The New Nation - Internet Edition

Concerted efforts to combat tuberculosis underscored

Our Correspondent

A round Table meeting titled Tuberculosis control: Present circumstances and action plan to combat it in future was held recently at Sadar hospital conference room of the town.

The meeting was organized in association with national tuberculosis check programme, health department, health and family planning ministry, Rangpur press club and BRAC. (Abdul Ahad, Deputy Commissioner was present as chief guest in the meeting while Mahafuzullslam, superintendeni'or police and Rashid Babu, president, Rangpur press club

attended as special guests with Dr Muhammad Shahadat Hussein, the civil surgeon in the chair.

Speakers stressed the need for identification of tuberculosis-affected patients, as it is virus oriented deceases. An affected patient can spread virus easily, which might attack anyone who will come in contact with him. They also

emphasized the need for creating much awareness to prevent it.

The chief goest said, with the development of Medical science, the treatment ofthe diseases became available and the ~diseases are being cured in the country.

The nation "although achieved its target, we still need to go more to eliminate it compelety. He also urged all to create awareness and work together to prevent the diseases.

Dr Muhammad Shahadat Hussein, the civil surgeon said, " Bangladesh is in sixth position of the 22 countries across '- the globe in which the percentage of the patients is high." The disease can be cured easily if the patients were given 'eatm.-eID: and remamed underooservation for two months. The treatment of the diseases in the country is available.

The country, meanwhile, has already achieved the target to check the diseases. But we need to hold the achievement and work for to stop its prevalence. A statistics showed about 101 proved smear positive of one lakh people across the country still. About 85 percent-identified patients were being cured in the country. But the percentage of identification is only 70 percent in the country.

The remaining numbers were unidentified due to lack of care and ignorance of the affected patients. So, we need create much awareness among the people to combat it, he observed. He also mentioned that if the diseases can be handled under Direct Observed Treatment Short- Course (DOTS) methods approved by World Health Organization (WHO), Zillur Da Shah, Senior Health coordinator, BRAC, Rajshahi, Sorwar lahan, Senior Social Communicator, BRAC, Dr Mafijul Islam Manu spoke among others.

A number of newsmen both print and electronic media, physicians, teachers and NGO activists of the district participated the meeting.

Graduation Degree Certificate distributed at BAF Academy

The Graduation Degree Certificate Award Ceremony of No 54 and 55 Officers Courses was held at Bangladesh Air Force Academy auditorium at BAF Base Matiur Rahman, Jessore on Tuesday.

Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman attended the ceremony as chief guest and distributed the bachelor of Science (Aronautics) and BA (Pass) Degree certificates among the Officers, says an ISPR Press release.

A total of 28 Officers completed their three years' B.Sc. (Aeronautics) and BA (Pass) Degree courses under the National University during their two years' training at BAF Academy. Of them 12 Officers of 54 Officers Course appeared in the B.Sc. (Aeronautics) examination and 11 secured first division and one got second division.

Two Officers of this course appeared in the BA (Pass) examination and all of them were placed in the first division. Pilot Officer Mahfuzur Rahman GD(P) was adjudged the best in academics in this course and was awarded with Osmani Gold Medal. Ten Officers of 55 officers course appeared in the B.SC. (Aeronautics) examination. Of them nine officers got first division and one got second division. Four officers of this course attended the BA (Pass) examination and all of them secured first division.

Pilot Officer Faisal Ahmed GD(P) was adjudged the best in academics in this course and was awarded with Osmani Gold Medal.

Speaking to the officers on the occasion Chief of Air Staff said, "Acquire knowledge and professional acumen so that you can lead our beloved Air Force to the glorious path of success." He further said that the victory of today's air warfare depends on the successful application of knowledge by the skilled manpower. So for war-fighters in blues, there is no alternative but to enhance professionalism through acquiring knowledge and effective training, he added.

Vice Chancellor of National University Professor Dr. M. Mufakharul Islam, Principal Staff Officer and senior BAF Officers were present on the occasion.

Need-based research on seri-culture stressed

BSS, Rajshahi

Speakers at a scientific seminar here on Wednesday underscored the need for need-based research on sericulture and its business with a view to revitalising this sector in the greater national interest.

They referred to the glory of sericulture sector and said its revival would contribute a lot to the country's socio- economic development with creating job opportunities and marketing its products.

With this end in view, the participants in the seminar said an intensive research has now become very essential in the fields of mulberry farming, leaf processing, cocoon rearing, silk manufacturing and trading in the country.

Bangladesh Sericulture Research and Training Institute (BSRTI) under its Sericulture Research Development and Technology Extension Programme organised the seminar titled "National Sericulture Research and Technology Transfer." Senior Research Officers of BSRTI Abdul Hamid Mian and Khanom Toufa Haque presented two scientific papers in the technical session, moderated by former director of the institute Dr Abdul Aziz Sarker.

Joint Secretary (Administration) of the Ministry of Textile and Jute Sarder Abul Kalam and President of Bangladesh Silk Industry Owners Association Merajul Alam was the chief guest and the special guest respectively with BSRTI Director Dr Abdul Kader in the chair.

Former Vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University Professor Dr Anisur Rahman, former director of BSRTI Dr Rabbel Ali, Silk Industrialist Sadar Ali and Professor Dr Abdul Mannan of Rajshahi College took part in the open discussion.

