The New Nation - Internet Edition

USDA gives $ 2 m for Emergency School Feeding Programme

BSS, Dhaka

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed US$2 million contributions from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist over 100,000 primary school children in Sidr affected areas.

"The USDA support to WFP's food for education is aimed at creating incentives for Children to attend classes regularly and increase their attention span by reliving short term hunger," said Oliver Flake, Agricultural Attache, FAS/USDA, US Embassy New Delhi, who recently visited school feeding programme in Kishoreganj districts.

He expressed his sincere hope that poor school children in food insecure areas in Bangladesh would continue to benefit from USDA assistance through WFP.

Flake observed that the school feeding programme appreciated the role of WFP and the government of Bangladesh in addressing the nutritional needs of the school children.

"Consistent generosity from the USDA enables WFP to reach the most vulnerable school children and encourage them to attend classes regularly," said Edward Kallon, WFP acting representative in Bangladesh.

"With the help of USDA, we are keeping several thousands of poor school children in the world's most difficult circumstances in schools and helping them to learn," Kallon said.

This latest donation brought a total USDA contribution to over US$ 20 million for primary school feeding programme in Bangladesh. The USDA is WFP's largest donor for its food for education programme.

WFP has been supporting 3,50,000 primary school children under its emergency and regular operation in poverty prone areas with funding available from USDA since 2001.

The fortified biscuits also contribute in reducing micro-nutrient deficiencies among the children. School feeding program is an integral part of WFP's work in Bangladesh. The provision of food in schools has been shown to be a highly effective way of increasing enrolment and attendance, enhancing the learning experience of children, and improving their intake of micronutrients.

'Prices of essentials lower at BDR-run sale centres'

BSS, Dhaka

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

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 41 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 35 in BDR-run sale centres. The price of one-kg flour in Kolkata is equivalent to Taka 22.41.

Coarse rice was sold at Taka 31 to Taka 33 per kg in different markets in the city. The item was sold at Taka 34 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 25 in BDR-run sale centres. In Kolkata markets, it is being sold at Taka 26.72.

Lentil (imported) was sold in different city markets at Taka 82 to Taka 85 per kg which is Taka 74 in BDR-run open markets. The item was sold at Taka 72 in BDR-run sale centres and Taka 86.20 in Kolkata markets.

Onion (imported) was sold at Taka 21 per kg in BDR-run open markets. Price of onion was in other city markets ranged between Taka 15 and 20. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 11.20.

The price of potato was sold in different city markets at Taka 12 and Taka 13 per kg, while it was Taka 12 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 10 in BDR-run sale centres. In Kolkata, the price of the item is Taka 6.89.

Sugar is being sold at Taka 34 to 38 per kg in different city markets against Taka 35 in BDR-run open markets. In Kolkata, its price stands at Taka 25.86.

Salt is being sold at Taka 12 and Taka 13 per kg in different city markets, while it was sold at Taka nine per kg in BDR-run sale centers and Taka 14 in BDR-run open markets. The item is available in Kolkata at Taka 8.62, the report said.

The price of soybean oil ranges between Taka 110 and Taka 114 per liter in the ordinary markets, while it is available at Taka 111 in BDR-run open markets and Taka 100 to 105 in BDR-run sale centres. In Kolkata, the price of 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 103 per liter in BDR- run open markets and Taka 96 in BDR-run sale centres. In Kolkata, the price of palm oil is Taka 106.89 per liter.

Hilsa fish was sold in different markets at Taka 260 to Taka 310 per kg on Tuesday.

President attends office at Armed Forces Division

BSS, Dhaka

President and Supreme Commander of Armed Forces Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed on Wednesday attended his office at Armed Forces Division (AFD) in Dhaka Cantonment here.

On his arrival at AFD, the President was received by Principal Staff Officer Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury.

Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman, Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohd Aminul Karim, Director General of Forces Intelligence Major General Golam Mohammad and senior military officials were present on the occasion.

Bilateral relations between Dhaka and Ankara excellent : President

BSS, Dhaka

The outgoing ambassador of Turkey to Bangladesh, Ferit Ergin, on Wednesday paid farewell call on President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban here.

During the meeting, the President also expressed his happiness at the friendly bilateral relations existing between Dhaka and Ankara.

He also commended the ambassador for his outstanding performance in strengthening ties between Bangladesh and Turkey during his six-year tenure in Dhaka.

The President, however, said that there is still scope for further consolidating the relation between the two countries. He said that Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relations with Turkey.

Mentioning the cultural, religious and historical ties between the peoples of Bangladesh and Turkey, Professor Iajuddin said, the ties provided an unshakable foundation for the relations of the two countries.

The President also underscored the need for propelling trade and economic cooperation further between the two countries through exchanging business delegation and holding single country trade fair frequently.

He said, Bangladesh would welcome participation of Turkish entrepreneurs in the development activities of the country. He also observed that Turkey could be benefited through importing Bangladesh's garment product, pharmaceuticals, ceramics products and leather goods.

The President also expressed his satisfaction at the growing cooperation in defence sector between the two countries. Professor Iajuddin also laid emphasis on enhancing university linkage programme between the two countries.

