03-03-2022

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022
3
The Flag Hoisting Day commemorating the hoisting of the first national flag of independent
Bangladesh was observed yesterday with due respect on Dhaka University campus. Photo : Courtesy
Flag Hoisting Day’ observed at DU
DHAKA : The Flag Hoisting Day
commemorating the hoisting of the first
national flag of independent Bangladesh
was observed yesterday with due respect
on Dhaka University campus.
On March 2, 1971, independent
Bangladesh's national flag, with a yellow
map of Bangladesh inside a red disc in a
green ambience, was hoisted amid
cheers from the spirited students at a
massive gathering on the vibrant Dhaka
University campus, reports BSS.
The then Vice-President (VP) of
Dhaka University Central Students'
Union (DUCSU) ASM Abdur Rab
hoisted the National flag of independent
Bangladesh on behalf of Swadhin
Bangla Chhatra Sangram Parishad at
the historic Bot-Tola premises.
Marking the historic day of Bangalee
nation, DU Vice-Chancellor (VC)
World Wildlife
Day today
DHAKA : The World Wildlife
Day will be observed on March
3 (Thursday) across the globe,
including Bangladesh, aiming
to create awareness about
endangered animals and plants
and ways to fight against
wildlife crime, reports BSS
To mark the day, the
Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change will
arrange a discussion at Ban
Bhaban here at 10.30 am today.
Environment, Forest and
Climate Change Minister Md
Shahab Uddin will join the
meeting as the chief guest,
while Chairman of
Parliamentary Standing
Committee on the ministry
Saber Hossain Chowdhury and
Environment, Forest and
Climate Change Secretary Md
Mustafa Kamal as special
guests. Wildlife trade is one of
the most profitable illicit trades
in the world, estimated at up to
US$ 10 billion annually. Illegal
wildlife trade of elephant ivory,
rhino horns, and tiger products,
is widespread in many
countries, particularly in Asia
and Africa.
Professor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman
inaugurated a programme on the Bot-
Tola premises adjacent to Arts Building
by playing the national anthem.
Dr Akhtaruzzaman flanked by DU
Pro-VC (Academic) Dr ASM Maksud
Kamal, DU Pro-VC (Administration) Dr
Moammad Samad, DU Teachers
Association (DUTA) president Dr
Rahmat Ullah, General Secretary Dr
Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan and others
hoisted the national flag of Bangladesh.
VC Akhtaruzzaman paid rich tribute
to father of the nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, national four
leaders, liberation war martyrs and the
DUCSU and students' leaders, who
gathered at the Bot-Tola to hoist the
national flag of Bangladesh on March
02, 1971.
"The role and influence of father of the
DHAKA : The UAE
Ambassador in Dhaka
Abdulla Ali AlHmoudi
yesterday said the food
processing industry in
Bangladesh is promising for
the UAE investors.
He made this remark
during a courtesy call on the
FBCCI President Jashim
Uddin at FBCCI Icon on
Wednesday, said a press
release.
During the discussion, the
envoy said different
countries showcase their
goods at the pavilions in the
Global Village of Dubai.
The ambassador urged
Bangladesh to take
advantage of this.
"Bangladesh Pavilion in
the Global Village would
make it easier for tourists
from different countries,
including Dubai, to get
information about
Bangladeshi products," he
added.
Lauding the dedication of
the Bangladeshi people, the
ambassador said, the
number of Bangladeshis in
white color professions
including engineers, doctors
and nurses is increasing in
the UAE.
During the meeting,
FBCCI President Jashim
Uddin said that Bangladesh
has now become an
attractive investment
destination for global
entrepreneurs as the
country facilitates with
skilled workers, a huge
domestic market of 170
million people, ready
infrastructure in economic
zones and duty-free market
access for exports to various
countries.
nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman is shining and visible in every
verse, every moment, every background
and every event of our history", said
Akhtaruzzaman at the discussion.
With his dynamic and effective
leadership, Bangabandhu was the main
patron who was behind of gearing up
such movements, creating all the
necessary political and social
backgrounds and elements required for
country's independence, he added.
Bangabandhu directed the
construction and hoisting of the flag on
that time at Dhaka University through
his far-sighted plan, he furthered.
After the discussion on the
significance of the Flag Hoisting Day,
patriotic songs were performed at a
cultural event.
