08-02-2022

tuesday

DhAkA: February8, 2022; Magh 25, 1428 BS; Rajab 6,1443 hijri

www.thebangladeshtoday.com; www.bangladeshtoday.net

Regd.No.DA~2065, Vol.19; N o. 279; 12 Pages~Tk.8.00

international

Ottawa declares state

of emergency over

COVID-19 protests

>Page 7

All to be fully

vaccinated in

Bangladesh by

December, says

Health Minister

DHAKA : All the people of the country

will get the two doses of vaccines

and the booster one against Covid-

19 by December as per the target,

said Health Minister Zahid

Maleque on Monday, reports UNB.

"Bangladesh has been successful

in its vaccination campaign.

Around 10 crore people in the country

have been vaccinated so far," he

said while talking to reporters at the

Secretariat.

The minister said the government

has so far spent more than Tk

20,000 crore on vaccinating the

people of the country. "About 70

per cent of people have been vaccinated.

Among them, around 6.75

crore people have received the second

doses and 26 lakh people got

the booster shots," he said.

"The government is not finding

people to vaccinate," he said.

There are 10 crore vaccines in

stock, said the minister adding

Bangladesh received a total of 27

crore vaccine doses.

The country will have extra vaccine

stocks even after vaccinating

all people, the minister said.

Zahid Maleque urged all to get

vaccinated as the mortality rate

declined among the vaccinated

patients.

Currently, about 2,500 Covid

patients are undergoing treatment

in hospitals across the country,

including 1,500 patients, in hospitals

in Dhaka, he mentioned.

Trains to run with

full passenger

capacity from today

DHAKA : Trains will run withfull

passenger capacity from Wednesday

(February 9) as the authorities

decided to relax the Cobid-19 curbs

amid declining infection.

The railways ministry took the

decision following the fall in infection

rate of Covid-19, said press

release issued on Monday.

According to the notice, the government

has strengthened the vaccination

programme and the people

are travelling to many places after

taking Covid jabs, which increases

the pressure of passengers. So it is

needed to fulfil the demand of the

passengers to roll down the wheel of

the economy.

The ministry also reminded the

train passengers to strictly maintain

Covid-19 health guidelines such as

wearing mask and use of sanitizer.

Trains were ordered to run at half

the capacity on January 15 amid a

surge in the pandemic, especially the

spread of the Omicron variant of the

virus.

Zohr

05:22 AM

12:16 PM

04:12 PM

05:53 PM

07:09 PM

6:37 5:49

DHAKA : The 8th Five Year Plan contains

various plans to meet a target of generating

10 percent of total electricity from

renewable energy by 2025, reports UNB.

Greater involvement of the private sector

is encouraged towards fulfilling the

government's renewable energy policy in

the document.

Considering the dwindling gas reserves

in the country, the use of coal as an alternative

fuel in power generation is not

ruled out.

The document mentioned that the

importance of the power sector is

immense in the socio- economic development

of the country and in improving the

living standards of the people.

"The government is giving top priority

to the development of the power sector."

The budgetary allocations for the power

and energy sector as projected in the document

for the 2023-24 fiscal is Tk 305.26

billion, while the projection for 2022-23

fiscal is Tk 289.62 billion and it is Tk

274.84 billion in the running 2021-22 fiscal.

The allocation for the sector in the

2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 fiscals was

Tk 344.04 billion, Tk 331.32 billion and

Tk 237.77 billion respectively.

The document stated that the government

is working to ensure quality and

uninterrupted supply of electricity to all at

a reasonable cost through integrated

development of power generation, transmission

and distribution sectors.

To ensure balanced power supply, the

government has already formulated

short, medium and long term plans and

taken up various programs to improve the

The liberian

flagged vessel,

mV Songa

Cheetah, has

left Chattogram

Port for italy's

Porto di

Ravenna (The

Port of Ravenna)

with 952 TEus

of export load

containers.

Photo : Star mail

sports

Messi, Mbappe on

target as PSG

thrash sorry Lille

>Page 9

Govt aims for 10% electricity

from renewables by 2025

current state of power generation.

The 'Power System Master Plan 2016'

has been formulated for the development

of the power sector.

Under this plan, the government is

working to achieve the target of generating

40,000 MW by 2030 and 60,000

MW by 2041.

The official document said that the government

is implementing new plans to

generate electricity based on coal, dieselfurnace

oil, nuclear power and renewable

energy by solving the existing problem of

power generation through gas-fired

power plants.

Research and development in this sector

will continue to encourage innovation

for efficient use of energy and power, it

said.

At present, the country has a power

generation capacity of 22,023 MW

(including captive and renewable), and is

in the process of setting up another 38

power plants with a combined capacity of

a further 14,115 MW.

At present only about 722 MW of electricity

is being generated from renewable

sources. The government has taken steps

to develop renewable energy with future

energy security in mind.

As the socio-economic condition of the

country improves, the demand for energy

is also increasing rapidly. Natural gas is an

important energy resource of Bangladesh,

which supplies most of the country's total

commercial energy.

Therefore, onshore and offshore seismic

survey activities are being conducted

on a large scale for domestic gas exploration.

First container ship leaves for Italy

from Ctg port with RMG goods

CHATTOGRAM : Bangladesh's first-ever

direct export of readymade garments by

seastarted on Monday with MV Songa

Cheeta leaving Chattogram port for Italy,

reports UNB.

The ship left the port at around 3 pm

for Ravennaport in Italy carrying 950

TEUs (Twenty Equipment Unit) in 493

boxes. On Saturday, the ship anchored at

NCT04 jetty of the port carrying the

empty containers.

Port chairman, Rear Admiral M

Shahjahan inaugurated the direct ship

operation on Bangladesh-Italy route on

Monday at NCT jetty of the port.

Terming it as a ground breaking turn of

Bangladesh economy he said ships on

this route will be prioritized for facilitating

with berthing, key gantry crane allotment

and other amenities.

Ambassador and Head of Delegation of

the EU to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley,

Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh

Enrico Nunziata, Bangladesh Garment

Manufacturers and Exporters

Association (BGMEA) President Faruque

Hassan were present at the inauguration

They hailed the direct shipment as a new

milestone for Bangladesh in international

sea trade.

"Now it will mostly take 15 days to send

goods to European ports which used to

take one and a half months before. It will

decrease the carrying cost by 45 to 50 per

cent, "said Md Omar Faruque, a

Chattogram port official.

BGMEA leaders and concerned shipping

agents said until now the RMG

goods for export were sent to Sri Lanka,

Singapore and Malaysian ports in containers

on feeder ships from Chattogram

port. From there the containers are carried

by larger ships bound for European

and US ports, they said.

According to them if direct container

ship operation on Chattogram-Italy route

remains uninterrupted Bangladesh will

be ahead of Vietnam in RMG export as it

will save lead time and fare.

On December 23, the first trial ship

operation to Bangladesh from Italy began

by bringing empty containers.

arts & Culture

Bubly stars in

'Betray'

>Page 10

Voting was held in 18 unions of Satkania upazila of Chattogram on monday. Voters are seen waiting in long lines

since morning to cast their votes.

Photo : Star mail

FM to visit UAE from

Feb 10-13 to attend

series of events

DHAKA : Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul

Momen is scheduled to leave here for the

United Arab Emirates (UAE) on

Wednesday night to attend a series of

programmes apart from a bilateral meeting

with his UAE counterpart, reports

UNB. The Foreign Minister will visit

Bangladesh Pavilion on February 12 and

UAE Pavilion on February 10 at the Expo

2020 in Dubai. The Expo 2020 is currently

hosted by Dubai in the United

Arab Emirates from October 1, 2021 to

March 31, 2022.

The bilateral meeting with the UAE

Foreign Minister will be held on

Saturday, said an official referring to Dr

Momen's tentative programme schedule.

He will also attend the UK National

Day reception to be held at the UK

Pavilion in the Expo 2020 on Thursday.

The Foreign Minister will attend the

Commonwealth reception at the UK

Pavilion the same day.

Dr Momen will deliver a speech on

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's vision for

"World Peace and Security: Its Enduring

Relevance Today" at the Emirates Center

for Strategic Studies and Research in

Abu Dhabi on Friday morning.

He will have a meeting with Francesco

La Camera, Director-General of the

International Renewable Energy Agency

(IRENA) at its headquarters in Abu

Dhabi on Friday afternoon.

On Saturday morning, the Foreign

Minister will attend a seminar titled

"Explore Mujib's Bangladesh: A Hidden

Gem of Tourism in South Asia" to be held

at Bangladesh Pavilion which is showcasing

cultural history and socio-economic

development. Dr Momen is scheduled to

return home on Sunday night wrapping

up his four-day visit.

Govt to create digital ID,

smart cards for farmers

DHAKA : The government plans to create

digital ID and smart cards for real farmers

to promptly reach them incentives and

other services, officials said on Monday,

reports UNB.

The project will be placed at the ECNEC

meeting for approval on Tuesday.

The use of smart agriculture cards as

digital identity will ensure area and

demand based agricultural services for

each farmer and exchange of necessary

farming information through digital

analysis and management.

For this, digital profiles will cover 1.62

crore farmers out of 5 crore farmers.

Among them 1.9 crore farmers will be

given smart agriculture cards. Agriculture

Extension Department workers and agricultural

experts will communicate with

the 1. 62 crore farmers digitally, exchange

information and conduct service activities

according to the area based needs.

Such initiatives are taken under Smart

Agriculture Card and Digital Agriculture

Project.

The proposed total cost of the project is

estimated at Tk 107.92 crore. The project

will be implemented by September 2024.

A senior official in charge of agricultural

economics and planning, project implementation

and ICT wing of the

Department of Agricultural Extension,

Safiqul iSlam (Jami)

The cabinet has approved the draft of

'Bangladesh Forest Industry Development

Corporation Act, 2022' keeping provisions

for all types of forest conservation.

According to the draft law, government

permission must also be obtained to cut

down large trees planted by individuals.

The approval was given at a virtual cabinet

meeting chaired by Prime Minister

Sheikh Hasina on Monday (February 7).

The Prime Minister from Ganobhaban

and Ministers from the Cabinet Division

of the Secretariat joined the meeting via

video conference.

After the meeting, Cabinet Secretary

Khandaker Anwarul Islam said this in a

briefing at the Secretariat. He said

through this all the forests have been

given protection. Trees planted through

social forestry will also be covered. It

should be understood here that permanent

trees have been mentioned. There is

no problem in cutting the gourd tree.

People who will plant ordinary gardens or

plant permanent trees will not be able to

cut them as they wish. There are such

told UNB various problems arise when

banks disburse incentives to farmers.

Besides, many farmers have lost Tk10

agricultural cards.

For these reasons, smart agriculture

cards will be given to millions of farmers

initially. After that all the farmers of the

country will come under the project in

phases. Through this, crop field monitoring

will be done digitally at field level, the

official said.

He further said that all the information

about how much land the farmer has,

how much money he can get loan and eligibility

of incentive will be justified

instantly by installing the system.

"Our field level agriculture officer will

collect this information and give input.

Here you will find information on what

crops farmers will grow this year and what

crops they should grow next year. We also

will include farmers in the digital platform,"

the official said.

Smart agriculture cards will be issued

in 9 districts of 14 agricultural regions

based on geo-nature including the head

office of the Department of Agricultural

Extension.

The districts are Gopalganj,

Sunamganj, Tangail, Barisal, Jessore,

Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Bandarban and

Mymensingh.

No trees or garden cutting

without permission

rules in almost all countries of the world.

"In Saudi Arabia ... you can't imagine, a

tree fell in my house and I can't cut it without

the permission of the city corporation

or the relevant authorities," he said. It is

also in India. It has been asked to implement

well. As far as I know, there was such

a provision before. Authorities have been

asked to make it a little easier. Because a

man is in danger, his tree is broken, if it has

fallen for seven days, it takes time to get

permission, then it is difficult. So it has

been asked to make it a little easier,

whether it can be done online or not.

The Cabinet Secretary said that the

Forest Industry Development Ordinance

was in force in 1959. It was updated and

taken as law. In addition to protected

forests, other forests have also been protected

under this Act and other forest

industries, such as; agar, which is located

in an area of Sylhet. If you go over the

Bangabandhu Bridge, the forest we planted

in the both bank is probably the deepest

forest in Bangladesh. I don't think

there is such a deep forest in the

Sundarbans. There but our forest in a

huge area.

tuesdAY, februArY 8, 2022

2

Nitol Motors announces

new reduced prices for

service and spare parts

Nitol Motors, Tata Motors'

official distributor in

Bangladesh, on Monday,

announced the launch of

project Sunlight. Through the

project, Nitol Motors

emphasises on its Customer

First philosophy by offering

never-before reduced prices

on its spare parts and aftersales

services. Nitol Motors

endeavours to reduce the cost

of maintenance of Tata

Motors commercial vehicles

and increase the fleet owners'

profitability, thus boosting the

logistics sector of Bangladesh.

The benefits will be offered

throughout the range of

commercial vehicles with new

reduced prices on spare parts

up to 20% on the maximum

retail price and up to 35% on

the labour costs for service of

the vehicles.

With the launch of the new

project focussing on customer

centricity, Nitol Motors also

launched its new slogan:

'Sulabh Service, Sulabh parts'

that aims to reduce the

maintenance cost of its

customers' vehicles and assist

them with the ease of service

and increase the uptime of the

vehicles. With the launch of

project Sunlight, Tata Motors

commercial vehicles

customers will have complete

peace of mind with the vehicle

upkeep, higher resale value

and increased profits.

Commenting on the launch

of project Sunlight, Abdul

Matlub

Ahmad,

Chairman,Nitol Motors, said,

"We are delighted to launch

the project Sunlight as we

strive to reduce the total

ownership costs of Tata

Motors commercial vehicles.

We believe the project will

help our customers through

this unprecedented Covid-19

pandemic times and offer

relief with the new reduced

prices on spare parts and

service. Nitol Motors stands

by its customers throughout

the vehicle lifecycle and will

continue to offer industry-best

offers and initiatives to boost

the logistics sector of

Bangladesh."

Nihad Kabir joins BUILD

as Chairperson

DHAKA : Nihad Kabir,

Barrister-at-Law, Senior

Advocate, former

President

of

Metropolitan Chamber of

Commerce and Industry

(MCCI), has taken over

as the chairperson of the

Trustee Board of

Business Initiative

Leading Development

(BUILD) for the year

2022-23.

She succeeds Abul

Kasem Khan, former

President of Dhaka

Chamber of Commerce

and Industry (DCCI),

who was the Chairperson

of BUILD for 2020-21,

said a press release.

Nihad Kabir is a Senior

Advocate of the Supreme

Court of Bangladesh. She

is a Senior Partner of

Syed Ishtiaq Ahmad and

Associates, one of the

country's

most

prominent law firms.

Aside from her role as an

independent director on

the board of Square

Textiles Limited, Kabir

also serves as a director

of the Infrastructure

Development Company

Limited (IDCOL). She

has previously chaired

the Boards of BRAC EPL

Stock Brokerage Limited

and BRAC EPL

Investment Limited and

has been a board member

of Bkash, BRAC Bank

and several other listed

companies.

She is a Senior Fellow

and Board member of

BIDS, a member of the

Board of Governors of

the Bangladesh Public

Administration Training

Centre, and Chairperson

of Ain o Salish Kendra, a

legal aid institution.

Kabir has been a

member of the National

Pay and Services

Commission and the

National Education

Policy Committee,

Government

of

Bangladesh. She was also

the Chairperson of

BUILD for 2017.

Abul Kasem Khan,

former Chairperson,

BUILD, will continue as a

nominated Trustee Board

Member from DCCI,

while Syed Mohammad

Tanvir, Director, CCCI is

a nominated Trustee

Board Member from

CCCI for the years 2022-

2023.

In addition to the new

trustees, the Trustee

Board for 2022 includes

Md. Saiful Islam,

President

of

Metropolitan Chamber of


(MCCI); Rizwan

Rahman, President of

Dhaka Chamber of


(DCCI); Mahbubul Alam,

President of Chittagong

Chamber of Commerce

and Industry (CCCI);

Farooq Ahmed, Secretary

General of MCCI; Afsarul

Arifeen, Secretary

General of DCCI; and

Engr Mohd Faruque,

Secretary of CCCI.

Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO

of BUILD, is in the

Trustee Board as the

Member Secretary.

BUILD is a publicprivate

dialogue

platform formed by

Dhaka Chamber of

Commerce and

Industry, Metropolitan

Chamber of Commerce

and Industry and

Chittagong Chamber of


. It has provided

secretarial support to

the Private Sector

Development Policy

Coordination

Committee headed by

the Principal Secretary

at the Prime Minister's

Office (PMO) since

2011.

Livelihoods lost as

climate disaster woes

mount in Kenya

MARSABIT : Dabaso Galgalo

is now used to the smell and

grisly spectacle of rotting

flesh festering in the

scorching heat as Kenya reels

from a spate of climate

disasters.

Surrounded by barren

scrubland littered with

withered carcasses of sheep

and goats, the 56-year-old

pastoralist is struggling to

keep his beloved animals,

and himself, alive.

What was left of his herd

after a months-long dry spell

was decimated by once-in-ageneration

floods that hit

northern Kenya, the latest in

a series of unforgiving

climate shocks lashing the

region.

"We recently had heavy

rains and strong winds that

ended up killing livestock

that had gathered at this

water point," he told AFP,

outside a settlement called

'kambi ya nyoka' (snake

camp) in Marsabit.

The semi-arid region has

been the scene of a prolonged

drought. Then, when the

rains finally came, the deluge

pushed communities, who

rely exclusively on livestock

for their survival, to the edge

of disaster. "This is a very

huge loss because we have

lost lots of resources

following this tragedy," said

Galgalo. "If one had 500

goats (earlier), they have

between five and 20 goats

left."

Nomadic livestock herders

in East Africa's drylands have

learnt to cope with the

vagaries of weather over

decades.

Ulama Samaj demands punishment

for those who hired lobbyists

against country

DHAKA : Leaders of Sommilito Ulama

Samaj, an organisation of alems and

ulamas, on Monday demanded

exemplary punishment for those

involved in hiring lobbyists against the

country.

They made the demand at a meeting

titled, 'Protest of Sommilito Ulama

Samaj against the BNP-Jamaat's antistate

activities and conspiracies by

hiring lobbyist firm', organised by the

Ulama Samaj at Dhaka Reporters Unity

(DRU) in the capital.

Chaired by Hafez Maulana Sulaiman,

the meeting was addressed, among

others, by Islamic scholar and writer

Hafez Maulana Md Saiful Islam, media

personality Maulana Abdul Momin

Siraji, Maulana Rabiul Alam Siddiqui,

Pir of Mirpur Fakirbari Darbar Sharif

Fakir Muslim Uddin Ahmed Noori and

Mufti Md Saifur Rahman.

Mufti Alamgir Hossain moderated the

meeting.

Speaking as the chief guest, Maulana

Saiful Islam said those who use Islam,

the religion of peace, as a tool of politics

to assume power are the enemies of the

country, Islam and the alems-ulamas.

Mentioning that BNP-Jamaat has

GD-220/21 (7x3)

hired lobbyists abroad to come to

power, he said those who siphoned off

millions of Taka and hired lobbyists

abroad to take a stand against the

interests of the country are the enemies

of the country and the nation as well.

Saiful said all should remain alert

against them and inform the country's

people of them.

Maulana Momin Siraji said lobbyists

can be appointed for the national

interest but one cannot hire lobbyists

against the interests of the country.

But, he said, the BNP-Jamaat has

been involved in a conspiracy by hiring

lobbyists abroad aiming to stop the

economic cooperation of the country.

That is why they (BNP-Jamaat

leaders) should be brought to justice, he

added.

Siraji said the children and relatives of

the convicted war criminals have once

again hatched conspiracy in the United

States.

