The New Nation - Internet Edition

Call to upgrade standard of edn in all educational instts

BSS, Rangpur

Educationists at a discussion meeting here stressed the need for developing standard of education at schools and colleges levels with a view to producing meritorious and worthy citizens and to face the challenges of the 21st century.

To achieve the goals, they asked the teachers, students, guardians and all concerned to play their due role to properly flourish talents of the students, who are the future of the nation to lead the country.

They also called for bringing total accountability in the education sector for further development of the education standard to make the students, who are the future of the nation, as worthy citizens for taking the future responsibility of the nation.

They said this ia a meeting held at the auditorium of Hena Memorial Women's College in Mithapukur upazila town here on Monday with Acting Principal of the institution Prof Khwajanur Rahman in the chair.

Mithapukur UNO AKM Masuduzzaman attended the meeting as the chief guest and Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Mithapukur upazila Rafiqul Islam Selim was present as the special guest. Lecturers Shafiqul Alam, Mizanur Rahman, Golam Mostafa, meritorious student of the college Smriti Begum, addressed the meeting.

The speakers asked the teachers community to be more laborious, professional, honest and symbol of principles for improving the education standard and providing proper knowledge to the students.

The teachers at the educational institutions could play vital roles in attracting students towards education and making them real citizens for the future, they said.

Vehicles plying thru’ pothole-strewn Rupganj road facing risk of accidents

Our Correspondent, Rupgonj

Vehicles are plying facing serious risk on a by-pass road, the part of Rupgonj Upazila, Narayangonj. Only after a year of construction of the road by the Roads and Highways Authority has been deteriorating. Hundreds of potholes are found in the part of the road at Rupgonj, Plying of vehicles is highly vulnerable as a lot of buses, cars, vans, pushcarts are plying every-day through this road. Locals claim the condition has been created because of low standard construction work. Water and muds are found even after a little rainfall.

9/10 kilometres road from Palkhan to Golakandail is seriously risky. Heavily loaded buses and trucks specially container bearing trucks made such a phase of the road. Very often, passenger loaded buses and goods laden vehicles fall in accidents. Taking chance, snatching and hijacking valuables are occurred by the miscreants. Day by day the condition of the road has been deteriorating rapidly. Curious people have started fish cultivation in the holes of the road. Somewhere they sowed paddy plants.

A 3-member committee was formed to investigate the construction work. On the last 4th July, 2007 due to claiming of low standard work, this committee was formed at the anual Development Programme (ADP).

The Joint Secretary, Tajul Islam of the Communication Ministry was selected the convener of the Investigation Committee, and 2 other members were the D.G.M. Major Shahidul Islam and the D.S Nurul Islam of the Communication Ministry. According to the Communication Ministry sources, the construction expenditure from Joydevpur to Madanpur via Devogram and Bhulta along with Kanchan bridge was taka 300.69 crore (three hundred and sixty nine crore). Locals demand for reconstruction of the road immediately.

Silver Jubilee of Rajshahi UCB celebrated

Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

The Silver Jubilee (25 year) celebration of United Commercial Bank, Rajshahi Branch was observed at the bank compound in a befitting manner on Sunday.

Zinnatul Bakia, Acting General Manager of Bangladesh Bank, Rajshahi presided over the inaugural function and addressed as the chief guest. She also inaugurated the Silver Jubilee function of the bank by cutting the ribbon and a large cake amid clappings of the guests.

Among others, the function was attended and addressed by, AM Razi, GM Janata Bank, former DGM of Jananta Bank Shaikh Sadi, the first Manager of the branch and former Vice-president M.A. Shakoor, incumbent Vice-president Selim Reza Khan and Editor of local daily Liakat Ali. A large number of guests and clients of the banks attended the function.

Zinnatul Bakia, the Acting General Manager of Bangladesh Bank and Chief guest of the function lauded the role of UCB for its contribution to the nation and the economy. She said, the bank has traversed a long journey for last 25 years with its relentless service, reliability and customer services. She called upon the bank management and the staff of the bank to uphold the good will of the bank through its sincere service and trained personnel. She also advised the management of the bank to allot more fund for the social upliftment projects.

The guests at the function were served with sweet-meats and cake after the function.

Bringing char people under existing facilities of state stressed

BSS, Gaibandha

The speakers stressed the need for bringing the underp-rivileged char people under the existing facilities of the state by ensuring developments in health, education, agriculture and communication for them.

They said this at a day-long workshop on "Coordination of GO and NGO officials in the development of livelihoods of char people" at the auditorium of Public Library on Monday.

Friendship, a reputed NGO, working in the district since 2002 organized the workshop in cooperation with Manusher Jonno Foundation.

Dr M. Reazul Islam, Deputy Director of family planning department addressed the workshop as the chief guest while Dr Prodip Kumar Karmokar, Sadar Upazila health and family planning officer and Dr M. Rafiqul Islam, medical officer were present as special guests.

Presided over by Dr Nazrul Islam, Fulchhari upazila health and family planning officer, the workshop was also addressed, among others, by project coordinator of friendship M. Rafiquzzaman Pallab, journalist Gobinda Lal Das, M. Shahiduzzaman and social worker Abdul Mannan.

