The New Nation - Internet Edition

Botanists urged to take effective measures for ensuring food security

JU Correspondent

The production of foodgrain is decreasing day by day because of increasing world temperature. World weather is getting worse resulting in flood, drought and other natural disaster. The botanists, of the country should come forward and take effective measure to ensure food security.

Agriculture and Water Resources Adviser Dr. CS Karim said this in his speech while inaugurating the 3-day annual conference of Bangladesh Botanical Society (BBS) as chief guest.

The conference was organised by BBS at the JU central auditorium in co-operation with the Department of Botany of the University.

The JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Khandokar Mustahidur Rahman, pro-VC Prof Moniruzzaman, Treasurer Prof Sayed Abdul Hye, the dean of Life Science Faculty Prof Shahabuddin Kabir Chowdhury were present as the special guests while AZM Nowsher Ali, the President of BBS, presided over the inaugural session.

In the second phase of the programme Science in Disaster Management and Food Security was held at the seminar room of the auditorium where the speakers underscored the necessity of ensuring food security of our country. They also underscored the necessity of inventing high breed grains.

400 researchers from various universities of the country participated in the conference. A total of 100 research papers on various subjects including bio-diversity preservation, bio-technology, ecology and environment, crops management, modern agricultural technology, microbiology, etc, were presented in two sessions.

The keynote paper on the main theme of the seminar was presented by Prof Zia Uddin Ahmed and Prof Abul Khair.

IGP for tourist policing in sea beach areas

BSS, Cox's Bazar

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Mohammad today said that he would place a proposal before the government in favour of tourist policing in the sea beach areas of the district.

"I will make my most sincere efforts in placing a proposal before the government for introducing tourist policing in the 120 km beach upto Teknaf," he said while inaugurating Cox's Bazar Sea Beach Police Camp and Cox's Bazar Model Thana here.

The IGP said if the government gives necessary approval to this proposal, tourist policing could be introduced in the greater interest of the safety and security of the visitors to the world's longest sea beach in the district.

During a discussion with local journalists, Nur Mohammad said the proposal was already prepared for the tourist policing with 192 personnel including two Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) and required number of women police under the Superintendent of Police of the district.

"This will help ensure safety and security of the tourists side by side with preservation of biodiversity, stopping cutting of hills and lifting of stones, encouraging environment-friendly tourism and quick transfer of beach people to safer places during natural calamities," he said.

The proposal has the provision for six outposts at Adinath Mandir, Diabetic Point, Saikat Police Camp, Kolatoli Point, Himchhari Police Camp and Inani Sea-beach Point in the district.

The IGP said the proposed tourist police after achieving success in the beach areas of the district could also be engaged in other such tourism spots including Kuakata for the same reasons.

Speaking in favour of the proper maintenance of law and order, Nur Mohammad said the number of police personnel should be raised to 2.5 lakh from the current 1.23 lakh.

In this respect he referred to India and Pakistan and said, "we need to have 2.5 lakh police personnel to properly maintain law and order. There are 1.23 lakh police personnel now in the country."

The IGP said the government despite various constraints has been giving importance upon community policing, so the common people are not deprived of desired service.

He also referred to the people-friendly service of the police force and said the field-level corruption has come down considerably after enforcing reform in the police department.

Int'l Women's Day observed in dists

BSS, Rajshahi

International Women's Day was observed in a befitting manner in the district today.

Different government, non-government, sociocultural organisations and civil society bodies observed the day organising various programmes to mark the day.

A discussion was held at Rajbari Zila Shilpakala Academy auditorium in the morning.

District Administration, Zila Department of District Women's Affairs and Jatiya Mohila Sangstha jointly organised the discussion.

Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Rajbari was present at the function as the chief guest while Sheela Ferzana, UNO of Rajbari Sadar upazila was present as special guest. Mohammad Nurul Alam, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) presided over the function .

