The New Nation - Internet Edition

President asks varsity students: Work to establish knowledge-based society

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed addressing the
second convocation of Southeast University at
Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city on
Monday. PID photo

UNB, Dhaka

President Prof Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday called upon both the faculty and students of universities to get engrossed in pursuit of knowledge so that a knowledge society can be established to cope with the competitive world.

"The best facilities would not prove enough to enhance one's intellectual capabilities unless one is prepared and willing to utilize the available opportunities for self- appraisal and development," he said while addressing the 2nd Convocation of Southeast University at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Emphasizing the need for a congenial atmosphere on the university campuses, he said the learning of higher education is a two-way interaction where both teachers and students share their knowledge and enrich each other.

Dr. Ahmed advised students that the university is a vast arena of learning where they should devote themselves to quest for knowledge.

Mentioning teachers' role in making students worthy citizens, he said, "In fact, the role of the teacher is to inspire the sense of consciousness of students with a view to flourishing their intrinsic values and spirit." Reminding that Bangladesh is a land of immense potential, President Iajuddin said its boundless natural beauties, including the hilly forests, unbroken longest sea-beach, and the mangrove Sundarbans, rich archaeological sites and cultural and ethnic diversities are invaluable assets and the sources of inspiration.

"We feel honoured having our rich and glorious traditions. Our potential human resources, professionals both at home and abroad are putting in their creativity and sincere endeavours earned huge reputation from the world community," he told the function.

Dr Ahmed said Bangladesh is not only endowed with natural beauty and diverse culture but also enriched with knowledge and excellence.

In this regard, he mentioned the names of Srijan Atish Dipanker, noted Scientist Sir Jagadish Chandra Basu, Poet Jasim Uddin, Artist Zainul Abedin, folk-singer Abbasuddin, architect FR Khan and Nobel Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, who are some of the salts of the earth that glorified themselves as well as the nation through their great contributions.

"We have to go ahead following the noble qualities of theses illustrious sons of the soil and uphold their splendid deeds and contributions to the new generation," he said.

He noted that students are now at the thresholds of a new life which is very challenging and tempestuous for its tough competitiveness and hoped that they (students) would be able to face these challenges with their knowledge and wisdom that they have earned from educational institutions.

Reminding the students of their responsibility to the country and society, he said, "You must live up to the expectations of the people."

Education Adviser Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, convocation speaker former Chief Justice Mustafa Kamal, Vice- chancellor of the Southeast University Dr. M. Shamsher Ali and governing-body chairman of the University Md Rezaul Karim also spoke on the occasion.

Unsafe water blamed for diarrhoea outbreak

A mother taking care of her diarrhoea affected baby
at ICDDR'B Hospital in the city on Monday.
FocusBangla

Staff Reporter

At least five people died of and 4,616 were afflicted with diarrhoeal diseases in the capital during the last seven days, according to sources of the Directorate General of the Health Services Control Room and ICDDR,B.

Drinking of pure water and consumption of stale and stinking food were blamed for the outbreak of waterborne diseases.

The floating, slum dwelling and low-income group people in the city are mostly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, as they have a little or no access to safe drinking water, experts said.

Suraiya Begum, Deputy Director of the Disease Control of the Health Directorate, quoting their control room statistics told The New Nation yesterday that a large number of the diarrhoeal patients, who come to the ICDDR,B-run hospital, were slum dwellers while some are floating people.

Majority of the diarrhoeal patients in the Dhaka city come from the areas where supply of water is disrupted very often and where people sometimes get stinky and contaminated water, said Shahadat Hossain, Head of long stay unit of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh.

The areas include Mirpur, Khilgaon, Shajahanpur, Goran, Kazipara, Basabo, Madartek, Mugda, Manda, Moghbazar, Kathalbagan and some parts of the Old Dhaka.

People living in slum areas do not have access to pure water due to short supply and they do not drink water after boiling, said Shahadat.

Floating people are forced to drink contaminated water from roadside sources and they consume stale food at cheaper rates from roadside makeshift shops, he added.

He also informed that 98 per cent of the patients, who came to the ICDDR,B-run hospital this summer, were from Dhaka and 60 per cent of them were adults.

More than 700 people are coming to the ICDDR,B for treatment everyday since last week, he said.

Physicians advised people to eat pure drinking water, maintain hygiene and not to eat food from roadside shops.

"If anyone is afflicted with diarrhoea, he or she have to start drinking oral saline and if the condition continues to deteriorate, he or she should go to the hospitals immediately," said Shahadat.

