The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sweltering heat disrupts normal life in Ctg

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

Normal life was disrupted to a large extent here in the port city over the last couple days because of the persisting simmering summer.

The sunbeam turned as the scorching sunhat as ferocious flame caused skin burning apart from unusually high moisture in the air prompted over sweating no matter in the sun or at home. Busy thoroughfares of the port city turn almost deserted couple of hours after the sunrise. Vehicular movement on the streets during the daytime dropped drastically as the melted asphalt emulsion made majority of the road surface sticky.

Outdoor-workers mainly the manual labourers, vendors, rickshaw and pushcart-pullers were hard hit by the ugly summer when the mercury fluctuated between 32.3 and 35.0 degrees Celsius over the week.

According to the meteorological office here in the port city the highest temperature was recorded 33.3 degrees Celsius on Saurday. Although the day temperature dropped slightly on Sunday but unusually high humidity in the air did spoil minimum comfort to the citizens. The ugly summer enhanced the demand of water in the city and its close peripheries by manifolds. Chittagong Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) had to regret dozens of request for water mainly for want of adequate number of tank lorries.

People loved staying at home even during the daytime simply to avoid the scorching sun and avoid outing unless forced. Some of the educational institutions mainly lacking adequate facilities for addressing the adverse weather relieved their students from attending class.

Farm workers at villages adjacent to the port city had allegedly been charging additional wage for working longer hours in the field.

Wayside drink vendors were seen dealing crowd at places. Juicy fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, carrots, green coconut and cucumbers were top on the public demand. Soft drinks manufacturers are taking benefit of the unusual hot days.

Weathermen said that the port city had been experiencing unusually high temperature this year and the upward trend of the day temperature might continue for another couple of days.

The meteorologist speculated a number of storms or low in the bay by late this month. "Currently a seasonal heat-wave is sweeping the country which may intensify further by next couple of days," a senior weatherman in Chittagong said turning down the possibility of rain before April 29.

Seminar on 'American education system’ held at RU

Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

A seminar held on "American education system and society" at Mamotaz Uddin Arts Building auditorium of Rajshahi University (RU) on April 18 last.

Philosophy department of RU organised the seminar. Professor Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak presented keynote presented on the programme. He said " American education system is totally different from our country, their education system is dialogue method and 25 students exist in a class room."

'17 pc plots of BSCIC Estate in Barisal being used for industrialisation’

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Only seventeen percent plots of the industrial estate of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) in Barisal are under use for industrialisation and about fifty percent of those industries are sick.

Barisal BSCIC sources said the estate was established in 1961 to develop socio-economic conditions through industrialisation in the southern region with 461 industrial plots including 330 developed and 133 under developing plots.

Since then 244 out of 330, developed plots were allotted for establishing industries and industries established on only 75 plots until this report.

However, 31 out of those 75 industries are now sick and at the verge of closure and conditions of rest 44 are not so well. A high powered team led by Mahbub-ur-Rahman, chairman and Mustafizur Rahman, general manager of BSCIC, Mirza Nurul Gani Shovan, director of Small and Mid ranged Entrepreneurs Foundation, two other members of the three-member team, visited Barisal and Patuakhali BSCIC estate on January 6 and 7, 2008.

They exchanged views with officials of BSCIC, financial institutions, business organizations, entrepreneurs, district administration to review the conditions and modernizations of those industrial facilities.

Participants of that exchange of views programme said undisrupted power supply sources like electricity or natural gas need to develop industrialisation in this region.

Natural gas supply from Shahbazpur gas field of Bhola could play vital role in industrialisations of the region by giving power supply, they hoped. They also emphasised on taking steps for improvement of infrastructure, development of communication and power supply, creating business friendly environment including special law and order and security arrangements and proper utilisation of the plots in Barisal BSCIC industrial estates.

The team after visiting 20 BSCIC estates of the country prepared their report with suggestions on February 2008, which yet not implemented.

Ebaidul Huq Chan, president of the Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries and director of FBCCI, said that full pledged activation of the BSCIC estates will not only develop the region economically, but also will play positive role in social development by reducing unemployment and poverty rate.

Pahela Baishakh celebrated in Gopalganj

Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

The Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year, was observed in Gopalganj in befitting manner on April 14 last.

The programmes of the day were Barsha Baran, colourful rally discussion meeting, drama, cultural function, Baishakhi Mela, Shishu Ananda Mela, Halkhata of Businessmen and prize distribution ceremony.

SM Ashfaque Hussain, Deputy Commissioner-Gopalganj inaugurated the day-long programmes on the occasion of the Pahela Baishakh at Gopalganj district Shilpakala academy premises. Gopalganj Anirban School (Kindergarten) Maleka academy, Sharnakali School Jugoshika School, Bina Pani Government Girls High School, SM Model Govt. High School, Gopalganj Shaikh Fazilatunnessa Govt. Women's college brought out colourful rally on the main roads of Gopalganj town early in the morning on the day.

News Briefs

7 held in Nilphamari

NILPHAMARI , Apr 22 - Police have arrested seven people and seized a substantial amount of heroin and phensidyl smuggled from across the border. Special police squads raided drug peddlers and corners in Nilphamari and Syedpur towns as complaints mounted that drug dealers are spoiling the youngsters. Those arrested are Monwara Begum, Anwara Begum, Ali Hossain, Sahida Begum, Atiqul, Sahabul and Badruddoza. Husband of Monwara and her younger sister are already in jail for drug peddling. During interrogation they admitted of smuggling heroin and phensidyl through the plains of Hili border, report UNB.

Bombs, bullets seized

CHAPAINAWABGANJ, Apr 22: Rapid Acton Battalion members seized nine bombs, 20 rounds of bullet and 22 bottles of phensidyl and Rs 10,000 from Huzrapur Zora in the town on Sunday. Acting on a tip off, members of RAB-5 raided Amin Traders, a C&F agency, at about 12.15 pm and recovered the bombs, bullets, phensidyl and Indian rupees. None was arrested in this connection but police was interrogating Ruhul Amin, owner of Amin traders, and his staff till filing the report this evening, reports UNB.

Two cops suspended in Barisal

BARISAL, April 22: Barisal Metropolitan Police authority suspended two cops on Saturday for selling seized phensidyl syrup to drug peddlers from the storeroom of the district court. Deputy Commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police Kazi Mortaz Ahmed confirmed the incident Saturday night and said they suspended Sub Inspector Abdur Rahman and Constable Masum Billah after preliminary investigation, reports UNB.