharif Hossain, father of President of Bangladesh Sports Writers Association Sarwar Hossain, died at old age complications at a city hospital on Thursday.

He was 90.

He is survived by five sons, four daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

All officers, employees and trainers of Bangladesh Handball Federation expressed profound shock at the death of Haji Mohammad Sharif Hossain.

They conveyed deep sympathy to the members of bereaved family and prayed for peace of the departed soul.

Death anniversary

Today is the death anniversary of Mahmuda Begum, mother of AKM Mahsin, photo journalist of the Ittefaq and President of Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association. On the occasion a Milad mahfil will held at hes sons residence, 18 Faridabad Lane, Dhaka after Zohr prayers today. Relatives of the deceased are requested to attend the Milad mahfil, says a press release.

Ershad Majumdar's birthday today

Toay is the 68th birthday of poet Ershad Majumdar. He was born on 8th March in 1940 at Majumdar Bari of Ukilpara under Feni district. Nine books including poetry and Novel written by him have been published. He got international a ward as divine poet in 2002. He is the father of two children, says a press release.

Obituary

AKM Zahirul Huq, Senior Principal Officer of the local office of Sonali Bank Ltd, died at about 11.30 pm on March 5 at Diabetic Hospital in Dhaka.

Namaz-e-janaza of late Zahirul Huq was held at the ground floor of the head office of Sonali Bank on March 6. He was buried at family graveyard in Kashba of Brahmanbaria district, says a press release.

He left behind wife, a son, a daughter and a host of relatives, friends and well-wishers to mourn his death.

Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of Sonali Bank SA Chowdhury expressed deep condolence and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Australian donation for women empowerment

BSS, Dhaka

Australia has donated Taka 4.58 lakh to a non-government organization as assistance to its project of empowering women by increasing their contributions to the welfare of their families and communities as well.

The assistance was given to Access toward Livelihood and Welfare Organisation (ALWO) as part of the High Commission's Direct Aid Programme (DAP) on the occasion of International Women's Day, said a release issued here on Friday.

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Douglas Foskett handed over a cheque to ALWO's Executive Director Ms Shamima Neela, said the release. Foskett said, Australia was pleased to support the project as it was specifically aimed at helping destitute women in Bangladesh.

ALWO will provide dress making and hand embroidery training to eighty women from the project area, completion of which will enable the participants to start their own businesses to support their families, he added.

The DAP fund will be used to provide each of the participants a sewing machine and Block designs as their initial capital. They will also receive a certificate from ALWO after successful completion of the training.

Fosket said, Australia placed high priority on protecting and promoting the rights of women and commended the ALWO Executive Director Ms Shamima Neela for her organisation's efforts in this regard.

Australia has been ranked second in the world for its gender related development and eighth for its gender empowerment measure by the 2007 /2008 United Nations Human Development Report.

Australian Deputy High Commissioner Ms Kilmeny Beckering Vinckers and Senior Political and Economic Officer Ms S Farhana Rahman were present during the ceremony.