The programme was addressed, among others, by Rawshan Jahan Afroz, district women affairs officer, Shabita Rani Guhoo, Sadar upazila women's Affairs officer, Moslem Uddin Khan, public prosecutor (PP), Abdul Matin, district co-ordinator of Jatiya Mahila Sangstha, Rajbari, Advocate Debhooti Chakraborty, President of Mahila Parishad, Rajbari district unit, Lutfar Rahman Labu, president of F N B Rajbari, Kamrun Naher Chowdhury, president of Banaful Mahila Sangstha and Shamimara Moon-Moon, Secretary of SUPRA.

Meanwhile, International Women's Day was observed in a befitting manner in Bagerhat district on Saturday.

Different government, non-government, sociocultural organisations and civil society bodies observed the day organizing various programmes to mark the day.

A discussion was held at the district press club auditorium.

District Administration and Zila Department of District Women's Affairs jointly organised the discussion.

Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Bagerhat was present as the chief guest while Shaheem Sultana, district women's affairs officer, presided over the function.

MoU signed between PKSF & RSF for quality edn

Rural Services Foundation (RSF) has established a model school and college in Shahjahanpur of Bogra district to provide high-quality, free-of-cost education to the children of ultra-poor families.

Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and Rural Services Foundation (RSF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard on March 4 last at PKSF. Bhaban, Agargaon, Dhaka. Under the MoU, PKSF will help RSF to identify eligible students for RSF Model School and College from among ultra poor families that are members of PKSF's partner organisations (POS).

PKSF is a 'not for profit' organisation established in 1990 by the Bangladesh Government with the main objective of alleviating poverty from the country. RSF is a 'social development' initiative by Rahimafrooz Group. Through RSF, Rahimafrooz tries to improve the quality of life of the rural poor by supporting them in economic, educational, and social development.

Dr. M. A. Hakim, General Manager (Administration) of PKSF and Engineer Ruhul Quddus, General Manager of RSF signed the MoU on behalf of the two organisations. Dr. Ouazi Mesbahuddin Ahmed, Managing Director of PKSF, Niaz Rahim, Group Director of Rahimafrooz, and Mr. Munawar Moin, Managing Director of RSF along with other members of the two organisations and representatives from the selected POs were also present during the signing ceremony.

International Women's Day observed in Gouripur

Correspondent, Gouripour

The International Women's Day was observed on March 8 in Gouripur upazila in Mymensingh district with much enthusiasm.

Many women of Gouripur came together to celebrate their day. They said, "they will always struggle for equality, justice, peace and development, Now the International Women's Day has become more important all over the world.

Different socio-cultural organisations including NGOs chalked out claborate progrmmes to celebrate the day. Mahila Samity, Sachetan Mahila Samaj, Sukhee Kalyan Sangsta (SKS) and BRAC Gouripur Branch brought out a colourful procession at Gouripur town at 10 AM carrying festoons placards and to mark the day.

Cultivation of boro paddy starts in Madaripur

Our Correspondent, Madaripur

The peasants of the district have started cultivating Boro paddy in order to recover from the loss caused by two recent flodos last year. They are collecting seedlings from seed beds. The peasants of various areas of the district said that they faced acute crisis of TSP fertiliser. Though they got rid of the acute crisis but a little bit of crisis is prevailing. It is known that the peasants of the district are more interested to cultivate Boro paddy. Farmers said they are hopeful of good harvest this year if the supply of fertiliser and irrigation facilities are available.

Annual Rover Scouts camp held at RU

BSS, Rajshahi

A three-day annual camp of Rajshahi University (RU) Rover Scouts was held with great enthusiasm and in a befitting manner on its TSCC premises on Saturday.

RU Vice-Chancellor Professor M Altaf Hossain concluded the programme as the chief guest while RU Pro-VC Porf Dr Mamnunul Keramat, Treasurer Prof Dr Mozzammel Haq and Registrar Porf M Shafi were present as special guests.

A total of 95 member of RU Rover Scouts participated on the programme.

Body recovered

Our Correspondent, Naogaon

One slaughtered dead body was recovered on Du-Sathua pond side of Eshabpur union parishad under Dhamoirhat upazila in the district on February 14.

