The New Nation - Internet Edition

Farmers urged to increase 'Mug’ production to meet nutritional demand

BSS, Bhurungamari

Speakers at a farmers' field day have called for increasing 'mug' pulse farming in relay-method of crop cultivation in the Monga-hit greater Rangpur to meet the nutritional demand of the country's population.

They also said that expanded mug farming could bring more profits to the farmers side by making the land fertile and reducing dependence on import of huge quantity of various pulses from abroad at the cost of foreign exchange.

They said this at a discussion meeting organised to mark the farmers' field day at Bango Sonahat High School ground in Bhurungamari upazila of Kurigram district on the occasion of visiting ripe 'mug' pulse fields here Wednesday.

Bhurungamari Upazila Agriculture Extension Office and Rangpur-Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS) jointly organised the field day with the assistance of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI).

The objectives of the field day and discussion meeting were to encourage farmers to expand BARI-6 variety 'mug' farming that takes only two months to grow and helps the poor farmers achieving more profits and increases crop intensity in the area.

Chaired by Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer Azahar Ali Mandal, the occasion was attended by Principal Scientific Officer of the Pulse Research Institute Dr Jalal Uddin as the chief guest, while its Chief Scientific Officer Dr Harun attended as the special guest.

Senior Manager (Crop) of RDRS Bakeruzzaman, local pulse growers Enamul Haque and Alamgir Hossain, Principal Babul Akhter, Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Ali Azam, also spoke on the occasion.

They said that 'mug' could be a major cash crop on the huge tract of lands in all eight districts of greater Rangpur and Dinajpur in near future to produce huge quantity of the pulse to eradicate poverty from the region.

A noble initiative indeed!

Our Correspondent, Narail

On June 13, Kutubuddin Ahmed, a kind-hearted affluent man inaugurated the school buildings which was made at his own cost. ANBR High School was established in 1995. The school acttivities were going on smoothly in two tin-shed houses. But last year, SIDR had blown those away.

From then the classes were going on under the open sky. Having read a news regarding this published in a daily news peaper, Kutubuddin came forward and spread his helping hands. He made a building of 2700 sq.ft. having five class rooms and a teachers' common room at his own cost.

In his inaugural speech he says, poor infrustructure is a hindrance to ensure quality education in rural area. So, I tried my best to solve a single problem. He also showed his reluctance to publish his name.

Bishwajit Biswas, the Headmaster of the school expressed his gratitude to the press as they brought their distress to light. Among others, the inaugural session was addressed by Parimal Chandra Mondol, District Education Officer, Paritosh Bagchi, Generel Secretary, Narail Bar Association, Journalist Shamsuzzaman Shaheen, Ali Ahsan, Kartik Das, Ahsan Habib, Prafullaw Chandra Mondal.

Protection of river embankment works progressing fast in Gaibandha

BSS, Gaibandha

The protection of river embankment works with cement concrete (CC) blocks at different areas of the district under direct supervision of Bangladesh Army is progressing fast.

Official sources said, the works on 1,071 metres embankment protection along the Ghagot River at David Company Para and Godarhat areas, near Gaibandha town at cost of Taka 6.10 crore is going on in full swing under Secondary Town Integrated Flood Protection Project.

Local Water Development Board (WDB) is implementing the project that started in January this year.

Asian Development Bank, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Bangladesh Government are providing fund to implement the project.

Besides, 320 metre river embankment protection works along the Korotoa River is also being implemented involving Taka 1.59 crore by the WDB at Tarafmanu area under Gumaniganj union of Gobindaganj upazila in the district under Emergency Disaster Damage Rehabilitation Project- 2007. Abour 20 percent work of the projects has already been completed. The rest of the works would be completed by September next, one of the sources told BSS.

Maj Zahangir Hossain, In-charge of Gaibandha Army Camp, visited the spots on January 12 and enquired about the progress of the works.

He also instructed the WDB officials to complete the work timely and properly.

Executive Engineer M Shafiul Azam, contractors, local elite and journalists of print and electronic media were present.

One foreign made pistol recovered in C’nawabganj

BSS, Chapainawabganj

Shibganj thana police recovered one foreign-made pistol, four bullets, two magazines from Raghobpur under Kansat union under Shibganj Upazila on Thursday.

Police also arrested three persons in this connection. The were Salahuddin Shamim 20, Shafiqul Islam 45 of Raghobpur village, Mojibur Rahman 35 of Dhobra village of the same union.

Acting on a tip-off, Shibganj thana police raided Shafiqul's house at 8-45 AM and recovered the arm and ammunition.

A case was filed with Shibganj Thana in this connection.

Local Govt Divn Secy visits Sidr-hit areas in Barisal

Our Correspondent, Patuakhili

In the wake of his recent visit to Barisal, Patuakhali and Barguna districts to see for himself the progress of the rehabilitation programmes in Sidr-affected areas, Sheikh Khurshid Alam, Secretary, Local Government Division visited the 144.00m Pakurjana bridge, constructed by LGED, over the Pangashia river about 6 km. away from Patuakhali town. With the completion of the Pakurjana bridge about 30,000 inhabitants on both sides of the bridge will immensely be benefitted.

