The New Nation - Internet Edition

Mass awareness to prevent HIV/AIDS underscored

Our Correspondent, Rangamati

It is awareness that can only ward off the killer disease HIV/Aids, speakers at a seminar on HIV/Aids opined here on Saturday.

The speakers advised the people especially youths to be very conscious and disseminate acquired knowledge as a social movement about the disease among populace at their respective areas.

Jagat Jyoti Chakma, Chairman of Rangmati Hall District Council (RHDC) delivered his speech as chief guest at the seminar held on Saturday at the auditorium of Ashika, a local NGO with Mahabubuddin Chowdhury, Secretary General, National Association of UNESCO Clubs in Bangladesh in the chair.

Health workers working to develop health situation with the help of UNDP in remote areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts in attendance upon the three hill district councils have been instructed specially to make vigilant the villagers about dreadfulness of the killer disease, the chief guest informed the audience.

Participants opined that authorities should notice Rangamati as tourist area so that the deadly disease cannot spread here.

Guru Gobinda Roy, Principal of Rangamati Government College delivered speech as special guest at the day-long seminar-cum open discussion titled Awareness Raising on HIV/AIDS for Youth in Bangladesh.

Banchita Chakma, Principal, Rangamati Government Women’s College, Sunil Kanti Dey, CHTs correspondent, the daily Sangbad, Anjulika Kisha, former district education officer spoke here. Dr. Snaha Kanti Chakma, Rangmati sadar upazila health and family planning officer presented keynote.

In cooperation with Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO, Ministry of Education and UNESCO, National Association of UNESCO Clubs in Bangladesh the seminar was organised. After completion the seminar, a colourful procession bearing festoon and poster decorated with different slogans against the killer disease and awareness was held from the seminar place and ended it at the premises of district commissioner's office.

About one hundred participants from different sections including government and non-government officials, journalists, college students took part at the seminar.

26 get pry scholarships from a school in Panchagarh

Our Correspondent, Panchagarh

25 students has obtained talentpool and 4 students has obtained general scholarship from Panchagarh Karatoa Adarsa Shikha Niketon in primary scholarship exami-nation 2007 of Panchagarh. 5 with talentpool students have stood 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 10th places in sadar upazila of Panchagarh district and 20 students have obtained talentpool and 4 students have obtained general scholarship.

Additional Deputy Commissioner and Principal of Panchagarh Karatoa Adarsa Shikha Nikaton Md. Monjur Hassain Bhuiyan said, the school is the top and best school of Panchagarh District as maximum students passed from this school get admission Panchagarh B.P. Govt High and Panchagarh Govt Girls High School regularly.

Head Teacher Mohammed Ali said, last 25 students have scholarship, while talentpool 20 students and general 5 students and in 2005 talent pool 16 and general 4. The head teacher also said, this school's result is the best result in the primary scholarship of Panchagarh District last 3 years.

Preserving memory of martyrs is responsibility of all of us: Anwarul

BSS, Comilla

LGRD and Cooperatives Adviser Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal on Saturday said preserving the memory of martyrs in great Liberation War and upholding their heroic deeds to the next generation are the responsibility of all of us. He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of Noapur Shaheed Smriti Public Library and Auditorium in Chouddagram upazila here. Earlier, Commander of Sector-3 in the Liberation War Major General (retd) KM Shafiullah inaugurated the public library and auditorium.

Financed by the Local Government Division, the library and auditorium was built at a cost of Taka 36 lakh, an official handout said.

Preserving the memory of the Liberation War for new generation, the LGRD adviser said, public libraries and memorial museums were set up at the villages of seven 'Bir Shreshthas' and their villages were named after them.

Besides, initiatives were taken to preserve the memories of the Liberation War and freedom fighters across the country, he said, adding local people should be aware of it. Shafiullah said the steps would play a remarkable role in infusing patriotism into the next generation.

He demanded necessary steps for trial of the war criminals. Chaired by Deputy Commissioner of Comilla Mohammad Manjurur Rahman, the function was addressed, among others, by Director General of the Social Service Department Dr Kamal Abdul Naser, Police Super Imtiaz Ahmed and CEO of Comilla Zila Parishad M Asaduzzaman.

Reformists movement calls for effective parliament

Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj

Leaders of the Reformists Movement Saturday called for a national unity with a rock-solid commitment to face various odds and challenges to build Bangladesh as a corruption-free country.

That is why we need to have an effective parliament through a free-fair and neutral election.