On getting information by local people, the police recovered the dead body. A motor-cycle, a mobile phone set and one identity card were also recovered from near the dead body.

The dead was identified as Harunur Rashid (28), son of late Kasir Uddin, village Jigatola, in Mohadevpur upazila under Naogaon district.

He was Manager of Mohadevpur upazila Alfa Clinic it is leart.

Superintendent of Police Sardar Nurul Ameen and OC. Atiqur Rahman Khan visited the spot.

News Briefs

Ferry service disrupted

Goalundo, Mar 10: Ferry service on Daulatdia-Paturia route remained suspended for four-and-a-half hours from 5:30am Saturday due to dense fog. Six ferries with several thousand passengers on board got stuck in the mid-river while two at two ferry ghats. BIWTC sources said about 100 vehicles remained stranded at Paturia ghat while over 400 at Daulatdia ghat, creating heavy traffic congestion on both sides of the river. Ferry service resumed at about 10 am today, reports UNB.

10 shops gutted

Madaripur, Mar 10: Ten shops were gutted in a devastating fire in Puran Bazar area of the town Friday night. Local people said the blaze originated from an electric short circuit at a shop in the area at about 11pm and soon engulfed seven other adjoining shops burning down all the valuables. Later, fire fighters rushed to the spot and put out the blaze after one hour of frantic efforts with the help of local people. The affected businessmen claimed that cash and valuable worth about Tk 1 crore were destroyed in the blaze, reports UNB.

Valuables looted

Sunamganj, Mar 10: Armed dacoits stabbed a house owner to death while looting cash and valuables from his house at Alamkhali village in Doarabazar upazila early Thursday. Police quoting local people said the bandits, numbering 7/8, stormed into the house of Phul Mia at about 1:30am and looted cash money, five tolas of gold ornaments and other valuables at gunpoint. The robbers, at one stage, stabbed Phul Mia, 54, indiscriminately when he tried to resist them, killing him on the spot. Later, while fleeing with the booty, local people, hearing the hue and cry by the family members, chased the bandits and caught two of them reports UNB.

Trade Fair begins

Barisal, Mar 10: The month-long International Trade Fair began here on the premises of Barisal BIWTC Marine Workshop on Friday. Commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police Khan Sayed Hassan attended the inauguration programme as chef guest while deputy commissioner Kazi Mortaz Ahmed and secretary of divisional sports committee Asaduzaman Khasru as special guests. President of Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) Ebaidul Huq Chan presided over the programme organized by the BCCI. Some 130 stalls have been set up in the fair. Unilever, Navana Furniture, Otobi, Samsung, Warid and other local and international companies are participating in the fair, reports UNB.

Fertiliser seized

Mymensingh, Mar 10: Police with the help of local people seized 33 sacks of urea fertilizer in Dhobaura upazila headquarters on Thursday while being smuggled out for sale in the black market. Police said community police and local people halted three rickshaws while carrying 16 sacks of fertilizer and informed them. Later, Dhobaura police with the help of local people recovered 12 sacks of fertilizer from the kitchen of the nearby house of Abdul Jalil, 2 sacks from the kitchen of Tulu Mia and three sacks from the house of Hakim. Police also arrested Hakim, 35, rickshaw-pullers Billal Hossain, 25, Azizul Huq, 15, and Nure Alam, 25, in this connection. Another report from Jhenidah adds: Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested two drug peddlers along with 2 kgs of hemp from Hat Gopalpur check post in the district Thursday, reports UNB.

Newsman sent to jail

Chandpur, Mar 10: Abdul Awal Rubel, district correspondent of RTV and Dainik Amader Samoy, arrested on charge of extortion on Wednesday, was sent to jail hajat Thursday. When produced the chief judicial magistrate court ordered to send Rubel to prison rejecting his bail petition. Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Rubel while he was taking Tk 8,000 as toll from BCL leader Jafar Iqbal Munna also a contractor, at a local restaurant in the town, reports UNB.