The New Nation - Internet Edition

Death anniversary

Today is the 37th death anniversary of Shaheed Captain Aftabul Qader Bir Uttam. Captain Qader sacrificed his life for the freedom of the motherland on April 27, 1971 during a direct confrontation at Mahalchari under Khagrachari district, says a press release.

On the occassion, a Milad and Doa mahfil will be held on Sunday after Asr prayers at the residence of Shaheed Captain Qader's elder brother, former Ambassador Akramul Qader (House-79, Lake Drive, Sector-7, Uttara, Dhaka. Captain Qader's brother, freedom fighter Commander Shaheed Ahsanul Qader, was also killed during the War of Liberation.

Academic feat

Md. Tanvir Ahmed Raihan has obtained talent pool primary Scholarship from Schachar Govt Primary School Fatullah. He secured third position in Narayanganj district. He is the younger son of Md. Maniruzzaman of Accounts and Finance department of BAPEX (Petrobangla) and Mrs Taslima Begum Rina. He seeks blessings from all, says a press release.

Academic feat

Md. Mainul Hasan (Emon) has obtained talentpool Scholarship in Primary Scholarship Examination from KB Union High School under Begumganj thana in Noakhali. Emon is now the student of class six of the city's Motijheel Model High School. He seeks blessings from all, says a press release.

Newspaper holiday on May 1

UNB, Dhaka

Offices of all newspaper and news agencies will remain closed on Thursday (May 1), on account of May day. Therefore, no newspaper will be published on Friday, said a press release of Newspapers Owners Association of Bangladesh.

Grameen micro-credit for poor in NY

UNB, New York

Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus inaugurated Grameen America, a micro-credit organisation, at Jackson Heights here on Friday.

The Grameen America will provide small loans among the poor people of different ethnic communities in New York. Inaugurating the program, Grameen Bank chairman Dr. Yunus said the success of micro-credit has not only gained worldwide fame, but also changed the lives of hundreds and thousands of people in Bangladesh. He expressed his strong belief that the program would be well received and would gain absolute popularity among the enthusiastic entrepreneurs in New York.

The micro-credit guru also expressed his satisfaction hearing that the people of different ethnic communities in America showed their interests to get involved with the Grameen America's program. Although, the Grameen America primarily started its activities in one center in Jacksion Heights, New York, its target is to make at least a thousand members in one year.

Coordinator of the Grameen America Shah Newaz informed that no security documentation would be needed to take loan from the Grameen America except providing the proof of legal status in the United States.

"Additionally, the borrower would have to prove him or herself as the member of low income group," he said.

Shah Newaz said the Grameen America representatives would decide the loan amount of the borrower between US$ 500 and $ 3,000 according his or her income and need.

After inaugurating the office of the Grameen America, Dr Yunus gave a brief speech at Delhi Palace restaurant at Jackson Heights. The program was attended, among others, by Bangladesh Consul General in New York M Shamsul Hoque.

Few borrowers of the project, people of different ethnic communities and media personnel were present on the occasion. Later, Dr Yunus made a courtesy visit to Muktadhara in Jackson Heights.

5 held, bomb-making equipment recovered

Staff Reporter

A large quantity of bomb-making equipment was recovered from Brahmanbaria following the arrest of a high-ranking leader of pro-Islamic militants and four of his associates from the town by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) last week.

Along with the bomb-making equipment they arrested a former Army personnel Shamsul Islam, a top-ranking leader of pro militants and his close associates, Tajul Islam, Mizanur Rahman, Jamal Mia and Shaiful.

The arrested were produced at a crowded press briefing at RAB headquarters in the city's Uttara yesterday afternoon.

Addressing the press briefing, RAB-9 CEO Col Ferdous Khan said they may have been involved in the attack on Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004.

The arrested persons were being questioned by the RAB.

Diarrhoea claims five lives in Bhola

UNB, Bhola

Diarrhoea that broke out alarmingly in the district claimed five lives and affected nearly 2,000 people in a week till Friday, unofficial sources said.

Local sources said Laizu Begum, 12, in Borhanuddin upazila, Ranjan Bibi, 50, Sumaiya, 5, in Sadar, Abdullah, 2, in Lalmohan and an unidentified man died in Char Fashion upazila in last seven days.

Hospital sources, however, confirmed three deaths each in Sadar, Lalmohan and Borhanuddin upazila.

Everyday, diarrhoea patients are coming from different affected areas to get admitted into the hospital, physicians told UNB.