The New Nation - Internet Edition

RCC mayor-elect vows to make Rajshahi as ideal, livable city

Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

RCC Mayor elect AHM Khairuzzaman Liton has said, his chief aim is to turn Rajshahi an ideal, livable city. While talking to the journalists at a local restaurant on Wednesday noon, Liton said, he was grateful to the people of Rajshahi for electing him Mayor in a huge vote. He said, in the past, people of Rajshahi have been deprived of enjoying common civic amenities as a result, they held a great anguish in their mind. He assured that he would try to fulfil the desire of the city people to ensure civic amenities and to remove various prevailing problems of the city.

While expressing his reaction at his being elected as a Mayor, Liton expressed his gratitude to Allah, the great and said he was glad as the people of Rajshahi elected him Mayor in a huge vote. He also said, through this mandate, people of Rajshahi have taken their stance against the fundamentalism and communalism. The vote was also a protest against the deprivation of the people of Rajshahi.

AHM Khairuzzaman Liton said, he would never give priority to his partymen in any case. He said, he would never tolerate any one trying to take facilities by using his name.

He said, he would take action according to the rules against those who were involved in utter corruption, tender snatching and politicisation at RCC and misused power.

When asked which work he would give priority first after assigning to the power, Liton said, his father martyred AHM Kamruzzaman did a lot of development works in Rajshahi and his first priority would be to finish the unfinished work of the national leader Kamruzzaman. He said, the first job he would like to perform is to take measure to supply gas through pipeline in Rajshahi within December 2009. Moreover, he would like to repair drains, roads, ensure water supply, improve drainage system and take measures to turn the city of Rajshahi as an ideal city.

Liton said, in the past there was no sufficient allocation of fund for execution of development projects of RCC. From now on, he would try to enhance the fund for development projects, he mentioned.

SM Sultan's 84th birth anniversary today

BSS, Narail

The 84th birth anniversary of renowned artist SM Sultan will be observed today at his village home in the district.

Masumdia village, under Narail Municipality, where he was born on 10 August 1924 and built his "Shishu Swarga" or 'heaven for children' will wear a festive look with various organisations chalking out programmes to celebrate the birthday of the Bengal genius.

The SM Sultan National Birth Celebration Committee 2008 has chalked out day-long elaborate programmes to mark the birthday of the celebrated painter, who devoted more than half of his lifetime to painting in solitude.

Various socio-cultural organisations will also observe the birth anniversary in Sultan's village and at the district town.

The day-long programmes include placing of floral wreaths, offering prayers at his grave, Quran Khwani and Milad Mahfil at 8-00 AM, art competition in 'Shishu Swarga' at 10.00 a.m., colourful procession from Dakbangalo to Sultan Memorial Complex, discussion cum prize giving ceremony in Shishu Swarga auditorium at 12.00 noon and boat race on the river Chittra from Deputy Commissioner's Ghat to Chitra Bridge.

Khulna Divisional Commissioner Mohamad Yunusur Rahman will inaugurate the programme as chief guest.

President of SM Sultan Foundation and Deputy Commissioner of the district Mohammad Abdul Quyyum Sarder told BSS that all preparations have been completed to observe the day.

On this day in 1924, Sultan nicknamed Lal Mia, was born in an ordinary family of Masumdia village in Narail.

Sultan hit the headlines in the art world much before he was known as a painter to the people of his own homeland. His paintings were exhibited in Simla of India in 1946, Lahore and Karachi of Pakistan in 1948-49, New York, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, London and Michigan University in 1959, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in 1976 and German Cultural Centre, Dhaka in 1986. His artworks were jointly shown in Victoria Embankment, London in 1953 and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in 1993 with nine famous artists' artworks.

He joined the International Conference of Painters in America in 1950 as the representative of the Pakistan Government. He also spent some years in Kolkata, studying and paintings.

Later he sank into obscurity and settled in Narail in 1953, devoting his time to painting nature at his village home until his death on October 10, 1994.

The eccentric genius who chose a solitary life, deeply enjoyed his relationship with nature and the people of this country.

