The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bishwo Shahitto Kendro receives UNESCO award

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Bishwo Shahitto Kendro has been selected for one of UNESCO's most prestigious awards, the Jan Amos Comenius Medal, for outstanding achievement and innovations in the field of education.

Chairman of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro's trustee board, Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed will receive the award on Nov 26 at the 48th Session of the International Conference on Education in Geneva. Unesco director-Ggeneral Koichiro Matsuura will preside over the ceremony.

Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, which works to promote reading habits among students and the general public, is the only organisation to get the award this year.

The Kendra was initiated in 1978 and registered as a public welfare trust in 1980, with a five-member trustee board headed by Sayeed.

The centre's main activities are aimed at exposing the public to world literature by setting up library facilities in areas where there are at least one or two schools or colleges. Students are encouraged to read at least 16 quality books every year.

Prizes are offered to encourage reading. The centre's programmes include literary and cultural competitions, book discussions, screening of films, guest lectures and music programmes.

Funded by philanthropic donations and government grants, its activities are gradually spreading throughout the country.

Other Comenius Medal winners this year are nine individuals: Samira Al Saad of Kuwait, Prof Laila Ahmed Ei-Sayed Karam El-Din of Egypt, M Daniel Fernando Filmus of Argentina, Prof Phillip William Hughes of Australia, Prof Dr Basu Dev Kafle of Nepal, Onerva Maki of Finland, Mamadou Ndoye of Senegal, Sylvia Irene Schmelkes Del Valle of Mexico and Prof Tirussew Teferra of Ethiopia.

The Czech Republic and UNESCO established the Jan Amos Comenius Medal in 1992 on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the birth of the great educationist.

It is intended to acknowledge the work of those educators who have made a significant contribution to the development or renewal of education.

AL will return to power through Dec 18 polls: Jalil

UNB, Naogaon

Awami League general secretary Abdul Jalil has said his party will return to power with people's mandate at the parliamentary polls slated for December 18.

Jalil, who had long been away from party politics since his arrest and illness, urged the party leaders and workers to work for establishing a people's welfare government through the elections.

He made the brief remarks to local Awami League leaders and workers in front of the party office here yesterday afternoon on his homecoming after lots of hiccups on the country's political front. Naogaon district AL general secretary Abdul Malek and organizing secretary Nirmal Krishna Saha also spoke.

The AL general secretary, who was arrested on May 28 last year under the Emergency Power Rules, said had there not been emergency, there would have been a surge of the people in Naogaon today. He said many people could not come due to the restrictions under emergency.

"The state of emergency will not be in place forever. I will go to the people and the people will come to me. None will be there at that time for putting obstruction," he told the crowds.

Claiming himself innocent, Jalil said, "What is my offence? I have never ever harmed anyone in my long political career. I have never thought of my own interest beyond people's welfare. I have never committed corruption."

He said the property he inherited from his father does exit only. "Rather, I had to sell many of my father's property for politics. I have still many things to share with the people. I have that ability."

Witnesses said people stood on the roadside from Santahar Bypass to Naogaon Awami League office on the occasion of Jalil's visit to Naogaon after 17 months. Party leaders and workers and general people greeted him with flowers and bouquets.

Varsity teachers oppose gas field leasing out to multinationals

Staff Reporter

A total of 128 teachers of six public universities across the country yesterday called for stopping the leasing out procedure for the exploration of nine marine oil-gas blocks to the multinational companies noting that it would harm the interest of the country.

They said in a joint statement that the present Caretaker Government has no right to lease out the marine oil and gas blocks within October.

They alleged that the incumbent government has prepared model PSC-2008 secretly for leasing out the blocks to the multination companies with a provision to export at least 80 percent of the extracted gas.

They pointed out that the lease out process is being carried out despite writ filed with the High Court against lease.