So, the Alem Samaj of the country has

to be vocal against the conspiracy of the

BNP-Jamaat, he said.

Later, at the meeting, special prayers

were offered for the development and

welfare of the country.

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GD-221/21 (6x3)

Brig Gen Dr MR

Khan's death

anniv today

Today is 10th death

anniversary of Brigadier

General (Retd) Professor Dr

Md Masudur Rahman Khan,

well-known as Dr MR Khan.

In this connection, Milad

Mahfil, Khatme Qur'an and

special doa will be held on the

premises of "MARKS

Group", founded by him, in

the capital's Mirpur-14 after

the Zohr prayers.

Brig General Dr Rahman,

the country's first head-neck

micro surgeon and ENT

specialist, died at Apollo

Hospitals on February 8,

2012.

He also established

MARKS Medical College and

Hospital, MARKS Dental

College, MARKS Institute of

Medical Technology in

Dhaka and GK Ideal College

in his native village in

Sreepur Upazila of Magura.

Iqvmv- R: Z: 81/2022

GD-218/22 (6x4)

TUeSDAY, FeBRUARY 8, 2022

3

Special meeting of General Admission Committee of Dhaka University was held yesterday. Photo : Courtesy

Bangladesh-India relation

reaches a new height:

Sadhan Chandra

RAJSHAHI : Food Minister Sadhan

Chandra Majumder said the present relation

between Bangladesh and India has reached a

new height by dint of the dynamic and

visionary leadership of Prime Minister

Sheikh Hasina.

"People of the two neighbouring countries

are enjoying the benefits of the friendly

relation in different fields, including

communication, healthcare and tourism," he

said.

The minister was addressing the

preparatory meeting for the upcoming

'Bangladesh-India Cultural Meet, Rajshahi-

2022' at Green Plaza of Rajshahi City

Corporation yesterday as chief guest.

The international cultural meet is

scheduled to be held from February 25 to 27

in Rajshahi and Natore districts to mark the

birth centenary of Father of the Nation

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and

Golden Jubilee of India-Bangladesh

Relations.

Around 200 people, including 40

delegations with four ministers from India,

are likely to participate in the great event.

With Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman

Liton, the meeting was addressed, among

others by State Minister for Foreign Affairs

Shahriar Alam and State Minister for ICT

Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

Large number of members of parliament

and front ranking leaders of Bangladesh

Awami League from all the eight districts in

Rajshahi division joined the meeting.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder

said the two neighbouring countries,

Bangladesh and India, maintain close and

cordial relations on various bilateral fields

and issues.

Bangladesh and India, as the closest

neighbours, will continue to work together to

establish a secure South Asia for the benefit

of all people.

He said the relationship has its genesis in

the War of Liberation in 1971 and Father of

the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur

Rahman maintained excellent relations with

the Indian leadership. "We recall with deep

gratitude the contribution of the government

of India for standing firmly by us in our most

difficult time," he said.

Sadhan Chandra Majumder said the

partnership is multifaceted and in the past

few years, since Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina assumed office, they have attained

some tangible goals in many areas.

He also expected that the relation will be

enhanced to a greater extent through the

cultural meet.

International Seminar was jointly organized by the Department of Japanese

Studies, Dhaka University and the Japan Study Center of Jawaharlal Nehru

University.

Photo : Courtesy

Man dies after

being hit by

train in city

DHAKA : A 30-year-old

man was killed as a train

hit him at Dhaka Airport

Railway Station on

Monday.

The deceased was

identified as Md Abdullah.

Police said a

Kishoreganj-bound train

knocked down Abdullah

while he was crossing the

rail track at platform 1 of

the Airport Railway Station

around 11am.

Later, he was rushed to

Dhaka Medical College

and Hospital (DMCH)

where a doctor declared

him dead at noon, said

Inspector Md Bachchu

Mia, in-charge of DMCH

police outpost.

The body was kept at

DMCH morgue, he said.

The Railway Police was

informed of the accident,

he added.

Body of another

fisherman recovered:

11 still missing

BAGERHAT : The body of another fisherman, who went

missing after several trawlers capsized in the Bay of

Bengal during a storm on Friday, was recovered from the

Bay on Monday.

The identity of the deceased could not be known yet.

Members of Coast Guard, Forest Department officials

and local fishermen conducted rescue operation for the

third consecutive day on Monday in Dublar Char area and

recovered the body, said in-charge of Dublar Char Forest

camp.

With this, bodies of three fishermen were recovered.

Earlier, on Sunday, members of the Coast Guard

recovered bodies of Mamun Sheikh, 40, son of Anwar

Sheikh of Kaliganj village in Chitalmari upazila of

Bagerhat district and Ismail Khan, 36, son of Azizul Khan

of Janerpar village in Matbaria upazila of Pirojpur district

from the Bay.

Earlier, the Coast Guard members rescued three

fishermen hours after several trawlers sank during a

sudden storm.

Eighteen fishing trawlers sank within 8 kms of Dublar

Char and 18 fishing trawlers capsized in different areas of

the Bay of Bengal, 45 kms off Dublar Char.

Over 150 fishermen were rescued while 14 otherswent

missing.

Maya, Kamrul

made AL

Presidium

members

DHAKA : Mofazzal Hossain

Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram

and Advocate Kamrul Islamtwo

members of the Awami

League central working

committee-have been

nominated as presidium

members of the ruling Awami

League.

Awami League President

Sheikh Hasina nominated

them as the party's presidium

members as per the power

bestowed upon her by the

AL's 21st National Council

held on December 20-21 in

2019, said an AL press

release.

BSS ex-city

editor Belal

passes away

DHAKA : Former city editor

of Bangladesh Sangbad

Sangstha (BSS), columnist

and poet Shamsul Alam

Bhuiyan popularly known as

Shamsul Alam Belal breathed

his last at a city hospital early

yesterday at the age of 63.

He was admitted to the

Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital on

February 5 with breathing

problems, family sources said.

Belal suffered a cardiac

arrest in the early hours of

Monday and could not be

revived.

He is survived by wife, two

daughters and a host of

relatives, friends and

admirers.

His namaz-e-janaza will be

held at the National Press

Club here at 12pm on

Monday. Later he will be

taken to his ancestral home at

Ludiara village of

Chauddagram, Cumilla for

burial.

Born in Ludiara, Belal was a

career journalist. He joined

BSS in 1981 and went on

retirement in 2020.

Belal also worked as the

Dhaka-based correspondents

of 12 international media

outlets and wrote columns in

several leading English

newspapers in Bangladesh

regularly.

He was also a founding

member of Dhaka Reporters'

Unity (DRU) and Economic

Reporters' Forum (ERF).

Prior to joining BSS, Belal

worked as an assistant film

director and also acted on

stage.

He was an ardent follower

and practitioner of Bengali

and Indian classical music

and also sang in Bangla, Urdu

and Hindi on stage.

Belal also authored different

books including "The Silver

Line in My Memory," "United

States, Russia, China, Israel,

India and the Muslim World,"

"Bangladesh: From Ancient

Age To Modern Era," "Jatir

Pitar Somadhite O Onyanyo

Kobita," and "South Asia:

Yesterday,

Today,

Tomorrow."

Managing Director and

Chief Editor of BSS Abul

Kalam Azad expressed

profound shock and sorrow at

the death of Belal.

He prayed for eternal peace

of the departed soul and

conveyed deep sympathy to

the bereaved family. Belal's

family also requested

everyone to pray for eternal

peace of the departed soul.

DU to reduce 1085 seats,

scraps 'Gha' unit

DHAKA : The Dhaka University (DU)

authorities have decided to reduce around

1085 seats from 2021-22 academic sessions

and scrap the 'Gha' unit from its admission

test process.

Following the recommendations of the

dean's committee, the decision came from a

special meeting of the general admission

committee of the university held today, DU

Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration) Dr

Mohammad Samad told BSS.

However, the decisions will be finalized

after further review at the meeting of the

academic council, he added.

"We are rearranging the seats for different

departments and institutes as the number of

students is more than its infrastructural and

academic facilities in some departments",

said DU Vice Chancellor Md

Akhtaruzzaman.

Number of seats will be reduced in some

departments and institutes considering its

capacity and on the basis of rational ground

while seats will also be increased in some

cases, he said.

Infrustructures, resources and facilities

will also be increased in the departments or

institutes where seats are being increased, he

furthered.

From now on, students will be enrolled to

law faculty, arts faculty and social science

faculty through 'Kha' unit admission test and

DU admission test will be held under four

units, Dean of DUArts faculty Dr Abdul

Bashir.

However, the Dean's sub committee has

also been asked to formulate new

procedures and regulations to let the

Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed MP yesterday joined the discussion meeting on the

occasion of Bangla Sign Language Day 2022 organized by the National Disability Development

Foundation in Mirpur as a virtual chief guest.

Photo : Courtesy

South Sudanese

delegation

arrives in Dhaka

DHAKA : A South Sudanese

delegation led by Deputy

Minister of Foreign Affairs

and International

Cooperation Deng Dau Deng

Malek arrived here on

Monday morning.

Director General (Africa)

Md. Tarikul Islam received

the delegation members.

The delegation will have a

series of meetings during

their stay in Bangladesh.

The delegation is scheduled

to have a meeting with

Foreign Minister Dr AK

Abdul Momen this (Monday)

evening.

The delegation

members will also meet State

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Md Shahriar Alam.

Two new PSC

members take oath

DHAKA : Two newly

appointed members of the

Bangladesh Public Service

Commission (PSC) took oath

yesterday.

The members are Dhaka

University's Marketing

Department Professor Dr

Mubina Khandkar and DU

International Relations

Department Professor Dr

Delwar Hossain.

Chief Justice Hasan Fayez

Siddiqui administered the

oath of office at the Supreme

Court Judges' Lounge, an

official handout said.

Senior officials including

PSC chairman Md Sohrab

Hossain, members and PSC

secretary, among others, were

attended the function.

Bangla Academy new

president Selina Hossain

joins office

DHAKA : Newly appointed

Bangla Academy President

Selina Hossain joined her

office on Sunday.

Following her joining, a

reception programme was

organized at Shaheed Munir

Chowdhury conference room

of the academy yesterday at

11am, said a press release.

Presided over by Bangla

Academy Director General

(DG) Mohammad Nurul

Huda, Secretary AHM

Lokman delivered the

welcome address in the

function.

90pc cabinet decisions

implemented in 3yrs

DHAKA : Around 90 percent

decisions, taken by the

Cabinet in the last three years

from January 2019 to

December 2021, have been

executed while the

implementation of remaining

decisions is underway.

The Cabinet took a total of

689 decisions during the

period. Of them, 615 decisions

have been implemented and

the execution of 74 others is

underway, according to a

report placed in the Cabinet

meeting yesterday.

interested students switch their units and

departments, he added.

Earlier, under Gha unit, students from all

background-science, arts and commercewere

allowed to sit for admission tests and

switch to other faculties and institutes

differing from their academic background.

8,87,32,541 registered to

receive COVID-19 vaccines

DHAKA : A total of 8,87,32,541 people have

been registered to receive COVID-19

vaccines in the country as 16,63,61,690

doses of vaccines were administered till

February 6, 2022.

"As many as 8,48,23,726 people have been

registered using NID cards, 13,65,274

registered using passports and 25,43,541

registered using birth registration

certificates," Directorate General of Health

Services (DGHS) sources said today.

As of yesterday (Sunday), a total of

9,91,37,738 people have been administered

the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines while

6,51,45,447 received the second dose across

the country, it added.

A total of 20,78,505 people have so far

received the booster dose of COVID-19

vaccine to prevent the spread of the deadly

virus. The health ministry sources said the

government has fixed 40 years as the

minimum age to receive booster dose as the

nationwide COVID-19 booster shot

campaign was launched on December 19,

2021 to scale up its efforts for containing the

spread of the lethal virus.

Bangla Academy directors

Md Mobarak Hossain and Dr

Jalal Ahmed, and deputy

directors Sarker Amin and

Dr Tapan Bagchi also spoke

at the function, among

others.

At the beginning of the

programme, eminent fiction

writer Selina Hossain was

received with bouquet while

one minute silence was

observed in the memories of

former Bangla Academy

presidents late national

professor Anisuzzaman, late

national professor Rafiqul

Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina chaired the meeting,

joining virtually from her

official

residence

Ganabhaban, while others

concerned were connected

from the Bangladesh

Secretariat.

"The

implementation rate of the

cabinet decisions taken in the

three years is 89.26 percent,"

said Cabinet Secretary

Khandker Anwarul Islam

while briefing reporters at the

Secretariat after the meeting.

Some 251 ones (97.29pc)

Sign Language

Institute to be set up

for hearing, speech

impaired: Nuruzzaman

DHAKA : Social Welfare

Minister Nuruzzaman

Ahmed said Sign Language

Institute will be set up for

hearing and speech

impaired people.

"The present government

is determined to bring

people with disabilities into

the mainstream of

development...So, Sign

Language Institute will be

set up in the country for the

hearing and speech

impaired," he said.

He said this at a

discussion on the occasion

of 'Bangla Sign Language

Day 2022', organized by

National Disability

Development Foundation in

Mirpur, said a press release.

State Minister for Social

Welfare M Ashraf Ali Khan

Khasru and Chairman of the

Parliamentary Committee

on the Ministry of Social

Welfare Rashed Khan

Menon were present as

special guests with

Secretary of the ministry in

the chair.

The minister said Father of

the Nation Bangabandhu

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has

ensured equal rights for the

disabled in the Constitution

of Bangladesh.

Islam and late professor

Shamsuzzaman Khan, and

former DG late poet

Habibullah Sirajee.

Earlier, Independence

Award and Ekushey Padakwinning

fiction writer Selina

Hossain was appointed as

the president of Bangla

Academy for a three-year

term.

The public administration

ministry issued a gazette

notification in this regard on

February 3.

out of 258 decisions taken by

the Cabinet in 2019 were

implemented, while 232 ones

(92.43pc) out of 251 decisions

taken in 2020 were executed

and 132 ones (73.33pc) out of

180 decisions taken in 2021

were implemented.

In the three months from

October 2021 to December

2021, the Cabinet took 56

decisions. Of them, 34

decisions have already been

executed and the

implementation of remaining

22 is now underway.

TuesDAy, feBruAry 8 , 2022

4

Suicide has increased across the Country due to pandemic

Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam

e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Stop the robbers

of trees

The official figure of lands under forest in Bangladesh is

about 8 per cent though unofficially even the same is

doubted. This is a poor figure considering the needs of

environmental safety. Environmentalists may come up with

all kinds of explanation for the worsening of conditions in

this sphere such as the burgeoning population of the country

creating pressures on limited trees and vegetation. But the

fact is that the reckless deforestation has a lot to do also with

law enforcement the lack of which now allows the cutting

down of trees from even reserved forest areas in most

carefree manner.

A media focus sometime ago showed how rows and rows

of trees on both sides of the Teknaf road were cut down by

gangs. These trees were planted by governmental

authorities and meant to be preserved. But is there anyone

to be held accountable for their present cut down existence

? It seems not. Similar reckless cutting down of trees which

were considered as public resources were reported

frequently in different part of the country. But nobody was

heard as arrested or punitive actions taken in response to

the same. Thus, one such act of robbing trees is encouraging

another.

If government really means business, then it must stop

such wanton cutting down of trees. The cutting down of

privately owned trees can be responded by nothing more

than publicities and moral persuasion. But it is duly

expected from the government to protect absolutely the

trees or forest resources directly under its control. There

cannot be absolutely no scope for admitting any kind of

slack in this vital area of concern for the country's

environment.

Successive governments have been encouraging and

materially promoting tree plantation. But there is much

worry about the ultimate gains to accrue from afforestation

measures in the absence of hard policies to put a hard brake

on deforestation activities as well; the rate of deforestation is

significantly higher than the rate of afforestation. The

factors which are contributing the most to such

deforestation will have to be addressed by various policy

measures and their enforcement by the government. The

same may include policies to encourage wood substitutes,

stopping the burning of wood in brick kilns, etc. But

meanwhile, the hardest of law enforcement activities are

expected against the cutting down of publicly owned trees.

The policy of the government continues to favour

afforestation. Thus, the rate of afforestation has gained a

momentum, no doubt, from the policy. Government has

been encouraging tree plantation with stepped up

publicities in the mass media. Tree saplings are being

planted all over the country in public places such as on the

sides of highways and roads, coastal areas and government

lands. Seeds and saplings are more available in government

owned nurseries and also private ones. Some NGOs have

been conducting programmes designed to facilitate tree

planting and people in the rural areas seem to be inspired by

them.

But there is also much worry about the total ultimate gains

to accrue from afforestation measures in the absence of hard

policies to put a hard brake on deforestation activities as

well; the rate of deforestation is probably higher than the

rate of afforestation. The speedier deforestation is the

outcome of factors such as the inability to supply gas to all

parts of the country. The non availability of a cheap and

readily available fuel source has meant continued felling of

trees to supply users in the brick kilns. During the course of

violent agitation programmes by the BNP and Jaamat some

years ago, thousands of trees were felled most

unconscionably by them to block roads to enforce their so

called anti-government movement regardless of the great

destructive effects of the same on the country's forest

resources.

Firewood is also used extensively across the country for

cooking. The furniture industry is a large scale user of

timber. Thousands of trees are being cut down every week

for their wood to supply the furniture industry and for boat

making. Even the country's reserved forest areas are not

being spared from this plunder due to the corruption and

lack of care on the part of some unscrupulous forest

department employees. The government's afforested areas

also come under their attacks.

Therefore, the pressing need is to create conditions that

would discourage the use of wood. First of all, coal must be

ordered as the only legitimate fuel source for the brick kilns

and a ban applied on the use of wood in the kilns. More

importantly, the ban will have to be very scrupulously

enforced. At the same time, coal from the Barapukuria coal

mine should be supplied at low costs to the brick kiln

operators. Restrictions may be imposed to reduce the use of

timber in the furniture making industry.

Reduced duties on artificial materials and fittings for the

furniture industry will contribute to this end and also steps

to produce plastics and wood like products locally in support

of the furniture industry and boat building activities.

Guarding of the reserved forests and afforested areas must

become serious activity on the part of the relevant ministry

and it should take proper steps to ensure such guarding.

Popularising extensively the use of solar power and biogas

throughout the country will lead to less firewood being

demanded for cooking and heating in the rural homesteads.

In sum, the goals of afforestation and the gains thereof can

be realised only after implementation of policies that would

substantially decelerate the rate of deforestation.

Recently, the

number of

suicides has

been increasing in

the country.

Extreme

frustration is one of

the reasons behind the increase in

suicides during the pandemic period.

Many things work in the case of suicide.

Fields vary from person to person. Gaps

with demand, helplessness,

unemployment, complete loss of moral

values, financial crisis and inability to

adapt to the environment are the major

reasons of the suicide. Mental instability

is one of the main reasons for this,

especially during Corona's house arrest.

The way the number of suicides has

increased during Corona is really

alarming. In this case, it is important to

pay attention to the mental health of

students. There are countless reasons

for suicide. Poverty, unemployment,

failure to meet expected needs, misuse

of internet, failure in love, free

movement of men and women, divorce,

lack of moral education, dowry, family

strife are some of the reasons. It is only

when survival on earth becomes

frightening and filled with extreme

uncertainty that human beings tend to

self-destruct. The elders in the family

have to take care of what their children

are doing and who they are mixing with.

Otherwise anyone can step in the wrong

direction. Because family, society and

country are also responsible for

committing suicide. During the

coronavirus epidemic in 2021, 101

students at various Universities across

the country committed suicide. Of the

students who committed suicide, 65

were men and 36 were women. These

students have more career-centered

social pressures and are more prone to

depression due to future uncertainties.

Increased social, financial and family

stress in Corona has acted as a major

regulator behind male student suicides.