Bangladesh food processing
industry has huge
potentials: UAE envoy
The President called upon
the UAE investors to take
advantage of this
opportunity.
"There are opportunities
to enhance bilateral
investment relations with
the UAE in various sectors,
including food processing,
halal food and skills
development," he added.
The meeting also
discussed the UAE and
Bangladesh Business
Council to be inaugurated
this month.
Among others, FBCCI Vice
President MA Momen, Md.
Amin Helaly, Salauddin
Alamgir, Habib Ullah Dawn,
Director Md. Amjad
Hossain and Secretary
General Mohammad
Mahfuzul Hoque were also
present at the meeting.
Readers and buyers are not in a hurry as the duration of Amar Ekushey Book Fair has been extended.
Although the attendance of readers and writers is less in the afternoon, the book fair is full in the
evening.
Photo : Star Mail
BGB seizes smuggled
goods, drugs worth
over Tk 119cr in Feb
DHAKA : Border Guard
Bangladesh (BGB) members
seized smuggled goods
including arms and drugs
worth Tk 119.61 crore from
different parts of the country
including the border areas in
February.
The seized drugs include
15,57,716 Yaba pills, 4.170
kgs crystal meth ice, 2.100
kgs opium, 29,539 bottles of
phensidyl, 1,902 kgs
cannabis, 10.120 kgs heroin
and 1,52,787 injections, says
Public Relation Officer
(PRO) of the BGB
headquarters Md Shariful
Islam.
Other smuggled items
include 5.870 kg gold,
46.065 kg silver, 1,21,585
cosmetics, 12,179 imitation
jeweleries, 6,269 sarees,
20,474 three-piece sets, shirt
pieces, blanket, 2721 cubic
feet timber, 6,639 kgs tea
leaves, 19,410 kg coal, 2
touch stone statues, four
trucks, covered vans, four
private cars, microbuses, 16
pickups, 35 easybikes and 75
motorcycles.
Thailand reassures
support for Rohingya
repatriation
DHAKA : Thai deputy prime minister Don
Pramudwinai has reassured Bangladesh to
provide all possible support to ensure an
early, safe and dignified return of the
displaced Rohingya from Bangladesh, reports
BSS.
Pramudwinai, who is also foreign minister
of Thailand, made the assurance while
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin
Momen requested him for utilizing Bangkok's
'friendship and influence' with Myanmar.
Masud made the call while he called on him
in Bangkok on Tuesday, a foreign ministry
press release received.
During the meeting, both of them
exchanged felicitations and greetings on the
occasion of the 50 years of bilateral relations
and stressed the importance of further
strengthening the existing excellent ties for
mutual benefit of the two friendly peoples.
Earlier on the same day, the Second round
of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC)
between Bangladesh and Thailand was held.
Bangladesh foreign secretary and his Thai
counterpart Thani Thongphakdi led their
respective sides during the FOC where the
entire gamut of bilateral relations between
the two countries was discussed.
Both the sides underscored an early
commencement of a joint feasibility study on
potentials of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
between Bangladesh and Thailand to forge a
'Strategic Economic Partnership'.
During the FOC, the Bangladesh side
reiterated its urge to Thailand to use its
leverage in advancing effective engagement of
ASEAN mechanisms in a fruitful manner in
expediting the repatriation mechanism of
Rohingyas.
The Bangladesh side observed, ASEAN
engagement in the repatriation process would
undeniably give a sense of safety and security
to Rohingya which may encourage them to go
back voluntarily to their homeland in
Rakhine.
The two sides also agreed to create further
synergies for a sustainable and inclusive
economic recovery and development by
properly implementing the Bio-Circular
Green Economic model and the Mujib
Climate Prosperity Plan in the respective
countries.
Information Minister and Broadcasting Dr Hasan Mahmud addressing a seminar as chief guest at
Bangladesh Press Club Institute.
Photo : PID
TCB to sell essential
items to 1cr people ahead
of Ramadan: Tipu
DHAKA : Commerce
Minister Tipu Munshi
yesterday said the state-run
Trading Corporation of
Bangladesh (TCB) would sell
essential items to some one
crore low-income group
people at low prices ahead of
the forthcoming holy month
of Ramadan."This time, TCB
will come to the market
increasing its capacity
around four times. Essential
items of the TCB will be
reached to one crore people
within the next one or one
?and a half months. I think,
around five crore people will
be benefited through the
initiative," he said.