Power plant case: HC rejects Hasina's writ plea for stay on trial

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday turned down a plea for stay on the ongoing proceedings of the barge-mounted power-plant case against detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Following her writ petition, the court, however, issued a rule upon the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the government to explain within eight days why the continuation of the proceedings of the barge-mounted power- plant case against Hasina after the expiry of the stipulated timeframe "should not be declared illegal".

A division bench comprising Justice M Imman Ali and Justice M Emdadul Haque passed the order and fixed May 20 for the rule hearing.

The trial is being held in a special court set up at the high-security parliament complex.

Hasina, also Awami League President, filed the writ petition Sunday challenging the validity of the continuation of the case proceedings, as the stipulated timeframe for completion of the trial had expired in the meantime.

Barrister Rafique-ul Huq appeared for Hasina while Additional Attorney-General Salah Uddin Ahmed for the government.

390 judicial magistrates appointed

BSS, Dhaka

The Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry has appointed 390 assistant judges/judicial magistrates.

According to a gazette notification, they have been posted to various districts and directed to report to the district judges/judicial magistrates on their joining by May 22, said a official Handout on Monday.

The newly-appointed assistant judges/judicial magistrates shall have to receive training on court proceedings under the district judges for a week since the date of joining.

Their services will be made permanent after completing a two-year probation period, taking specific training and passing departmental examinations.

Chevron completes seismic survey in Lawachhara

Staff Reporter

Chevron, US-based one of the world's largest energy companies, has completed its 3D seismic survey in Lawachhara forest in Moulvibazar amid various allegations.

Chevron will complete its survey works in other two forests in Moulvibazar gas field area within this week. About 60 per cent of the total survey works and the rest would be concluded next month, according to the officials of the Chevron.

About 9,000 holes, each 70-feet deep, were dug over 150 square kilometres where the total forest area accounts for 16 per cent, they said.

There are three forests - Lawachhara, Chowtoli and Kalachhara - in close proximity on the Moulvibazar gas field. About 1,400 holes were dug in the three forests and of them 700 in the sensitive Lawachhara forest, they added.

Chevron have successfully set off blasts in all the 700 holes until Saturday last and now the blasts are being carried out in the remaining areas of Chowtoli and Kalachhara forests, said Chevron officials.

An official of the local forest department, who was present on the spot during the blast as part of his duty, said that they

recorded with a machine the sounds ranging from 65 dB to 75 dB caused by the blasts.

Normally the sound range remains below 70 dB. But in some places it varies up to 75 dB, which is allowable under the forest and environment rule.

The forest official, wishing anonymity, said, "Chevron was conducting the survey works in compliance with the rules although initially there were some flaws as more people than required were working in the forest. But, now they are 'ok' as they reduced their manpower to allowable 7," he said.

Chevron has not conducted any work that could disturb the flora and fauna of the forest. It is also not true that birds and animals are deserting the forest due to the survey activities, he said.

About the allegation of cracks in mud-houses alongside the areas where the survey was is going on, he said that he was aware of such an allegation. "But I should not comment before investigation," he said.

Moreover, villagers, however, alleged that the cracks on their mud-houses developed after the blasts.

50 species of birds face extinction

BSS, Dhaka

There is yet some shocking news for the environmentalists and nature lovers that almost 50 species of country birds are under threat of extinction.

According to available statistics, around 10 species of birds have been extinct from Bangladesh since its inception in 1971.

Among over 600 species of birds including 400 indigenous and 200 migratory birds, about 50 rare species are under extreme threat of disappearance. Most critically threatened birds include white-backed vulture, 'Madan Tak', 'Raj Sakun; (vulture), 'Hargila' (adjutant stork), and huge-bodied white stork.

Noted birds specialist and President of Nature Conservation Committee (NCC) Shahjahan Sarder told BSS that he gathered the above shocking information on the threatened species of birds from his research pursuits for over two and a half decades.

Quoting statistics from the birds census, in the last two decades, about 200 species of migratory birds came to this picturesque Bangladesh having undisturbed water bodies, ponds and canals and forest and hilly sanctuaries for the guest birds. The number of such migratory birds were more that 250 species even in one century ago, he lamented.

Sarder said, of the migratory birds available in Bangladesh over 150 species are aquatic while the others are of different varieties. At present, there are at least 8,000 species of birds in the world.