They were the prime sources of his inspiration and the spur to his creativity.

Leading a very simple life far away from the madding crowd at his village home, the selfless painter spent most of his life completely engrossed in paint and brush.

Sultan's very simple but highly philosophical art depicting nature and the might and dignity of Bangladeshi people has become the prime source of inspiration for the new generation of painters.

Aman cultivation hampering due to fertiliser crisis in northern region

UNB, Bogra

Aman cultivation is being hampered in the northern region of the country due to acute scarcity of TSP and MOP fertilizer.

In this situation, farmers are apprehending that they won't be able to achieve the cultivation target of aman paddy.

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has taken up a scheme to bring 17.38 lakh hectares of land under aman cultivation in 16 districts of the region with an output target of 43.30 lakh mts.

Of the total land, 79,782 hectares will be cultivated in Rajshahi, 1.89 lakh hectares in Naogaon, 44,250 hectares in Natore, 53,501 hectares in Chapainawabganj, 1.90 lakh hectares in Bogra, 71,520 hectares in Joypurhat, 46,555 hectares in Pabna, 62,994 hectares in Sirajganj, 1.44 lakh hectares in Rangpur, 1.17 lakh hectares in Gaibandha, 1.14 lakh hectares in Kurigram, 83,105 hectares in Lalmonirhat, 1.10 lakh hectares in Nilphamari, 2.46 lakh hectares in Dinajpur, 79,511 hectares in Panchagarh and 1.02 lakh hectares in Thakurgaon.

Farmers of the district have already started aman cultivation in the region.

But cultivation is being hampered as the farmers cannot use TSP and MOP fertilizer on their lands, which are essential at the early stage of the cultivation.

Farmers said that they are getting sufficient urea but TSP and MOP fertilizer are not available in the region.

Some 10-12 kgs of TSP and 8-10 kgs of MOP fertilizer are needed for each bigha at the early stage of aman cultivation.

But the government's allotment is very poor against the demand, farmers alleged.

Killer husband at last in jail

Our Correspondent, Kurigram

The killer of wife Shahadat Hossain was arrested at Rajibpur bus stand under Rajibpur upazila of the district on Friday. Army personnel led by Major Quader and Rajibpur Thana police with the help of local people arrested the criminal and sent him to Kurigram Jail.

Earlier, one Shahadat Hossain (44), son of late Mofti Uddin of Kurigram Dakbangalo para of district beat his first wife Mayna (35), mother of three children mercilessly due to family feud and at one stage he set to the body pouring petrol at about 10AM on July 17 last.

The housewife Mayna was burnt seriously and was taken to Kurigram Sadar Hospital immediately. When she deteriorated she was shifted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital and later she was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital the same day where the attending doctors declared her dead.

The dead body was brought to Kurigram after performing post mortem. The ill-fated housewife Mayna was buried in her family graveyard at Kurigram Palasbari Kabirajpara on July18.

The killer Shahadat Hossain is a money lender, hot tempered and husband of three wives who was absconding after the killing incident.

Elder brother of the victim filed a case with Kurigram Sadar Police Station. Some hundreds of men, women and children brought out a rally in protest against the wife killer Shahadat Hossain and paraded main roads of the town and submitted a memorandum to DC and SP. Kurigram-based NGO Solidarity, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, Konna Shisu Advocacy Forum, AFAD, RDRS (Bangladesh), Chinnomukul (Bangladesh), ZIBIKA and Kurigram NGO Association participated in the rally.

Uncle killed by nephew in Netrakona

Our Correspondent, Netrakona

A disabled uncle was reportedly killed by his nephew at Narayanpur area of Kendua pourashava under Netrakona district on July 30 last following a clash between their family members.

Police and local sources said, the clash erupted over the issue of taking possession on a disputed land. Muklesur Rahman (54), a disabled person of the village Narayanpur was killed after he was hit with a spear by his nephew Shafiqul Islam (23) during the clash.

