The New Nation - Internet Edition

MBSTU to observe Bhashani's 32nd death anniversary

BSS, Dhaka

Moulana Bhasani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) has taken a seven-day programme to observe the 32nd death anniversary of legendary leader Moulana AbduL Hamid Khan Bhashani.

The programmes include Hifze Quran competition, recitation and lecture on Bhashani, essay competition, cultural programmes, art competition, discussion, placing wreaths at the mazar of Bhasani and offering special munajat on November 17, a press release said.

A Bhashani Mela, cultural function and discussion will also be held on the campus of the university from November 15-17.

Switzerland to provide Bangladesh $6m grant

BSS, Dhaka

The government of Switzerland will provide six million US dollar equivalent to Taka 41.40 crore as grant to Bangladesh.

A 'Financial and Technical Cooperation Agreement' to this effect will be signed here tomorrow between the Bangladesh and Switzerland, a press release said.

Secretary of Economic Relations Division Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and Swiss Ambassador in Dhaka Dora Rapold will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.

Exhibition of vintage car begins at Dhaka Club tomorrow

BSS, Dhaka

The Old Car Club and Dhaka Club will hold an exhibition of vintage cars at the Dhaka Club premises on November 13. (Tomorrow)

Dhaka Club president Sadat Hossain Salim will formally inaugurate the exhibition at 11 am on that day, said a press release.

The exhibition is being organized to welcome the Hilmalayan Rally participants, which is coming through Bangladesh for the first time. Later that evening the Himalayan Rally cars will also be on display throughout November 14.

The Volkswagon Club will receive the Himalayan Rally participants today and will later escort them into Dhaka on the following day.

The vintage cars on display will include a wide variety of automobiles from 1926 to the 1960's and the event is titled "Union 2008."

CA greets Prime Minister-elect of New Zealand

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed on Tuesday felicitated John Key MP, Prime Minister-elect of New Zealand.

"I wish to take this opportunity to convey my heartiest felicitation on your victory in the recently held parliamentary election," Dr Fakhruddin said in a message.

"This success manifests your able leadership in guiding your country and people to a new horizon of peace and prosperity," he added.

The Chief Adviser expressed the confidence that under Key's leadership the bilateral relations between the two countries would be further strengthened to the mutual benefit.

Need for drastic reforms in police force stressed

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a roundtable here on Tuesday underscored the need for drastic reforms in the police force to face the challenges of the 21st century.

They also called for removing barrier of mistrust between the police and people in the interest of peace and stability in society.

Deshe Bideshe, a Toronto-based Bangla daily of Canada, arranged the roundtable on 'Bangladesh Police Ordinance-2007' at the Jatiya Press Club here.

With chief editor of the daily Nazrul Islam Minto in the chair, the roundtable was addressed by former Army chief Lt. Gen. (retd) Harun-or-Rashid, former inspector general of police (IGP) Ashraful Huda and chief editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury and chief executive officer of Smart Phone Quamrul Hasan Chowdhury.

General Harun said, "Our mentality should be changed before reforms in police force."

He said every organization should have its own entity and it must be built according to a plan.

Regarding the Police Ordinance-07, he said there is a need for an elected government to pass a such ordinance.

Expressing regret, Ashraful Huda said the present caretaker government has carried out reforms in many sectors, but the police force remained out of touch.

A certain quarter does not want reforms in the police as they are afraid of losing grip on the force, he said.

About the proposed police ordinance, the former IGP said police have been mentioned as the servant of the republic and its people.

Placing emphasis on drastic change in police, Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury called for building a truly people-friendly police force.

Nazrul Islam Minto said good governance in police administration is a must to establish the rule of law in the country.

He called upon the caretaker government to approve the Police Ordinance-2007 immediately.

CA donates Tk 2.55 lakh to individuals fortreatment

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed has donated Taka 2.55 lakh from his discretionary fund to different individuals for bearing their medical expenses.

A press release of the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) on Tuesday said that the recipients are - Md Mizanur Rahman, Md Abdur Razzak, Begum Selina, Md Tanvir Hossain, Javed Ali, Md Mahbubur Rahman, Syed Abdul Momin and Md Anisur Rahman.

Qulkhwani of journalist Yasin Ahmed held

BSS, Dhaka

Qulkhwani of veteran journalist Yasin Ahmed was held on Tuesday at the mosque in Journalist Residential area, Mirpur, in the city after Asr Prayers.

Yasin Ahmed, former senior journalist of Daily Ittefaq, died of prolonged illness on Saturday night.

A large number of well wishers, colleagues, friends and relatives attended the qulkhwani.

Editor of The New Nation Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Secretary general of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Ruhul Amin Gazi, President of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Shah Alamgir, General Secretary Omar Faruque, former BFUJ General Secretary Syed Jafar, former DUJ General Secretary Akram Hossain Khan, former Managing Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Mokarram Hossain, DUJ vice president Ahul Kalam, among others, were present.