They said sericulture, a labour-intensive agro-based industry, is ideally suited to the socio-economic condition of the country covering both agriculture and industry. Promotion and expansion of sericulture throughout the country can be helpful to eradicate poverty in rural Bangladesh, they said.

The speakers said all family members could earn their bread and butter from sericulture, which yields four to five crops a year ensuring more income with less investment.

Sericulture also provides fuel, manure, poultry feed and fodder besides cocoon crop and mulberry, the only food plant for silkworm, which ensures leaf supply for about 30 to 35 years.

Around 100 researchers and scientists from different agricultural research institutions as well as government and non- government organisations attended the seminar.

Jail in Chandpur nearing completion

BSS, Chandpur

The construction of Chandpur Jail at Babur Hat, five kilometres away from Chandpur town is nearing completion.

About 90 percent work of the Jail has been completed, Government allotted Taka 19 crore for construction of the Jail.

According to Public Works Department office sources the jail will accommodate about five hundred prisoners. The jail is expected to be completed by December. The jail will provide all modern facilities to the prisoners.

6,73,205 mt of boro rice production target in Comilla

BSS, Comilla

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have taken up a massive plan to bring 1,62,280 hectares of land under Boro cultivation in 16 upazilas of the district during the current season with a production target of 6,73,205 metric tonnes of Boro rice.

According to department of agriculture extension (DAE) sources, of the total land 1,25,100 hectares will be brought under High Yielding Variety (HYV), 37,000 hectares under high breed and 180 hectares under local variety of Boro cultivation in the district. upazila wise break up of land and production target.

Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) and Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have taken all necessary measures to supply quality seed, pesticides and other agriculture inputs to the farmers at fair prices to make the programme a success.

Besides, all the commercial bank including the Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) will supply necessary agriculture loan among the farmers of the district for the preparation of land, purchase of seed, fertiliser, pesticides and for the payment of agriculture labourers.

FF dead in Chuadanga

BSS, Chuadanga

Israfil Hossain, a valiant freedom fighter of Huda Para under Damurhuda upazila of the district died of old age complications at his residence in the early hours of today.

He was 72, family sources said.

He is survived by his wife, four sons, three daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

Israfil Hossain was buried at his family graveyard with full state honour at around 10 AM today following a namaz-e-janaza.

The janaza was attended by upazila level government officials, freedom fighters, politicians and local people.

6 held, arms, phensidyl seized in Ctg

BSS, Chittagong

Six alleged miscreants were arrested by Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) in separate drives conducted at different places last night and today.

One foreign made pistol, 33 bottles of contraband Phensidyl and 21 kilograms of smuggled powder milk were recovered during the drives from the possession of the arrested, a CMP press release said.

The arrested are Enam Uddin, 28, son of Fayaj Ahmed of Mirzapol of Panchlaish thana in the city; Gonesh Chandra Gosh, 51, son of late Poresh Chandra Gosh of Goshpara under Chandpur district; Amir, 27, son of Ayet Ali from Comilla; Lailee Begum, wife of late Abdul Jalil from Comilla; Mohammad Delwar Hossain, 30, son of late Ali Hossain of Double Mooring thana in the city and Nurul Islam alias Dyle Nuru, 41, son of Monu Mia of Mollapara under Double Mooring thana in the city, the press release added.

Warrant issued against Durgapasha UP chairman in Barisal

BSS, Barisal

A court here today issued warrant of arrest against the chairman of Durgapasha union parishad under Bakergonj upazila of the district for taking bribe from the businessmen of a bazar.

Senior judicial magistrate Court issued the warrant of arrest against Chairman Abdus Salam Khan for taking money in the name of development work, official sources said. The chairman took Taka 1.5 lakh from 44 businessmen of Gobindapur bazar and also assured them of not evicting their illegal establishments.

But, the sources said, the government evicted them and the businessmen filed a case against the chairman.

Shmashan Dwipali celebrated in Barisal

BSS, Barisal

The Hindu community celebrated the 'Shmashan Dwipali'on 'Bhut-Chaturdashi'here at Shmashankhola area of this city yesterday.

This historic Shmashan Dwipali has been celebrated here in this city since 1825. The family members torched candles and agarbatis at the tombs of their relatives who were criminated here earlier. The relatives offered sweets and food at the tombs. Besides, they offered prayers and recited from the holy Gita for salvation of the departed souls.

People from home and abroad including India, America and Britain attended this festival here today.

Puja of the Shmashan Kali was also held at this crimination place with much devotion . Besides, angali, anrchana and distribution of sweets among the devotees were also held here. Over 50,000 people took part in this religious festival . The law enforcing agencies including Army , Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Police took strong security measures around the criminated place of over 5 acres of land. The tombs and the graveyards were decorated beautifully with colourful lights and papers.

ASA distributes 72 cr micro credit in 9 months

BSS, Natore

A non-government organisation has distributed 72 crore micro credit during first nine months of current year for alleviation of poverty and self-reliance. The district manager of ASA Mohammad Rafiqul Islam claimed this in a meeting held here yesterday.

He said ASA has a plan to disburse 22 crore more loan in the next 3 months of the year among small businessmen, entrepreneurs.

The micro credit was disbursed through its 45 branches across the district.