The New Nation - Internet Edition

Call to increase food production for nation’s development

Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

The farming sector of crop, animal and fish prodution should be processed simultaneously in the development efforts of agriculture in order to increase food production for the nation and the world.

This was stated by eminent educationist Professor Dr. Ehsanul Haque, member, Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) while delivering his speech as chief guest at the inaugural function of the first annual conference of Bangladesh Society for Animal Production and Research (BSAPER) held at the Faculty of Animal Husbandry Gallery of Bangladesh Agricultural University (ABU).

Presided over by Professor Dr. Md. Raisul Alam, the inaugural session were attended by BAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain and Professor Dr. SM Bulbul, Member, Vice-Chancellor Search Committee as special guests.

Dr. Ehsanul Haque said that the need for skilled Animal Husbandary Graduates who are technically qualified in dairy, poultry and animal production is highly recognised in this agro-based country adding that Animal Husbandary graduates are rendering their services efficiently all over the country for the development of livestock and poultry resources.

Professor Dr. Syed Sakhawat Hossain, Convenor Council of Deans and Dean of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry gave welcome address as chief patron.

The main theme of the conference was 'Animal Husbandry Education and Research for Development of Livestock Sector'. Key note papers were presented by Professor Dr. Md. Ali Akbar and Professor Dr. Md Ruhul Amin. Professor Dr. MAM Yahia Khandoker spoke on the occasion highlighting the theme of the conference.

Need for planting more fruit trees stressed

BSS, Gaibandha

Speakers at a function underscored the need for planting more fruit bearing trees to meet the demand of nutrition and to maintain the ecological balance.

They said this while addressing the inaugural function of a four-day tree fair at the Independence Square in the town on Monday.

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) organized the fair as a part of the government's programme to encourage the people in tree plantation and make it a social movement. Deputy commissioner (DC) of Gaibandha Abu Muhammad Yousuf addressed the function as the chief guest and chairman of Sahapara Union Parishad under Sadar Upazila M. Mahbubur Rahman Tulu was present as special guest.

Presided over by deputy director of DAE ANM Mizanur Rahman Amin, the function was also addressed, among others, by sadar upazila agriculture officer NM. Mozaffar Rahman, sub assistant agriculture officer M. Nazim Uddin and President of Fulchhari Upazila Nursery Owners' Association M. Saidur Rahman. The DC in his speech urged all to make people aware of the importance of tree plantation and use of tree in every aspect of life.

Later, the DC distributed saplings of fruit bearing trees among the students of local high schools free of cost.

A total of 24 stalls have been set up in the fair.

Besides, cultural functions are being arranged at every night on the fair premises with the participation of local artistes.

ID card distribution begins in Jhenidah

BSS, Jhenaidah

Distribution of the national identity cards has began at Jhenaidah district on Tuesday.

GOC of 55 Infantry Division and Jessore Area Commander Major General Mohammad Rafiqul Islam formally inaugurated the distribution of ID cards at district Shilpakala Academy auditorium as chief guest.

The inaugural function was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Of Jhenaidah Mohammad Abu Sayed Fakir. Brigade Commander of 21st Infantry Brigade Brigadier General Abul Bashar Imamuzzaman, Commander of Nine Engineering Battalion and Jhenaidah Camp Commander of Joint Forces Lt. Col. Mustafizur Rahman Chowdhury, Poura chairman Abdul Malek and Acting Police Super T M Mujahidul Islam were present in the inaugural function as special guests.

Major General Mohammad Rafiqul Islam in his inaugural speech thanked the Bangladesh Army, administrative officials and employees and public for extending cooperation in preparing a flawless voter list and national identity cards with photographs.

Reciprocal approach for national dev stressed

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

Discussants at a colloquium on entrepreneurs-newsmen cooperation here on Wednesday morning stressed the need for adopting reciprocal approach so that the national development is expedited.

"Whatever we do has to be in the light and spirit of nationalism and development," they observed urging for valuing the current need without skipping possible consequences and their remedies.

They identified that delayed decision-making had been one of the major reasons of uniform economic growth and voted for immediate decentralization of power in taking up development projects for the port city.

Management and Resource Development Initiative (MRDI) and International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) with the assistance from International Republican Institute (IRI) hosted the colloquium.

Business Editor of the daily Prothom Alo Shawkat Hossain Masum moderated the colloquium while President of International Business Forum of Bangladesh Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury and Executive Director of the Management and Resource Development Initiative Hasibur Rahman Mukur joined it as co-moderators.

Director of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ershad Ullah alleged that no major policy change had been taken place even after repeated push from the business community and media coverage on the basic lacks of the port city.