The speakers urged the officials to ensure the services on health, education, agriculture and communications for the development of char people.

Giving importance on education for the children of char people to make them educated and worthy citizens they laid emphasis on setting up of more schools and colleges in the char areas. More than 70 government and NGO officials and workers, public representatives imams, teachers, and local elite were present in the workshop .

Concerted efforts to eradicate domestic violence underscored

BSS, Birampur

Speakers at a conference at Birampur upazila town in Dinajpur on Saturday said that change in social and personal attitudes of everyone could bring all sorts of domestic violence to zero level.

They also stressed the need for conducting mass awareness building activities through coordinated and joint efforts of all stakeholders to eradicate domestic violence from the society once and for all.

They also opined for undertaking a collective initiative by the civil society members and all government and non-government organisations for achieving desired successes towards the directions.

They said this at a conference organised by Polli Shree, a Dinajpur-based NGO, with the assistances of Orban Sangstha (OB) at the Birampur Office of OB under Birampur upazila in Dinajpur.

Local NGO Orban Sangstha under the assistance of Polli Sree of Dinajpur organised the conference at its Birampur Office under Birampur upazila in Dinajpur with President of Birampur Upazila Change Makers Alliance Committee Abdul Aziz Sarker in the chair.

Project Coordinator of Polli Shree Shahnaj Parveen presented the keynote paper elaborately narrating the present situation of domestic violence against women and its fearfulness at all levels including the rural and urban areas.

Field trainer of Orban Sangstha Emran Hossain, local elite and social workers Morshed Manik, Nazrul Islam, Mostafizur Rahman, Abu Musa, Monwar Hossain, Abdul Kuddus, Mizanur Rahman, Dr Abdur Rashid, addressed, among others.

The speakers elaborately discussed various types of domestic violence and said the women are facing violence in various forms at every family and all working and public places due to lack of awareness.

They also termed the domestic violence as a gross violation of human rights and suggested that the concept of gender equality should be incorporated in the curriculums of the educational institutions and during the advocacy activities.

Founding anniversary of Chandpur Probaha observed

BSS, Chandpur

The 7th founding anniversary of the daily Chandpur Prabaha was observed in a befitting manner on Friday.

On the occasion, a reception was held at Chandpur Club auditorium presided over by Md. Nazir Uddin Bhuiyan, Mayor of Chandpur Pourasabha while eminent journalist and acting Editor of the daily Amar Desh Ataus Samad attended the reception as the chief guest.

Besides, reception was also accorded Md. Shahidul Haque, DIG, Chittagong division, Arun Nandi, former general secretary of the Jatiya Press Club Shafiqur Rahman, Dr MA Gafur, AB Siddique, former MP, Amir Hossain Patwari former National Cabadi player and Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, former president, Chandpur Press Club.

Tk 11 cr Narail Dist Board budget announced

Our Correspondent, Narail

A Tk. 10 crore 66 lakh 71 thousand budget of Narail District Board for 2008-09 fiscal was announced on Monday last.

Swapan Kumar Roy, Chief Executive Officer of District Board, Narail announced the budget at his office room. In the proposed budget revenue income of 4 crore 2 lakh Tk. government grant Tk. 5 crore 1 lakh 50 thousand have been shown. Journalists of different press and electronic media, elite of the town and different officials concerned were present at the budget session.

Tree fair held in Gafargaon

Our Correspondent, Gafargaon

A three-day-long tree fair was launched on the premises of Gafargaon Upazila Dak Banglo Chattor on Sunday. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and the Upazila Administration jointly organised the fair. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Mahabub Hossain formally inaugurated the fair as the chief guest while the Upazila Agriculture Officer Tafazul Hossain chaired it. Among others, the Pouro Mayor Munjur Miah and Upazila Engineer M.A Mannan were present on the occasion.

'Road show’ accorded warm reception in Kishoreganj

Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj

The Road Show in Kishoreganj was celebrated with much enthusiasm at Shadullarchan Bazar, at entrance of the district in Sadar Upazila. School students accorded in rousing reception to 'Eso Bangladesh Gori' road show. Agriculture, Food and Disaster Management, Home and Telecommunication Ministries along with the Election Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, Parjaton Corporation and BRTA jointly organised the road show.

At the reception, Police Super Mizanur Rahman, Zila Parishad Chief Executive Officer Banamala Bhowmik, ADC (R) Tapan Ch. Banik, ADC (G) Nitish Roy, Sadar UNO Dilruba Khan, Chairman of Kishoreganj Paurashava Al-Hajj Abu Taher Miah, Press Club Senior Vice President Alam Sarowar Tito, Senior Journalist Abdul Latif, Advocate Ruhul Quddus Selim, Senior officials of Local administration and elites were present at the reception.

Enthusiastic people stood on both sides of some 40 miles road from Mymensing to Kishoreganj holding banners and placards inscribed with "Eso Bangladesh Gori". A credible, transparent and accountable government would be able to establish good governance in the country.