Report claimed that this is the highest

number of university student suicides in

a year. Although female students are

generally more prone to suicide, this

time the number of male suicides is

almost double that of females. Failure to

get a job even with higher education is

pushing these young people towards

suicide. Researchers believe that

depression is one of the reasons for the

increase in social, financial and family

stress.

There is a need for more research into

why people commit suicide. The

economic crisis is responsible for this.

Besides, various social problems are

also responsible. As the epidemic draws

people under house arrest, social

communication decreases. Domestic

violence has also increased during this

time. Mental illness or depressive

disorder is a major cause of suicide.

Such stressors, especially in the field,

are also responsible for the increase in

various types of mental illness. The

ultimate consequence of depression is

suicide. Children are spending more

time on the current digital platform.

They are forced to be sensitive.

Basically, not being able to meet the

expected needs pushes people towards

depression. The recurrence of such

events in a person's life makes him

extremely frustrated. At one stage he

tends to commit suicide. When a person

suffers from a problem, if he does not

get proper treatment, he becomes

depressed and depressed. In fact, a

person commits suicide only when life

seems helpless to him, he does not find

an easy solution to any problem from

life. Most of the young people in old age

decide to end their relationship or

commit suicide after failing in love.

Again, the affectionate relationship of

the child with the parents is often built

on pride. During the Covid-19 epidemic,

stress and depression among young

people increased by more than 60

percent.

Individuals, families, society and the

state have to play a tactical role

simultaneously. As a result of being

through social media for most of the

day, students are getting less sleep,

depression and frustration are

increasing and suicide rate is also

increasing. During the Corona period, a

large number of workers, professionals

and well-to-do people are living under

immense economic pressure. We

forbade many of the low-income people

who worked in our homes. Again, many

of them have been fired from the private

sector. Many cultural activists could not

work at this time. In other words, at this

time extreme economic and social

pressure is pressing on us. Those who

could not cope with this situation

resorted to suicide. The Corona

epidemic is an unusual situation for us.

We are not familiar with the condition.

People are shocked by the epidemic. So

they are suffering from depression.

People are suffering from extreme

frustration and depression due to

syeD fAruk hossAin

devaluation of life, loss of job, reduction

of salary, children not going to school.

In many cases, people are losing their

ability to grow and control their

emotions. So, the tendency to commit

suicide is increasing. All these suicides

have been committed by hanging and

poisoning. Apart from this, there were

incidents like taking sleeping pills,

jumping on the railway line etc. Experts

believe that not only economic

insecurity, but also corona-centric

global disasters are leading to an

increase in suicides in many countries.

There is a need for more research into why people commit

suicide. The economic crisis is responsible for this.

Besides, various social problems are also responsible. As

the epidemic draws people under house arrest, social

communication decreases.

They say it is difficult to estimate how

many people will commit suicide in this

global epidemic. The aggressive nature

of the virus makes people lonely in

quarantine or isolation. Panic, drug

addiction, loneliness and, above all,

economic insecurity are spreading

among the family. Although the

coronavirus aggression has completely

stopped the social activities, experts fear

that the long-term effects of its social

and economic catastrophe will

exacerbate the suicide march.

Coronavirus can be used to give some

examples of suicides for different

reasons. In this case, it is necessary to

protect anyone from the tendency to

commit suicide, even if they are

physically far away in isolation, but

mentally close family members. There is

a need for regular inquiries, sharing

everything with others through social

media, exchanging information,

conducting children's school activities at

home, increasing communication with

older people.

Social organizations should also come

forward to meet the various needs of the

elderly for those who are already living

in a fragile state of mind, Covid-19 has

come as a last resort for suicide.

Economic risks, the pain of not being

able to take care of the children in the

family, many are rushing towards

suicide thinking of an uncertain future.

The number of deaths in Corona has

also surpassed the number of deaths

due to suicide. As seen, not just older

men and women; On the contrary, even

among young people, adolescents are

increasingly suicidal.

Families need to take responsibility

for this, but families need to be aware of

their own behavior and reactions.

Children need to be given more

opportunities to play sports and

socialize. The child should be taught to

cope with stress, not to put pressure on

the child through study or sports. If we

have to learn to accept failure ourselves,

we have to teach the child too. Failure is

part of life to understand it. Don't scold

or say anything demeaning to them,

don't hurt them or always criticize them,

don't compare them with others of the

same age. Relatives, friends and nearby

families should also be made aware of

this. Extreme misery has come down

especially in lower and lower

middleclass families. Day by day they

are getting weak financially and

mentally. In this situation, frustration

has set in. Uncertainty is prevailing in all

fields including education, jobs and

finances. Some have chosen the path of

suicide due to lack of money.

Psychologists say that when people

become depressed, they tend to commit

suicide for trivial reasons. The global job

crisis, especially due to the Corona

situation, has increased the financial

and psychological instability of the

expatriates. In some cases, this

tendency is also increasing due to family

non-cooperation. They are being

deprived of the opportunity to see the

wealth gained from emigration or

family. Consultancy and help desks

need to be set up at embassies for the

purpose of co-operating and cooperating

with the problems of

expatriates who are psychologically

broken.

It will reduce the tendency to commit

suicide. Family support in times of crisis

can boost the morale of expatriates.

Awareness will also increase if exchange

and cultural relations can be established

with the expatriates who are in a better

position. Economic and emotional

stress increases the risk of death of the

expatriates. If poverty is eradicated

from the society then the tendency of

suicide will be reduced a lot. Above all, it

is necessary to prevent suicide from the

society by taking integrated initiatives.

At present, the mental health risks of

coronavirus in adolescents are

increasing at an alarming rate. Just as it

is important for individuals to be aware,

the family also has a big role to play in

protecting their children from mental

trauma. It is also the responsibility of

the society to ensure that no one is

oppressed or discriminated against. At

the same time, the state must come

forward to ensure that the rights of the

youth are fully realized by ensuring all

the rights they deserve.

The Writer is Deputy Registrar,

Jagannath University

50 years of Germany-Bangladesh relations

February 4, 2022, marked the 50th

anniversary of Germany-

Bangladesh bilateral relations. For

the last 50 years, the two countries have

maintained sound diplomatic relations

with few significant disputes.

Bangladesh is currently in a transition

phase from Least Developed Country

(LDC) to Developing Country (DC), while

Germany is performing a leadership role

in the European Union. Over the decades,

the two countries have bolstered their

relations in various aspects, including

political, economic, and cultural

exchanges.

At this auspicious moment, assessing

the events of the past 50 years suggests

that they can advance ties to new heights

by addressing mutual interests.

Bangladesh emerged as a sovereign

state on December 16, 1971. West

Germany was the first European country

to recognize Bangladesh, in 1972. West

Germany then started to expand its

cooperation with Bangladesh, starting

with the adoption of "war babies" by many

German families.

The relationship further cemented

when West German chancellor Willy

Brandt and his government played an

instrumental role in brokering peace

between Bangladesh and Pakistan in a

dispute over prisoners of war. In later

years, both countries established

embassies in their respective

counterparts.

As the relationship advanced, high-level

visits took place between the countries,

starting with a nine-member German

parliamentary delegation visiting

Bangladesh in February 2004. In 2011,

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina paid a visit to Germany. In the

same year, then-German president

Christian Wulff also visited Bangladesh.

Even after the Rohingya refugee crisis,

Germany supported Bangladesh

politically and financially to maintain the

refugee camps.

The growing relationship resulted in

growing bilateral trade also. In 2018,

bilateral trade was worth about €6.6

billion (US$7.56 billion). Bangladesh

exports textile products, frozen goods, and

leather products to Germany, while

Germany exports machinery, chemicals,

and electrical goods to Bangladesh.

It is worth mentioning that Germany is

one of the largest textile export

destinations for Bangladesh, and 90% of

Bangladesh's total export to Germany is

textile products.

Apart from commercial relations, the

two countries also conduct development

cooperation. Between 1972 and 2020,

Germany provided €3.03 billion as a part

of a financial and technical cooperation

commitment.

The priorities of German development

cooperation with Bangladesh include

climate and energy, good governance,

displacement and migration, vocational

skill development, sustainable supply

chains, and humanitarian assistance to

Rohingya camps.

During the Covid-19 pandemic,

Germany provided €340 million to

Bangladesh for development projects

including in energy, urban development,

good governance, displacement, and

training. Apart from that, as a part of

Covid aid, Germany donated 8 million

doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to

MD MufAssir rAshiD

Bangladesh.

The two countries have also secured a

trajectory for growing people-to-people

connections over the years. In the Global

Soft Power Index 2021, Germany has

secured the top position. And evidence of

this achievement is visible in Bangladesh.

German non-governmental

organizations including Friedrich

Naumann and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

The Bangladeshi diaspora community is also growing in

Germany. According to an unofficial source, 20,000

Bangladeshi citizens are living in Germany. These

Bangladeshi nationals contribute to Germany's economy

and send back remittances to their home country.

(FES) are working in Bangladesh, with

visible impacts.

Apart from NGO activities, as the crossculture

connection increases, German

culture and language have gradually

become popular in Bangladesh. The

Goethe Institute and German language

departments in public universities have

facilitated that path. German

philosophies, literature, sports, and music

are also becoming popular among the

youth of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's culture is also

finding its way into Germany. The famous

German broadcaster Deutsche Welle

(DW) now hosts programs in Bengali.

Over the past decade, it has also dedicated

many of its programs in the Bengali

language. DW also covers news in Bengali.

The Bangladeshi diaspora community is

also growing in Germany. According to an

unofficial source, 20,000 Bangladeshi

citizens are living in Germany. These

Bangladeshi nationals contribute to

Germany's economy and send back

remittances to their home country.

One of the significant aspects of crosscultural

relations between Germany and

Bangladesh is growing academic

relations. Germany has announced many

scholarships, including DAAD, for

aspiring Bangladeshi students. Every

year, many Bangladeshi students go to

Germany after securing these

scholarships and availing themselves of

the tuition-free German university

system, resulting in know-how exchange

and cross-culture experience.

All in all, it seems that for Germany-

Bangladesh bilateral relations, the

potential is vast, and there are hardly any

significant challenges apart from the

current student-visa problem and illegalimmigrant

problem.

Because of Covid-19, aspiring

Bangladeshi students are currently facing

visa problems at the German Embassy in

Dhaka, which should be solved as soon as

possible. Foreign Minister A K Abdul

Momen recently urged resolution of this

issue at a meeting with German

Ambassador Achim Tröster. Meanwhile

in Germany, illegal migration from

Bangladesh has become an issue.

Both countries should make extra

efforts to address these temporary and

easily solvable concerns.

In conclusion, an assessment of 50 years

of bilateral relations suggests that both

countries are on the right track to achieve

their national objectives. It is hoped that

both countries will understand their

mutual interests and undertake initiatives

to take bilateral ties to new heights in

celebration of this auspicious milestone.

MD Mufassir Rashid is an independent

researcher and analyst focusing on

political economy, migration studies

and South Asian studies.

TuesDaY, FebruarY 8, 2022

5

MiChael Marshall

Beaches littered with plastic bottles and

wrappers. Marine turtles, their

stomachs filled with fragments of

plastic. Plastic fishing nets dumped at

sea where they can throttle

unsuspecting animals. And far out in

the Pacific Ocean, an expanse of water

more than twice the size of France

littered with plastic waste weighing at

least 79,000 tonnes.

The plastic pollution problem is

distressingly familiar, but many

organisations are working to reduce it.

Alongside familiar solutions such as

recycling, a surprising ally has emerged:

micro-organisms. A handful of

microbes have evolved the ability to

"eat" certain plastics, breaking them

down into their component molecules.

These tiny organisms could soon play a

key role in reducing plastic waste and

building a greener economy.

As a species, we make an enormous

amount of plastic. In 2020, the most

recent year for which we have data,

367m tonnes were produced globally,

according to trade association Plastics

Europe. This represented a slight

decline compared with 2019, when

368m tonnes were made, but that was

probably because of the Covid-19

pandemic: production had previously

increased almost every year since the

1950s. A 2017 study estimated that

8.3bn tonnes of plastic had been made

in total.

As a species, we make an enormous

amount of plastic. In 2020, the most

recent year for which we have data,

367m tonnes were produced globally,

according to trade association Plastics

Europe. This represented a slight

decline compared with 2019, when

368m tonnes were made, but that was

probably because of the Covid-19

pandemic: production had previously

increased almost every year since the

1950s. A 2017 study estimated that

8.3bn tonnes of plastic had been made

in total.

Much of the rest ends up in landfills.

That does not sound so bad, but a lot of

it is single-use plastic, which is

inherently wasteful. Making plastic

requires extracting fossil fuels such as

oil from the ground, with all the

pollution risks that entails. Plastic

manufacturing also releases

greenhouse gases that contribute to

global warming. A 2021 report found

that the US plastics industry alone

releases 232m tonnes of greenhouse

gases every year, the equivalent of 116

coal-fired power plants.

The solution is not to stop using

plastics altogether, because they are

PeTer Yeung

Along Tombo's crumbling waterfront,

dozens of hand-painted wooden boats

are arriving in the blistering midday sun

with the day's catch for the scrum of the

market in one of Sierra Leone's largest

fishing ports.

In a scrap of shade at the bustling

dock, Joseph Fofana, a 36-year-old

fisherman, is repairing a torn net.

Fofana says he earns about 50,000

leone (£3.30) for a brutal, 14-hour day

at sea, crammed in with 20 men, all

paying the owner for use of his vessel.

"This is the only job we can do," he says.

"It's not my choice. God carried me

here. But we are suffering."

Every day, about 13,000 small boats

like Fofana's cast off from Sierra

Leone's 314-mile (506km) coastline.

Fisheries employ 500,000 of the west

African nation's nearly 8 million people,

represent 12% of the economy and are

the source of 80% of the population's

protein consumption.

But a dozen fishermen interviewed by

the Guardian say their catch is

dwindling rapidly due to sustained

overfishing on a large scale. "Many

years ago, you could see fish in the

water from here, even big ones," says

Fofana. "Not any more. There's less fish

than ever before."

Tombo's fishing community put the

Super-enzymes could curb

our waste problem

enzymes produced by the bacterium reduce PeT to its constituent chemicals. Photo: Kohei oda

incredibly useful. For example, plastic

bottles are far lighter than glass ones, so

transporting them requires less energy

and releases a smaller amount of

greenhouse gases. But we do need a

revolution in how we handle plastics,

and this is where the micro-organisms

come in.

In 2016 researchers led by

microbiologist Kohei Oda of the Kyoto

Institute of Technology in Japan

reported a surprise discovery. Oda's

team visited a recycling site that focused

on items made of polyethylene

terephthalate (PET), a clear plastic that

is used to make clothing fibres and

drinks bottles.

Like all plastics, PET is a material

made up of long string-like molecules.

These are assembled from smaller

molecules strung together into chains.

The chemical bonds in PET chains are

strong, so it is long-lasting - exactly

what you do not want in a single-use

plastic.

Oda's team took samples of sediment

and wastewater that were

contaminated with PET, and screened

them for micro-organisms that could

blame squarely on foreign fleets. About

40% of industrial licences are owned by

Chinese vessels; though legal, locals say

they pay meagre fees for their permits,

under-declare their catch and add little

to the local economy.

At the same time, illegal, unregulated

and unreported (IUU) fishing is a huge

problem, costing Sierra Leone $50m a

year, President Julius Maada Bio said in

2018. Last year, a joint operation by the

Sierra Leonean navy and the

conservation organisation Sea

Shepherd Global led to the arrest of five

foreign-owned fishing vessels in two

days, including two Chinese-flagged

trawlers found to be fishing without a

licence.

Those in Tombo who have protested

at the illegal fishing say they face

violence from the crews. Alusine

Kargbo, a 34-year-old mackerel

fisherman, says trawlers' crews threw

boiling water at him when he

confronted them over fishing in areas

where trawling is prohibited. "Before,

the trawlers weren't in our zones, now

they are," Kargbo says. "The difference

is so great [in terms of his catches]

compared with before, I'm struggling to

feed my children."

Others are being forced farther afield

in search of fish. Ibrahim Bangura, 47,

often goes on three-day fishing trips

into the Atlantic, a deadly venture in the

grow on the plastic. It found a new

strain of bacterium, called Ideonella

sakaiensis 201-F6. This microbe could

grow on pieces of PET. Not only that:

Oda's team reported that the bacterium

could use PET as its main source of

nutrients, degrading the PET in the

process.

The key to this ability was a pair of

enzymes made by the bacteria.

Enzymes are complex molecules that

can speed up chemical reactions. They

are crucial to life: our digestive system

relies on enzymes to break down the

complex chemicals in food into simpler

ones that our bodies can absorb and

use. For example, our saliva contains an

enzyme called amylase that breaks up

the long molecules of starch found in

foods such as bread.

Ideonella sakaiensis 201-F6 produces

two unique enzymes. The first is a

PETase that breaks the long PET

molecules down into smaller molecules

called MHET. A second enzyme called

MHETase then goes to work, producing

ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.

These two chemicals are the building

blocks of PET, so Ideonella sakaiensis

Illegal overfishing leaves Sierra

Leone locals starving

Joseph Fofana says he earns £3.30 for a 14-hour day at sea.

Photo: Peter Yeung

rainy season. But while the potential

reward is greater, he says conflicts with

Chinese trawlers are more likely.

"There's so, so many of them," says

Bangura. "They disturb my property,

trash my nets. And if you try to stop

them, they will fight you."

In addition to dominating licensed

markets, China is consistently ranked as

the worst offender for IUU fishing in a

global index of 152 countries. Across

west Africa, illegal trawling is

devastating marine ecosystems and

undermining local fisheries, which are a

critical source of jobs and food security.

A study in 2017 found that Sierra Leone,

Senegal, Mauritania, the Gambia,

Guinea-Bissau and Guinea lose $2.3bn

(£1.7bn) a year due to IUU fishing,

which amounts to 65% of the legal

reported catch.

Some experts warn that Sierra

Leone's coastal communities face

devastating consequences of legal and

illegal overfishing. "The Chinese fleet

has been taking the profits of the

fisheries for 30 years and the impact on

fish stocks has been terrible," says

Stephen Akester, an adviser to Sierra

Leone's Ministry of Fisheries and

Marine Resources between 2009 and

2021. "The resources are disappearing,

fishermen are suffering, families are

starving. Many have just one meal a

day."

"Imagine working for weeks and not

being able to catch food," says Woody

Backie Koroma of the Sierra Leone

Artisanal Fishermen Union. "They are

getting debts. They go to bed without

food."

Such is the strain, says Koroma, that

one debt-ridden fisherman in Tombo

killed himself last year after his boat was

confiscated by the local authorities.

Efforts to manage the sector,

including the creation of an inshore

exclusion zone that prohibits all but

subsistence fishing in the six nautical

miles closest to shore, installing

movement trackers on industrial

trawlers and creating community

fishing associations to promote

sustainability, have so far had limited

impact due to policing and funding

challenges, according to officials.

201-F6 can completely reverse the

manufacturing process that made PET.

The finding made headlines around

the world, but it was not the first

example of an organism that could

degrade plastics. Reports of plasticmunching

microbes date back to at least

the early 1990s. The earliest examples

were arguably less remarkable, because

they could only eat plastics that were

chemically flimsy or biodegradable. But

by the 2000s researchers had found

enzymes that could tackle tougher

plastics.

A prominent researcher in this area

has been Wolfgang Zimmermann of

Leipzig University in Germany. His

team studied enzymes called cutinases,

which it obtained from bacteria such as

Thermobifida cellulosilytica, and which

could also break down PET.

Lars Blank of Aachen University in

Germany first heard about this in 2012.

He set about creating a consortium of

researchers to study plastic-eating

enzymes. This became the P4SB

project, which ran from 2015 to 2019.