Sardar said, because of its geographical location and phenomena, Bangladesh is an ideal place for the guest birds. The two main migratory global routes of the birds are crossed over Bangladesh that blessed the country with arrival of so many species of guest birds.

Majority of the migratory birds usually come to Bangladesh from Siberia through Central Asian migratory routes. Significant number of birds also come from East Asian and Australian countries. Besides, some guest birds also come to Bangladesh from nearby Vietnam, Thailand, India, Nepal and Myanmar.

The migratory birds stay in Bangladesh for certain time in forests as well as different water bodies. According to census conducted in 40 water bodies of the country over five lakh guest birds arrived in Bangladesh in the last two decades. Of them ,80 percent are aquatic species.

While urging for strict implementation of Migratory Birds Protection Act, Sarder said birds are not only good friends of the people but also very important ingredients of preservation of nature and environment.

"We are charmed with melodious and sweets songs and their echoes in the solitariness of our forests and meadows. Nonetheless, songs of birds are eternal tradition and heritage of our life", he added.

Lack of management of water bodies is also another major cause of declination in the number of birds species in the country, he said.

Stressing the need for creating public awareness for protection of country's bio- diversity, Sarder called for total halt of killing game birds, destructing forests and creating any disturbances to the birds sanctuaries.

He said that in the greater interest of protecting the bio- diversity, we have no alternative but to well manage our water bodies, especially in the districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Maulvibazar, Kishoreganj and Netrokona.

Besides, we have to protect our 600 -kilometre long coastal belts right from St, Martin to the Sunderbans.

Agri, allied sectors to get priority in next budget: Dr Aziz

Staff Reporter

Agriculture sector and the sectors that impact on agriculture will get top priority in the upcoming budget. The Government is also considering to increase endowment fund for agriculture research and retain the tax holiday facility for the poultry sector.

This was stated by Finance and Planning Adviser Dr Mirza AB Azizul Islam at a pre-budget discussion meeting titled 'Agriculture Budget, Farmers' Budget' organised by Channel-i at the NEC conference room in the city, yesterday.

Channel-i director Shykh Siraj put forward a set of recommendations based on the information and farmers' demands he gathered from the grassroots-level discussions in five districts since April 18 for accommodation in the new budget.

Agriculture and Water Resources Adviser Dr CS Karim, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Fisheries and Livestock Manik Lal Samaddar, agriculture researchers, academics, economists, senior journalists and representatives from farmers, fisheries and livestock sectors took part in the discussion.

Speakers stressed the need for developing market mechanism for agricultural products. They suggested the government to be cautious so that cultivable lands do not decrease following their use for other purpose.

Highlights of CA's address to nation

UNB, Dhaka

The highlights of the Chief Adviser's address to the nation are as follows:

Election to the ninth parliament will be held someday in the third week of December this year.

The formal dialogue between the government and the political parties begins May 22. Invitation letters will be issued from tomorrow (Tuesday) from the CA's office.

Restrictions on indoor politics will be lifted countrywide from tomorrow (Tuesday).

The government has no prefixed agenda for the forthcoming dialogue.

There is no rival attitude against anyone rather it has open mind and spirit of understanding.

Relevant sections of the Emergency Power Rules will be suspended or relaxed in appropriate time, as per necessity, to create election-friendly atmosphere and make the election campaign easier.

Efforts will be made to formulate a 'National Charter' before the election on the basis of consensus on all matters concerned so that, after election, qualitative transformation takes place in political and government system.

We will have to reach a consensus on shunning all kinds of negative and destructive politics to end hartal, siege and violent demonstrations forever. The nation does not want to see any kind of anarchic political activities anymore.

It has become urgent today to have a transition into healthy politics getting rid of the mal-culture of playing the pawn in politics by the front organizations of the political parties

The main weakness in the power structure is lack of balance. It can be a prime achievement in the dialogue to decide what sort of power sharing can be arranged among the highest constitutional posts for political stability.

Such a framework will have to be prepared which will keep the nation united on the question of national interest as well as ensure the stability of the next governments where political, economical and administrative stability will always remain intact.

Mal-culture of politicizing administration and various institutions that happened in the past massively to perpetuate power is not good for the nation. Conducting administration on the basis of competence and merit is an indispensable aspect of a successful system of government.

Holding election to municipalities, city corporations and upazilas is a demand of the time, which will create an atmosphere conducive to general election. The local-body polls will not create any hindrance to holding parliament election.

Govt urged to implement women dev policy

Staff Reporter

Experts and women leaders at a meeting in the city urged the Caretaker Government (CG) to implement the announced 'National Women Development Policy' and make it effective as early as possible.