350 bottles Indian phensidyl seized in Brahmanbaria

BSS, Brahmanbaria

Police recovered 350 bottles of Indian Phensidyl and 10 kilograms of cannabis from Chinair Bridge area under Sadar Upazila on Monday.

Police said, they seized the contraband items from a car near the Chinair Bridge area under sadar upazila of the district. None was arrested in this connection. A case was lodged with Sadar thana.

Mobile court realises Tk. 23,500 as fine in Chuadanga

BSS, Chuadanga

Mobile court in a sudden drive realized Taka 23,500 as fine from 22 local different kinds of shop owners on various charges on Saturday.

The monile court fined 10 cloth traders on charges of stocking and selling cotton, silk cloth and artificial silk thread without any permit. Besides, five grocery shop owners were fined on charges of selling adulterated items and giving less in weight and seven stationery shop owners were fined on charges of selling some goods without BSTI certification.

The mobile courts were conducted at local old Barabazar and Moon super markets. The mobile court was conducted by Reazul Islam, Executive Magistrate, Chuadanga.

2 armed extortionists on remand in Rangamati

BSS, Rangamati

A court here on Monday granted two armed extortionists three-day police remand who were arrested with firearms on May 28 from Kutukchhari area, 15 km off the district headquarter.

The arrested extortionists are Prantob Chakma, 22, son of Prafullah Chakma of Rangadurchhari of Baghaichhari upazila in the district and Rupkumar Chakma, 40, son of Surlila Chakma of village Babu Para under Dighinala upazila of Khagrachhari Hill District.

Acting on information, army and police raided Headmanpara of Kutukchhari area on May 28 and detained the two youths with a foreign-made pistol loaded with three bullets. They also seized Taka 1.30 lakh from their possessions.

News briefs

4 kidnapped women rescued

SATKHIRA, July 2: Police rescued four women from Madhabkati bazaar in sadar upazila while being trafficked to India and arrested two human traffickers Monday. Tipped off, police rescued Suborna,20, Nasima,21, Moyna Khatun,19 and Majeda Khatun,30 when human traffickers took them to Madhabkati border for trafficking to India. They arrested Lalon Hossain,30 and Samad Khan,36 . A case was filed, reports UNB.

Five robbers arrested in Savar

SAVAR, July 2: Police arrested five alleged dacoits along with two sharp weapons from Namabazar area Sunday night. Acting on a tip-off, police raided the area and arrested five alleged bandits-Ramzan, 18, Chandan Shaha, 19, Rony, 20, Ranjit Ghosh, 20, and Sohel, 22, when they were preparing to commit dacoity at night. Two sharp weapons were also recovered from their possession. A case was filed with the police in this connection, reports UNB.

Boy drowns in ditch in Dinajpur

DINAJPUR, July 2: A minor boy drowned in a ditch at Purba Nalpara village in Kaharol upazila on Monday. Locals said Maruf Hossain, 2, son of Fazlul Haque of the village slipped into the ditch while playing nearby at noon. After a hectic search, the was found floating in the water, reports UNB.

11 held with

foreign currency

in Dinajpur

DINAJPUR, July 2: Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), in a raid, arrested 11 people alongwith 899 US dollars at Shalbon Satila village in Birganj upazila Sunday evening. Acting on secret information, a combined team of RAB-1 and 5 raided the house of Anisur Rahman in the evening and recovered the US dollars and a sharp weapon. Meanwhile, two RAB members sustained injuries when the gang attacked them during the drive. The arrested were identified as Anisur, Mansur Ali, Mahbub Ali Sumon, Gua Thakur, Harunur Rashid, Rezwanur Rahman, Harunur Rashid Ranan, 25, Imran Ali, Masud Rana, Majharul Islam and Mamun, reports UNB.

Tree fair begins in Mymensingh

MYMENSINGH, July 2: A weeklong tree fair began at town hall ground here Monday. Deputy Commis-sioner Shamsul Islam inaugurated the fair. A colourful rally was brought out on this occasion in the morning which paraded main streets of the town. Saplings of various types of herbal, medicinal and fruit bearing trees were displayed in 30 stalls of the fair, reports UNB.

Tk 23.53 cr Bhairab Poura budget announced

BHAIRAB, July 2: A Tk 23.53 crore surplus budget of Bhairab Pourashava for 2008-2009 financial year has been announced without imposing new taxes. Pourashava Mayor Advocate Fakhrul Alam Akkas announced the budget on Monday at the poura auditorium in presence of ward commissioners, journalists and the elite. In the proposed budget, Tk 22.22 crore has been shown as the development expenditure, reports UNB.

Smuggled timber seized in Sunamganj

SYLHET, July 2: BDR jawans seized smuggled timber worth about Tk 1 lakh from an engine boat at Tahirpur in Sunamganj district Sunday. BDR sources said acting on secret information when they challenged an engine boat on its way to Badaghat the timber smugglers jumped into the river and fled away. Later, they seized the boat along with 59 pieces of Indian timber. The seized timber was deposited to local forest office and the engine boat to customs office Monday, reports UNB.