The Secretary expressed his profound satisfaction with the timely completion of the bridge along with the 1050m approach road. While talking with the Chairman of Itbaria UP, Shahjada Habibullah Masud and Md. Golam Sarwar, Chairman Badourpur UP, the Secretary expressed the opinion that the bridge will bring people of the two unions on both sides of the bridge more closer. The Secretary also visited recently completed 162 m bridge over Pandap river under Bakerganj upazila in Barisal district with 22.00 km connecting road to the bridge, funded by RDP-25 of LGED. While meeting the local people in the Sidr-affected areas, the Secretary assured that Tk.144.90 crore has been approved by the government for Union Connecting Road Improvement Project in Patuakhali & Barguna which will be comprehensive hinterland road network development in two districts.

During the visit to the Sidr-affected areas, the Secretary also observed the deep tubewell programmes of the DPHE and other water supply development programmes under Danida in Amtali upazila in Barguna district and Kalapara upazila in Patuakhali district. The Chief Engineer, DPHE Mr. Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Project Director of LGED's RRMAIDP Mr. Md. Matiar Rahman, Executive Engineer, LGED Patuakhali Mr. Md. Abdus Salam were present during the Secretary's visit to Pakurjana bridge.

Sanitary materials distributed in Mithapukur

BSS, Rangpur

RESCUE, an NGO, under the assistance of the NGO Foundation, distributed huge quantity of sanitary materials among the hardcore poor and destitute families of Khoragach Union Parishad under Mithapukur upazila on Friday.

A simple ceremony was organized on the occasion on Non-government Primary School premises here with its headmaster Mujibur Rahman in the chair.

Vice-president of the NGO Professor Dr Azahar Ali was present as the chief guest and distributed the sanitary materials. Latifpur UP Chairman Professor Hafizur Rahman, Director of the NGO Shah Alam Sana and its Founding Director Alhaj Rafiqul Islam attended as the special guests.

Executive Director of RESCUE Fazlul Haque, Headmaster of Bahanno Bazaar High School Mezbahur Rahman, President of School Managing Committee Shawkat Ali and male and female UP members were present on the occasion.

The speakers urged local people for creating public awareness about the use of sanitary latrines, safe drinking water and to follow hygienic rules for a better and disease-free life and to make the government's programme a success by the year 2010.

500 small and medium industries closed in Barisal

UNB, Barisal

Around 500 small and medium industries were closed down in recent years in the district due to various problems, including management crisis.

A recent survey conducted by Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) revealed that according to the enlistment of 2007 total 490 out of 1,938 small and medium industries were closed down.

Besides, 29 out of 80 small and cottage industries established on Barisal BSCIC estate have become sick and other 133 plots remained unused.

The rest 1,448 small and medium industries are also facing management crisis and economic pressure due to scarcity of raw materials, shortages of working capital, modernization and technological setback.

More than 15,000 employees working in these industries have been passing their days in inhuman condition for irregularities in payment of salaries, low rate of wages and unhealthy condition in working places.

The BSCIC officials said 35 out of running 51 small and medium industries of this estate are in bad condition and may close down at any moment.

Rabindra-Nazrul birth anniversary observed

Our Correspondent, Panchagarh

Panchagarh Children Academy organised a pleasure fair and celebrated Rabindra-Nazrul birth anniversary at their own office hall room on June 8.

In this connection, a day-long programme was taken for the children. At the beginning of the programme Rabinra-Nazrul songs and essay writing contest were held among he children. Huge number of school, college students attended this programme.

Mokbular Rahman Government College Lecturer Ahatashamul Haque was present as special guest at the function. Md. Akktaruth Zaman, officer, District Child Affairs presided over the function. Government Girls High School Teacher Rashida Begum also attended the function.

World child labour prevention day observed in Thakurgaon

BSS, Thakurgaon

World Child Labour Prevention Day was observed here on Thursday through different programmes.

Attanirvalshil Samaj Kallyan Sangstha (AKS) and Palli Mangal Kendra (PMK) organised a meeting at local press club.

With Yeahia Rouf in the chair, it was addressed, among others, by Shahed Kamal Chowdhury, Abdul Gafur Bhuyan, Rabeya Begum and Chintaharan Roy.

Speakers called for elimination of child labour in the greater interests of the nation and urged the government to provide more facilities for the children specially for their education and healthcare. A painting competition for the children was also arranged marking the day.

Earlier, a rally was brought out in the town that paraded different streets.

415 bottles phensidyl seized in Satkhira

BSS, Satkhira

Police recovered 415 bottles of Indian Phensidyl in eight cartons from a van at Satiantola area under Sadar Upazila of the district on Tuesday night.