Blank has since set up a project called

MIX-UP, which sees European and

DaMian CarringTon

Preventing future pandemics

at source would cost a small

fraction of the damage

already caused by viruses

that jump from wildlife to

people, according to

scientists. Each year on

average more than 3 million

people die from zoonotic

diseases, those that spill over

from wildlife into humans,

new analysis has calculated.

Stopping the destruction of

nature, which brings humans

and wildlife into greater

contact and results in

spillover, would cost about

$20bn a year, just 10% of the

annual economic damage

caused by zoonoses and 5%

of the value of the lives lost.

The scientists heavily

criticise approaches by global

bodies and governments that

focus only on preventing the

spread of new viruses once

they have infected humans,

rather than tackling the root

causes as well. "That premise

is one of the greatest pieces of

folly of modern times," said

Prof Aaron Bernstein, of the

Center for Climate, Health

and the Global Environment

at Harvard University, who

led the new assessment.

It details three key actions:

global surveillance of viruses

in wildlife, better control of

hunting and trade in wildlife,

and stopping the razing of

forests. These actions would

also pay huge dividends in

fighting the climate

emergency and the

biodiversity crisis.

Wildlife is known to

harbour vast numbers of

viruses, and outbreaks are

increasing in frequency and

severity. Since the start of the

Covid-19 pandemic, experts

have repeatedly warned that

the root causes must be

tackled. Inaction has left the

world playing an "ill-fated

game of Russian roulette

with pathogens", they have

said, and protecting nature is

vital to escape an "era of

pandemics".

"Our salvation comes

cheap [because] prevention

is much cheaper than cures,"

Chinese researchers cooperating.

By the mid-2010s plenty of plasticdegrading

enzymes were known. The

potential was clear to Gabriella Caruso

of the Institute for Coastal Marine

Environment in Messina, Italy, who

wrote in a 2015 review that "microbial

degradation of plastic is a promising

eco-friendly strategy which represents a

great opportunity to manage waste

plastic materials with no adverse

impacts".

So why did Ideonella sakaiensis 201-

F6 cause such a stir? "The difference

with the 2016 paper was this microorganism

could use the plastic as its sole

energy and food source," says John

McGeehan of the University of

Portsmouth. "That's actually quite

surprising and it kind of shows

evolutionary pressure in action. If

you're the first bacterium in that

rubbish pile that suddenly has a taste

for plastic, then you've got an unlimited

food source."

Put another way, the earlier enzymes

had not evolved for plastics. They

evolved to break down tough chain

molecules found in living things, and

their ability to degrade plastic was a

side-effect. In contrast, the enzymes in

Ideonella sakaiensis 201-F6 were

specialised.

Blank has a different interpretation,

arguing that the Ideonella sakaiensis

201-F6 enzymes are not especially good

because they only degrade PET slowly.

"Wolfgang Zimmermann had far better

enzymes at that point," he says. But the

excitement the paper created had a

huge impact. "Suddenly the media and

also the academic literature really

cranked up and a lot of interest came

in."

Two years later McGeehan and his

colleagues took things further. They

produced a three-dimensional structure

of the Ideonella sakaiensis 201-F6

PETase, shedding light on how it

worked. Hoping to understand how it

evolved, they tweaked the structure. To

their surprise, this made the enzyme

more efficient at degrading PET.

Clearly, it was possible to improve the

enzyme.

McGeehan now wants to take that

further, modifying the PETase and

other such enzymes so that they can be

used on an industrial scale to break

down plastics that would otherwise

linger in the environment. "We've got a

big £6m grant from the government,"

he says, and they have started a

specialist institute called the Centre for

Enzyme Innovation.

This is now bearing fruit. In 2020

McGeehan's team reported that it had

linked the PETase and MHETase

Bernstein said. "If Covid-19

taught us anything, it is that

we absolutely cannot rely on

post-spillover strategies

alone to protect us. Spending

only five cents on the dollar

can help prevent the next

tsunami of lives lost to

pandemics by stopping the

wave from ever emerging,

instead of paying trillions to

pick up the pieces."

Bernstein said action to

stop pandemics at source

had been ignored because

pandemic response was led

by medical scientists and

organisations that were

unfamiliar with the

protection of nature in

preventing spillover. "Also,

this primary prevention does

not result in profits for

corporations," he said.

The analysis, published in

Science Advances, uses stark

language that is unusual in a

scientific journal.

"Prominent policymakers

have promoted plans that

argue the best ways to

address future pandemic

catastrophes should entail

'detecting and containing

emerging zoonotic threats'.

In other words, we should

take actions only after

humans get sick. We sharply

disagree," it says.

It specifically criticises the

Global Preparedness

Monitoring Board (GPMB), a

joint initiative of the World

Bank and the World Health

Organization (WHO), and a

G20 high-level panel on

financing for pandemic

preparedness, whose reports

and strategies do not

mention tackling spillover.

The analysis assesses every

zoonotic virus over the last

century known to have killed

more than 10 people,

including the Spanish flu,

repeated bird flu outbreaks,

Marburg virus, Lassa fever,

Ebola, HIV, Nipah, West

Nile, Sars, Chikungunya,

Zika and Covid-19.

The researchers calculated

the average annual deaths

and economic costs from

these viruses and compared

these with the cost of action

to prevent spillover. They

found the benefits of action

were so large that it would be

cost-effective even if it cut the

risk of a major pandemic by

enzymes together. This "super-enzyme"

could eat PET about six times faster

than the two enzymes working

separately. Other groups such as

Blank's MIX-UP have produced

modified enzymes of their own.

Meanwhile there is evidence that

microbes all around the world are

evolving similar abilities. A study

published in October 2021 looked at

microbial DNA from a range of habitats.

In areas with high levels of plastic

pollution, the researchers found that

the microbes were more likely to have

enzymes with plastic-degrading

tendencies. In line with this, a 2020

study identified a soil bacterium that

can feed on some of the components of

polyurethane, which releases toxic

chemicals when it breaks down.

The question now becomes: how

significant a role can these enzymes

really play in reducing plastic pollution?

So far, most of the activity has been in

universities, but some groups are

attempting to commercialise the

technology. The University of

Portsmouth has set up Revolution

Plastics, which aims to forge links

between academics and industry.

"We've already advertised a joint PhD

project with Coca-Cola," says

McGeehan. He is also part of an

international research team called

BOTTLE, which is negotiating with

large companies.

The most advanced project is run by

Carbios, a French biotechnology

company. In September 2021 it opened

a pilot plant in Clermont-Ferrand,

where it will test a system for recycling

PET. Carbios's system uses an enzyme

that was first identified in compost,

which they modified so that it worked

faster and could operate at high

temperatures where PET is softer.

The advantage of these enzymes is

that they break down the plastic at the

molecular level, so it is possible to

recreate the highest-quality plastic. In

contrast, other forms of recycling cause

a slow decline in quality, until

eventually the plastic cannot be recycled

again and gets landfilled or incinerated.

Enzymatic recycling, in theory at least,

is truly circular. "That's what we call a

closed-loop recycling system," says

Ramos. "You recycle something, but

then you're able to make something

new of the same quality out of that." To

date, only a tiny percentage of plastics

are being recycled in this way, but the

enzymes could change that - "Which

would be great."

McGeehan says: "I think in the next

five years we're going to be seeing

demonstration plants all over the

place."

Failure to prevent pandemics

at source is greatest folly

The report calls for an end to the razing of forests, global surveillance of viruses in

wildlife and better control of hunting and trade in wildlife. Photo: Mauro Pimentel

only 1%.

The action recommended

includes a global project to

identify wildlife viruses to

highlight hotspots of danger,

better enforcement of

controls on hunting and

trade in wildlife, and cutting

deforestation. The costbenefit

analysis did not

include the damage caused

by family deaths, lost jobs,

delayed medical treatments,

and lost education, or the

cost of viral outbreaks in

livestock or crops, which can

run to many billions of

dollars. Prof Marcia Castro,

also of Harvard University,

said. "Making these

investments in primary

prevention brings returns to

human health, environment,

and economic development."

Neil Vora, an expert in

outbreak response who

worked on tackling Covid-19

in New York and is now at

Conservation International,

said: "Unfortunately,

dominant voices in public

health have historically

neglected pandemic

interventions like ending

deforestation.

tueSdAY, feBruArY 8, 2022

6

Northern districts produce record

14.54-mn kgs of processed tea

the foundation stone laying ceremony of Muktijoddha Complex was held at Banaripara on Sunday.

photo: S Mizanul islam

Foundation stone laying ceremony of

Muktijoddha Complex held at Banaripara

S MizAnul iSlAM, BAnAripArA CorreSpondent

The freedom fighters of Banaripara

have long demanded the construction

of their own freedom fighter complex.

The foundation stone of his practical

work was laid on Sunday as the chief

guest local MP and member of the

Parliamentary Standing Committee on

Local Government, Rural,

Development and Cooperatives Shah

Alam. T

he foundation stone of the 3-storey

building with a 5-storey foundation was

laid in this complex. Banaripara

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ripon Kumar

Saha presided over the ground

breaking ceremony and special guests

were Banaripara Upazila Chairman

Golam Faruk, Barisal District Awami

Covid-19 cases reach 61,787 with

297 afresh in Rangpur

RANGPUR: The total number of

Covid-19 cases quickly reached 61,787

with the diagnosis of 297 new patients

on Sunday in Rangpur division where

the pandemic situation continues

deteriorating in recent weeks, reports

BSS.

Divisional Director (Health) Dr. Abu

Md. Zakirul Islam told BSS that the 297

new patients were diagnosed after

testing 936 samples of all eight districts

in the division at 31.73 percent average

positivity rate.

Earlier, the daily Covid-19 positivity

rates were 36.90 percent on Saturday,

36.90 percent on Saturday, 26.10

percent on Friday, 38.80 percent on

Thursday, 38.98 percent on

Wednesday and 46.01 percent on

Tuesday last in the division.

On Sunday, Rangpur recorded 35.80

percent Covid-19 positivity,

Panchagarh 39.70 percent, Nilphamari

28.90 percent, Lalmonirhat 29.30

percent, Kurigram 11.10 percent,

Thakurgaon 23.60 percent, Dinajpur

32.80 percent and Gaibandha 25

percent.

"The district-wise break up of total

61,787 patients include 14,310 in

the newly elected chairman, reserved and general members of Bhelua union parishad of Sreebordi

upazila of Sherpur have formally took charge on Monday.

photo: ramesh Sarkar

GAIBANDHA: District and upazila

administrations have drawn up the

elaborate programmes to observe the

Shaheed Dibash and International

Mother Language Day on February 21 in

a befitting manner and with due respect,

reports BSS.

The programmes include placing

wreaths at poura park Shaheed Minar

and other Shaheed Minars in the upazila

town at zero hour on the day and hoisting

of national flag at half mast atop all the

government, semi government, private

and commercial buildings and all

academic institutions.

League Joint-General Secretary Bir

Muktijoddha Hemayet Uddin

Hawlader, Pradeep Kumar Ghosh,

Barisal Divisional Head of

Muktijoddha Sector Commanders

Forum, Beni Lal Das Gupta Benu, Base

Commander during the Liberation

War, Nurul Huda, Upazila Vice-

Chairman, Helal Uddin, Officer-in-

Charge (OC) of Police Station,

Humayun Kabir, Upazila Engineer,

Barisal Former Commander of Sadar

Muktijoddha Sangsad Ansar Ali

Hawladar, Banaripara Upazila Awami

League member agriculturist Dr.

Khorshed Alam Selim, President of the

Upazila Human Rights Commission

and the Joint-General Secretary of the

Rangpur, 4,235 in Panchagarh, 5,181 in

Nilphamari, 3,100 in Lalmonirhat,

4,870 in Kurigram, 8,418 in

Thakurgaon, 16,354 in Dinajpur and

5,319 in Gaibandha in the division," he

said.

Meanwhile, the number of Covid-19

related casualties remained steady at

1,260 as no more infected patients died

during the last 24 hours ending at 8 am

yesterday.

The average casualty rate stands at

2.04 percent in the division.

The district-wise breakup of the

1,260 fatalities currently stands at 295

in Rangpur, 81 in Panchagarh, 90 in

Nilphamari, 70 in Lalmonirhat, 69 in

Kurigram, 256 in Thakurgaon, 336 in

Dinajpur and 63 in Gaibandha of the

division.

"Since the outbreak of the pandemic,

a total of 3,25,354 collected samples

were tested till Sunday, and of them,

61,787 were found Covid-19 positive

with an average positivity rate of 18.99

percent in the division," Dr. Islam said.

At the same time, the number of

healed Covid-19 patients reached

55,881 with the recovery of 308 more

patients on Sunday in the division. The

Programmes to observe

Shaheed Dibash

in Gaibandha

The programmes also include offering

special prayers at the places of worship,

holding discussion, cultural functions, art

and essay writing competitions and

distributing prizes among the winners.

All programmes would be held through

maintaining health guidelines to check

Upazila Awami League. A. T. M.

Mostafa Sardar, Municipal Awami

League President Subrata Lal Kundu

and others. Journalist Rahad Sumon

was present on the occasion. Among

others, Assistant Professor Zakir

Hossain, Member of Upazila Awami

League, Jagannath Nath, Commander

of Baishari Union Muktijoddha

Sangsad spoke on the occasion.

It may be mentioned that a threestorey

building of the Upazila

Muktijoddha Complex with a fivestorey

foundation is being constructed

in the heart of Banaripara municipal

town with the funding of Taka 4 crore

from the Local Government

Engineering Department (LGED).

average recovery rate stands at 90.44

percent.

The 55,881 recovered patients

include 12,551 of Rangpur, 3,796

Panchagarh, 4,446 Nilphamari, 2,717

Lalmonirhat, 4,625 Kurigram, 7,728

Thakurgaon, 15,009 in Dinajpur and

5,009 Gaibandha districts in the

division.

Among the 61,787 patients, 124 are

under treatment at isolation units,

including 16 critical patients at ICU

beds and nine at High Dependency

Unit beds, after recovery of 55,881

patients and 1,260 deaths while 4,522

are remaining in home isolation.

"In the meantime, the number of

citizens who got the first dose of the

Covid-19 vaccine rose to 1,08,51,290,

and among them, 66,36,363 got the

second dose and 2,02,757 got the

booster dose of the jabs till Sunday in

the division," Dr Islam added.

Principal of Rangpur Medical College

Prof. Dr. Bimal Chandra Roy called

upon everyone to sincerely abide by the

health directives to contain community

spread of the deadly virus and remain

safe.

coronavirus, sources said.

A preparatory meeting was held in the

conference room of deputy commissioner

(DC) here on Sunday with DC Md. Aliur

Rahman in the chair to finalise

programme for the Shaheed Dibash.

Government officials, freedom fighters,

heads of the educational institutions,

professionals, socio-cultural activists,

political leaders and eminent citizens

including journalists attended the

meeting. Various sub-committees were

also been formed to make all the

programmes successful, said NDC SM

Foyez Uddin.

RANGPUR: The tea-producing five

northern districts produced an all-time

record 14.54 million kgs of processed

tea last year keeping the regional agroeconomy

vibrant despite the Covid-19

pandemic, reports BSS.

Officials of Bangladesh Tea Board

(BTB) said the last year's production of

14.54 million kgs of processed tea is

higher by about 4.24 million kgs

against the production of 10.30 million

kgs of the previous 2020 year. Senior

Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Tea

Board (BTB) at its Panchagarh

Regional Office Dr. Mohammad

Shameem Al Mamun said tea

cultivation on plain lands is rapidly

expanding in the 'Kartoa Valley'

ecological zone comprising five

northern districts.

"Being directed by the then Prime

Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit

to Panchagarh in 1996, the then Deputy

Commissioner Rabiul Islam planted

tea saplings on Panchagarh Circuit

House premises on experimental

basis," he said. Getting better results, a

BTB team conducted a feasibility study

in Panchagarh and Thakurgaon

districts in 1999 and found 16,000

hectares of land suitable for

commercial basis tea cultivation.

"Tentulia Tea Company Limited

(TTCL) first started commercial basis

Bangla Sign

Language

Day observed

in Morrelganj

M pAlASh ShArif, MorrelGAnj

CorreSpondent

Bangla Sign Language Day-

2022 was observed in

Morrelganj in Bagerhat on

Monday. Upazila Nirbahi

Officer Jahangir Alam

presided over the discussion

meeting organized by the

Disability Service Center.

Upazila Disability Affairs

Officer Kaikobad Akunji

gave the welcome speech at

the occasion. Among others,

Upazila Mohila Vice

Chairman Fahima Khanam,

Morrelganj Press Club

President and Daily Ittefaq

correspondent Mehedi

Hasan Lipon, Sajib Ahmed,

Education Officer Md Jalal

Uddin Khan were present as

special guests at the

meeting.

Newly elected

chairman and

members of

Bhelua Union

takes charge

rAMeSh SArkAr, SreeBordi

CorreSpondent

The newly elected chairman,

reserved and general

members of Bhelua Union

Parishad of Sreebordi

Upazila of Sherpur have

formally took charge. The

first meeting was convened

on Monday afternoon,

February 8, to mark the

occasion. On this occasion a

discussion meeting was held

at Union Parishad premises.

Upazila Parishad Chairman

ADM Shahidul Islam spoke

as the chief guest at the

occasion.

The newly elected

chairman of Bhelua Union,

Abdul Karim, presided over

the function while among

others, District Council

Member and Kharia

Kazirchar Union Awami

League President MA

Khaleq, District Council

Member Abdullah Al Amin,

newly elected Chairman of

Tatihati Union Parishad

Advocate Abdur Rauf Miah,

UP member Shahadat

Hossain, Bhelua Bazar

Committee President

Masud Rana and others.

Newly elected chairmen of

different unions of the

upazila,

people's

representatives, teachers,

civil society leaders and

people from different walks

of life were present on the

occasion.

tea cultivation on plain lands in

Tentulia upazila there in 2000," Dr.

Shameem told BSS.

Later, other companies and local

farmers started commercial-basis tea

farming in 2005 ushering in a new

hope in the agro-economy alongside

creating huge jobs for farm-labourers.

Owners of nine registered and 21

unregistered tea gardens and 8,067

small holders cultivated tea on 11,434

acres of lands in Panchagarh,

Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Nilphamari

and Lalmonirhat and produced about

73.57 million kgs of green tea leaves in

2021. "The 11,434 acres land area

brought under tea farming in 2021 is

higher by 1,264 acres against 10,170

acres of land in 2020 in the valley," Dr.

Shameem said.

The 22 companies operating in

Panchagarh, Thakurgaon and

Lalmonirhat processed the green tea

leaves producing 14.54 million kgs of

processed tea which is 15 percent

against the total national production of

96.506 million kgs in the country in

2021.

"In 2020, tea processing companies

processed 51.28 million kgs of green tea

leaves and produced 10.30 million kgs

of processed tea which was 11.92

percent against the total national

production of 86.39 million kgs," he

said. Tea grower Shahinur Rahman of

village Buraburi in Tentulia upazila of

Panchagarh said that he started 'smallscale

gardening-basis' tea cultivation

on his plain land in 2016.

"I am now cultivating tea on six acres

of land and selling green tea-leaves to

tea processing companies to earn better

profits," Rahman said, adding that

farm-laborers are working in his tea

fields to earn daily wages. Farmers Ali

Ahsan Prodhan of Sadar upazila and

Matiar Rahman of Atwari upazila in

Panchagarh said 'small-scale

gardening-basis' tea cultivation on

plain lands is increasing every year

bringing fortunes to many farmers.