The signatories include Anisur Rahman and ASM Arefin Siddiqui from the Dhaka University, Mainul Islam and Irshad Zaman Khan from the Chittagong University, Md. Jafar Iqbal and Rezai Karim Khandakar from the Sylhet Shahjalal Science and Technology University, Hasan Azizul Huq and Saidur Rahman Khan from the Rajshahi University, Anu Ahmed from the Jahangirnagar University and M Shamsul Alam from the Chittagong Engineering and Technology University.

UK considers dispatch of polls observers

UNB, Dhaka

The United Kingdom will favourably consider the dispatch of an observer mission to the election of Bangladesh.

The dispatch of an Observer Mission to the election of Bangladesh from his country would receive "favourable consideration," said UK Minister for Development Cooperation Douglas Alexander when Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury met with him at the UN Headquarters on Friday afternoon.

During the meeting, the Adviser requested the UK Minister to adjust the immigration rules in a way so that supply of workers for Bangladeshi restaurants in the UK can take place unimpeded.

They also discussed the current UK assistance programme, including the 'Char Livelihood Project', Sylhet Catering Institute and the recent announced support to Climate Change initiatives.

The Foreign Adviser apprised the British Minister of the latest political situation in Bangladesh, including the forthcoming elections, according to a message received here Saturday.

Low over Bay persists

UNB, Dhaka

The well marked low over north-west Bay off Bangladesh-West Bengal coast persists over north Bay and adjoining Bangladesh coast.

"It is likely to intensify further and move in a northerly direction," said a special bulletin of Met Office on Saturday.

Under its influence, steep pressure gradient and convective cloud persists over north Bay. Squally weather is likely over north Bay and adjoining coastal area of Bangladesh and may affect the maritime ports.

Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number three ® three.

Under the influence of the well marked low, heavy to heavy rainfall may occur at places over Chittagong, Barisal and Khulna divisions during next 24 hours commencing 10 am on Saturday.

All fishing boats and trawlers over north Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

Nepal has no problem with Bangladesh: Nepalese PM

UNB, New York

The new Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kumar Dahal Prachanda, Friday said Nepal has no problem with Bangladesh and the countries have friendship for a long time.

He said his government will carry out fresh talks with India on various issues, including economic issues and neighbours as well as transit.

The Nepalese Premier made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at the UN headquarters on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Chief Adviser said Nepal can take infrastructure advantage of Bangladesh including that of Mongla port and Bangla Bandh land port for direct communication between the two countries to enhance trade relation.

He also emphasized on increasing people-to-people contact between the two countries, which can be accelerated in many ways like introducing bus services.

Fakhruddin congratulated the new Nepalese Prime Minister and appreciated that the election in Nepal was good.

Prachanda also congratulated the Chief Adviser for creating "good election environment in Bangladesh" under his dynamic leadership and mentioned about the announcement of election date.

Fakhruddin said good election atmosphere was being created not only for holding the next general election fairly but all the future elections also.

He invited the Nepalese Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh to which Pranchanda said he would definitely like to visit Bangladesh.

CA's press secretary Syed Fahim Munaim, who was present at the meeting, later briefed the newsmen.

CPB criticizes govt for move to raise gas, power prices

UNB, Dhaka

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) yesterday criticized the government for its move to raise the prices of electricity and gas.

In a joint statement, CPB president Monjurul Ahsan Khan and general secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim strongly protested the government decision to raise the energy prices.

Citing newspaper reports, they said the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission is going to declare 16-18 percent increase in electricity price on September 29, defying the opinions of experts, economists and businesspeople.

They said the government decision came at a time when people are struggling to cope with the soaring prices of essentials.

"By the time, Wasa has increased the price of water without notice. If the government raises the prices of gas and electricity, then people would fall into a deep trouble," the statement said.

They also accused the government of making unequal deals with foreign companies that forced it to buy electricity and gas at higher prices from them.

The CPB leaders said the energy sector had long been counting losses due to mismanagement and corruption during various regimes in the past.

They urged the government to take effective measures to root out corruption and minimize the wastage of natural resources instead raising the prices of electricity and gas.