The New Nation - Internet Edition

Aleem Al-Razee's Anniversary of death today

UNB, Dhaka

The 23rd death anniversary of Dr Aleem-Al-Razee, a noted parliamentarian, jurist and educationist, will be observed on Saturday with due solemnity.

Tangail Zila Samity, Dr Aleem-AI-Razee Memorial Council, Sandhani National Eye Donation Society, City Law College, Dhaka, Nagarpur Government College, Tangail, Dr Aleem-Al-Razee High School in Lawhati, Tangail, have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day, said a press release.

An iconic figure, Dr Razee left a legacy of idealism, freethinking, political activism and service to the humanity. He was elected to the Pakistan National Assembly as an independent member in 1965 where he played his role as the most powerful voice against discrimination towards the majority Bengalis and against Ayub's autocratic rule. Opposing tooth and nail the military regimes and dictatorships in the then Pakistan and later in Bangladesh, he fought relentlessly to foster democracy, rule of law and justice.

He was most vocal against the perpetration of economic exploitation and cultural domination of the then East Pakistanis by the West Pakistan rulers during the sixties and became a living symbol of Bengalee resistance against subjugation by the other wing of Pakistan that fuelled the demand for autonomy and eventually an independent Bangladesh.

In the post independent Bangladesh he tried to promote clean politics giving it an ethical face and a positive image first under the banner of NAP (Bhashani) and afterwards his own party the Bangladesh People's League. While steeped in profound religious traditions, Dr Razee actively advocated the cause of secularism, liberalism and social democracy.

A renowned educationist, Dr Razee founded a number of educational institutions for advancement of education and empowerment of women. An altruist, Dr Razee dedicated his entire life to the public cause giving away all his property in charity. His posthumous gift of eyes restored the eyesight of two poor blind persons. He also bequeathed his vast personal collection of books to the Supreme Court Bar Association Library.

In a statement issued to the press today, Sandhani National Eye Donation Samity President Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan and General Secretary Prof Abul Kalam Azad appealed to the general public to come forward to donate their eyes posthumously to restore the eyesight of thousands of blinds in the country by emulating the noble example set by Dr. Razee who was an enlightened religious person and a reputed Islamic scholar.

Dispelling the widely held belief and prejudice that Islam prohibits donations of human organs including eyes, Dr Razee was one of the pioneers of eye donation in the country. He demonstrated that Islam as a deeply welfare oriented religion, promotes all kinds of donations including eye donation.

Dr Razee was the author of a number of works on the sub-continent's history, religion, law and an autobiographical novel. "Constitutional Glimpses of Martial Law in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh" was his last work published posthumously by UPL (University Press Limited). The royalty from the book was donated to a human rights organisation.

Coop between Liberian and Bangladeshi universities stressed

BSS, Bong County

Dr Joshua Giddings, Associate Vice-President for Academy Affairs of Cuttington University in Liberia, has stressed the need for cooperation between the universities of Liberia and Bangladesh.

The cooperation between the universities of Liberia and Bangladesh will surely help students and teachers of both the countries know each other, he said this when the visiting Bangladeshi media team called on him at his office here on Thursday.

He also laid emphasis on the regular exchange of visit of the students and teachers of the two countries.

Established on 1000 acres of land in 1889, the university has three campuses---one in Suakoko, one in Bong County and the other in the Liberian capital of Monrovia, Dr Giddings said.

A total of 2000 students are studying in six departments of the university. The departments are Business Administration, Agriculture, Nursing, Social Education, Natural Science and Theology, he said.

He said the university, the lone residential private university of Liberia, was closed for 12 years due to the civil war.

Dr Giddings highly appreciated the Bangladeshi peacekeepers for providing computer training to the students of the university.

He also praised the Bangladeshi peacekeepers for restoration of peace and participation in the development process of the war- torn country.

"We are very grateful to Bangladeshi peacekeepers for their vital contribution to return of peace in Liberia," he said.

Referring to the shortage of qualified teachers in the country, he invited the Bangladeshi teachers to join the Liberian universities.

Later, the members of the Bangladeshi media team went round different departments, library and computer section of the university.

Mahanagar Puja Committee celebrates Family Day

BSS, Dhaka

Mahanagar Puja Committee on Friday celebrated family day on the premises of Dakeshwari National Temple in a befitting manner and with exchange of greetings among the members of the Hindu community and invited guests.

