The New Nation - Internet Edition

One step ahead of food security: BRRI develops three rice varieties including one hybrid

The scientists of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) have developed three new rice varieties, namely BRRI dhan-48, BRRI dhan49 and BRRI hybrid dhan 2.

The National Seed Board (NSB) has recently released the varieties for mass cultivation. With these three, the total number of BRRI developed high yielding modern rice varieties stand at 50.

Yield of BRRI dhan48, a transplanted Aus variety with 115 days growth duration, is 5 tons per hectare (7.47 biga).

Its milled rice is medium size and cooked rice non-stiky. It is moderately resistant against bacterial blight, says a press release.

BRRI dhan49, a transplanted Aman variety with 135 days growth duration, has the potential to yield half of a ton per hectare more than BR11 and one ton more than BRRI dhan 32. Size and taste of the variety are like that of the Nizersail.

The variety would meet the long time demand of the farmers and consumers. Intensity of pest attack in the variety is much less than that of BR11`. Stem of the variety is strong enough to keep the rice plant upright during stormy wealth. Moreover, it is 7-10 earlier than BR11.

BRRI hybrid rice scientists have developed another hybrid rice, namely BRRI hybrid dhan 2 suitable for the Boro season and the agro-climate conditions of he country.

It has 8.5 tons yield per hectare with 145 days growth duration. Its milled rice is medium slender and cooked rice is non-sticky. NSB released the variety for mass cultivation in Dhaka, Comilla, Jessore and Rajshahi.

In 2003, BRRI for the first time developed BRRI hybrid dhan 1.

Experts say, cultivation of the three varieties would contribute much to attain food security of the country.

Call to intensify anti-corruption drive for democracy

BSS, Rajshahi

Participants at a daylong divisional consultation here today underlined the need for intensifying the anti-corruption drive in the greater interest of consolidating the country's democracy.

In this context, they viewed that collective efforts by all conscious people could play a vital role in reducing the corruption.

"Awareness and participation of citizens cannot only help reduce corruption but also form the building blocks for strengthening the national integrity system," they further said while taking part in the discussion titled "Engaging citizens in promoting governance, accountability, transparency and integrity to reduce corruption".

USAID under its 'Promoting Governance, Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (PROGATI) project' arranged the consultation meeting at the Pick Cassia Conference Hall of Jafar Imam Tennis Complex.

Main thrust of the consultation was to bring together government agencies, civil society organisations, NGOs and media outlets to work together for fair, just and better governed society to build more transparent and accountable stewardship of public resources of the country.

Civil Society Component Manager of the project Amita Dey addressed the occasion as the focal person with former Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation Advocate Abdul Hadi in the chair.

Assistant Professor Shatil Siraj of the Mass Communication and Journalism Department of Rajshahi University presented a keynote paper at the meeting with participation of around 85 stakeholders from all the 16 districts under Rajshahi division.

During the group discussions, the participants pointed out that corruption undermines economic development, increases poverty, exploitation and injustice, prevents good governance, accountability, and creates socio-political instability and insecurity.

To reduce the corruption, they also put forward a set of recommendations including rising awareness among general people and formation of a social watchdog.

Call to acquire knowledge on prevention of money laundering

Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

Three-day long training workshop on "Prevention of Money Laundering" was inaugurated by Md. Ataur Rahman. First Vice President & Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of IFIC Bank Limited at Sonal Bank Limited Training Institute, Mymensingh Md. Khairul Kabir, Deputy General Manager, Sonali Bank Limited, Principal Office, Mymensingh presided over the inaugural session in presence of Executives and Managers of different Banks in the district. Md. Tauhidul Haque, First Asstt. Vice-President & Manager performed the overall responsibility of organising the workshop. IFIC Bank Limited, Mymensingh Branch worked as Lead-Bank and all the commercial Banks of Mymensingh District activity co-operated in this respect. In the said workshop 42 participants of different Commercial Banks participated in the first day session.

Dulal Candra Sarker, Deputy Director & Mr. Md. Abdur Rab, Assistant Director of Bangladesh Bank and Mr. Arunava Datta, Principal, Sonali Bank Limited Training Institute, Mymensingh were present as resource persons.

Md. Ataur Rahman, Chief Guest, emphasised to acquire knowledge on prevention of Money Laundering by the Branch Anti-money Laundering Compliance Officers of scheduled banks to avoid any lapses in this respect and to upgrade the image of their Banks related to Prevention of Money Laundering.