Farm-labourers Bulbuli, Shefali,

Noorjahan and Mohua of different

villages in Panchagarh said they are

earning Taka 600 as daily wages on an

average from plucking green-tea leaves

to lead a normal life despite the Covid-

19 pandemic. President of Bangladesh

Small Tea Garden Owners' Association

Amirul Haque Khokan said small-scale

gardening-basis' tea farming on plain

lands has changed the fortune of many

people in five northern districts. "Over

30,000 unemployed people, including

17,000 women, are earning well from

farm-activities and plucking tea-leaves

to lead a better life even during the

Covid-19 pandemic," Haque said.

in observance of Bangla Sign language day-2022, a discussion meeting

was held in Morrelganj in Bagerhat on Monday. photo: M palash Shorif

Investigation of recruiting headmaster through

forgery not completed yet in Gouripur

ShAfiqul iSlAM, Gouripur CorreSpondent

Manjura Akhter, an

assistant teacher at

Challisha Kareha

Government Primary

School in Gouripur

Upazila, has not been

investigated for eight years

for allegedly being the

headmaster of the school

through forgery. In 2013,

the concerned department

of the government wrote a

letter to the assistant

teacher Anwar Hossain of

the same school. Eight

years have passed since the

allegations. In 2016, the

accused teacher was

transferred to another

school as head teacher. The

investigation is not over

yet.

Regarding the allegation

and investigation,

Gouripur Upazila Primary

Education Officer Monica

Parveen said, "I was not

working in Gouripur when

the allegation was made."

So I did not know the

subject. But I have learned

about it recently. The

investigation into the

allegations will be

completed soon.

Complainant teacher Md

Anwar Hossain said, "I

have lodged a complaint

with Gouripur Upazila

Primary Education Officer

and Mymensingh District

Primary Education Officer

RAJSHAHI: Like Savar, Centre for the

Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) is going

to be established in the divisional city of

Rajshahi for the welfare of the patients

concerned, reports BSS.

Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton

has donated 15 bigha of land for establishment

of the centre in the city and signed a contract at

his city bhaban office on Sunday evening to this

end.

Founder and Coordinator of CRP in

Manjura Akhter

in 2013 and with the

Deputy Director of Primary

Education Department in

2020." Despite two

complaints,

the

investigation has not

progressed.

According to Anwar

Hossain's written

complaint, Manjura Akhter

suddenly declared herself

as the headmaster in 2014

while working at Challisha

Kareha Government

Primary School as an

assistant teacher. From

then on, she started signing

her name in the school

attendance register as the

head teacher. It was later

found out that Manjura

Akhter was shown joining

the paper as a head teacher

on October 2, 2012. But at

that time another

headmaster was working in

the school.

Until December 31, 2013,

Manjura Akhter also signed

the attendance register of

the school as a government

teacher. After the

nationalization of the new

government primary

schools on January 1, 2013,

the Gazette was published

on November 6, 2013.

Manjura Akhter was the

assistant teacher in that

Gazette. She has been

receiving government

salary allowance as the

head teacher since she

became the head teacher

irregularly.

In 2016, she was

transferred from Challisha

Kareha Bidyalay and joined

as the headmaster of

another school.

An investigation was

launched on November 5,

2013 in the wake of Anwar

Hossain's allegations.

Subsequently, on the basis

of the second allegation,

another investigation was

carried out on January 25,

2020 at the office of

Gauripur Upazila Primary

Education Officer. The

results of those

investigations have not

been released.

When Manjura Akhter

was called to inquire about

the allegations, her mobile

phone was found switched

off.

CRP to be set up in Rajshahi

Bangladesh Dr Valorie A Tailor and Executive

Director Dr Muhammad Sohrab were present

on the occasion.

With this venture, the physically challenged

people caused by spinal cord injuries will get

necessary treatment and rehabilitation services

here.

Mayor Liton said time has come to empower

persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) for

sustainable growth and development to ensure

their rights and entitlement in the society.

7

TUeSDAY, FebrUArY 8, 2022

Ottawa declares state of emergency

over COVID-19 protests

TORONTO : The mayor of Canada's

capital declared a state of emergency

Sunday and a former U.S. ambassador

to Canada said groups in the U.S. must

stop interfering in the domestic affairs

of America's neighbor as protesters

opposed to COVID-19 restrictions

continued to paralyze Ottawa's

downtown.

Mayor Jim Watson said the

declaration highlights the need for

support from other jurisdictions and

levels of government. It gives the city

some additional powers around

procurement and how it delivers

services, which could help purchase

equipment required by frontline

workers and first responders.

Thousands of protesters descended

in Ottawa again on the weekend,

joining a hundred who remained since

last weekend. Residents of Ottawa are

furious at the nonstop blaring of horns,

traffic disruption and harassment and

fear no end is in sight after the police

chief called it a "siege" that he could not

manage.

The "freedom truck convoy" has

attracted support from many U.S.

Republicans including former

President Donald Trump, who called

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a "far

left lunatic" who has "destroyed

Canada with insane Covid mandates."

"Canada US relations used to be

mainly about solving technical issues.

Today Canada is unfortunately

experiencing radical US politicians

involving themselves in Canadian

domestic issues. Trump and his

followers are a threat not just to the US

but to all democracies," Bruce Heyman,

a former U.S. ambassador under

President Barack Obama, tweeted.

Heyman said "under no

circumstances should any group in the

USA fund disruptive activities in

Canada. Period. Full stop."

After crowdfunding site GoFundMe

said it would refund or redirect to

charities the vast majority of the

millions raised by demonstrators

protesting in the Canadian capital,

prominent U.S. Republicans like

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

complained.

But GoFundMe had already changed

its mind and said it would be issuing

refunds to all. The site said it cut off

funding for the organizers because it

had determined the effort violated the

site's terms of service due to unlawful

activity.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has

called it an occupation.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxon

tweeted: "Patriotic Texans donated to

Canadian truckers' worthy cause." and

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said on Fox News

"government doesn't have the right to

force you to comply to their arbitrary

mandates."

"For some senior American

politicians, patriotism means renting

a mob to put a G-7 capital under

siege," tweeted Gerald Butts, a former

senior adviser to Trudeau.

In Canada's largest city, Toronto,

police controlled and later ended a

much smaller protest by setting up

road blocks and preventing any trucks

or cars from getting near the

provincial legislature. Police also

moved in to clear a key intersection in

the city.

Many Canadians have been

outraged over the crude behavior of

the demonstrators. Some protesters

set fireworks off on the grounds of the

National War Memorial late Friday. A

number have carried signs and flags

with swastikas last weekend and

compared vaccine mandates to

fascism.

Protesters have said they won't leave

until all mandates and COVID-19

restrictions are gone. They are also

calling for the removal of Trudeau's

government, though it is responsible

for few of the measures, most of which

were put in place by provincial

governments.

The mayor of Canada's capital declared a state of emergency Sunday and a former U.S. ambassador to

Canada said groups in the U.S. must stop interfering in the domestic affairs of America's neighbor as

protesters opposed to COVID-19 restrictions continued to paralyze Ottawa's downtown. Photo : AP

China locks down

city of 3.5 million

near Vietnam border

BEIJING : A Chinese city of

3.5 million near the border

with Vietnam was on

lockdown Monday after

more than 70 coronavirus

cases were discovered there

over the past three days.

China, the only major

world economy still sticking

to a staunch zero-Covid

policy, is on high alert for

any outbreaks as it hosts the

Beijing Winter Olympics.

Local officials in the city of

Baise in the southern

Guangxi region announced

Sunday that no one would

be allowed to leave the city,

while residents of some

districts would be confined

to their homes.

"Citywide traffic controls

will be implemented," vicemayor

Gu Junyan told a

briefing.

"In principle, vehicles and

people cannot enter or leave

the city... with personnel

control strictly enforced and

no unnecessary movement

of people."

Residents of some

neighbourhoods in smaller

rural cities and counties

under Baise's jurisdiction

have been placed under

strict home confinement,

while others cannot leave

their district, Gu added.

Baise, located about 100

kilometres (62 miles) from

the Vietnamese border, on

Friday discovered its first

local case-a traveller who

had returned home for the

week-long Lunar New Year

holiday, according to

officials.

Since the pandemic, China

has built a heavily enforced

wire mesh fence along its

southern border to keep out

illegal migrants from

Vietnam and Myanmar-as

well as potential Covid-19

infections.

COVID-19 robs Olympic curlers

of beloved social culture

BEIJING : There is a photograph from the

2018 Pyeongchang Olympics that captured

curling fans' hearts worldwide. In it,

Canadian curler John Morris and American

rival Matt Hamilton sit side by side, arms

draped around each others' shoulders,

grinning faces inches apart, beer cans midclink.

It was a moment that perfectly captured

the spirit of curling, a sport best known for

its sweeping but perhaps best loved for its

socializing. Yet it is a moment that will

likely be impossible to repeat in the socially

distanced world of the Beijing Games.

"One of the things I love about curling is

being able to curl against my friends and

then enjoy a weekend or a week around

them, as well as playing cards and having a

beer," said Morris, who won the gold medal

in mixed doubles in Pyeongchang and is

hoping to do the same in Beijing. "That's

the best part of curling. On the ice is great,

and that accomplishes my competitive

drive, but the actual going to cool places,

playing with and against your friends -

that's been really hard."

Of all of COVID-19's cruelties, the

necessity of distance has caused particular

angst throughout the curling community.

This is a sport built around closeness, from

the pregame handshakes between

opponents, to the postgame drinking

sessions, in which the winners typically buy

the losers a round. That tradition, dubbed

"broomstacking" for the original practice of

opponents stacking their brooms in front of

a fire after a game and sharing a drink, all

but vanished after the coronavirus

emerged.

Curling competitions were canceled. Ice

rinks where the athletes trained were shut

down. And curlers, like much of the world,

were forced into isolation.

The Beijing Games are taking place inside

an accommodation and transport bubble

that is cut off from the rest of the city. The

International Olympic Committee's

playbook warns athletes to stay at least 2

meters (6 feet) apart except during

competition and to minimize any physical

interactions "such as hugs, high-fives and

handshakes" - common sights at curling

matches. The stakes for slip-ups are huge;

those who test positive are sent to

quarantine and could miss their event

altogether.

There is a photograph from the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics that captured curling fans'

hearts worldwide. In it, Canadian curler John Morris and American rival Matt Hamilton sit

side by side, arms draped around each others' shoulders, grinning faces inches apart, beer

cans mid-clink.

Photo : AP

Australia will open its borders to all vaccinated tourists and business travelers from Feb. 21 in a further

relaxation of pandemic restrictions announced Monday.

Photo : AP

Costa Ricans choose

among 25 presidential

candidates

SAN JOS : Costa Ricans

head to the polls Sunday

with a crowded presidential

field and no clear favorite for

tackling growing economic

concerns in one of Latin

America's stablest

democracies.

Often referred to as the

region's "happiest" country,

Costa Rica is nonetheless

grappling with a growing

economic crisis, and the

ruling Citizen's Action Party

(PAC) is set for a bruising

defeat.

The economy has tanked

under President Carlos

Alvarado Quesada. And the

PAC candidate, former

economy minister Welmer

Ramos, seems to be paying

the price for sky-high antigovernment

feeling, polling

at just 0.3 percent.

"The ruling party is

completely weakened and

has no chance" after two

successive terms in office,

said political analyst

Eugenia Aguirre.

"The presidential

unpopularity figure of 72

percent is the highest since

the number was first

recorded in 2013," she

added.

It means the country's

traditional

political

heavyweights- the centrist

National Liberation Party

(PLN) and the right-wing

Social Christian Unity Party

(PUSC) -- could return to the

fore after decades of a near

political duopoly only

recently broken by the PAC.

According to one poll

published this month,

former president Jose Maria

Figueres (1994-98) of the

PLN leads the race with just

over 17 percent of stated

support, followed by the

PUSC's Lineth Saborio on

just under 13 percent.

Three alive, seven

missing after Nigeria

oil vessel fire

LAGOS : Three crew

members on board a

Nigerian oil vessel that

exploded and sank last week

have been found alive while

seven were still missing, the

ship operator said.

The Nigerian FPSO Trinity

Spirit-a floating production,

storage and offloading

vessel-caught fire following

an explosion on Wednesday,

but the blaze was

extinguished a day later.

The vessel was located at

the Ukpokiti Terminal,

along the coast of the oil-rich

Niger Delta region.

Ten crew members were

on board the vessel at the

time of the accident.

Ikemefuna Okafor, the

executive officer of Shebah

Exploration & Production

Company Ltd (SEPCOL),

the vessel owner, said late

Sunday "three crew

members have been found

alive in the community".

He said the company

would ensure they receive

the appropriate medical

attention.

However, Okafor said that

"one dead body was

discovered in the vicinity" of

the vessel, but it was not

immediately clear if it was a

crew member.

Australia to open borders to

vaccinated travelers on Feb. 21

CANBERRA : Australia will open its borders

to all vaccinated tourists and business

travelers from Feb. 21 in a further relaxation

of pandemic restrictions announced

Monday.

Australia imposed some of the world's

toughest travel restrictions on its citizens and

permanent residents in March 2020 to

prevent them from bringing COVID-19

home.

When the border restrictions were relaxed

in November in response to an increasing

vaccination rate among the Australian

population, international students and

skilled migrants were prioritized over

tourists in being welcomed back to Australia.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his

senior ministers agreed on Monday that the

border would reopen to all vaccinated visas

holders from Feb. 21.

Morrison said visitors must have proof of

vaccination. He referred to Serbian tennis

star Novak Djokovic being deported by the

Australian government last month because

he was not vaccinated against coronavirus.

"Events earlier in the year should have sent

a very clear message, I think, to everyone

around the world that that is the

requirement to enter into Australia,"

Morrison said.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews

said visitors who could provide proof of a

medical reason why they could not be

vaccinated could apply for a travel

exemption.

Tourist operators have been lobbying the

government to bring tourists back sooner.

The southern hemisphere summer is in its

final month.

The Australian Tourism Export Council,

the peak industry body representing the

nation's tourism export sector, said tourism

operations were looking forward to

rebuilding their markets.

"Australian tourism businesses will rejoice

in the news that our borders will reopen to all

international travelers," the council's

managing director Peter Shelley said in a

statement.

"It's been a long, hard and desperate road

for every tourism business across the

country and we have lost many along the

way, but this news will give those who have

survived a clear target to work towards and a

start point for the rebuilding of the industry,"

Shelley added.

Diplomatic flurry to

avert Russia-NATO

clash over Ukraine

MOSCOW : With war clouds gathering over

Ukraine, international diplomacy goes into

overdrive on Monday with the French and

Russian presidents to meet in Moscow and

the German chancellor heading to the White

House to meet with US leader Joe Biden,

reports BSS.

Also Monday, the German, Czech, Slovak

and Austrian foreign ministers were expected

in Kyiv, which has played down dire US

warnings that Moscow had stepped up

preparations for a major incursion into

Ukraine.

US officials have said the Kremlin has

assembled 110,000 troops along the border

with its pro-Western neighbour but

intelligence assessments have not determined

whether President Vladimir Putin has actually

decided to invade.

They said Russia is on track to amass a large

enough force-some 150,000 soldiers-for a

full-scale invasion by mid-February.

Such a force would be capable of taking the

capital Kyiv in a matter of 48 hours in an

onslaught that would kill up to 50,000

civilians, 25,000 Ukrainian soldiers and

10,000 Russian troops and trigger a refugee

flood of up to five million people, mainly into

Poland, the officials added.

On top of the potential human cost, Ukraine

fears further damage to its already struggling

economy.

And if Moscow attacks Ukraine it could face

retaliation over the Nord Stream 2 pipelineset

to double natural gas supplies from Russia

to Germany-with Berlin threatening to block

it.

Russia is seeking a guarantee from NATO

that Ukraine will not enter the alliance and

wants the bloc to withdraw forces from

member states in eastern Europe.

Moscow denies that it is planning to invade

Ukraine, and Kyiv's presidency advisor said

the chances of a diplomatic solution to the

crisis remained "substantially higher than the

threat of further escalation".

On Twitter, Ukraine's Foreign Minister

Dmytro Kuleba sought to calm tensions,

saying: "Do not believe the apocalyptic

predictions. Different capitals have different

scenarios, but Ukraine is ready for any

development."

President Emmanuel Macron of France,

which currently holds the rotating presidency

of the EU, will be in Moscow on Monday and

Kyiv on Tuesday to spearhead efforts to deescalate

the crisis.

He is expected to push forward a stalled

peace plan for the festering conflict with

Russian-backed separatists in eastern

Ukraine. The trip will be a political gamble for

Macron, who faces a re-election challenge in

April.

Also on Monday, German Chancellor Olaf

Scholz will meet with Biden in Washington.

Biden has reacted to the Russian troop

buildup by offering 3,000 American forces to

bolster NATO's eastern flank, with a batch of

the troops promised arriving in Poland on

Sunday.

But US National Security Advisor Jake

Sullivan told Fox News Sunday that Biden "is

not sending forces to start a war or fight a war

with Russia in Ukraine".

"We have sent forces to Europe to defend

NATO territory," he said.

Scholz said Sunday that Berlin was prepared

to send extra troops to the Baltics in addition

to 500 soldiers already stationed in Lithuania

under a NATO operation.

While he is in Washington, his foreign

minister, Annalena Baerbock, will be in Kyiv

along with her Czech, Slovak and Austrian

counterparts for a two-day visit.Scholtz will be in

Moscow and Kyiv next week for talks with Putin

and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Iraq presidential vote

in doubt after boycotts,

candidate suspension

BAGHDAD : A scheduled vote by Iraq's

parliament to elect a new national president was

thrown into doubt Monday after key factions

announced boycotts and a frontrunner was

suspended by a court.

A cancellation would be the latest chapter of

political turmoil in the war-scarred country

which, almost four months after a general

election, still hasn't chosen a new prime minister.

The vote for the head of state-a post with a

four-year mandate held by convention by a

member of Iraq's Kurdish minority, and

currently occupied by Barham Saleh-was

scheduled for noon (0900 GMT).

But there was little hope the 329-seat

parliament in Baghdad's high-security Green

Zone would be able to clinch the necessary twothirds

quorum to chose a new person for the

largely ceremonial post.

The largest parliamentary bloc, led by powerful

political kingmaker and Shiite Muslim cleric

Moqtada Sadr and holding 73 seats, was first to

announce a boycott, on Saturday. It was followed

on Sunday by the 51-member Sovereignty

Coalition led by a Sadr ally, parliamentary

Speaker Mohammed al-Halbussi.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022

8

A meeting of the Board of Directors of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited was held on 6 February

2022, Sunday at virtual platform. Professor Md. Nazmul Hassan, Ph.D, Chairman of the Bank

presided over the meeting. Yousif Abdullah Al-Rajhi & Md. Shahabuddin, Vice Chairmen, Dr. Areef

Suleman, Director & representative of Islamic Development Bank, other directors, Mohammed

Monirul Moula, Managing Director & CEO and J.Q.M. Habibullah, FCS, Deputy Managing Director

& Company Secretary of the bank attended the meeting.

Photo : Courtesy

Palli Bidyut bill through Nagad is totally free

Nagad, the country's best

mobile financial service

unveiled a new service of

electricity bill payment for its

customer. In addition to

eliminating the hassle of

paying prepaid meter

electricity bills for the users,

the service will enable

customers to gain extra profit

for carrying out digital

payments through Nagad.

Customers in selected areas

across the country can now

pay their Palli Bidyut prepaid

bills using 'Nagad' without

any hassle.

Customers of the 12 Palli

Bidyut Samiti in Savar,

Keraniganj, Narayanganj,

Narsingdi, Gazipur,

Munshiganj, Manikganj, and

Bhaluka will be able to pay

their bills using the Nagad

app or USSD (*167 #). In

addition, users can pay their

electricity bill for free of cost

at their nearest Nagad

uddokta point anytime.

To pay an electricity bill

using the Nagad app,

customers must first select

'Pay Bill' on the home screen

of the Nagad app interface.

