The New Nation - Internet Edition

World Diabetes Day today

UNB, Dhaka

World Diabetes Day will be observed in the country today (Friday) as elsewhere in the world with the theme "No child should die of diabetes".

On the occasion, Bangaldesh Diabetes Association will hold a rally at Manik Mia Avenue, arrange free diabetes tests in different parts of the city and organise a drawing competition for children at the Institute of Fine Arts at Dhaka University.

Addressing a press conference at BIRDEM conference room yesterday, President of DAB Prof AK Azad Khan said some five milion people in the country suffer from diabetes while only some 25 percent of the patients have access to treatment.

Some 12 lakh diabetes patients are taking treatment across the country, he said adding BIRDEM spent about Tk 43 crore on insuline and medicine in 2006-07 fiscal year for free treatment of the patients.

World Diabetes Day unites the global diabetes community to produce a powerful voice for diabetes awareness.

This year's Diabetes Day campaign aims at increasing the number of children supported by the International Diabetes Fedaretion's "Life for a Child Programme". It also aims at raising awareness about diabetes and encouraging initiatives to reduce diabetes. Secretary General of DAB M Sayef Uddin, Vice-Precident of DAB Maj Gen (retd)Prof AR Khan, Director Genarel of DAB Maj Gen (retd) Prof Ziauddin Ahmed, Prof Nazmun Nahar and Prof Arup Ratan Chowdhury, among others, were present at the press conference.

World Diabetes Day is a global event. It brings together millions of people in more than 160 countries to raise awareness of diabetes among people, including children and adults living with and affected by diabetes, healthcare professionals, healthcare decision-makers and the media.

The diabetes warning signs are frequent urination, excessive thirst, increased hunger, weight loss, tiredness, lack of interest and concentration, blurred vision, vomiting and stomachache (often mistaken as flu).

World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14. The day was chosen because it is the birthday of Sir Frederick G. Banting, a Canadian who, along with Charles Best, discovered insulin in 1921. In their separate messages, the President and the Chief Adviser appreciated the initiative of the observance of the World Diabetes Day in the country as elsewhere in the world.

The President in his message urged all goverment and non-government organizations to work together for preventing the deasese. In his separete message, the Chief Adviser urged the concerned people for raising awareness about diabetes and encouraging initiatives to reduce diabetes which affect young people.

Low over Bay intensifies

UNB, Dhaka

The low created over southeast Bay and adjoining area Wednesday moved slightly northwestards and intensified into a well-marked low.

A special Met Office bulletin said the low now lies over east central Bay and adjoining southeast Bay and it is likely to intensify further and move in a northwesterly direction.

All the fishing boats and trawlers over the north Bay and deep sea have been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.

World Diabetes Day today

UNB, Dhaka

World Diabetes Day will be observed in the country on Friday as elsewhere in the world with the theme "No child should die of diabetes".

On this occasion Bangaldesh Diabetes Association will hold a rally at Manik Mia Avenue, free diabetes tests in different parts of the city and organise a drawing compitation for children at the Institute of Fine Arts at Dhaka university.

Addressing a press conference at BIRDEM conference room on Thursday, President of DAB Prof AK Azad Khan said some five milion of people in the country suffwr from diabetes while only some 25 percent of the petiants have access to treatment. He said some 12 lakh diabetes petiants are taking treatment across the country.

He said BIRDEM spent about Tk 43 crore for insuline and medicine in 2006-07 fiscal year for free treatment of the patients.

World Diabetes Day unites the global diabetes community to produce a powerful voice for diabetes awareness.

This year's Diabetes Day campaign aims at increasing the number of children supported by the International Diabetes Fedaretion's "Life for a Child Programme". It also aims at raising awareness about diabetes and encouraging initiatives to reduce diabetes. Secretary General of DAB M Sayef Uddin, Vice-Precident of DAB Maj Gen (retd)Prof AR Khan, Director Genarel of DAB Maj Gen (retd) Prof Ziauddin Ahmed, Prof Nazmun Nahar and Prof Arup Ratan Chowdhury, among others, were present at the press conference. World Diabetes Day is a global event. It brings together millions of people in more than 160 countries to raise awareness of diabetes among people, including children and adults living with and affected by diabetes, healthcare professionals, healthcare decision-makers and the media.