M.M. Saleheen, Deputy General Manager, Agrani Bank Limited & Masudur Rahman Khalifa, AVP & Manager of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited Mymensingh Branch delivered their valuable speech on the subject. Md. Baker Hossain, Officer, IFIC Bank Limited, Head Office, Dhaka conducted the inaugural session of the training workshop.

Phensidyl recovered in Gaibandha

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

Gobindagonj Thana Police in a raid recovered a huge quantity of Phensidyl bottles including loose wine from a truck of Khalshi area on Gobindagonj-Dinajpur road of the upazila in the district on October 25 at about 11.45 PM.

Source said acting on a tip off a team of police led by officer in-charge of the thana S.M Shiblee Noman halted the Dhaka bound maize loaded truck on the road on Saturday night and recovered 550 bottles of Indian Phensidyl and 10 litres of loose wine worth about Tk. 2,77,000 searching the truck.

The police also held two persons on charge of carrying the drugs with truck. The arrested the identified as Manjurul Islam son of Abdul Kader and Ala-Uddin son of Yashia of Mohat Ullah village under Kotwali Thana of Dinajpur district.

A case of filed with Gobindagonj thana in this connection.

Voluntary tax payee motivational meet held in Mymensingh

Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

Voluntary Tax Payee motivational TIN and Income Tax return farm receiving programme was held at Bhaluka Upazila conference room on 20th October.

Nafisha Khan, Joint Tax Commissioner, Inspection Range 4, Tax Reigion 2 was present as chief guest. Md Mafizuddin Sarkar, Mayor, Bhaluka Pourashava, Jafar Imam, D.C.T, Mymensingh Circle, Amjad Hossain, Mym. Circle were present as special guest. It was presided over by Syed Mahbub Khan, UNO, Bhaluka. The speakers stressed on Voluntary Tax Payee system.

They also underscored about Income Tax. Country should not depend on foreign aid. Revenue income may be generated by paying Tax. Businessmen, chairmen, members were present in the meeting.

Founding anniversary of BADC observed in Mymensingh

Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

47th founding anniversary of BADC was observed in Mymensingh with befitting manner. A grand rally was brought-out from town hall and paraded the main streets of the town and ended at LGED Bhaban.

All the officials and staffs of BADC and the dealers of seed and fertilisers attended the rally. A discussion meeting was held at LGED Bhaban after rally. Acting VC BAU Professor Dr Md Shamsuddin was present as chief guest while it was presided over by Sohrabuddin Khan, Joint Director (Seed), BADC, Mymensingh, SP (Mymn), Md Rafiqul Islam, ADC (General), Md Mohusin was present as special guest, Key note paper presented by Md Amanullah, DD (Seed Marketing), BADC. The speakers said there is no alternative of BADC for food production and supply of agricultural materials sufficient irrigation and use of proper fertiliser and seed can made a Bangladesh a self reliant in food production. Md Khalilur Rahman, SE (Small irrigation gave vote of thanks. A cultural programme was held on the occasion.

4 shop owners fined for selling stale food, in Ctg

BSS, Chittagong

Three shop owners of Kazir Dewri Bazar in the city were fined Taka 2,000 for cheating in weight and another shop keeper near CEPZ Gate was fined Taka 5,000 for selling sub-standard food during separate drives today.

Special Magistrates Begum Sushama Sultana and Mohammad Shahiduzzaman of Chittagong conducted the drives in cooperation with police against food adulteration and cheating in weight, a press release said.

Free eye camp held in Kishoreganj

Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj

The Andheri Hiffe, Germany and BNSB Service Week-2008 started recently. On the occasion of the Programme, free Eye camp, food distribution, medicine distribution, blood donation, were held at Banail High School, Turail of the district.

Founder of Banail High School Minjagh Ouddess Fiju presided over the function. It was addressed, among others, by Rokeya Quddess, Naher Quddess, District Press Club President Abdul Latif, Saiful Haque Mollah Dolu,

Senior Eye Consultant Dr. Saiful Islam Bhuiyan and German citizen Dr. Benjalika Southofar.

Mizan seeks nomination from AL in Matlab North UZ poll

As the Election Commission has declared to hold the Upazila Election, (month of October) people of Matlab North Upazila have become enthusiastic. Centering the election the people have become interested to know the identity of leaders of different political parties who want to join the poll race, says a press release.

People of Matlab Upazila want overall development in this locality. They are now searching for a candidate who can fulfill their desire.

Awami League leader, noted businessmen Md. Mizanur Rahman Mizan is willing to contest in the coming upazila polls as chairman candidate. Mizan has already started campaign in the area as the probable Awami League candidate. His public connection and influence over the leaders and workers of AL is remarkable. He wants nomination from the party Awami League.