They also urged the CG to cancel those persons of the 'Evaluation Committee of the Women Development Policy' who were against the implementation of the policy.

Bangladesh Development Partnership Centre (BDPC) organised the view exchange meeting on 'Women Development Policy' at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.

Sharif A Kafi, Director of BDPC, Rokeya Kabir, women leader, Masuda Faruque Ratna, Chairman of BDPC, among others, spoke at the meeting.

Speakers said though the Government announced the policy, but they were delaying its implementation.

A section of people are trying to cancel the announced Women Development Policy by any means. They are making barrier to implement the policy. The Government should take quick decision in this regard to avoid any kind of unusual situation, said the speakers.

They urged the CG to take immediate step against those persons who were involved in hijacking of the police's arms and were involved with the recent attack in Hathazari police station in Chiitagong.

Rift in Pak coalition widens Sharif’s party to quit Cabinet

Agencies

Ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced that his party is withdrawing from the federal Cabinet but will not join the parliamentary opposition.

Sharif says ministers from his party will meet with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday and hand in their resignations.

Sharif announced the move Monday after the failure of weekend talks with the party of Asif Ali Zardari over the reinstatement of judges axed by President Pervez Musharraf in November. While the civilian government is likely to survive, Sharif's move raises doubts over its stability and is a setback to Pakistan's transition to democracy after eight years of military rule under Musharraf.

Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif says his PML-N is quitting because of differences over the reinstatement of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf.

Sharif wants the judges, who became a focus of opposition to Musharraf, to get all their old powers back.

But the biggest party, the PPP, wants limitations on their powers.

"Our ministers will meet the prime minister tomorrow and will submit their resignations," Sharif told journalists in Islamabad after meeting party colleagues.

All the major players in Pakistan are trying to gain grounds by playing political football of the reinstatement of the Judges.

However, he indicated that he would support the Pakistan People's Party-led government from the backbenches on an issue-by-issue basis. "We will not become part of any conspiracy to destabilise the democratic process," he said.

Sharif said that the coalition had twice failed to meet deadlines to restore the judges sacked by President Musharraf. Reinstating the judges was one of Sharif's key election promises and his condition for joining the coalition.

The news came as the Commonwealth decided to re-admit Pakistan as a member.

Pakistan was suspended in November after President Musharraf refused to meet a deadline to lift the state of emergency and resign as army chief.

BNP merger by May 30, Hafiz to quit Secy post

Staff Reporter

Acting secretary general of pro-reformist faction of BNP Maj (Retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed yesterday said that he would give up his current post of acting secretary general if the ongoing move for reunification of the two factions of the party succeeded.

"The BNP must be united at any cost before May 30 when the party will observe the death anniversary of its founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman," he emphasised when talking to newsmen at his Banani residence in the city.

The new stand of Hafiz apparently aims at changing his previous stance following the recent statement of acting chairman of the faction Saifur Rahman that he is no longer chairman of the party.

Saifur Rahman in his statement before his departure for Singapore also said his post became infractuous after the withdrawal of support by the party standing committee members who appointed him for the post on October 29 last year.

Maj Hafiz admitted that issues related to unifying the party are being discussed with the pro-Delwar faction of the BNP.

"I have no special interest in sticking to the party secretary general's office. I would like to see the party united at any cost," he said.

The BNP leader said he has no desire for any post rather he is ready to accept any decision to be taken by the party for its unity.

Asked to comment on Saifur's remarks Maj Hafiz, however, said it is his personal opinion and personal opinion does not change any decision.

Replying to a question, the BNP leader said the BNP will unitedly participate in the dialogue with the caretaker government and the parliamentary polls.

"I was present at more than one reconciliation meetings. I perceived from those meetings that BNP will soon be united and Khaleda Zia will lead it to forthcoming dialogue and elections," he added.

On delimitation of the parliamentary constituencies, Maj Hafiz said the Election Commission does not need to do it before the election as all political parties have already opposed it.

On GATCO case against Khaleda, he observed that it would be 'unfortunate' if the case was filed against her with political motive.

He demanded the release of Begum Zia saying that it would be possible to finalise the reform proposals through convening a national council, as Khaleda had hinted that she would consider the reforms.

BNP chairperson's adviser ZA Khan and former lawmaker Masud Arun, among others, were present during the briefing.

Budgetary help to private cold storages assured

UNB, Dhaka

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday assured of budgetary support to private initiatives for setting up of cold storage and development of export market for agriculture products.