The minister said this
while speaking at a press
conference after a meeting
held at the Secretariat on
keeping the commodities
prices in check during the
month of Ramadan.
TBT REPORT
Major General Shakil
Ahmed, SPP, NSWC,
AFWC, PSC has joined as
the new Director General
of Border Guard
Bangladesh (BGB) on 28
February 2022. He took
over the charge from the
outgoing Director General
of BGB, Major General Md.
Safinul Islam, BGBM
(BAR), NDC, PSC on the
afternoon of February 28,
2022. Prior to joining
Border Guard Bangladesh,
he served as the Adjutant
General of the Bangladesh
Army at the Army
Headquarters.
Major General Shakil
Ahmed was commissioned
in the Infantry Corps on 24
June 1986 with the 16th
long term course of
Bangladesh Military
Academy. In his long and
vivid career, he held
various important
positions at the command,
BNP spreading falsehood
against government: Hanif
DHAKA : Awami League (AL) Joint General
Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif yesterday
said BNP has been spreading falsehood
against the government through holding
rallies in front of Jatiya Press Club every day.
"BNP leaders are also telling lies about the
government and its activities in TV talkshows
every day to mislead the people," he
said. Hanif said this while talking to
journalists before joining a meeting of party's
leaders of Chattogram division and
Chandpur district at the AL's Bangabandhu
Avenue central office here.
He said Bangladesh is moving forward
under the dynamic leadership of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina and per capita
income of the people has increased and
country's overall exports are on rising trend.
After the killing of Bangabandhu, BNP
founder Ziaur Rahman had tried to make
Bangladesh a province of Pakistan and at that
time, they not only banned the slogan of
Liberation War-Joy Bangla but also
forbidden the historic March 7 Speech of
Bangabandhu.
staff and trainer levels.
Major General Shakil
Ahmed has successfully
served as GOC 19th
Infantry Division,
Commander 99 Composite
Brigade and Commander
1st East Bengal Regiment.
He also served as Director
of the Defense Intelligence
Directorate, Counter
Intelligence Bureau,
General Staff Officer
Grade-1 of an Infantry
Division and Brigade
Major of an Infantry
Brigade. Major General
Shakil Ahmed has also
served as the Commandant
of the School of Infantry
and Tactics (SI&T). As an
Instructor, he has been the
Chief Instructor of SI&T,
Platoon Commander at
Bangladesh Military
Academy and Directing
Staff of the Armed Forces
War Course at National
Defense College, Mirpur.
As a peacekeeper, he was a
contingent member of
UNOSOM-II in Somalia
BNP that always practices evil politics is
now looking for an issue to attain its evil
purposes, he said, adding that AL leadersactivists
will have to build resistance against
conspiracies and ill politics of BNP.
He criticized BNP Secretary General Mirza
Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for spreading
confusion about the newly formed Election
Commission (EC) and urged the countrymen
not to be confused with the negative
propaganda of BNP against the EC.
AL advisory council member Dr Mohiuddin
Khan Alamgir, presidium member Mofazzal
Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram, joint
general secretary Dr Dipu Moni, organizing
secretary Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon,
relief and social welfare secretary Sujit Ray
Nondi, science and technology affairs
secretary Abdus Sabur, information and
recharge secretary Dr Salim Mahmud,
Chandpur Zilla Awami League president
Nasir Uddin Ahmed, its general secretary Abu
Naim Patwari Dulal, Shafiqur Rahman, MP,
and Nurul Amin Ruhul, MP, among others,
were present.
BGB gets a new director general
and MONUC's force
logistics staff in Congo. He
has also served as
Contingent Commander
on BANBAT-3/23 at the
UNOCI Ivory Coast
Mission to the United
Nations. He held the
position of Director
General of the Immigration
and Passport Department
under the Ministry of
Home Affairs.
Major General Shakil
Ahmed holds higher
degrees in various
disciplines at home and
abroad. He holds a
Master's degree in National
Security and War Studies, a
Master's degree in
Strategic Studies, and a
Master's degree in Defense
Studies. He has also
participated in numerous
professional training
courses, seminars and
symposiums at home and
abroad. Dr. Shahnaz Shakil
is his wife. The couple have
a daughter and a son.