The drugs were recovered in a drive in the area by police on the basis of a secret information. Sensing the presence of police, the drug traders left the place leaving behind the phensidyl loaded van. A case was recorded with Sadar Thana in this connection.

Angry son kills father in Pirganj

BSS, Rangpur

A father was killed by his angry son following an altercation between them on filmily matters in the village Projapara in Pirganj upazila here on Wednesday, Police sources said today.

Quoting locals, police said Abdur Rahim hit on his father's head with a bamboo stick at one stage of exchanging hot-words in the morning and left Bodiuzzaman seriously injured.

Local people took the father to Pirganj Upazila Health Complex, from where Bodiuzzaman was shifted to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) in a critical condition.

The father succumbed to his injuries at RMCH at around 8 PM last night due to internal hemorrhage, doctors and police said today.

A murder case was filed with Pirganj Thana, but police could not arrest the killer son who managed to flee immediately after the incident.

Tk 19.66 cr C’nawabgaj municipality budget announced

BSS, Chapainawabganj

The budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal of Chapainawabganj Municipality involving Taka 19. 66 crore was announced here on Thursday.

Poura Chairman Professor Atatur Rahman announced the budget at a meeting at Shahid Satu hall. Superintending Engineer of the Rajshahi region of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) SA Motiur Rahman attended the function as the chief guest. Taka 6.14 crore would come from its own sources while Taka 12.75 crore from development fund.

Freedom Fighter dies

Our Correspondent, Naogaon

Freedom fighter Abdus Sahar Mantu Mallick (60) died recently at a local clinic, who was suffering from jaundice.

He was buried at local central graveyard after state funeral.

His Namaz-e-janaza was held at local Naozoan Eidgah maidan, attended by freedom fighters, journalists, and all walks of people.

He served as member-secretary of local Mukhjoddha Smriti Sangrahashala and research till his death. A Milad mahafil was held on it.

News Briefs

One burnt alive in Mymensingh

MYMENSINGH, June 15: A shop owner was burnt alive and four shops were gutted in a devastating fire at Trishal Upazila Bazar here early Friday. The deceased was identified as Mahbub, 20, owner of a cotton shop. Local people said the fire erupted at the shop of Mahbub at about 3am and soon engulfed nearby cotton and stationery shops. On information, fire fighters rushed to the scene and extinguished the fire after an hour of hectic efforts with the help of local people, reports UNB.

Thieves electrocuted in Natore

NATORE, June 15: Three suspected thieves were electrocuted at Pikepara Haluadanga in Lalpur upazila Thursday midnight. The deceased could not be identified as their bodies were fully burnt. Police said the three thieves got electrocuted when they were cutting a cable of Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS). A team of PBS went to the spot due to the power disruption and found the three charred bodies, reports UNB.

Phensidyl recovered in Dinajpur

DINAJPUR, June 15: Police recovered some 310 bottles of phensidyl syrup and seized a truck in two separate drives in Ghoraghat upazila early Thursday. Acting on a tip-off, police halted the maize-laden truck in Khetabmore area of the upazila on Dinajpur-Gobindaganj highway at 4am and found 240 bottles of phensidyl inside its cabin after searching the vehicle. Police later seized the truck and arrested its driver Dabirul Islam, 45, of Mahatullapur village under Sadar upazila, reports UNB.

Teacher commits suicide in Madaripur

MADARIPUR, June 15: A teacher of a non-government primary school allegedly committed suicide inside classroom here Wednesday midnight. Police said Swapan Mukherjee, 30, son of Atul Mukherjee of Nobogram village in Kalkini upazila and teacher of Purbo Nobogram Non-government Primary School, took his life by taking poison. Local people said his family's financial stringency might be the reason behind the suicide. Police on information recovered the body and sent it to hospital morgue for autopsy, reports UNB.

Valuables looted

Manikganj, June 15: Armed robbers looted cash and valuables worth about Tk 10 lakh from four houses at Uttar Shauta in the district town on Tuesday and Wednesday. Local people said the robbers numbering 20/25 swooped on the house of Akhtar Ali and tied the house inmates up Tuesday midnight. The miscreants looted cash Tk 50,000, six tolas of gold ornaments, two mobile phone sets and other valuables from the house. Later, the bandits stormed into the houses of Sonali Bank official Aftab Uddin and freedom fighter Hares and looted the cash and valuables, report UNB.

BIWTA training centre to be set up in Barisal

Barisal, June 15 : Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority will set up a training centre here to improve efficiencies of the driver and masters of river vessels. Deputy Director of port and transportation of BIWTA Saiful Islam said this center would be constructed at a cost of Tk 13 lakh from the own fund of the organization as per the model of deck and engine personnel management training center of BIWTA in Narayanganj. This training center will help safe plying of vessels on different river routes of the country by improving skill and knowledge of the drivers and masters to prevent accident, he added. The center would be opened at a building of the BIWTA marine workshop situated in the city near the bank of Kirtonkhola River, reports UNB.