The New Nation - Internet Edition

Call to raise voice to establish rights of indigenous people

Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

The indigenous people should not be divided from the mainstream giving them an "identity of "Adivasi" and the indigenous people, especially the women should give equal rights at all level, said the speakers at a day long seminar held here recently.

The seminar titled "Indigenous Women : Role of Local Media" was organised by Mass-Line Media Center" (MMC) under a project of Raising Community Voice Through Media for the Restoration of Human Rights and Good Governance" at CARIT AS Regional office auditorium here.

Dr. Marufi Khan, Principal of Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam College was the main speaker on the occasion with Prof. Lila Roy in the chair.

Md. Mubarak Hossain, Pogramme Officer of MMC delivered the welcome - speech: After the' welcome speech, Rakhi Mrong, an indigenous journalist presented a key note Paper on the title of the seminar.

The speakers raised their voice against the deprivation of rights of the indigenous women. The indigenous women are not involved with politics and so there is no active voice to drum up their problems faced at various levels like the majority of the women of the country.

But there is no denying fact that for a total development of the country, the development of indigenous women is a crying need, the speakers also mentioned. In the male-dominated society, the women are oppressed and deprived of their basic needs and the indigenous women are the worst sufferers, they also stated at the seminar.

Speakers from the indigenous women urged the concerned authority to give them rights which is stated in" the country's constitution. Urging the indigenous women to be united to realise their dues. The speakers also demanded reserved seats in the parliament for indigenous women.

Urging the media people, the speakers also said that the media is a very influential factor for the country, so it can playa vital role in solving the indigenous people's problems prevailing for the decades together.

An open discussion session was also held. Jharna Chiran, Mukul Daru, Mu'kta Dafa, Nargis Ara, Chamely, Shefali, Zannatul Ferdous, Mir Al Hadi and journalists Khondaker Shaheen Afroz, Zillur Rahman Khan, Mosharraf Hossain, Shamsul Alam Khan, Jagadish Chandra Sarker took part in the discussion.

Bumper production of maize expected in Chuadanga

BSS, Chuadanga

A bumper production of maize is expected in all four Upazilas of the district during this season as the cultivation of maize has been made nearly double of the target in the district.

According to an official source, a total of 43,400 hectares of land have been brought under maize cultivation during this season in the district as against the target of 25,000 hectares.

Of the total land, 14,300 hectares have been brought under cultivation in Chuadanga Sadar Upazila, 11,760 hectares in Alamdanga Upazila, 11,340 hectares in Damurhuda Upazila and 6,000 hectares in Jibannagar upazila.

It is expected that over three lakh metric tons of maize would be produced in the district this season.

In the meantime harvesting of maize in all the four upazilas of the district has been started and expected to be continued about a month.

Maize cultivation has been gaining popularity in the district.

This year maize cultivation has broken all past records of the district.

A good number of maize cultivators told this correspondent that they are greatly interested to cultivate maize in their lands as cost of cultivation of the crop is lower than that of other crops and they are getting more profits from this crop.

A large number of farmers and educated youths are involved in the cultivation of maize in the district.

Most of the maize growers have brought prosperity in their families by cultivating maize. Cultivation of maize has been contributing significantly to the reduction of poverty for the last few years in the district.

It is learnt both from cultivators and agriculture extension department officials that maize has a great demand due to its widespread use in countrywide poultry industry.

'Election of honest people must for country's uplift'

Our Correspodnent, Gouripur

Speakers at a function laid stress on electing honest and capable people to parliament and other local bodies for strengthening democracy and development of the country.

They pointed out the progress of the country suffering heavily in the past as black money holders, corrupt and inefficient people gar leadership. Time has now come to elect honest and dedicated men to different bodies to ensure the quick progress of the country, they added.

47 gas cylinders seized in Jessore

Our Correspondent, Jessore

The members of BDR recently recovered 47 gas cylinders, 2000 bottles of Phensidyl some clothes and spares of shallow machine worth Tk 20 lakh from village Sadhipur in Benapole port thana.

These goods are smuggled into our country from India, BDR sources said.

Acting on a secret information, the BDR personnel raided different parts of the villager adjacent to the border and seized their goods. But the persons involving in smuggling fled the village sensing the presence of the BDR members.

The seized articles were deposited in Benapole Custom Sodown.

News Briefs

Liquour seized

BRAHMANBARIA, Mar 30: Police in a raid recovered about 40-maund locally-made liquor from Bholachong Rishipara under Nabinagar Pourasabha on Friday. None was arrested in this connection. Local people said an identified quarter has been making and selling the locally-made liquor in the area for a long time. Sub-Inspector of Nabinagar Thana Ataur Rahman told BSS that the liquor and its factory were destroyed later, reports BSS.

16-day drama festival begins

BRAHMANBARIA, Mar 30: A 16-day drama festival began at Sarail on Friday on the occasion of the Independence and National Day. The festival has been organised by Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, Sarail Upazila Command. Chairman of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation M. Hamid inaugurated the festival. The function was presided over by convenor of local Muktijoddha Commander Ismat Ali, reports BSS.

Natya Day observed

SAVAR, Mar 30: Jhangir Nagar University (JU) drama department was brought out a colourful procession to mark the Bishwa Nattya Day at its campus here on Thursday.

Vice-chancellor of the University Prof. Moniruzaman joined the procession which was ended at JU administrative Bhaban.

The Vice-chancellor extended his greeting to the all drama workers.

Head of Drama Department Ahmed Sani and former Dean of Arts faculty Professor Afsar Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.

Views exchange meet held

GAIBANDHA, Mar 30: A views exchange meeting on development and coordination was held at the conference room of Palashbari Upazila Nirbahi Office in the district on Friday. Deputy Commissioner Abu Mohammad Yousuf attended the meeting as the chief guest while UNO M. Akteruzzaman was in the chair. The meeting was addressed, among others, by former MP Tofazzal Hossain Sarker, Upazila Agriculture Officer M. Haider Ali, Livestock Officer Dr Monazul Haque, Fisheries Officer M. Akteruzzaman and Education Officer Sonali Sarker, Officer in charge Nikhil Chandra Mondal,local UP Chairman Habibur Rahman Islam and local Press-Club President Rabiul Hossain Pata.

10 shops gutted in Jamalpur

Jamalpur, Mar 28: A devastating fire gutted 10 shops at Sugar Mill market in Dewanganj poura area of the town Wednesday night. Sources said the fire originated from a grocery store in the market at about 11pm and soon engulfed the adjoining shops including a pharmacy. Local people extinguished the fire before the arrival of the fire fighters after three hours of frantic efforts. Shop owners claimed that cash and valuables worth Tk 20 lakh were gutted in the blaze, reports UNB.

Smuggled goods seized

Benapole, Mar 28: BDR jawans seized smuggled electronic goods and phensidyl syrup worth about Tk 29 lakh in separate raids in border areas of the district Thursday. A BDR team of Agrabhulot camp seized the electronic goods including loud speaker, antenna and receiver worth about Tk 28 lakh from Kholshi bazar along the border. In another drive, BDR members seized 1000 bottles of phensidyl syrup worth about Tk 1 lakh from Lautara bazar here from an abandoned house. The seized goods were deposited to customs house. A case was filed, reports UNB.