He said that the nation would easily benefit and get economic emancipation to a large extent only by exploiting the natural resources including Chittagong maritime port.

President of Chittagong Stock Exchange Nasiruddin put emphasis on collective efforts of the merchants and news workers to force the government implement the infrastructure project borrowing funds from the public through the capital market.

Earmarking Chittagong as the 'Special Economic Zone' and its constitutional recognition were also put forward for quick implementation of development projects.

Opinion sharing meet with journalists held in Gazipur

Our Correspondent, Gazipur

A view of exchange meeting with local journalists in Gazipur organised by Sachaton Nagorik Committee (SANAC) in Gazipur was held on Saturday at organisation's office with president, SANAC, Prof Ayesh Uddin in the chair.

Ayesh Uddin explained the aims and objects of SANAC and told the attendant journalists to write the red picture of corrupt persons and different kinds of corruption. The open discussion session was participated by Anil Mondal, Fazlul Hoque Moral, Belal Hossan, Mosaddek Hassan, Delwar Hossain, Md. Nazrul Islam Badame.

One held, arms, bullet seized in Panchagarh

Our Correspondent, Panchagarh

Member of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in a drive recovered A pistol magazine and 5 round bullets of 22bore rifles from Tentulia Upazila in the district Panchagarh on Tuesday.

RAB sources said, acting on a tip off RAB team raided the house of Abul Hossain (55) at the village Dogorbari in Tentulia Upozila and recovered the pistol magazine and 5 round bullets in an abandoned condition. Sensing the presence of RAB, the alleged person fled the scene but Abul Hossain was arrested about this incident.

The arrested person, recovered pistol magazine and bullets were handed over to Tentulia police station. A case was filed with Tentulia police station in this regards which No. 5.

7,500 hectares of land under jute cultivation in Meherpur

BSS, Meherpur

Over 7,500 hectares of land were brought under jute cultivation in three upazilas of Meherpur district in this season.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) of the total land 2,500 hectares were brought under local variety of jute while 5,000 hectares under high yielding 'tosha' variety.

The upazila wise break up of land under jute cultivation is :

Meherpur Sadar 3,500 hectares, Mujibnagar Upazila 2,000 hectares and Gangni Upazila 2,000 hectares.

Female domestic help killed in Thakurgaon

BSS, Thakurgaon

A female domestic help was killed allegedly by her mistress at Islambagh in the town on Saturday. The victim was identified as Moni Begum alias Shanu, 16, of Choutrakhor village.

Sources said Shanu was working in the house of auditor Mokbul Hossain for a long time. His wife Ferdousi Begum Lacky often used to beat her for even a minor fault. On that fateful day, Ferdousi while beat Shanu Mercilessly and hit her head against the wall. At one stage Shanu became senseless and died on way to hospital. No case was reported in this connection.

One murdered in Kurigram

BSS, Nageswari

One person was killed in a clash between rival groups following a long-term land dispute in village Sapkhawa under Nageswari upazila in Kurigram on Saturday, police sources said.

The sources said there was a long-term enmity over the land dispute between Khalil gong and Shahidul gong in the village and the rival groups were engaged in the bloody clash when Shahidul gong went to the disputed land for ploughing.

Being hit with sharp weapons of the rivals during the clash, Nuruzzaman, 38, son of Bashir Uddin of the village was seriously injured and he was rushed to Nageswari Upazila Health Complex.

Later, he succumbed to his injuries on his way to Kurigram Sadar Hospital. A murder case was filed with Nageswari police station, the sources said.

Body recovered in Pirganj

BSS, Rangpur

Police recovered body of a missing man after six days from a jungle in village Paulgarh under Pirganj upazila here on Saturday, police sources said. The sources said Majibar Rahman, 35, son of late Khudu Mahmud of village Salti in the upazila had been missing since last Sunday midnights after a meeting at Salti Bazaar in the same area.

Police suspects that Majibar was killed by some miscreants and left the body in the jungle.

After conducting autopsy at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, police handed over the body to his relatives on Sunday.

Founding anniversary of AL observed in Gaibandha

BSS, Gaibandha

The Gaibandha unit of Bangladesh Awami League (AL) has observed the 59th founding anniversary of the party on Monday.

In observance of the day, the AL and its front organisations chalked out various programmes that included placing of wreaths at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib's portrait, hoisting of national and party flags at party office and arranging discussion as elsewhere in the country.

The discussion was held at the Public Library auditorium in the afternoon with Advocate Syed Shamsul Alam Hiru, acting president of Gaibandha unit AL in the chair.