The diabetes warning signs are frequent urination, excessive thirst, increased hunger, weight loss, tiredness, lack of interest and concentration, blurred vision, vomiting and stomach pain (often mistaken as flu).

World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14. The day was chosen because it is the birthday of Sir Frederick G. Banting, a Canadian who, along with Charles Best, discovered insulin in 1921.

Prince of Wales to attend launch of C'wealth exhibition

UNB, Dhaka

The Prince of Wales will attend the opening of a unique exhibition of contemporary textile works using traditional Pakistani craft skills in London on November 18.

The exhibition is part of a long-term social development project designed to improve the income of skilled women artisans from Pakistan.

It is the first time their work will be shown to international buyers and retailers. The aim of the exhibition is to provide the women with direct access to European markets for high quality textile products, soft furnishings and couture.

Organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN) in Pakistan, the exhibition is the result of a three-year pilot project led by the Gender Section of the Secretariat and RSPN. It represents their ongoing commitment to gender issues, poverty reduction and economic empowerment.

The partnership between international designers and the rural women began with a series of master class design workshops held in Karachi and in the northern areas of Pakistan in September last year. Since then, 40 women artisans have been involved in producing the textile crafts on display which will be marketed directly by the designers.

Up to 30 samples will be on show, ranging from cushion covers, dresses, bedding, shawls and wall hangings, said a message received here.

"It is inspiring to see the amazing products that have come out of the partnership between contemporary European design skills and the incredibly fine detailed stitching and beadwork of the women.

"The products on show illustrate real potential for these traditional skills in western markets-this is the beginning of something really special," said Mo Tomaney, designer and consultant on the project.

At the exhibition, a documentary film and photographic display will tell the story of the project, while tribal craft pieces will show the skills in their traditional context.

Visitors will be able to hear testimonials from the women about their lives, livelihoods and hopes for the future as prospective skilled artisans working with international designers. Two of the artisans will travel from Pakistan to represent the voices of the women who made the exhibition possible.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, who will officially open the event said: "Women continue to make up a disproportionate number of the world's poor. Empowering them economically to access international markets will be an important step towards helping them achieve sustainable livelihoods, and a key step towards winning the fight against global poverty."

Invited guests include designers, buyers and retailers; as well as representatives from the international development sector.

The exhibition is in keeping with the work of The Prince's School of Traditional Arts, which regenerates and sustains traditional art forms both in the UK and internationally.

Mir Nasir granted bail for 3 months

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday granted bail for three months to former state minister for civil aviation and tourism Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin, now in jail in a graft case in which he was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.

A division bench comprising Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Farid Ahmed, upon a petition, granted the temporary bail to Mir Nasir on health grounds, court sources said.

On July 4 last year, a special court, set up at parliament building complex that deals with high-profile corruption cases, sentenced Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin, a BNP stalwart, to 13 years imprisonment for amassing wealth illegally.

The army-led joint forces arrested Nasir on February 5 last year in the caretaker government's drive against suspected corrupt politicians, business tycoons and other influential people who were said to have amassed money by plundering public wealth.

Advocate Ahsanul Karim appeared for Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin.

Bangladesh-Russia MoU on Diplomatic Academies signed

UNB, Moscow

A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh and the Diplomatic Academy of Russia was signed yesterday in Moscow.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Russia Mijarul Quayes and Rector of the Diplomatic Academy Alexander Panov signed the MoU at a ceremony in the academy hall.

The accord aims at improving professional expertise of diplomats of the two countries and strengthening cooperation between the two academies, including sharing information and research methodologies, training, scholarship, various exchange programmes, research and participation in conferences, seminars, symposiums and so.

The MoU comes into force "immediately" and will be valid for three years, said a message received in Dhaka.

Among others, Pro-Rectors of the Academy, officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Bangladesh Embassy were present at the signing ceremony.