After selecting the 'electricity'

icon, users then have to click

the BREB option. Users will

then require to enter the bill

amount as well as the meter

number. Finally, after

entering the Nagad pin

number, users need to hold

the 'Tap' symbol to make the

payment successfully.

In order to make the

payment through USSD, the

users have to dial *167 # first.

After selecting the 'Bill Pay'

by choosing 5 from the menu

users have to select BREB

option by selecting

electricity. Next, the users

need to enter the bill amount

including the meter number.

Upon entering the PIN

number of their respective

'Nagad' accounts, any user

can easily make the payment.

Once the bill is paid, users

will receive an SMS with a

token number. To complete

the recharge, users must

manually insert this token

number into their digital

meter. Using Nagad, a

customer can pay any

amount of Palli Bidyut

prepaid bill ranging from 50

Taka up to unlimited

amount.

Speaking about the new

service Sheikh Aminur

Rahman, Chief Marketing

Officer of Nagad Said, 'Nagad

continuously tries to

introduce new services to

ease people's lives as well as

encourage them to adopt to

digital payment system. We

believe that this new service

will make it significantly

easier for our users to pay

their bills while sitting at

home.'

Cuba slaps new

tax on food sales

as economic

woes hit hard

HAVANA : Cuba on Saturday

announced a new 10 percent

tax on retail food sales, as the

country endures economic

woes marked by rampant

inflation.

The levy taking effect

Monday will target selfemployed

people and smalland

medium-sized companies

in the retail food sector, said

the decree published in the

official government gazette.

These sales were only allowed

starting in August of last year

as part of reforms in the

communist run island.

Cuban economist Pedro

Monreal wrote on Twitter that

the new tax will probably have

two effects: higher food prices

and more inequality among

the Cuban people. Monreal

said it will hurt "lower income

households that spend a

relatively higher percentage of

their resources on food."

Monetary reforms applied

last year caused prices of

goods and services to shoot up

in Cuba, mainly those of food.

Inflation last year came in at

70 percent.

People have to wait in long

lines for scarce supplies of

food and medicine. Cuba

imports 80 percent of the food

it consumes. Its purchases

have declined drastically due

to a shortage of hard currency

and because of international

transport problems stemming

from the Covid pandemic.

Home fitness firm Peloton

Interactive is turning the

heads of potential buyers

such as e-commerce giant

Amazon and sports brand

Nike, reports say.

Peloton is deciding

whether to accept any bids,

according to the reports.

Sales of its exercise bikes

and treadmills soared

during the pandemic as

people stayed at home but

demand has slowed after

lockdowns were eased.

The company has also

faced a number of other

challenges in recent months,

sending its shares sharply

lower.

Amazon declined to

confirm or deny whether it is

considering making an offer

for the US exercise

equipment maker.

"We don't comment on

rumours and speculation," a

spokesperson told the BBC.

Peloton and Nike did not

immediately respond to

requests for comment.

The firm's shares surged in

extended trading after the

reports first emerged.

Support entrepreneurs to transform

agro-food system: Speakers

DHAKA : Speakers in a workshop have

stressed encouraging and supporting

successful agro-food entrepreneurs with

innovative business ideas and food

production plans for sustainable initiative to

transform the agro-food system in

Bangladesh.

Senior officials from different ministries

and government agencies working in the food

and agriculture sector reaffirmed their

commitments and alliances made in the

National Pathway Document for the UN food

System Summit 2021 for transforming food

systems.

The Ministry of Food under its Food

Planning and Monitoring Unit (FPMU)

organised the workshop on 'UN Food System

Summit 2021' on Sunday at the BIAM

Foundation Auditorium in Dhaka, in

collaboration with the UN agencies in

Bangladesh including Food and Agriculture

Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

and Global Alliances for Improved Nutrition

(GAIN).

Around 100 participants representing

ministries and government agencies and

development partners attended the

workshop.

The workshop aimed at following up the

National Pathway Document for the UNFSS

Summit 2021, and taking forward the

pathway commitments for collaborative

effort from different ministries and

stakeholders- for transforming food systems

and accelerating progress towards Agenda

2030.

The workshop also intended to accelerate

the process of implementation as well as

commit necessary technical assistance and

financial resources for implementation of the

pathway commitments. Dr. Ahmed Kaikaus,

Principal Secretary, Prime Minister's Office

The once-stock market

favourite has seen its shares

slump in recent months,

losing more than 80% of its

value in the last year.

As the pandemic saw gyms

close in 2020 demand for

Peloton's exercise

equipment and remote

workout classes jumped,

sending its share price

soaring.

However, as lockdowns

eased the appetite for its

bikes and treadmills has

attended the workshop as the chief guest

while Md. Ruhul Amin Talukder, Additional

Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Dr.

Mohammad Yamin Chowdhury, Secretary,

Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock attended

the program as special guests and spoke on

the occasion. Dr. Mosammat Nazmanara

Khanum, Secretary, Ministry of Food chaired

the program.

Dr. Ahmed Kaikaus said, "The goal of

pathway is to improve nutritional impact

across the country. In this relation, ricecentric

agriculture and the food system could

be a sustainable source of livelihood and

nutrition for us."

"In recent years, rice production has been

the focus of our national food and agriculture

policies. However, despite the pressure of

overpopulation, from the production point of

view, we are almost there to meet the

demand. Bangladesh has done wonder in

increasing its rice production," he added.

Dr. Kaikaus further stressed on the

importance of taking necessary strategies to

reduce the food waste. He urged all

concerned to encourage and support the

young and innovative entrepreneurs to bring

sustainable changes in our agri-food system.

Food secretary Dr. Mosammat Nazmanara

Khanum said, "In Bangladesh, an estimated

65kg of food is wasted per capita. However,

people in Bangladesh are wasting about 5.5

percent of the total procured food. Of the total

wastage, 3 percent is being made during

procurement and preparation stages, 1.4

percent during serving, and another 1.1

percent from the plates (BIDS, 2016)."

Among this, nearly 68 percent of food

wastes coming from urban food markets and

households and can be easily composted to

make humus material to be used as soil

conditioner, she said.

Amazon and Nike exploring Peloton

takeover, reports say

dwindled.

In August, the firm cut the

price of its flagship bike by

20% to $1,495 (£1,105), as it

revealed that its losses had

widened and revenue

growth had slowed.

In the same month the US

Department of Justice and

the Department of

Homeland Security said

they were investigating the

company after a child was

pulled under one of its

treadmills and killed, while

other customers had

reported injuries.

In November, Peloton

warned investors that it

expected revenue to slow in

the year ahead.

"The primary drivers of

our reduced forecast are a

more pronounced tapering

of demand related to the

ongoing opening of the

economy, and a richer than

anticipated mix of sales to

our original bike," it said in a

recent letter to shareholders.

Al-Arafah Islami Bank Limited has received the Centre for Non Resident Bangladeshi (NRB)

Remittance Award as one of the Top 10 Banks for raising the highest Remittance in 2021. Deputy

Managing Dirctor of the Bank Md. Shafiqur Rahman received the award from Foreign Minister Dr.

A K Abdul Momen at a program organized by Centre for NRB in a hotel Dhaka on 5 February 2022.

Presided over by Chairperson of the Centre for NRB M S Shekil Chowdhury, Economic Advisor to

Prime Minister Dr. Mashiur Rahman, State-minister for Planning Dr. Shamsul Alam, Chief of Army

Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed, Professor Emeritus Dr. A B M Abdullah & Additional Secretary

Ministry of Expatriate Welfare Shahidul Alam were present on the occasion. Photo : Courtesy

Toshiba unveils new plan to

split into two companies

TOKYO : Japan's Toshiba on Monday

announced plans to split into two

companies, revising proposals to divide

into three following a tumultuous period

for the storied industrial conglomerate.

The group said it plans to spin off its

device segment, including the

semiconductor business, in a bid to speed

up decision-making and boost stock

performance.

Shareholders, who have clashed with

management on the best way forward for

the troubled company, must still approve

the proposal in a vote expected in March.

Last year, Toshiba said it would split

into three companies in a move that

analysts called a test case for other

Japanese giants. "Since this is the first

large-scale spin-off transaction in

Japan... it turned out there were obstacles

which were not initially expected,"

Toshiba said Monday, referring to the

original proposal made in November.

It has since decided that a two-way split

"can significantly reduce separation costs,

secure financial soundness for each

company, and significantly reduce spinoff

uncertainty". Toshiba said it aims to

complete the split in the second half of

the 2022-23 financial year.

Other multinational giants including

General Electric and Johnson & Johnson

have also announced plans in recent

months to split into multiple companiesa

move analysts say is in large part forced

on them by financial markets.

Spinoffs can be a way for large

corporations to create more value when

share prices are buoyant, such as during

the Covid-19 market rally last year.

Toshiba's latest plans cap years of

turmoil for the group, which dates back to

1875 and was once a symbol of Japan's

advanced technological and economic

power.

ONE Bank Limited recently inked an Agreement with Dhaka Community Hospital Trust. Under

this Agreement, both parties will work together for digitization of payment collection and operational

management through OK EMS (Education Management Solution). Dhaka Community

Hospital Trust will be able to manage their all operational activities and students will be facilitated

to pay their all types of fees through OK Wallet without any hassle at anytime from anywhere.

A. B. M. Saif Sarwar, Additional Deputy Managing Director of ONE Bank Limited and

Quazi Quamruzzaman, Chairman of Dhaka Community Hospital Trust signed the Agreement on

behalf of their respective organizations. The high officials of both the organizations were also

present in the ceremony.

Photo : Courtesy

tueSDAY, FebruArY 8, 2022

9

Washington Sundar, Siraj give a

glimpse of their new-ball nous

Sadio Mane made up for missing from the spot in normal time to score the decisive penalty as

Senegal overcame Mohamed Salah's egypt 4-2 in a shoot-out to win their first Africa Cup of

Nations title.

photo: Ap

Mane scores winning kick as Senegal beat

Egypt in Cup of Nations final shoot-out

SportS DeSk

Sadio Mane made up for missing from

the spot in normal time to score the

decisive penalty as Senegal overcame

Mohamed Salah's Egypt 4-2 in a shootout

to win their first Africa Cup of

Nations title after Sunday's final

finished goalless at the end of extra

time, reports BSS.

Mane had seen Mohamed Abou

Gabal save his seventh-minute penalty

at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde but

Egypt could not capitalise as they went

to extra time for the fourth consecutive

game at this Cup of Nations.

Salah was due to step up to take

Egypt's fifth penalty but with Mohamed

Abdelmonem hitting the post and

Mohanad Lasheen having his kick

saved by Edouard Mendy, the

Liverpool star did not get his chance

and was already on the verge of tears as

his club team-mate Mane prepared to

strike the decisive blow.

After two previous final defeats,

Senegal are Cup of Nations winners at

Russian figure

skater, 15, first

woman to land

quad jump at

Olympics

SportS DeSk

Russian teenager Kamila

Valieva made figure skating

history Monday, becoming

the first woman to land a

quadruple jump at the

Olympics-and not content

with one, she nailed two on

the way to team gold, reports

BSS.

The 15-year-old landed the

quadruple jumps-when a

skater rotates four times in

the air-as she once again

demolished the competition

in the free programme in

Beijing. Despite finishing 30

points ahead of secondplaced

Kaori Sakamoto,

Valieva looked distraught at

the end of her performanceshe

had fallen attempting a

third quad jump.

Later though she said it

was a "fantastic feeling" to

have landed the first.

"While I had this burden of

responsibility, I came out a

winner. I coped," she said.

Valieva is also now an

Olympic champion after the

Russians won the team event

ahead of the United States

and Japan.

The teenager recounted

how she had been fascinated

by the Olympics as a child.

"When I was three years

old I would tell my mother, I

want to be an Olympic

champion, which I am, thank

god, and I believe my next

dream will come true too,"

said Valieva.

She is part of a team

trained by coach Eteri

Tutberidze expected to

dominate the podium in the

women's individual event in

Beijing-and Valieva is

favourite for gold.

All three skaters have

comfortably landed quad

jumps in competition beforebut

it has never been done at

an Olympics.

last, while Egypt missed out on a

record-extending eighth continental

crown that would also have been a first

for Salah.

"It just shows that if you work hard, if

you persevere, you will get what you

want," Senegal coach Aliou Cisse told

broadcaster beIN Sports.

"I am very emotional because the

people of Senegal have wanted this

trophy for 60 years."

Abou Gabal, who was named man of

the match, summed up the Egyptian

mood, saying: "We are really

disappointed but that's football, either

you win or you lose."

Senegal's celebrations followed a

disappointing final, the fifth in the last

11 editions of the tournament to be

decided in a shoot-out after a goalless

draw.

Egypt had already twice won finals

that had been settled on penalties after

finishing 0-0, and they had already

won in the same manner twice in the

last fortnight, against the Ivory Coast

and Cameroon.

This time their luck ran out as the

tournament ended at the venue where

eight people died and 38 were injured

in a crush on January 24.

The country's 88-year-old President,

Paul Biya, attended the closing

ceremony where he was paraded in an

open-top car to hysterical crowds along

with his wife, First Lady Chantal Biya.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino and

CAF chief Patrice Motsepe were also

present although the biggest cheers

were reserved for Cameroon great

Samuel Eto'o, now the head of the

country's football federation, when his

face appeared on the big screens.

Eto'o is one of the continent's all-time

great footballers, but this final brought

together Africa's current superstar duo

in Salah and Mane.

Desperate to make up for losing the

2019 final to Algeria, Senegal had a

golden early chance to take the lead

when outstanding left-back Saliou Ciss

was chopped down by Abdelmonem in

the box.

Messi, Mbappe on target

as PSG thrash sorry

SportS DeSk

Lionel Messi and Kylian

Mbappe both scored as Paris

Saint-Germain stretched

their mammoth lead at the

top of Ligue 1 to 13 points

with a 5-1 thrashing of

defending champions Lille

on Sunday, reports BSS.

Mauricio Pochettino's

men were given a helping

hand by a nightmarish

display from Lille

goalkeeper Ivo Grbic at the

Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Portuguese midfielder

Danilo Pereira netted twice,

while Presnel Kimpembe

also got on the scoresheet.

All eyes in the capital

remain on Paris' Champions

League last-16 first leg

against Real Madrid on

February 15.

Mbappe, who has long

been linked with Real, said

that match has been the

reason he is yet to make a

decision about his future,

despite having been free to

sign a pre-contract

agreement with another club

since the start of last month.

"Playing against Real

Madrid changes a lot of

things," the World Cup

winner told Amazon Prime.

"Even if I'm free to do

what I want, I'm not going to

talk to the opponents. I'm

focused on winning against

Real Madrid and we'll see

what happens afterwards."

This game, though, was

the perfect response for PSG

after their French Cup exit

on penalties at the hands of

Nice in midweek.

Lille are languishing down

in 11th place after a seventh

defeat of their title defence.

The hosts needed to get

something from the game to

move into the top half of the

table, but they made a

calamitous start.

Grbic somehow failed to

gather in Nuno Mendes' low

cross despite being under no

pressure, and Danilo duly

stabbed into an empty net to

give PSG a 10th-minute

lead.

Hatem Ben Arfa, making

his first start since last April

after his surprise move to

Lille, set up Sven Botman to

equalise before the half-hour

mark.

But PSG were back in front

in the 32nd minute as Grbic

totally missed Messi's corner

and Kimpembe bundled

home from close range.

Messi grabbed his first

goal of 2022 in slightly

fortuitous circumstances, as

a clearance ricocheted of his

shins and played him in on

goal.

Grbic rushed out to close

the angle, but the seven-time

Ballon d'Or winner coolly

dinked the ball into the net

to score his second Ligue 1

goal.

"I have never had any

doubts about Messi," said

PSG coach Pochettino. "He's

the best player in the world.

"He was spectacular. I'm

happy with his

performance."

Lionel Messi and kylian Mbappe both scored as paris Saint-Germain

stretched their mammoth lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 13 points with a

5-1 thrashing of defending champions Lille on Sunday. photo: Ap

SportS DeSk

It was hard to miss Mohammed Siraj's

three-card trick to turn the tables on

the West Indian opener Shai Hope in

the first ODI in Ahmedabad. It involved

some imagination and visualization,

reports AP.

Initially, Siraj bowled a couple of

outswingers, with the opener essaying a

punch and drive through the coverregion.

The bowler was setting up the

batter for his variation as he followed

up the outswingers with the threequarter

seam ball (gripped at about 45

degree angle), with Hope inside-edging

it onto the stumps. In what seemed like

a game of rapid chess, the pace bowler

had lulled Hope into thinking that he

would time and again shape it away

from him, only to be befuddled by the

variation.

In this current era of ODI cricket, the

white Kookaburra doesn't swing for

long upfront. So the bowler has to

unearth subtle skills that could outfox

the batter. Even though Siraj's delivery

would most likely tilt into the righthander,

it adds in a bit of randomness

or unpredictability to his repertoire.

Siraj's ebullient spell at the start of the

innings also came in the backdrop of

India's woes with the new ball in recent

times in the 50-over format. Since the

start of 2020, the Indian bowlers have

snared only 12 wickets in 19 innings at

an average of 92.25 and a strike rate of

95 in the PowerPlay in ODIs.

Unflattering figures that would lead to

Injured

Taskin ruled

out of BPL

SportS DeSk

Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed

was ruled out of the rest of the

Bangladesh Premier League

(BPL) matches due to a back

pain, reports BSS.

Taskin who was playing for

the Sylhet Sunrisers also

missed the last two games of

the side in the tournament.

He played four BPL matches,

taking five wickets.

Sylhet Sunrisers officials

confirmed the news, saying

that the tournament is over

for the fast bowler who has

been in form of his life.

At the same time, his

participation for the limited

over series against

Afghanistan also looked

doubtful. But it is believed he

opted out of the BPL to play

the Afghanistan series with

his full fitness. Afghanistan

will reach Bangladesh on

February 12 to play a threematch

ODI series and two

T20 Internationals. The ODI

series is the part of ICC ODI

Super League.

Teenage figure

skater first woman

to land quad jump

at Olympics

SportS DeSk

Russian teenage star Kamila

Valieva made figure skating

history Monday, becoming

the first woman to land a

quadruple jump at the

Olympics-and not content

with one, she landed two,

reports BSS.

The 15-year-old landed the

quadruple jumps-when a

skater rotates four times in

the air-as she once again

demolished the competition

in the freestyle programme

team event in Beijing.

Despite finishing 30

points ahead of secondplaced

Kaori Sakamoto,

Valieva looked distraught at

the end of her performanceshe

had fallen attempting a

third quad jump.

She is part of a team

trained by coach Eteri

Tutberidze expected to take

the podium in the women's

individual event in Beijing,

and Valieva is favourite for

gold. All three skaters have

comfortably landed quad

jumps in competition

before-but it has never been

done at an Olympics.

A quad jump has been

attempted at the Games

before, according to the

Olympics news site-Surya

Bonaly tried it in 1992 but it

was considered not fully

rotated on landing and so was

downgraded.

rohit Sharma turned to Washington Sundar inside the powerplay against

West Indies.

photo: Ap

Peng Shuai meets IOC

chief at Beijing Winter

Olympics

SportS DeSk

a bit of head-scratching in the Indian

camp

Siraj's delivery to Hope though wasn't

just the only highlight of India's

bowling effort as the spin duet of

Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra

Chahal combined to share seven

wickets between them. Chahal was

aptly adjudged the man of the match

for snaring a four-for. On the other

hand, the significance of Sundar's

performance was that he bowled inside

the first PowerPlay and kept a tight

leash on the scoring rate. He soon

reaped the benefits of his discipline

when he picked up the scalps of Darren

Bravo and Brandon King just after the

PowerPlay.

Incidentally, enough captains in the

IPL and Vijay Hazare trophy have

trusted Sundar in the PowerPlay overs.