The meeting was also addressed, among others, by Sadrul Kabir Angur, Abu Bakkar Siddique, Mozammel Haque Mondal, Pearul Islam, Shah Sarowar Kabir, Saiful Alam Saka and Aminuzzaman Rinku.

Weeklong tree fair launched in Thakurgaon

BSS, Thakurgaon

A weeklong tree fair launched here on the premises of Mirza Ruhul Amin auditorium on Tuesday.

Forest Department, Directorate of Agriculture Extension and the District Administration jointly organized the fair.

Deputy Commissioner of the district Mia Abdullah Mamun formally inaugurated the fair as the chief guest while Deputy Conservator of Forest and Divisional Forest Officer Raihana Siddiqi chaired it.

Among others, Police Super (acting) of the district Iqbql Hossain and Deputy Director of Directorate of Agriculture Extension Md. Zayedul Islam were present on the occasion. After the inaugural ceremony, the guests visited the stalls and planted tree saplings.

Four-day agriclture fair begins in Madaripur

BSS, Madaripur

A four-day agriculture fair has began at local Swadhinata Angan in the town on Monday.

Deputy director of Department of Agriculture Extension, Madaripur, Mohammed Chand Mia presided over the function.

Deputy Commissioner, Madaripur (In-charge) Mohammed Habibur Rahman inaugurated the fair as the chief guest while Police Super (In-charge) Zobaidur Rahman was present as special guest.

The function was addressed, among others, by Faridpur forest department officer Mohammed Tawhidul Islam, Pourasabha chairman Babu Chowdhury and sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Siddiqur Rahman.

A total of 20 stalls with saplings of various trees were set up in the fair.

A huge number of enthusiastic people, including students, professionals and officials have been visiting the fair.

50,000 tonnes of rice purchased in Bogra

BSS, Bogra

The district food department purchased 50,000 tonnes of rice till June 20.

Sources said today the target for the rice purchasing from the district has been fixed at 1,24,000 tonnes. The agreements have been signed with 970 rice mills to purchase 81,000 tonnes rice.

60 alleged criminals arrested in Rajshahi

BSS, Rajshahi

Police, in different anticrime drives, arrested 60 alleged criminals including five drug- peddlers on various charges from different areas in city and nine upazilas of the district in last 24 hours till on Tuesday evening.

Of them, 23 were picked up from different areas in the metropolis while 37 others from nine upazilas of the district.

Police arrested the drug-traders identified as Minarul Islam, 30, Masum Ali, 22, Mohammad Ali, 25, Oliur Rahman, 55, and Ekram Hossain, 55, and seized 58 bottles of phensidyl, 150 grams of ganja and 220 liters of country-made liquor during separate raids at different places in the city.

Traffic police lodged 33 cases under the motor vehicles ordinance and seized two three-wheelers during drives against the non-registered motor vehicles and other document related malpractices in different parts of the city during the time.

Father killed by son in Barisal

BSS, Barisal

A farther was killed by his son on Monday evening in Muladi upazila, police said.

The sources said, Belal Hossain, 24, elder son of Mahabbat Ali, 70, hit his father on the head with a rod at Jalalabad village under Muladi upazila of the district at around 6 pm following a family feud.

Mahabbat Ali died on the spot. Police arrested Belal from the house on Tuesday and sent him to jail.

Mahabbat Ali's younger son Iliash filed a case with Muladi Thana in this connection.

One electrocuted in Pirganj

BSS, Rangpur

A van-cart puller was electrocuted in Chatra Bandar under Pirganj upazila as he came in contact with a live electric wire on Monday.

The electric line, in by which he was electrocuted was taken illegally by a businessman, locals and police sources said.

The victim was identified as Mahfuzar Rahman, 35, son of Khabir Uddin of village Onontorampur in the upazila.

Mahfuzar Rahman was electrocuted when he was unloading timber from his van-cart.

A case was filed in these connections with Pirganj police station, the sources said.

Workshop on children women development held in Naogaon

BSS, Naogaon

An orientation workshop on 'Children and Women Development' for raising awareness on sanitation, birth registration, child trafficking and safe motherhood was held at the auditorium of Manda upazila on Monday.

Department of Mass communication under the Ministry of Information organise the programme.

Deputy Commissioner (In-charge) Mohammed Syed Nur Alam attended the function as the chief guest while Department of Mass Communication Director Swapon Kumar Bhoumik was in the chair.

The function was addressed, among others, by Civil Surgeon Dr Narendranath Dewri, Upazila Nirbahi officer Bipul Chandra Biswas, Deputy Director of Islamic Foundation Alhaj Syed Amin Uddin Mahmud and district information officer Farhad Hossain.

A total of 100 people including freedom fighters, people's representatives, teachers and NGOS' representatives took part in the workshop.