Reformists Movement organised opening exchange meeting held at Kishoreganj District Bar Association conference hall on Saturday noon, Central leader of Reformists Movement and ex -president of Dist. Bar advocate Maj Md. Ferdous presided over the meeting. It was addressed among others, by Rafiqul Islam rurad, Engineer Abu Taher, former upazila chairman Ali Asgor, Abul Barkat Dulal, Rick-Bangladesh-executive director Abul Hasib Khan, Freedom Fighter commander Md. Ashadullah Jahir Hossain, and Advocate Md. Makhoon Miah.

Responding to many questions they said that a credible, transparent and accountable government would be able to establish good governance in the country. The political parties should not nominate the black money holders, corrupt elements and godfathers in the forthcoming national polls.

Massive use of 'Guti’ urea can save 30 percent urea fertiliser

BSS, Rangpur

Experts of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) on Sunday said about 30 to 35 percent urea fertiliser could be saved if the granular (Guti) urea is used in a massive way by the farmers in crop fields.

At the same time, they said, less use of urea fertiliser will raise crop production, help regain the lost fertility of soil and maintain ecology, bio-diversity and environment side by side with reducing the risks of pest attacks in the crop fields.

The experts made these comments while addressing a day-long workshop titled 'Saving Urea Through Using Guti Urea', organised by the DAE at Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium of the city.

Chaired by Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Alhaj Delbar Hossain, the workshop was attended by Deputy Director of the DAE, Rangpur, Kamal Shariful Alam as the chief guest.

Local government and NGO officials, agriculture officers from various blocks and 70 male and female farmers participated in the workshop, where the speakers explained the beneficial aspects of the use of Guti urea in the crop fields.

They said the DAE is providing necessary training for producing granular urea and conducting motivational workshops on its proper use through adopting the latest agro-technologies in every upazila, block and village.

More than 1,900 assistant agriculture officers, NGO workers and master trainers are engaged in providing training in this field, officials said adding that use of Guti urea would increase crop production for ensuring food security in the country.

Quality pry edn a must for achieving national dev

BSS, Rajshahi

Speakers at a seminar here today underscored the need for quality primary education for achieving national development.

They laid stress on a concerted effort of all quarters particularly the teachers, guardians and elite for making the primary education up to the mark. Otherwise, they said, the prevailing dissatisfactory situation could bring a debacle in the whole education system, as it is the foundation of all higher education.

The city unit of Conscious Citizens Committee (CCC), a grassroot organisation of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), arranged the seminar styled "Role of Headmaster, School Managing Committee (SMC) and Administration in quality development of Primary Education" at the conference hall of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

District Primary Education Officer Yousuf Ali, Professor Imam Mehedi Beg and Boalia Thana Education Officer Shameem Ahmed Khan addressed the seminar as the resource persons with CCC local unit Convener Advocate Golam Arif Tipu in the chair.

Some 135 persons including Headmasters and SMC Presidents of 47 schools in the city and others concerned attended the seminar and gave their views on how to improve the quality of education.

The speakers said, quality primary education is the demand of the time and therefore, utmost efforts should be given in reaching a sound and quality education by improving coordination among all concerned.

They, however, said quantity development along with gender parity has been attained and expected that the quality development would be achieved soon.

To make this effort a success, they said, the field level teachers and officials should be more sincere and accountable to the nation.

One killed in Sunamganj road mishap

BSS, Sunamganj

One person was killed and another seriously injured in an accident on Sunamganj-Sylhet Highway on Wednesday.

The dead was identified as M Abdur Rouf, 46, Headmaster, Dargapasha High School, hailed from Puratanpara village in Sherpur.

Police sources said the accident took place when a Sunamganj-bound mini-bus hit an autorickshaw. The teacher was taken to a hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

Driver of the autorickshaw was admitted to the Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital in a critical condition.

Panic prevails in Madaripur over hearing release of a criminal

Our Correspondent, Madaripur

Panic has been created among the common people of Madaripur district town as allegedly an accused of about 30 criminal cases is going to be released on bail.

Liakat Ali (28) locally known as "Chengis Leku" accused of about 30 criminal cases i.e. extortion, land grabbing, forgery of documents, dacoity, blackmailing, teasing to the female pedestrians etc. is now in jail. But on hearing the rumour of his release on bail panic prevailed among the people of the locality as Liakat allegedly threatened many to revenge for his arrest, locals said.

Training on artificial insemination, reproduction management at BAU ends

BSS, Mymensingh

The certificate awarding ceremony of the training course on 'Artificial Insemination and Reproduction Management" was held at tyheconference room of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry of the Bangladesh Agriculture University on Thursday.

Dean of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry Professor Dr Syed Sskhawat was present on the occasion as the chief guest. The training course was jointly organized by the BAU Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics and BRAC, the concluding programme was presided over by course coordinator Prof. Dr Mohammad Ruhul Amin and assistant course coordinator Prof. Dr MAM Yahya Khandaker.

