The New Nation - Internet Edition

2nd namaj-e-janaza of Dr Asauzzaman held at DU Central Mosque

UNB, Dhaka

The second namaj-e-janaza of former University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Dr M Asaduzzaman was held at the DU Central Mosque Saturday morning.

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed, Dhaka City Corporation Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, Vice Chancellor and Pro Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, other colleagues of Prof Asaduzzaman and students took part at the janaza held at about 11:15am.

Later, body of Prof Asaduzzaman was kept at the foot of the Aparajeya Bangla to allow people of all strata of the society to pay their last respect to the noted scholar.

His first Namaj-e-janaza was held at the same mosque on Friday after Jum’a prayers. Dr Asad will be buried at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard today.

Two-member goodwill delegation to visit China

UNB, Dhaka

A two-member goodwill delegation from Bangladesh-China People’s Friendship Association (BCPFA) led by its Secretary General SA Sikder will leave here for Beijing Sunday for a 12-day visit at the invitation of China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC).

During the visit, they will discuss how to strengthen the existing friendship with the peoples of China and Bangladesh, said a press release.

The delegation will also visit Hangzhou City, Shanghai & Kunming and meet the leaders of the various organizations of China.

Foreign company to set up Web based advertising industry in DEPZ

UNB, Dhaka

A foreign company will set up a Web based advertising industry in Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ). M/s Hyder Web Solutions Ltd, a French company, will invest US$ 0.226 million and will involve themselves in Web development solutions, site creation and management and will create employment opportunity for 32 Bangladeshi and two foreigners.

An agreement to this effect was signed between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority and M/s Hyder Web Solutions Ltd on Tuesday at BEPZA complex here Thursday.

The Executive Chairman of BEPZA and other officials were present on the occasion, said a press release yesterday.

Hannan, Ruhul elected President, Secy Gen of BPA

Prof Abdul Hannan, Executive Director of Child Mother Institute, Matuail and Prof Md Ruhul Amin of the Department of Paediatric Medicine, Dhaka Shishu Hospital have been elected President and Secretary General respectively of Bangladesh Paediatric Association (BPA), says a press release.

The election of the BPA was held at its office at Mirpur-2, Dhaka on March 21 last.

Others elected in the election were: Prof Sirajul Islam (Vice-President), Prof AK Azad Chowdhury (Vice-President), Prof Md Shahidullah (Vice-President), Prof Ekhlasur Rahman (Vice-President), Dr Md Quamruzzaman (Vice-President), Dr Mesbah Uddin Ahmed (Treasurer), Dr Jahangir Alam (Joint Secretary), Dr Abdul Aziz (Joint Secretary), Dr Hossain Shaheed Quamrul Alam (Organising Secretary), Dr Abu Tayeb (Office Secretary), Dr Shahida Aktar (Social Welfare and Cultural Secretary) and Dr Habibur Rahman (Science Affairs Secretary).

Besides, 17 Executive Committee members were elected in the election.

Prof Asaduzzaman laid to rest

DU Correspondent

Former University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman and a renowned teacher of Public Administration Department of Dhaka University Professor Asaduzzaman was laid to rest at the Mirpur Intellectual Graveyard yesterday after his second namaj-e-janza on the University campus.

The dead body of noted scholar was kept at the Aparajeyo Bangla from 10:00am to 10:45 for his family members, relatives, colleagues, friends, students and well-wishers to pay their last respect.

Later, the body was taken to the university central mosque for namaj-e-janaza at 11:10am.

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed, Agriculture Adviser CS Karim, Former Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Shafiqul Islam, Former Chairman of NBR Badiul Alam, Economist Rehman Sobhan, UGC Chairman Prof Nazrul Islam, Dhaka City Corporation Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, DU VC Prof Dr SMA Faiz, Pro VC AFM Yusuf Haider, Treasurer Prof Syed Abul Kalam Azad, Dhaka University Teachers’ Association President Sadrul Amin, General Secretary Prof Anwar Hossain and Former VC of BUET Prof Dr Ali Murtaza, among others, were present at the namaj-e-janaza of the Prof Asaduzzaman.

consoling the son of Prof Asad, President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed said everybody has to die but your father alive yet through his work.