Three members of their family was also injured in the clash. On receiving information, a of Kendua Thana police rushed to the spot and arrested the killer Shafiqul Islam and his father Atiqur Rahman on charge of his involvement in the brutal killing. The police team also sent the body of Mukles to Netrakona Sader Hospital morgue for postmortem. Meanwhile, a murder case was filed with Kendua police station in connection with the killing incident, the Police sources said.

Earth stealing rampant in Rupganj

A Correspondent, Rupganj

A group of unholy persons are taking away earth and sand from the part of Purbachal suburb near Branmankandi village of Rupganj in Narayanganj. They are committing such an activity since long. Locals do not have courage to protest against the misdeed. A lot of ditches are being created for taking away sand and earth. The authority will have to spend huge amount of money to fill up the places with sand and earth.

In the meantime, Rajuk authority has initiated development works in different places of suburb. On the other hand, earth stealing is going on in other parts.

Locals alleged Hiran Mia, a night guard appointed by the Rajuk, is abetting the group in stealing earth.

BCC mayor-elect visit defeated rivals

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Advocate Shawkat Hossain Hiron, the mayor-elect of Barisal City Corporation, passed his busy time on Thursday by courtesy visiting defeated rivals and voters of Barisal City Corporation election.

Hiron and his associates said he visited the houses of Ebaidul Huq Chan and Advocate Enayet Pir Khan, two major rivals defeated by him.

They embracing and hugging each-other exchanged hearty greetings and assure to extend all sorts of cooperation in developing the Barisal city and citizen services.

Hiron also visited the house of Sarfuddin Santu, his nearest rival in the election, but failed to meet him even after waiting for half an hour.

Later Santu told the journalists that he was sleeping and so none awakening him informed about the visit of Hiron.

Hiron also visited different wards of the city and extend greetings with the citizens calling cooperation from them to run City Corporation smoothly and assure his best efforts to solve their problems.

Hiron told he also planned to visit Ahsan Habib Kamal, another major rival in BCC election, but failed as Kamal left Barisal on Wednesday.

Different political-socio-cultural organizations and personalities sent greeting messages to Hiron after he elected as BCC mayor.

Academic feat

Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

Papiya Afroj Soumik got golden A+GPA 5 from Bidya Moee Govt. Girls High School, Mymensingh under Dhaka Board. Her father, Md Asharul Islam Kachi is serving in Agrani Bank, Mymensingh Branch. Her mother Rahna Islam is a housewife. She seeks blessings from all.

News briefs

Baby boy electrocuted

Gaibandha, Aug 7: A baby boy was electrocuted at Moheshpur village in Polashbari upazila on Tuesday night. The deceased were identified as Hasan, 2, son of Milon Miah of the village. Witnesses said Hasan died on the spot when he came in contact with a live electric wire while playing with a bed switch, report UNB.

Indian contrabands seized

Joypurhat, Aug 7: BDR jawans, in separate drives, arrested 13 people along with huge Indian contraband items from different parts of the district on Wednesday. Acting on a tip off, the border guards arrested eight people along with 1,680 kgs of potash, 686 kgs of urea fertilizers, two motorcycles and 105 bottles of phensidyl syrup from Kaytahar village in Sadar upazila early Wednesday. The arrested are Ahsan Habib, 35, Based Ali, 38, Nazrul Islam, 34, Jalaluddin, 22, Abdur Rashid, 27, Zakirul Islam, 25, Sabuj Hossain, 22, and Ratan Sheikh, 20, report UNB.

2 women sentenced to life-term in Natore

Natore, Aug 7: A court here on Wednesday sentenced two women to life term imprisonment in absentia for possessing phensidyl syrup. The lifers were identified as Mamtaz Khatun, daughter of Abdul Barek of Bildahar Sristanagar village in Singra upazila here and Champa Khatun, daughter of Mahir Uddin of Joaddarpara village in Charghat upazila of Rajshahi district. According to the prosecution, police acting on secret information, raided a bus on Banpara-Hatikamrul road in Natore and arrested the two women with 75 bottles of phensidyl syrup on March 19 in 2006. Later, on getting bail they went into hiding, report UNB.