Call to protect children from risky jobs

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

World Day against Child Labour was observed here on Friday in a befitting manner. The theme of the year is "Education is right response to child labour".

In observance of the day, Child Labour Elimination Action Network, a forum of NGOs and Gana Unnayan Paribar Kallyan Kendro jointly organised the various programmes in cooperation with International Labour Organisation (ILO) and ESDO.

The programmes including rally, discussion meeting, art competition and prize distribution. A discussion meeting on the significance of the day was held at Madarganj Senior Madrasha, near to Sadullapur upazila in the district on June 12 with Principal of the Madrasha Abu Bakar Siddique in the chair while Kamrul Islam and Asir Uddin was addressed.

The speakers at the meeting stressed the need for protecting children from risky and hazardous jobs.

Earlier, a colourful rally was also brought out on the occasion. A large number of people from all walks of life participated in the rally.

Orientation workshop on communication activities held in Gaibandha

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

A day long orientation workshop entitled Communication Activities" (3rd phase) in the development of children and women was held at the conference room of district information office (DIO) of the town.

The workshop organised by DIO in cooperation with UNICEF Bangladesh, sources said. Deputy Commissioner Abu Muhammad Yousuf addressed the workshop as chief guest. Sabina Akther Luky, district information officer (acting) made her speech as welcome speaker, presided over by Sadar upazila Nirbahi officer, M. Iftekhar Hossain, the workshop was also addressed among others by Dr. Mostafizur Rahman and Professor Jahurul Kaiyum.

The speakers stressed the need for strengthening the communication activities for the development of children and women. More than 40 public representatives, teachers, Imams, religious leader, NGO representatives, social workers and local elite including journalists partici-pated in the workshop.

News briefs

Bangladeshi national shot dead on Sylhet border

SYLHET, June 22: A Bangladeshi national was shot dead by Indian Khasia tribesmen on Companyganj frontier in the district Tuesday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Abdul Musabbir, 40, son of late Abdus Sattar of Purang village under Companyganj upazila. Local people said Musabbir went to the border area to collect jack-fruit but members of the Indian Khasia tribe opened fire on him at about 2pm, leaving him critically injured. He was later rushed to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital where the attending doctors declared him dead, reports UNB.

4 inter-district robbers arrested in Bagerhat

BAGERHAT, June 22: Four inter-district robbers were arrested in connection with Tuesday's bus robbery in Sadar upazila of the district. Police said four bandits snatched Tk 19,000 from bus passenger Tofazzal Hossain when the bus from Pirojpur reached Fatehpur area of the upazila Tuesday morning. But the other passengers managed to catch one of the robbers Abul Hossain and handed him over to the police while his accomplices fled the scene, reports UNB.

One gets life for murder

NOAKHALI, June 22: A court here Thursday convicted a man and sentenced him to life term imprisonment for killing a man in 2003. The convict is Mahfujul Haque, 38. According to prosecution, when Waziullah, a betel- nut trader of Char Kakra village of Companiganj upazila, was returning home from a local market some terrorists swooped on him and stabbed indiscriminately, leaving him dead on the spot on June 5, 2003. A murder case was filed against four people, reports UNB.

4 robbers held in Gopalganj

GOPALGANJ, June 22: Four members of an inter-district robber gang were arrested while fleeing after committing robbery in a night coach in Kashiani upazila Wednesday. Sources said the robbers swooped on the bus at midnight on Dhaka-Gopalganj road and looted cash and valuables from the passengers. Later, while fleeing with the booties, a police patrol team led by ASP Prabir Kumar chased them and caught four of the robbers. They were identified as inter-district gang leader Delwar, 25, and his accomplices Badsha Kazi, 23, Miraz Sheikh, 20, and Apu Khan, 25. They hailed from Faridpur and Bagerhat districts, reports UNB.

2 killed in Sylhet road mishap

SYLHET, June 22: Two people were killed and 10 others injured in a head-on collision between a bus and truck at Hajipur in Golapganj upazila on Sylhet-Jokiganj road Thursday morning. The dead were identified as truck driver Foysal Ahmed, 35, of Goashpur village of the upazila and Helal Ahmed, 40, of nearby Chaughari village. Witnesses said the speeding bus collided with the truck coming from opposite direction at about 10am, killing the two people on the spot. The injured were admitted to a local hospital, reports UNB.

Minor girl killed in Kishoreganj

KISHOREGANJ, June 22: A minor girl was strangulated to death by miscreants at Joysiddhi village in Itna upazila early Thursday. The victim was identified as Toma Akhter, 2, daughter of Hadis Mia of the village. Family sources Kalpana Akhter, mother of Toma, went to sleep with the baby at night but early in the morning she found her missing. Later, her body was found in a water-body near their house, reports UNB.