DU VC Prof SMA Faiz said they had lost an honest and knowledgeable man. He said they would work on the basis of his recommendation and suggestion.

A milad mahfil will be held at the central mosque of the university on Monday.

Prof Asaduzzaman died of cardiac arrest in a city hospital at 10:00am on Friday. He was 60.

He left behind wife, two daughters, one son, students and well-wishers to mourn his death.

Col Oli urges govt to hold election by October

UNB, Dhaka

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Dr Col (retd) Oli Ahmed yesterday asked the caretaker government to hold the general election within October as he said polls in November-December would create serious problem for students and teachers’ activities in the country.

Worried over the price hike, the gallantry award-holding freedom fighter also urged the government to control the spiraling prices of essentials, including rice, to assuage limitless sufferings of poor people.

“A silent famine is prevailing in the county with 99 percent people hit by the shooting price of rice,” he said, apparently echoing the prognosis of RRC chairman Dr Akbar Ali Khan.

Colonel Oli made the observations while addressing the LDP executive committee meeting here this afternoon.

The LDP president rang the alarm bell saying serious social violence could erupt in the country due to the skyrocketing price of essentials.

“Severe instability and panic are already seen among the university students and teachers, layers and businessmen,” he said, as reports have it that many people in different areas go half fed.

Oli Ahmed said the trial of the corrupt and terrorists would have to be finished within June, otherwise these matters could delay the election process. “Declare the date of election within 60 days from July,” he asked the government.

Emphasizing that there is no alternative to election, he also said the government should, as early as possible, make people election-oriented through allowing the indoor politics across the country.

He called upon the present caretaker government to show their transparency in all activities ensuring the good use of their hold on state power. “You are not the last government, more governments will take over after you,” he reminded.

About rationing for the poor people, he said the government should start the rationing through the chairmen and members across the country to cool the anguish of the people.

LDP general secretary Prof Zahanara Begum, among the party presidium members, spoke on the occasion.

Biman about to fly high for derelict destinations abroad

UNB, Dhaka

Biman prepares to fly for its derelict destinations in different parts of the world as part of a bailout package aimed at redeeming its past glory as the national flag carrier.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited company is now in a renovation mood as its board has decided to put the national airline on a par with the other world-class airlines.

Its flights to New York, Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels, Rangoon, Mumbai, Narita and Manchester have now been suspended for aircraft shortages.

“The shortage of aircraft forced the national flag carrier to operate to only 18 overseas destinations out of 26 although the suspended destinations have huge potential,” a high official of the company told UNB.

Biman has long been hamstrung with flight shortages for lack of aircraft. With its wings clipped, the aviation authorities had to frequently cancel its domestic and international flights.

Recently, Biman took up a massive plan to buy eight new-generation aircraft from Boeing at a cost of $1.265 billion (Tk 8,728 crore) and signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard on March 15.

Of the new eight planes, the first consignment of four Boeing 777-300ER planes, with a 463-passenger capacity each, will be delivered in 2013 while the four 394-seater Boeing 787-8s (yet to enter service) will be handed over in 2017.

Before the new arrivals, the airline will have four Boeing aircraft on lease to meet the aircraft shortages and the plane manufacturers will provide necessary assistance in this regard.

“These four aircraft will be used to operate flights on the suspended routes,” said the Biman official.

Of the four leased planes, the first consignment of two Boeing 777s would arrive next year and another two in 2010.

Biman currently owns three types of aircraft-four McDonnell Douglas DC10-30s, four Fokker F28s, and three Airbus A310-300s.

Out of a total of 11 planes of its fleet, only four or five are operating now while the aging rest are grounded.

One of the DC10-30s, which was taken on lease, would be sent to its mother organization next month.

Amid aircraft shortages, Biman abandoned seven international routes and was forced to reduce flight frequencies on five profitable routes linking destinations like Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait.

Recently, Biman has taken a Boeing 747 from a Nigerian company for next six months under ACMI leasing system and another Boeing 747 is likely to join the fleet in May.