Chief Adviser of Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee and Sector Commander of the War of Liberation Maj. Gen (retd) C R Datta Bir Uttam inaugurated the day by hoisting the National Flag and releasing pigeons to the air.

As many as 1,200 members of the puja committee and leaders of different political parties, intellectuals and journalists attended the function, a press release of the committee said.

Hasnaul Haque Inu, Shariyar Kabir, Advocate Syed Rezaur Rahman and Mafizul Islam Kamal, among others, attended the function.

The day's function included reception to the meritorious students, drama, children musical soiree, dance and raffle draw, the press release said.

Former Presidents of puja committee Professor Lalit Mohan Nath, C R Majumder, C R Sarker, Professor Nim Chandra Bhowmik and journalist Swapan Kumar Saha, Sabayet Pradip Kumar Chakraborty, Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, Biresh Chandra Saha, Advocate Satyendra Chandra Bhakta and Manindra Kumar Nath addressed the inaugural session of the daylong programme.

Acting President of Mahanagar Puja Committee Kajal Devnath was in the chair while General Secretary Joyanta Kumar Dev conducted the function.

'Essentials' prices lower at BDR-run sale centres'

BSS, Dhaka

Prices of essentials were lower in the BDR-run sale centres and markets than those in the city's ordinary markets on Thursday, according to a BDR market report released here on Friday.

Flour in packet was sold between Taka 42 and 46 per kg in the ordinary markets, it said adding, the item was sold at Taka 42 in BDR-run markets and Taka 35 in the BDR-run sale centres. The price of one-kg flour in Kolkata is equivalent to Taka 24.13.

Coarse rice was sold in different markets between Taka 30 and Taka 32 per kg, while in the BDR-run sale centres it was sold at Taka 25. In Kolkata markets, it sells at Taka 25.86.

Onion (imported) was sold at Taka 15 per kg in the BDR-run open markets. Price of onion was in other city markets ranged between Taka 14 and 18. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 10.34.

The price of potato was ranged from Taka 12 to Taka 14 per kg in the ordinary markets, while it is Taka 12 in the BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, price of the item is Taka 8.62.

Sugar is being sold between Taka 40 and 42 per kg in different markets of the city against Taka 38 in BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, its price stands at Taka 32.75.

Salt is being sold at Taka 10 per kg in the BDR-run sales centres. Price of salt in other city markets varies from Taka 12 to 13.The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 14.28, the report said.

The price of soybean oil ranges between Taka 110 and Taka 120 per liter in the ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 116 in the BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, price of the soybean oil is Taka 124.13 per liter.

Palm oil was sold between Taka 96 and Taka 106 per liter in the ordinary markets, compared to Taka 98 per liter in the BDR- run open markets. In Kolkata, price of palm oil is Taka 106.89 per liter.

Hilsa fish is being sold in different markets at Taka 265 to Taka 280 per kg yesterday.

Death anniversary

Death anniversary of Shamsun Nahar Khan, wife of Ata Uddin Khan, FCA (London), renowned Chartered Accountant, former Minister, educationist, philanthropist and founder of Dohar-Nowabganj College will be observed at 12 noon at the premises of the College, says a press release.

On this occasion a Milad mahfil and a prayer session will also be held at Nowabganj Etimkhana and Madrasha. Special food will be distributed to the orphans on the occasion.

All relatives and well-wishers of the deceased are requested to attend the function and pray for the salvation of the departed soul.

Executive Committee of World Poetry Centre formed

An eleven-member Executive Committee of the World Poetry Centre, Bangladesh for the year 2008-2009 has been formed with eminent Poet Rafiq Azad and Poet Sarder Azad as President and General Secretary respectively, says a press release.

Other office bearers are: Poet-Journalist Shihab Sarker, Senior Vice-President; Writer, Advocate A N Salamat Ullah, Vice-President; Reciter Shahidul Islam Bappi, Joint Secretary; Poet-N Movelist Yeasir Aziz, Organising Secretary; Poet K M Masum, Finance Secretary; Writer-Journalist Parvez Babul, Literary and Social Welfare Secretary; Poet-Artist Ahsan Alam Tapash, Publicity, Publication and Office Secretary; Poet Professor Dr. Dilara Hafiz and Poet Professor Rafiqul Haque Bangali, Executive members.