Though the government machinery is busy determining the extent of agriculture subsidy, the Finance Adviser finds it difficult to fix the target and said the subsidy should be determined in more thoughtful manner as it is now going as an income support.

He said he would also consider increasing endowment fund for agriculture research and extending tax holiday facility for the poultry sector from the perspective of overall tax exemption measures.

Aziz was addressing a pre-budget meeting titled 'Agriculture Budget, Farmers' Budget' organised by Channel-i at the NEC conference room.

Channel-i director Shykh Siraj handed over a set of recommendations based on the information and farmers' demands he picked up from the grassroots-level discussions in five districts since April 18 to accommodate those in the new budget.

He would also submit the recommendations along with the views and concerns expressed at today's meeting to the Chief Adviser today.

Agriculture and Water Resources Adviser Dr CS Karim, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Fisheries and Livestock Manik Lal Samaddar, agriculture researchers, academics, economists, senior journalists and representatives from farmers, fisheries and livestock sectors took part in the discussion.

Responding to the demands and needs, the advisers acknowledged the concerns raised by the speakers at the meeting in view of the recent food situation and threat to agriculture sector due to climate change.

Dr CS Karim assured to accommodate the recommendations as much as possible, but urged the people to lower their expectations considering the capacity of the national exchequer. He also stressed the need for developing public-private partnership in facing the challenges.

The Finance Adviser also assured that the agriculture, including fisheries and livestock, and agriculture-related sectors like water resources management would get top priority in the budget like the previous budget.

He, however, reminded that Agriculture is important but not the only sector and he would try to manage the budget considering the intra-and-inter-sector conflict of interests.

He would not also change the budget priority of power, transportation (road and railway) and human resources development (health and education) sectors in the budget for the next fiscal year.

Graft case: ACC approves submission of charge sheet against Moudud

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission has decided to submit charge sheet in a case filed against former Law Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed for acquiring illegal wealth and hiding information about it.

ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal told the Commission's regular briefing yesterday afternoon that the ACC has approved the submission of charge sheet in the case against ex-Law Minister and BNP Standing Committee member Moudud for amassing wealth worth Tk 9.04 crore and concealment of information of assets worth Tk 4.5 crore.

The charge sheet in the case filed with Gulshan police station on September 16, 2007 will be submitted under sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004 and section 15 of the Emergency Power Rules, 2007. Hanif said the Commission has also approved the submission of charge sheet in the case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's APS (former senior assistant secretary) Obaidul Moqtadir Chowdhury and his wife Fahima. Khatun for acquiring wealth worth Tk 1.16 crore beyond their known sources of income, including concealment of information of wealth worth Tk 73.58 lakh.

He said the ACC has approved the filing of two cases against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's assignment officer Dr Firoj Mahmud Iqbal for causing a loss to the national exchequre by taking bribe and abuse of power.

The first case will be filed against Firoj and former LGED executive engineer, Bogra Anisur Rahman for causing a loss of Tk 24 lakh to the government by implementing different projects giving false names to gain personal and family interests.

The second case will be filed against Firoj, Anisur and former superintending engineer of Roads and Highways Habibur Rahman for taking Tk 1.33 crore in bribe from the contractors working in different LGED projects and Tk 14 lakh from the contractors of Roads and Highways.

Responding to a question about a ward commissioner, also a listed criminal the photo of whom carried by some national dailies showing him next to ACC the chairman while leading an anti-corruption rally in Chittagong's Patia upazila, Hanif told the briefing that it is to be examined as to how the person came next to the ACC chief.

"It'll also have to be seen whether this happened out of anyone's knowledge. I can't say right at the moment how he (ward commissioner) came (next to the ACC chairman)."

Later, Hanif told UNB that the ACC chairman did not know the identity of the person at that time.

"The anti-corruption rally in Patia was open to all and there was no mechanism in place to decide as to who will be where in the rally," he said, adding, "The ACC chairman doesn't notice as to who stands where during a rally."

The director general informed the briefing that the ACC approved issuance of notices to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's protocol officer Faridul Islam, now a research consultant at Bangladesh Science Foundation, and former Shatkhira-4 MP Kazi Alauddin's brother Kazi Imam Uddin, directing them to submit their wealth statements.

He said the wealth statements of SAM Salimullah, senior vice-president of First Securities Bank Ltd, and former director of Rupali Bank Mohammad Hossain have been submitted to the Commission.