The New Nation - Internet Edition

President visits ailing Justice Wadud

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed on Tuesday visited ailing justice Abdul Wadud at BIRDEM hospital here. Eighty-six years old justice Wadud has been suffering from cardiac disease.

The president spent some time beside the ailing justice and inquired about his health condition.

Professor Iajuddin wished his early recovery.

OMS of rice begins today

BSS, Dhaka

The open market sale (OMS) of rice begins across the country tomorrow with per kg rice price being fixed at Taka 28, an official press release said on Tuesday.

Under the programme, one can buy three-kg rice a day and 18- kg a week. OMS shops will remain open for six days a week except Friday.

The OMS of rice will be implemented through 7,141 dealers across the country. Each dealer of six city corporations, Narayanganj, Narsingdi and Gazipur will sell 765-kg rice daily while a dealer in other area will sell 510-kg rice.

In addition to 945 dealers in Dhaka city, the release said, the rice will be sold through 25 trucks. Three metric tons of rice will be sold from each truck every day.

Dutch envoy lands Dhaka's commitment to reduce gender gap

BSS, Dhaka

The Netherlands Ambassador in Dhaka Bea M. ten Tusscher on Tuesday appreciated the government's commitment to promote equal participation of women in the development process for a 'more balanced socio-economic growth' of the country.

Her appreciation came at the certificate giving ceremony of a training programme for female journalists at News Network office at Dhanmomndi in the city.

The Dutch envoy, attending the function as the chief guest, handed over certificates to the participants of the six-month training programme.

Seventeen young female journalists took part in the course, funded by Free Voice, the Netherlands, under a two-year project titled 'Development Programme for Female Journalists'.

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Chief Editor Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury addressed the function as the special guest. News Network Editor Shahiduzzaman and Humayra Ferdous Tania, a participant in the training course, also spoke on the occasion.

Referring to the government's efforts to minimize gender disparity, the Dutch envoy said, "In the PRSP (Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper), the government of Bangladesh underscores its commitment to reduce the gender gap in every sphere of life."

She says the PRSP gives priority to combating negative gender rations, removing restrictions to women's employment and promoting economic opportunities to ensure women's full participation in mainstream economic activities.

"Our sincere effort is to support the government, NGOs, civil society groups, the media and the business community, so that, they, together, will accelerate the process of reducing gender disparity and establishing women's rights in society, so that women can enjoy equal rights to men," the envoy said.

She expressed the hope that, in the coming days, all parts of society will work together to create a more gender-balanced society, particularly in the field of media, as "it has the potential to make a far greater contribution to the advancement of women."

Bea M. ten Tusscher said the number of women in the media in Bangladesh is very small compared to their male partners. "For every 100 male journalists only five female journalists can be found," she added.

The envoy said in most countries, including Bangladesh, the media keep presenting a negative and often stereotyped image of women, which does not reflect their diverse lives and their valuable contribution to society.

"No only do we need more female journalists, but the often gender stereotyped way in which women are presented in the media should also be changed," the Dutch envoy added.

She also called for increasing access of women to information for their empowerment.

Nazrul research delegation calls President

BSS, Dhaka

A delegation of International Nazrul Research Centre led by its chairman Asadul Haque called on President Prof. Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the delegation members apprised the President of the upcoming 2nd International Nazrul Conference scheduled to be held here in November this year.

They also informed Prof Iajuddin that a number of Nazrul researchers from different countries, including India, Pakistan, Iran, China, Japan and USA, are expected to participate in the conference.

The President gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured of possible cooperation to this end.

Secretary of the President's Office Md Sirajul Islam, Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohammad Ruhul Amin and President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were present.

US Congressional Staff: Delegation of Foreign Affairs calls on Army Chief

Visiting three-member US Congressional Staff Delegation from the House Committee on Foreign Affairs (HCFA) led by Peter Yeo paid a courtesy call on Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed at Army Headquarters on Tuesday, says a ISPR press release.

They spent some time with the Army Chief and exchanged greetings and discussed on matters of bilateral issues. US Ambassador to Bangladesh James F Moriarty was present at that time.

US-Bangladesh military law seminar begins

A three-day long US-Bangladesh Military Law Seminar organised by Bangladesh Air Force started at BAF Base Kurmitola, Dhaka Cantonment on Tuesday, says an ISPR press release.

Air Officer Commanding of BAF Base Kurmitola Air Commodore Masihuzzaman Serniabat inaugurated the seminar as chief guest.

25 persons are taking part from different organisations including Bangladesh Armed Forces. Five resource persons from USA are participating in the seminar.

Key-note papers on The Right of the Individual in Military Justice System. The Role of Armed Forces in Aid of Civil Power, Law of the Sea and Standing of Bangladesh with Neighbouring Countries and Management of Bangladesh Legal System and Recent Reform of Judiciary will be presented in the seminar.

EC firm to free polls from muscle power, black money

BSS, Dhaka

Election Commissioner Sohul Hossain on Tuesday said the Election Commission (EC) is pledge-bound to hold the polls free from the influence of muscle power and black money.

"With this objective in view, electoral laws have been formulated side by side with amending the code of conduct," he said while exchanging views with election officials and distinguished persons at the local circuit house.

Sohul Hossain said Bangladesh has earned praise and appreciation from the whole world for preparing a flawless voters' list with photographs in the shortest possible time.

A free and fair election is a must to offer the next generation a good society, he said, adding the EC has been working relentlessly for holding such polls.

In the past, the election commissioner said, the electorates had seldom interest in visiting the polling centers due to unwanted situation under the impact of muscle power and black money.

But the voters' turnout during the recent polls held under the present election commission was remarkable, because there was no muscle power or black money, he said.

Sohul Hossain said the election commission had taken the recent city and poura elections as a test case and it was almost successful, although not 100 percent. Local and foreign observers also lauded the elections, he said.

He said the election code of conduct, which has been continuing for a long time, could not be changed in a day. The past habits must be changed to create a congenial atmosphere for free and fair elections in the country, he said.

According to the present code of conduct, Sohul Hossain said, the elected candidates should give up party posts before taking oath. Otherwise, he added, such representatives can not take oath.

The election commissioner said holding a free and fair election to make it credible is the only challenge before the election commission. For this, he said, we have completed the voters' list with photographs with the cooperation of all, including army.

He said the task to enroll the expatriates in the voters' list would begin soon. There is no need for national ID card during casting votes, although it could be used in 22 purposes, he said.

Without a correct and target-based plan, Sohul Hossain said, no nation can prosper. "We are lagging behind because we have failed to devise the right plan," he said and added that the voters' list and the national ID card would help adopt accurate plans and programmes in future.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ataur Rahman chaired the Function, where Commander of the Joint Forces Lieutenant Colonel Arif Mohammad, Deputy Election Commissioner Khandokar Mizanur Rahman and Police Super Mohammad Rezaul Karim were present as special guests.

Former lawmaker Abu Lais Mohammad Mubin Chowdhury, former poura chairman Shahid Uddin Chowdhury, Advocate Mansur Uddin Ahmed Iqbal, Harunur Rashid Chowdhury, Dr Shakhawat Hassan Jibon and Advocate Abu Zahid, among others, took part in the open discussion.

Later, Sohul Hossain inaugurated the voter ID card distribution programme at Aushkandi Union Complex in Nabiganj upazila.