The Turkish ambassador thanked the President and the people of Bangladesh for extending cooperation to him in discharging his duties during his tenure in Dhaka. He also apprised the President of establishing Bangladesh-Turkey Chamber of Commerce and Industry to boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries during his tenure here.

Military secretary to the President Mohd Aminul Karim, Secretary to the President's Office Md Sirajul Islam and Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were present.

Fazlul Karim made ambassador to Saudi Arabia

BSS, Dhaka

The government has appointed M Fazlul Karim, currently serving as the Bangladesh ambassador to Italy, the next ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Karim, a career diplomat who joined Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1986, did his Master's in international relations from Dhaka University in 1985, a press release said here on Wednesday.

He served as diplomat in various capacities in Washington, Islamabad and Hong Kong. He was also director general (South Asia, SAARC and United Nations) in the ministry of foreign affairs.

Karim obtained a diploma in diplomacy, international economic relations and international law from International Institute of Public Administration in Paris.

He is married and blessed with three children.

BSPID concerned over growing diarrhoeal cases

BSS, Dhaka

Pediatricians on Wednesday expressed concern over the growing number of diarrhoeal cases across the country and called for creating mass awareness to prevent the disease.

The disease is killing children primarily, they said at an emergency meeting of Bangladesh Society for Pediatric Infectious Disease (BSPID), a newly floated forum of pediatricians.

They said dehydration and malnutrition were together contributing to higher mortality of children, said a press release.

President of BSPID Prof Manzoor Hossain chaired the function held at BSPID office here.

According to statistics, the number of diarrhoea affected children in hospitals shot up last week, showing a 50 percent rise at the ICDDR,B and Dhaka Shishu Hospital (DSH).

The rise of temperature may further aggravate the situation, said a scientist of ICDDR,B, where over 600 diarrhoea affected people were admitted in the last three days.

The BSPID suggested some preventive measures to fight diarrhoea. These include consumption of boiled water or using of purifier for drinking purposes, washing of hands before taking food and keeping food covered so that flies and insects can not sit.

It also suggested treatments for the diarrhoea-affected people. These include continuation of breast-feeding, drinking of oral saline, coconut water and freshwater, providing of zinc therapy and reporting to nearby hospital in case of deteriorating situation.

3 world-class eye hospitals for poor being set up

BSS, Dhaka

Three world-class eye hospitals are going to set up in Jamalpur, Noagaon and Barisal districts for providing treatment for the poor free of cost.

Construction work for the three hospitals will be completed within five years at a cost of Taka 14 crore. However, work for the hospital in Jamalpur will start next month.

Until then, Islamia Eye Hospital will provide better treatment for poor people in the three districts from the next month.

An agreement was signed yesterday between the Islamia Eye Hospital (IEH), and the MA Ispahani Institute of Ophthalmology and ORBIS International Bangladesh in the auditorium of the Islamia Eye Hospital in the city.

Director of the IEH Prof ASM Kamal Uddin and Country Director of the ORBIS Dr Asbu Raihan inked the accord behalf of their respective sides.

Director General and Adviser of the IEH Prof Khan MA Majur and Zahida Ispahani were present.

From 1960 to 2004, tens of thousands of poor cataract patients regained their eyesight free of cost and over 14,500 patients from January of 2005 to April this year.

Dhaka Urban Eye Care Project (DUECP) under the IEH took the initiative with the financial assistance of UK-based organization dubbed 'Sight Savers International.

Prof Kamal Uddin said presently the country has 7.5 lakh cataract patients and 60 lakh people have been suffering from cornea-related complexity.

About 48.6 percent eye patients do not able to avail surgery due to mainly poverty. Lack of awareness, fear of operation, social taboos and dependency on traditional healers are the other obstacles to the cataract surgery, according to a survey of the Bangladesh National Blindness and Low Vision Surgery (BNBLS).

Govt urged to increase tax on tobacco

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a pre-budget roundtable on Wednesday urged the government to increase tax on tobacco and tobacco products with a view to discourage smoking.

They said the number of smokers is increasing day by day in the country that has raised health risk of the people alarmingly. This has already put pressure on national health budget.

The pre-budget roundtable on 'Tax on tobacco' organised by Unnayan Samnaya' held at the IDB Bhban in the city.

Chairman of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Prof Mozzaffar Ahmed attended the roundtable as the chief guest while Chairman of Unnyan Samnay Dr Atiur Rahman presided over it.

National Prof Dr Nurul Islam, Dr Mashiur Rahman, Mostafizur Rahman and Ram Chandra of RTM International, among others, addressed the roundtable.

Stressing the need for combined efforts to build social movement against smoking, Prof Mozzafar Ahmed said we must popularise the "smoking free job policy" and apply the law against smoking properly.

Describing various harmful sides of smoking, Dr Nurul Islam said 80 percent lung cancer patients in the country are inhabited by smoking.

Dr Atiur Rahman said the government is yet to increase tax on tobaco at 5 per cent every year as per the agreement of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of World Health Organization. The rising price of tobaco will encourage people to quiet smoking.

Minimum 20 percent tax on tobacco would be fixed to discourage smoking, he said.