"Yes, that is something (bowling in the

PowerPlay) I have been doing in the

last few years. I enjoy bowling in the

PowerPlay... with the new ball. Even

the fact that I played Vijay Hazare, it

helped me to bowl in different

situations of the game. Even over there

I bowled a lot with the new ball. All

those experiences have definitely

helped," the all-rounder said in the

post-match presser.

In the past, Sundar had also observed

that he practices PowerPlay bowling in

the nets. "I will tell the batsman what

the field is going to be like. I will also

think about where I am going to bowl.

Maybe five to ten minutes, I will give

Peng Shuai has met Olympic chief Thomas

Bach at the Beijing Winter Games, the IOC

said Monday, while US ski star Mikaela

Shiffrin suffered bitter disappointment in

her first attempt at gold in China, reports

BSS.

The International Olympic Committee

said tennis player Peng, who sparked global

concern in November when she fell silent

after alleging that a top Chinese politician

had forced her into sex, dined with Bach on

Saturday and watched curling.

Peng reappeared in public nearly three

weeks after her allegation, and later

withdrew it, insisting her online comments

had been taken out of context. But fears for

her safety and well-being remained.

Separately, in an interview published

Monday with French sports daily L'Equipe,

Peng repeated her denial.

"I never said anyone had sexually assaulted

me in any way," said the former world

number one doubles player.

Asked why she deleted the social media

post containing the allegation, Peng said:

"Because I wanted to." "There was a huge

misunderstanding in the outside world

following this post," she said.

"I don't want the meaning of this post to be

twisted anymore. And I don't want any

further media hype around it."

Defending champion Shiffrin was among

the favourites to retain the women's giant

slalom title and win a third Olympic gold

medal of her career, but in bright morning

sunshine she made an error near the top of

her first run and slid out.

"There's a huge disappointment, not even

counting medals," she said. "The day was

finished basically before it even started."

The American vowed to move on and

quickly concentrate on Wednesday's shorter

technical event in which she is a four-time

world champion.

"I'm not going to cry about this because

that's just wasting energy. My best chance for

the next races is to move forward, to refocus,

and I feel like I'm in a good place to do that."

She can now watch her boyfriend,

Norway's Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, attempt

to win the men's downhill later Monday,

myself the time to bowl in the back end,

but most of the time I prepare myself to

bowl in the PowerPlay," he said in the

presser after an IPL game in 2020.

Sundar's bowling is basically a

repetition game, sprinkled by subtle

changes of pace and use of the crease.

As he is also relatively tall for a spinner

and bowls with a high release, he

extracts more bounce. One more aspect

of Sundar's game is that he tends to

watch the feet or trigger movements of

the batter all the way through.

In the opening ODI too he showed

glimpses of his wicket-taking aptitude

by sticking to his plans and preying on

the batters. To encapsulate the point, in

the 10th over of the innings, Sundar

bowled mostly with a flatter trajectory

to Bravo. The one time he gave it some

air, Bravo essayed the cover-drive. It

seemed clear that Sundar was teasing

Bravo to play the flick or nudge one

around the corner in order to trap him

in front with a straighter one. The lefthander

even attempted a couple of

nudges/flicks.Bravo soon fell in

Sundar's very next over. With a small

trigger, Bravo moved towards outside

off. The southpaw perhaps was hoping

to counter the turn if any. At the other

end, Sundar seemed to be watching the

batter's feet like a hawk as he bowled a

relatively straighter line and around the

good length area. As Bravo had shuffled

towards outside off, he couldn't meet

the ball and ended up playing around

the front pad to be adjudged LBW.

traditionally one of the most prestigious

titles at any Winter Olympics.

The downhill had been due to take place on

Sunday but was postponed because of gusty

winds on the Yanqing course north of the

Chinese capital.

Californian-born freestyle skier Eileen Gu

made her Olympic bow, wearing the colours

of China.

But the 18-year-old gave herself and the

host nation a scare before qualifying for the

women's freeski final with her third and last

jump at the spectacular Big Air venue.

In Sunday's action, snowboarder Zoi

Sadowski Synnott made history after

winning New Zealand's first Winter Olympic

gold.

Cross-country skier Alexander Bolshunov

became the first Russian to win an Olympic

title at these Games-and then hit back at

questions about Russia's doping-tainted

recent history in the sport.

Russia is under international sanctions

after being found to have orchestrated mass

doping at the Sochi Olympics in 2014, so

Russians at the Beijing Games must compete

under the banner of the Russian Olympic

Committee (ROC).

"You don't just become an Olympic

champion all of a sudden," fumed

Bolshunov, who won his first gold, adding to

three previous silvers and a bronze.

Meanwhile, away from the sport,

organisers admitted they had failed to

produce enough panda souvenirs to keep up

with demand.

Bing Dwen Dwen, a cuddly panda on ice

skates, is the official mascot of the Beijing

Games-but people in China are being turned

away disappointed from gift shops.

Zhao Weidong, a spokesman for the local

organising committee, blamed the shortage

on the Lunar New Year holiday in China.

The nearly 3,000 athletes in Beijing are

cocooned along with tens of thousands of

volunteers, support staff and journalists

inside a Covid-secure "bubble". Everyone

inside must wear face masks and take daily

Covid tests.

There have been more than 363 positive

cases in the bubble since January 23,

according to official figures, among them an

unknown number of competitors.

TUEsDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022

10

Bubly stars in 'Betray'

TBT REPORT

Dhallywood popular actress Shobnom Bubly yet to

star in another film directed by Mohammed Iqbal

titled 'Betray' opposite Ziaul Roshan along with

popular antagonist-actor and a successful producer

Monowar Hossain Dipjol.

Recently the actors signed the contract for the

film on Thursday (February 3). The director of the

film 'Betray' Mohammed Iqbal confirmed the

matter to the media.

Regarding the context Dipjol said, "I signed the

movie 'Betray' on February 3. I heard the story and

liked too. I believe the movie will be good and the

audience will also love it."

Earlier, Bubly-Roshan acted together in the film

titled 'Revenge' directed by Iqbal is almost at an

end.

About the film the directed said, the work of

editing the film 'Revenge' is underway, as soon as

the work of the film finishes, the shooting of the

film 'Betray' will start. Apart from Ziaul Roshan,

Shobnom Bubly Dipjol, Misa Sawdagar many more

stars will be seen in the film 'Betray'.

Zafar Iqbal with

new identity

TBT REPORT

Prominent writer Muhammad Zafar Iqbal for the first time has

wrote a song titled 'Aay Aay Shob Taratari' for the government

grants film titled 'Adventure of Sundarban' staring

Dhallywood popular actors Siam Ahmed and Pori Moni in the

lead roles. The film 'Adventure of Sundarban' is based on Zafar

Iqbal's novel 'Ratuler Raat, Ratuler Din' and directed by Abu

Raihan Jewel.

The song 'Aay Aay Shob Taratari' has been sung by ten child

artistes. The music of the song is composed and tuned by

Emon Chakrabarty. The director of the film, Jewel, confirmed

the matter.

Regarding the context the director said, "There was a

sequence in the film where the children will take a bath in the

pond. I told Zafar Sir this sequence demands a song. So, I

requested him to write a song for this scene. Though initially he

didn't agree as he never wrote any song. But, later, he gave me

the lyrics.

"There will be total four songs in the film. As this is a

children's film, all the songs will be enjoyable. We will record

the songs later," he added.

The film was shot at several spots in Dhaka, Mongla port,

Sundarbans, and panoramic places on rivers across Chandpur

and Barishal. Sumon Sarkar was the videographer while

TBT REPORT

Habib Wahid is a popular singer and composer of the country.

He has lent his voice to many popular songs and won the

hearts of millions by his singing style.

The singer has lent his voice to a new song titled 'Ei

Path Chaoa'. Mohsin Mehedi has written the lyrics of the

lyrics of the track. He has also composed and arranged

the music of it.

About the song, Mohsin Mehedi said, "The song 'Ei Path

Chaoa' is a romantic genre song. I wrote the lyrics of the song

two years ago. Habib also praised me for this song that time.

Samurai Maruf was the art director of the film. The screenplay

of the film, co-produced by Bongo BD, was written by Jakaria

Showkhin.

Beside Siam and Pori Moni, Shahidul Alam Sachchu, Azad

Abul Kalam, Munira Mithu, Kachi Khandaker, Ashish

Khandaker and a group of children artistes played various

roles. The film is being made with government grant for the

financial year 2018-19. According to the director, the shooting

of the film was completed on September last year. The film will

be sent for censor board clearance on March.

Habib lends

voice in Mohsin

Mehedi's 'Ei

Path Chaoa'

Finally, he has lent his voice to the song. 'Ei Path Chaoa' will

be released in the middle of this month. I'm very hopeful

about the song."

It may be mentioned that, Mohsin Mehedi is the husband of

singer Nazmun Munira Nancy.

Habib Wahid is one of the popular singers of the country. He

is also a composer and music director. He works on modern

pop music, EDM and a fusion of traditional Bengali folk music

with contemporary techno and urban beats. He is the son of

singer Ferdous Wahid.

He has also produced music in Indian Bengali movies. He

won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Director

for the film 'Projapoti' (2011).

'Moon Knight' trailer reveals Isaac's

MCU superhero origin story

Marvel's 'Moon Knight' trailer

introduces Oscar Isaac to the

MCU as Marc Spector, a

superhero with dissociative

identity disorder. In the comics,

Spector gets his powers from the

Egyptian moon god Khonshu,

who wants him to serve as the

"moon's knight." In the show,

Isaac's character will be brought

to life by Isaac, who was cast as

the former US marine-turnedsuperhero

in late 2020. Filming

on Moon Knight took place last

year, wrapping up in October

ahead of the show premiering in

March this year. Jeremy Slater

(The Umbrella Academy) serves

as Moon Knight's head writer,

with Egyptian filmmaker

Mohamed Diab leading the

directing team, which includes

Justin Benson & Aaron

Moorhead (Synchronic).

The first footage of 'Moon

Knight' was unveiled as part of

Disney+ Day 2021, revealing

teasing glimpses of Isaac in

costume as the titular superhero

as well as some shots of the actor

in street clothes and living with

DID. More recently the 'Moon

Knight' trailer teaser offered a

better look at Isaac's superhero

costume, including a brief shot

showing how he suits up. The new

footage also revealed a first look

at Ethan Hawke's villain, whose

character name was not yet

known. Now, after teasing its

release over the weekend, the full

Moon Knight trailer is here.

Marvel and Disney+ revealed

the 'Moon Knight' trailer during

Monday night's NFL Super Wild

Card game on ESPN and ABC.

Per the official synopsis for Moon

Knight, the show introduces Isaac

as a man named Steven Grant, "a

mild-mannered gift shop

employee" who discovers he has

DID after struggling with

blackouts and seeing memories of

another life. One of Steven's

identities is the mercenary Marc

Spector, and the two must work

together as they're "thrust into a

deadly mystery among the

powerful gods of Egypt."

Source: Variety

Michelle makes his Bollywood

debut with Jacqueline

Following the resounding success of songs created

independently, Anshul Garg, Founder and CEO,

Desi Music Factory arrives at a milestone as he

announces Mud Mud Ke starring the 365 Days star

Michele Morrone and Jacqueline Fernandez. With

the launch of a poster, the music banner welcomes

the Italian actor to the Indian entertainment

industry with the peppy song sung by hit machine

Tony Kakkar and queen of music Neha Kakkar.

The upcoming song marks Morrone's Indian

debut and the label's first international

collaboration. Both Michele and Jacqueline set

the internet on fire with social media pictures of

their electrifying chemistry in a photoshoot that

preceded the song's shoot. This is the

announcement that the fans of the stars and

music listeners had been waiting for since their

pictures went viral. Tony Kakkar has lent music

to Mud Mud Ke,Mihir Gulati has directed its

video, which has been choreographed by Shakti

Mohan. Mud Mud Ke teaser will release on the

8th of February, 2022.

Source: Bollywood Hungama

H O R O s c O P E

ARIEs

(March 21 - April 20) : Today you might learn

something about a friend that could be rather

disconcerting, Aries. There could be a dark

side to this person that you weren't previously aware of, and

this could cause you to want to withdraw for a while and

reevaluate your involvement with this individual. When

considering it, remember that we all have our dark sides.

Could what you've discovered simply be this factor, or does

this go too far beyond it for you? Think about it!

TAURUs

(April 21 - May 21) : Outside responsibilities

might temporarily interfere with your love

life, Taurus. You may feel a strong desire to

get together with a love partner early in the

evening, but circumstances may necessitate your working

odd hours. This can be frustrating, as you've been looking

forward to this for a long time, but you could meet your

friend later in the evening. Don't be afraid to ask. Most

people understand when situations like this crop up.

GEMINI

(May 22 - June 21) : Today you're likely to find

your routine too boring for words, Gemini,

and may have a sudden powerful urge to cut

loose and play some serious hooky. Still, you

may feel the pull of obligation. This conflicted feeling should

pass. If it persists beyond today, however, you might need to

reevaluate certain areas of your life. There are lots of

opportunities out there, and life is too short to be stuck in a

situation that doesn't allow you to grow.

cANcER

(June 22 - July 23) : You could be feeling

especially sensual and passionate today,

Cancer, and you'll want to get together

with a love interest. However, other responsibilities

could get in your way. This could provide you with the

perfect excuse to sink into gloom, but don't fall into this

trap. Get whatever business you're facing handled and

out of the way. Or perhaps you can arrange to finish it

tomorrow. Then set up that hot date!

LEO

(July 24 - Aug. 23): You may feel a bit of

disappointment today, Leo. You might

tend to view whatever snags you've hit on

the path to accomplishing your goals as

personal failures, and if you let it, this idea could persist

with you throughout the day. Try to remain objective,

and don't lose sight of the big picture. You haven't even

lost a battle - at worst, it's a minor conflict! Chances are

that if you continue working hard you'll still win the war!

VIRGO

(Aug. 24 - Sept. 23): A rather disheartening

phone call could come to you today, Virgo.

This might bring news of a setback in one

of your projects that is only temporary but

nonetheless frustrating. You'll probably have to deal with

some trivial little details you'd rather not bother with,

and this could take up too much valuable time. Hang in

there - you're still doing well! Don't let your frustrations

get the best of you.

LIBRA

(Sept. 24 - Oct. 23): After the rush of

energy over the past few days, Libra,

today you may feel a powerful letdown.

Not every day can be filled with

adventure and excitement. For now, you just need to

take care of the routine matters that are a byproduct

of life on Earth. However, keep in mind that there are

many weekends coming up, and with the right kind

of planning you can get excitement back into your life.

scORPIO

(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) : A goal that you've been

trying to reach may be temporarily

stalled, Scorpio, and you could be

tempted to slip into despair, wondering

if it will ever really happen. Remember that the

keyword for today is "temporary." Whatever obstacles

are in your way will eventually be overcome and your

goal should be to continue to advance in the direction

you want. In the meantime, take care of your chores.

sAGITTARIUs

(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21): Today you might realize

that you need to make a certain purchase,

Sagittarius. Perhaps your home or car

requires some important repairs, or maybe

some new equipment is necessary for your work. This could

prove rather disheartening, as it might involve spending

money that you'd rather use for something more exciting.

Think of the trouble this expenditure should save you,

however, and you'll see the value of it all.

cAPRIcORN

(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20): The weight of too many

responsibilities, perhaps involving family, a

job, or group affiliation, could be very much

on your mind today, Capricorn. You may feel like Atlas,

carrying the world on your shoulders! You're tired. Perhaps

you need to reevaluate your commitments - your innate

kindness may have caused you to make too many. Fulfill the

ones you have, but think twice before making any new ones.

You're important too, after all.

AQUARIUs

(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) : You may have your

ups and downs today, Aquarius. You

could get at least one phone call of the

"good news, bad news" variety, and this

could have your moods swinging back and forth like a

pendulum. Try to stay centered. Take the good news

as encouragement, and as for the bad news, try to

consider it objectively and figure out ways to turn it to

your advantage. There's always a way. Hang in there!

PIscEs

(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) : Normally you tend to be a very

spiritually oriented person, Pisces, but today you

might find metaphysical concepts of all kinds

rather baffling. Whether these are ideas you've

embraced for a long time or new ones you've just discovered, you

may find nagging little doubts creeping in, temporarily causing

your faith to waver. This is a healthy development, however. A

little doubt now and then can weed out concepts that don't work

for you and reaffirm your belief in others.

tueSdAY, FebRuARY 8, 2022

11

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim paid a surprise visit to the National Zoo on

Monday morning.

Photo : Star Mail

10 BNP men remanded

in case over obstructing

police

DHAKA : A court yesterday

placed 10 leaders and activists

of BNP including its Dhaka

South city unit member

secretary Rafiqul Alam Majnu

on three-day remand each in

a case lodged over allegedly

obstructing police from

performing their duties.

The other nine accused are -

Mohammad Ali Mannan, Md

Mofikul Islam, Sohel Shikder,

Jahirul Islam, Qazi Imtiyaj

Ahmed Tipu, Mintu, Farhan

Ali Rosi, Monirul Islam Sajal

and Sadekur Rahman. Dhaka

Metropolitan Magistrate

Shahidul Islam passed the

order as police produced the

10 accused before the court

and pleaded to place them on

seven-day remand.

GD-223/22 (5x4)

UN experts: North Korea stealing

millions in cyber attacks

UNITED NATIONS : North

Korea is continuing to steal

hundreds of millions of

dollars from financial

institutions

and

cryptocurrency firms and

exchanges, illicit money that

is an important source of

funding for its nuclear and

missile programs, U.N.

experts said in a report

quoting cyber specialists.

The panel of experts said

that according to an

unnamed government,

North Korean "cyber-actors

stole more than $50 million

between 2020 and mid-2021

from at least three

cryptocurrency exchanges in

North America, Europe and

Asia, probably reflecting a

shift to diversify its

cybercrime operations."

And the experts said in the

report's section on cyber

activities obtained Sunday by

The Associated Press that an

unidentified cybersecurity

firm reported that in 2021 the

North's "cyber-actors stole a

total of $400 million worth of

cryptocurrency through

seven intrusions into

cryptocurrency exchanges

and investment firms."

These cyberattacks "made

use of phishing lures, code

exploits, malware, and

advanced social engineering

to siphon funds out of these

organizations' internetconnected

'hot' wallets into

DPRK-controlled addresses,"

the panel said, using the

initials of the country's official

name, the Democratic

People's Republic of Korea.

The cryptocurrency funds

stolen by the DPRK cyber

actors "go through a careful

money laundering process in

order to be cashed out,"? the

panel of experts monitoring

sanctions on North Korea

said in the report to the U.N.

Security Council.

A year ago, the panel

quoted an unidentified

country saying North Korea's

"total theft of virtual assets

from 2019 to November

2020 is valued at

approximately $316.4

million."

In the executive summary

of the new report, the experts

said North Korea has

continued to develop its

nuclear and ballistic missile

programs.

"Although no nuclear tests

or launches of ICBMs were

reported, DPRK continued

to develop its capability for

production of nuclear fissile

materials," the panel said.

Those fissile materials -

uranium or plutonium - are

crucial for a nuclear reaction.

The experts noted "a

marked acceleration" of

North Korean missile

launches through January

that used a variety of

technology and weapons.

The experts said North

Korea "continued to seek

material, technology and

know-how for these

programs overseas,

including through cyber

means and joint scientific

research."

A year ago, the panel said

North Korea had

modernized its nuclear

weapons and ballistic

missiles by flaunting United

Nations sanctions, using

cyberattacks to help finance

its programs and continuing

to seek material and

technology overseas for its

arsenal including in Iran.

"Cyberattacks, particularly

on cryptocurrency assets,

remain an important

revenue source" for Kim

Jong Un's government, the

experts monitoring the

implementation of sanctions

against the North said in the

new report.