Primary Health Service Clinic inaugurated in Gazipur

Our Correspondent, Gazipur

An inaugural ceremony of Shah Karforma Primary Health Service Clinic organised by Bangladesh Red Crescent Society was held at Chowra village in Kaligonj Upazila of the district recently.

Chairman, Bangladesh Red-Crescent Society, Professor Dr. Abdur Rob spoke as chief guest at the function. He described in various functions of clinic and requested the people to take part in social welfare activities. He also added in his speech that poor will be more benefited taking treatment in this clinic. He called upon all attended doctors, employees and related persons with their clinic to be dedicated workers for the greater interest of the people and country. After discussion he inaugurated a new Bhaban of Shah Karforma Clinic.

Besides, country Representative, Red Crescent Society. Bangladesh, Murtin Hunt, Head of International Co-operation in German Silvia Jhonson, Secretary General, Red Cresent Society Safiqul Alam, Ahmed Safique Haider and Secretary in charge, Red Crescent Society, Gazipur district unit Manjur Marshed addressed as special guest at the function. Murtin Hunt and Cilvia Jhaso became highly pleased observing the different kinds of meaningful activities and hoped that German will help this clinic for the development of primary health care.

It is noted, a new Bhaban of Shah Karfarma was built funded by the German Red Cross.

Reception accorded to GPA-5 students in Shibchar

Our Correspondent, Madaripur

A reception was accorded to the GPA-5 holders of Shibchar Upazila Secondary School held at Nandakumar High School's courtyard at Shibchar Upazila under Madaripur district recently.

The reception programme was organised by Shibchar Thana Samiti. The programme was presided over by Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Chief guest UNO. Gulam Kabir in Shibchar. Chief guest handed over the certificates among the brilliant students. A total of 60 students got the reception in Shibchar Upazila.

After the discussion, the chief guest distributed prizes and certificates among the GPA-5 holders.

Later a cultural function was held.

News briefs

4 killed in Noakhali road mishap

UNB, Noakhali, Oct 28 : Four people were killed and five others injured when a bus rammed into a human hauler, locally known as maxi, on Choumuhoni-Feni road in Begumganj upazila Tuesday morning. The dead were identified as maxi passengers Abul Kashem, 58, Senbagh thana unit vice-president of Awami League, Nurul Huq, 48, Nurul Islam, 45, and maxi driver Sumon, 25. They all hailed from Senbagh upazila. Police said the Choumuhini-bound bus rammed the maxi near Jamindarhat Filling Station at about 9am, killing Sumon and Nurul Huq on the spot while the other two on way to hospital, report UNB.

Outlaw leader killed in Pabna

UNB, Pabna, Oct 28 : A leader of an extremist group was killed in a shootout between his cohorts and a joint team of RAB and police at Hadal Kandipara in Faridpur upazila early Tuesday. The dead was identified as Gulzar, 35, gang leader of Gulzar Group. He was wanted in 14 cases including of 10 murders, police said. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of RAB and police raided Nurpur Bottala area at about 3am when the gang members were holding a clandestine meeting. Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the terrorists started firing, forcing them to fire back that triggered a gun-battle, report UNB.

Elderly man killed in Munshiganj

Munshiganj, Oct 28: An elderly man was killed by some terrorists at Chhoto Guher Kandi village in sadar upazila Monday. The dead was identified as Kabir Madbor,70. Police said some local terrorists hit Kabir with a stick when he tried to stop dispute between Swapan and Abu Syed groups, leaving him seriously injured. He was rushed to general hospital where doctors declared him dead, report UNB.

Headmaster killed in road accident in Benapole

Benapole, Oct 28 : A high school headmaster was crushed under the wheels of a bus at Sarsha bazar on Benapole-Jessore road Monday. The dead was identified as Momin Uddin,50, the headmaster of Benapole High School. Witnesses said a speeding bus ran over Momin Uddin when he was crossing the road, leaving him dead on the spot, report UNB.

Winter vegetables damaged in Manikganj

Manikganj, Oct 28 : Winter vegetables on a vast tract of land in the district were damaged due to incessant rain for last three days under the depression that crossed the country early Monday. Officials concerned apprehended a production shortfall in the rabi season as seed-beds of mustard and pulse went under rain waters. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said winter vegetables like coriander leaf, cauliflower, radish and tomato were mainly damaged in Gheor, Shibalay, Harirampur and Saturia upazilas, report UNB.