In addition to its recent

launches, North Korea has

threatened to lift its four-year

moratorium on more serious

weapons tests such as

nuclear explosions and

launches of intercontinental

ballistic missiles.

The Security Council

initially imposed sanctions

on North Korea after its first

nuclear test explosion in

2006 and toughened them in

response to further nuclear

tests and the country's

increasingly sophisticated

nuclear and ballistic missile

programs.

Skill development training

for construction workers

inaugurated in Jaldhaka

Hafizur Rahman, Jaldhaka

Correspondent

A two-day skill development

training for construction

workers has started in

Jaldhaka upazila of

Nilphamari to improve the

quality of infrastructure

construction work. The

training was officially

inaugurated by Upazila

Parishad Chairman Abdul

Wahed Bahadur on Monday

(February 8) morning at the

Upazila Parishad hall.

During the time,

Municipal Mayor Ilias

Hossain Bablu, Upazila

Parishad Vice Chairman

Golam Pasha Elich,

Monowara Begum, Upazila

Engineer Mahmudul Hasan,

Upazila Development

Facilitator Shakhawat

Hossain and Deputy

Assistant Engineer Golam

Faruk were present on the

occasion. At the same time,

the upazila chairman said,

the present government is

developing infrastructure in

parallel from village to town.

And construction workers

are playing an important

role in the development of

this infrastructure.

Therefore, he called upon

the workers to work in

harmony with the present

age. The training was

organized by the Upazila

Parishad through the

Upazila Management and

Development Project under

the implementation of the

Committee

on

Communication and

Physical Infrastructure,

funded by the Local

Government Department

and Japan International

Cooperation Agency JICA.

75 workers are participating

in the training in 3 batches.

Three killed

in Cox's Bazar

road accident

COX'S BAZAR : Three

people were killed and 10

others injured in a collision

between a bus and a minitruck

on Chattogram-Cox's

Bazar highway in

Medhakachchapia area of

Khutakhali under Chakaria

upazila of the district last

night.

The deceased were

identified as a bus driver, one

mini-truck driver and

another passenger of the bus,

but details could not be

known immediately.The

accident occurred when the

Chattogram-bound picnic

bus collided head on with the

salt-laden mini-truck in the

area around 12.15am, leaving

three people dead on the spot

and 10 others injured

seriously, Mohammad

Osman Gani, officer-incharge

(OC) of Chakaria

Police Station told BSS.

Police and locals rescued

the injured and admitted

them to Malumghat

Memorial Christian Hospital

and Chakaria Upazila Health

Complex, the OC added.

DMP arrests 61

for consuming,

selling drugs

DHAKA : The Dhaka

Metropolitan Police (DMP)

has arrested a total of 61

people on charges of selling

and consuming drugs

during the ongoing antidrug

drives in the capital

during last 24 hours till 6am

on Monday.

According to a statement

issued by DMP, as part of

the campaign, police raided

different areas under

various police stations and

detained 61 drug traffickers

and recovered drugs from

their possession from 6am

of February 6 to 6 am on

Monday.

During the anti-drug drive,

police seized 127 grams and

51 puria (small packet) of

heroin, 41.139 kilograms of

cannabis (ganja), 2,667

pieces of yaba tablets and

5.25 liters of foreign liquor

from them, it said.

Trial of 3 cops in Floyd killing

to resume after COVID pause

ST. PAUL : The federal trial of three former

Minneapolis police officers charged with

violating George Floyd's rights is expected to

resume Monday, after it was abruptly

suspended last week because one of the

defendants tested positive for COVID-19.

J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou

Thao are accused of depriving Floyd of his rights

when they failed to give him medical aid as

Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the Black man's

neck for 9 ½ minutes while Floyd was

handcuffed, facedown and gasping for air.

Kueng and Thao are also accused of failing to

intervene in the May 2020 killing that triggered

protests worldwide and a reexamination of

racism and policing.

The trial, which was in the middle of its second

week, was halted Wednesday when Judge Paul

Magnuson said one of the defendants had tested

positive. The defendant wasn't named, but

Kueng and Thao were in court that day and Lane

was not. Lane's attorney declined to say whether

his client had COVID-19.

That "trial participant" was to be tested again

before the trial resumes, as will all other case

participants who had been near that person. The

court said Magnuson and the jurors aren't

considered close contacts because they weren't

A two-day skill development training for construction workers has started

in Jaldhaka upazila of Nilphamari.

Photo: Hafizur Rahman

GD-222/22 (5x3)

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BANGLADESH POWER DEVELOPMENT BOARD

www.bpdb.gov.bd

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†dvb bs- 01755592152, B-†gBjt managergppp@yahoo.com, managergppp@bpdb.gov.bd

Memo No. 27.11.3500.430.03.002.22.132 Date: 02/02/2022

Invitation for e-Tenders

we`ÿ r/Rb-614(2)/7/2/2022

GD-219/22 (6x3)

within 6 feet of the attorneys' tables.

Case participants have to answer questions

about COVID-19 symptoms each morning

before the trial begins. If any test positive, have

been in close contact with someone who did, or

begins having symptoms, a COVID-19 test is

immediately given.

Testimony began Jan. 24 after a jury was

quickly selected in one day. Magnuson ordered

the selection of six alternates instead of the usual

two in case any jurors became ill and had to drop

out.

To ensure social distancing, Magnuson set

limits on who can be in the courtroom. That

includes allowing only four pool reporters plus a

sketch artist, along with a limited number of

family and friends of the officers and Floyd.

Everyone entering the courtroom is asked about

symptoms.

The general public and other journalists can

watch a closed-circuit TV feed in separate

rooms.

Masks are mandatory for most people in the

courthouse, as they are in public buildings

across St. Paul and neighboring Minneapolis.

The judge made an exception for himself, citing

a chronic lung condition, and for witnesses

when testifying so their voices aren't muffled.

Tuesday, dhaka: February 8, 2022; Magh 25, 1428 bs; rajab 6, 1443 hijri

Those who send letters against country

should be brought under book:Hasan

Noise pollution prompts

health risks in Khulna

TiTas ChakraborTy, khulna CorrespondenT

Sound pollution has gained momentum in

Khulna city and surrounding district area.

Residents of the district are at risk of urban

health due to noise pollution. Increased noise

pollution is causing harm to children, infants

and heart patients. Saiful Islam, Deputy

Director, Department of Environment,

Khulna Divisional Department, said the

level of pollution has surpassed the standard

level. No actions were taken in the past six

months if someone broke the existing law

related to sound pollution.

According to the Noise Pollution (Control)

Rules 2006, the noise level in a quiet area is

45 decibels and at night it is 35 decibels. 50

decibels at day and 40 decibels at night has

been determined in the residential areas.

Apart from this, 70 decibels at night 60 decibels

have been fixed for the commercial area,

75 decibels during daytime and 70 decibels

should be the norm in the industrial area

whereas 60 decibels at daytime and 50 decibels

at night in the mixed area. If a person is

found guilty of violating the law, for the first

time there is a penalty of one month or five

DHAKA : European Union has expressed

its interest in working with Bangladesh on

renewable energy, green transition, smart

grid and regional cooperation with Nepal

and Bhutan by providing grants or loans,

reports UNB.

This interest was expressed by Charles

Whiteley, the ambassador of the EU, when

he met with State Minister for Power,

Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul

Hamid at his office in the ministry on

Monday.

DHAKA : Information and Broadcasting

Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said

the persons who have sent letters to foreigners

against the country should be brought

under book.

"I think that Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

and also BNP should be brought under trial

for sending letters to foreigners against the

country to stop assistance and to use it (aid)

as a weapon. BNP has appointed lobby

firms as a part of anti-state conspiracy and

propaganda, to create barriers in country's

export trade and to tarnish the image of the

country," he said.

The minister added: "But, at first, they

(BNP) have denied the allegations and

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, at a press

conference, claimed that he didn't send any

letter. Later, they (BNP) became silent

when we present all documents of letters

signed by Mirza Fakhrul and the documents

of appointing lobbyists by using BNP

office address before the mass media."

The minister stated these replying to

queries of reporters at the meeting room of

his ministry at Secretariat in the capital.

Hasan said they (BNP) have no answer

before the countrymen when their misdeeds

were exposed. For this, they will try to

raise various questions to hide their misdeeds,

he added.

He said many developing countries of the

world appoint PR firms or lobby firms to

brighten their image and to increase export

trade. "The foreign ministry has also said

that we have appointed PR firms. Our

export trade has been increased even during

the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Our

export trade has been increased to 50 billion

dollars. We have done all these like other

countries of the world and those are 'black

and white' government agreements. So,

there is nothing to raise question," he added.

The minister said cases would be lodged

against Mirza Fakhrul and BNP, and he

(Mirza Fakhrul) will be incompetent in the

politics and tried if the incidents of writing

letters to stop aids would take place in any

European countries.

Replying to another query over the

COVID-19 vaccination issue, the minister

said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is doing

everything to protect the countrymen from

Coronavirus. Even, many developing countries

have failed to do so like her as she is

conducting the vaccination activities successfully,

said Hasan, also Awami League

joint general secretary.

He said floating people, slum people and

the students of Qawmi madrashas are also

thousand taka or both sentences. Later, a

man will be punished for the same crime

with a fine of Rs 10,000 or both.

Besides, buses passing through Fulbarigate,

Shiromani, pick-up trucks and heavy vehicles,

easy bikes, motorized rickshaws, reckless

three wheelers vehicles that pound the whole

city creates a lot of noise. At the same time, the

use of loud horns, uncontrolled jingles and

noises also cause disruptions.

Saiful Islam added that at different junctions

of the city 60 decibels threshold of tolerable

noise has been crossed It is not possible

to prevent this pollution without knowing

the harmful effects of noise pollution.

Dr. SM Abdul Ohab, a medicine and heart

specialist, said that the higher the noise, the

higher the pressure on the human body and

the heart palpitation. Further hearing loss

can lead to progression of deafness.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner

(Traffic) Md. Tajul Islam said measures are

being taken to prevent activities related to

civil disobedience on the use of sound, honking,

reverse driving etc.

According to a release of the ministry,

the EU envoy also showed interest to

finance the renewable energy project, specially

power generation from solar and

wind. Welcoming the interest, Nasrul said

Bangladesh wants intensely to work with

EU nations.

"We can work together in clean energy,

digitalization of distribution segments,

smart meters, underground cable and

modernization of the energy sector," he

said. He urged the EU envoy to share the

getting vaccines.

The minister urged the persons who criticized

the government over the vaccine

issue to tell something about the government's

success to the people.

About the search committee, Hasan said

the committee has been formed as per the

law where all members except two are constitutional

dignitaries. The constitutional

dignitaries are not from any party or the

government as the President or government

cannot remove them from their positions

and there is a specific process, he

added.

Besides, he said the two members from

civil society are very much neutral and

respected personalities. So, in fact, there is

no scope of giving negative statements

against the search committee, he added.

The minister said Mirza Fakhrul has

claimed that they would not go any election

under this government. "But the polls are

never held under the government. During

the elections, the jobs of all those involved in

the elections are entrusted to the Election

Commission," he added.

Hasan said, in fact, BNP has no faith in

mass people. For this, they are trying to

muddle the situation through anti-state

conspiracy, he added.

CID probes Safari

park animals'

deaths

GAZIPUR : A team of Criminal

Investigation Department (CID) visited

the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari

Park in Gazipur on Monday to probe the

the deaths of several animals, including

zebras. Additional DIG of CID, Imam

Hossain, said samples were collected

from the park for tests at CID laboratory.

The causes of the deaths of the animals

will be known after the tests, he said.

The CID team, led by Dr. Nazmul

Karim Khan, visited the spot and talked

to the officials of the park. So far this

year, 11 zebras, one lioness and a tiger

died at the Gazipur Safari Park. Of them

10 zebras died from January 2 to 24.

Environment, Forest and Climate

Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin on

Sunday said exemplary actions will be

taken against anyone found involved or

responsible for the deaths.

The minister said a five-member probe

body has been formed and it has been

given 10 days to submit a report. Three

officials - project director, veterinary officer

and in-charge of the park - have been

removed from their posts to ensure an

impartial investigation, he said.

EU expresses interest to work on

renewable energy in Bangladesh

European experience to upgrade the

Bangladesh Power Management Institute

to an international standard training institute.

He said demands for power and energy

are increasing due to growing development

activities. Bangladesh wants to invest

in Nepal and Bhutan to generate hydro

power. The EU can participate in projects

in this sector, he said, underscoring the

need for coordinated work through a joint

team to identify the areas.

Mangrove saplings have been planted on the banks of andharamanik Manik river at kalapara in patuakhali. photo : star Mail

preparations are underway for the celebration of the international Mother

language day at the premises of shaheed Minar. The area adjacent to the main

altar is being painted. The picture is taken on Monday. photo : star Mail

Luxembourg reaffirms BD

to continue support on

Rohingya repatriation

DHAKA : Luxembourg has reaffirmed

Bangladesh to continue its support regarding

the repatriation of Rohingyas to their

homeland Myanmar alongside exploring

new opportunities to widen and deepen the

existing bilateral relations further.

The reaffirmation came when Prime

Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanged greetings

with her counterpart Xavier Bettel through

video conferencing on Monday, according to

a release of the Prime Minister's Press Wing.

During the conversation that lasted for

about half an hour, the two Prime Ministers

discussed a range of topics between the two

countries and agreed to explore new opportunities

to further widen and deepen the

existing bilateral cooperation.

Sheikh Hasina mentioned Luxembourg as

a steady supporter and trusted partner in the

ongoing socio-economic development journey

of Bangladesh.

She briefed the Luxembourg Prime

Minister about vaccination progress and

containing the COVID-19 in Bangladesh.

She also recollected a congratulatory message

from the Grand Duke of Luxembourg

on the occasion of Bangladesh's

Independence Day last year when the

Golden Jubilee of independence and the

birth centenary of Father of the Nation

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was

being celebrated.

While the Prime Minister sought

Luxembourg's support on the grounds of

repatriating Rohingyas to their homeland,

Xavier Bettel reaffirmed Luxembourg's continued

support on this issue.

Xavier Bettel expressed his satisfaction as

Hundreds of Moroccans have gathered to

pay their last respects to "little Rayan", the

five-year-old boy who died after being

trapped in a well for four days, reports

BBC.

Rayan Oram fell down the 32m (104ft)

well on 1 February, prompting painstaking

efforts to rescue him. The rescue effort garnered

media attention worldwide.

Hundreds of mourners attended his

funeral on Monday in his home village

where the tragedy unfolded.

There were so many people that they

could not all fit in the hilltop cemetery and

prayer site in the northern Rif mountains.

"I am over 50 years old and [have] never

seen as many people in a funeral. Rayan is

the Royal Institute of British Architects

(RIBA) awarded the Luxembourg-supported

"Friendship Hospital" building for 2021

located in Shyamnagar, Satkhira.

Sheikh Hasina also lauded the architecture

of the building as the designer is a

Bangladeshi.

During the conversation, the two Prime

Ministers agreed to conclude the bilateral Air

Services Agreement soon as Luxembourg is

looking forward to establishing direct cargo

flights on a priority basis.

They also expressed their collective willingness

to boost trade and economic cooperation

between the two countries. Sheikh

Hasina praised Luxembourg's expertise in

financial sector management and would like

to avail the opportunity to benefit from it.

Prime Minister Bettel mentioned with

happiness that over 1000 Bangladeshi live in

his country, where a large number are studying

there.

Sheikh Hasina informed Xavier Bettel that

Bangladesh will officially graduate from the

UN LDC category in 2026 and asked for his

government's cooperation to the European

Union for trade preferences such as the

GSP+ in the EU market during the postgraduation

transition period.

The Luxembourg Prime Minister agreed

in principle to extend wholehearted support

for Bangladesh.

Both the leaders also discussed many climate

change issues of common concern.

Sheikh Hasina welcomed Luxembourg's climate-smart

investments in infrastructure,

water treatment, urban development, and

renewable energy.

Rayan: Morocco holds funeral for five-year-old

who died trapped in well

the son of us all," one villager told Reuters

news agency.

Mourners gather during the funeral of

Rayan Oram who died after being trapped

in a well, near Chefchaouen, Morocco, on

7 February 2022. Mourners attended the

ceremony at the cemetery near Rayan's

village close to the city of Chefchaouen

Mourners gather to pay their final

respects to Rayan Oram, who died on

Saturday after a days-long effort to rescue

him from a well, during his funeral near

Chefchaouen, Morocco, on 7 February

2022. Not everyone could fit inside the

cemetery. When the boy was finally pulled

from the well on Saturday evening, his

apparent rescue was initially met with

Political request

won't be acceptable

in BRTA officials'

transfer: Quader

DHAKA : Awami League General

Secretary and Road Transport and

Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on

Monday said any political request won't be

acceptable in case of urgent transfer of any

official of BRTA.

He said this while exchanging views

with concerned officials of Bangladesh

Road Transport Authority (BRTA) at its

head office in the capital here.

Quader said if any urgent transfer of any

BRTA official is needed, it will be done as

per rules. But any political lobbying won't

be acceptable to this end, he mentioned.

BRTA Chairman Nur Mohammad

Mazumder and other concerned officials

were present on the occasion.

Mentioning that infrastructural development

won't bring any benefit unless discipline

is brought in roads and highways,

the minister said by any means, discipline

must be brought in roads.

He asked concerned officials of BRTA to

eliminate domination of brokers from

BRTA by any cost.

Quader also gave directives to complete

providing of licenses to the awaiting subscribers

by next four months.

Omicron may hit

business confidence &

economic recovery in

Bangladesh: Survey

DHAKA : The new wave of Covid-19 pandemic

is likely to shake the confidence of

the country's business sector as it started

recovering from the earlier shocks,

according to survey by South Asian

Network on Economic Modeling

(SANEM), reports UNB.

The overall business confidence in

January-March 2022 faces decline in

comparison to the October-December

2021 quarter, said the findings of the survey

released at a webinar in Dhaka on

Monday.

It said most of the sectors have

expressed lesser confidence for the

upcoming quarter, reflecting their growing

concern about the advent of Omicron.

SANEM Executive Director and Dhaka

University Economics Department

Professor Dr Selim Raihan on Monday

presented the findings from the think

tank's seventh round of the "Business

Confidence Index" survey at a webinar

here.

The webinar focused on the new wave of

Covid-19 pandemic and the state of business

confidence in Bangladesh.

The survey results showed that Present

Business Status Index (PBSI) (year) is

approaching the mark of 60 in the

October-December 2021 quarter from

56.79 in the earlier quarter, indicating a

continuation of improvement.

Considerable improvement has been

observed in the profitability and sales or

export order sub-indicators.

Similar to PBSI (year), the PBSI (quarter)

points to an improvement in business

activities in October-December 2021

quarter in comparison to July-September

2021 quarter. Compared year-on-year,

RMG, Textile, Restaurant, Food

Processing, and Pharmaceuticals sectors

have registered a comparatively faster

recovery. Progress in PBSI became slower

during the period of Jul-Sep 2021 to Oct-

Dec 2021 compared to the previous period

of Apr-Jun 2021 to Jul-Sep 2021 quarters.

There was a significant gap between

Business Status and confidence during the

period of Jul-Sep 2020 to Jan-Mar 2021.

cheers from crowds by the well.

But this turned to heartbreak minutes

later when it was announced that the rescue

was too late, and that Rayan had died.

The rescue mission had been watched

across the world - and soon after death

was announced, tributes poured in. On

social media, where the hashtag

#SaveRayan had been trending, people

expressed their sympathy and sadness.

How Morocco held its breath for Rayan

Morocco's King Mohammed VI called

the parents of the boy and offered them his

deepest condolences. Pope Francis, while

expressing his sadness, praised the "beautiful"

way people had "worked together to

save a child".

08-02-2022

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