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Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 1637 new cases, 21 deaths
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19 Oct 2020, 17:13
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Bangladesh has recorded 21 more deaths from Covid-19 in 24 hours until Monday morning , pushing up the fatalities to 5681.
Health authorities also reported 1,637 new cases, taking the caseload to 390,206.
Currently, there are 84,607 active cases in the country, said a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18. The cases reached the 300,000-mark on Aug 26 while the death toll exceeded 5,000 on Sept 22.
The fatality rate is 1.46 percent.
So far, 21,78,714 samples have been tested -- 15,146 in the last 24 hours -- and 17.96 percent of them have turned out to be positive.
Bangladesh’s recovery rate is steadily increasing with 1,627 new recoveries. So far, 305,599 patients have recovered with a recovery rate of 78.32 percent, the health authorities said.
Source: UNB
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No plan to hike train fare for now: Railway minister
Railway Minister Zillul Hakim has said that there will be no hike in railway fares before the upcoming Eid al-Adha.
The railway minister clarified the matter to the media on Sunday (March 17) after some media reports published that railway fares may increase from April 1.
Zillul Hakim also said that no decision has been taken to increase rail fares. "Railway fares will not increase in the near future," he added.
Meanwhile, at a program in Rajbari on Sunday, the railway minister said that 800 coaches will be imported in the country within the next one year. New engines will also be introduced. They will be implemented with new projects to modernize the railway.
Bangabandhu's birth anniversary celebrated
The nation today celebrated the 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day in a befitting manner.
On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the vivacious leader of the Bangalee nation, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bangalee of all times, was born in a respected Muslim family at Tungipara village of Gopalganj sub-division, now district.
He was the third among four daughters and two sons of his parents - Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Saira Khatun.
Different political, social and cultural organisations and government bodies arranged different programmes, marking the birth anniversary and the Nation Children's Day.
The programme included placing wreaths at Bangabandhu's portrait at Dhanmondi-32 in Dhaka and his mazar in Tungipara, Gopalganj, doa and milad mahfil, munajat, prayers, discussions, cultural functions, voluntary blood donations, exhibition of documentaries, drawing competitions and distribution of foods among destitute and so on.
The ruling Awami League's programme began with hoisting of national and party flags atop all party offices, including central office at Bangabandhu Avenue here, this morning.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth anniversary and the National Children's Day.
The president and the premier paid homage by placing wreaths at the mazar (mausoleum) of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj at about 10.38 am.
President Shahabuddin first laid a wreath at Bangabandhu's mazar followed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation.
A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Forces gave an honour guard on the occasion.
Flanked by senior leaders of the ruling Awami League (AL), Sheikh Hasina, also the president of AL, placed another wreath at the grave of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's younger daughter and PM's younger sister Sheikh Rehana and other family members were present.
Mohammed Shahabuddin and Sheikh Hasina also offered Fateha and joined a munajat seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu as well as other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
Cabinet members, PM's advisers, parliament members and AL senior leaders were present.
The president and the prime minister signed the visitor's book kept on the mausoleum premises as well.
Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road-32 in Dhaka.
After placing the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the country's founding father.
Prime Minister's younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present at that time.
A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force gave an honour guard.
A munajat was also offered there seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
Later, flanked by senior AL leaders, Sheikh Hasina placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party.
AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, its presidium members Dr Abdur Razzaque, Shajahan Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Advocate Quamrul Islam, Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin and AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, joint general secretaries Dr Hasan Mahmud, Mahbubul Alam Hanif and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, and organising secretaries Ahmed Hossain, BM Mozammel Haque, Mirza Azam, SM Kamal Hossain and Sujit Roy Nandi were, among others, present.
Later, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait.
Afterwards, AL's Dhaka city north and south units, Awami Jubo League, Awami Swechchhasebak League, Bangladesh Krishak League, Mahila Awami League, Jubo Mahila League, Chhatra League, Sramik League, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Parishad, different political, social and cultural organisations and professional bodies placed wreaths at Bangabandhu's portrait.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin today hosted a special doa and milad mahfil at Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban after Zohr prayers, marking the 104th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu.
Marking the birth anniversary, the Islamic Foundation organised programmes at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital. The programmes included discussion and recitation from the Holy Quran and special prayers.
Munajat were offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyred family members.
Special doa and munajat were also arranged at different mosques across the country after Zohr prayers.
Besides, special prayers were offered at all religious institutions, including temples, churches and pagodas on the occasion.
Christian community members arranged special prayers at Tejgaon Church and Mirpur Baptist Church (3/7-A Senpara Parbata, Mirpur-10), while Buddhist community members held prayers at International Buddhist Monastery at Merul Badda and Hindu community members at Dhakeshwari National Temple.
The day was a public holiday.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the day in the life of Bangalees while national dailies published special supplements.
Bangladesh missions abroad also celebrated Bangabandhu's birth anniversary and the National Children's Day by holding different programmes.
Source: BSS
NDI report on national polls irrelative: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has reacted to the reports released by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) on the 12th parliamentary election.
"It doesn't matter what NDI-IRI says regarding Bangladesh’s election as the national polls were free, fair and impartial," he told reporters after a programme at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Sunday (March 17).
Hasan said NDI and IRI have admitted that there was less violence in the 12th parliamentary election compared to the previous elections.
However, IRI and NDI are non-partisan non-governmental organizations that support and strengthen democratic institutions and practices worldwide. These institutes have collectively monitored more than 200 elections in more than 50 countries over the past 30 years.
Gold prices cut by Tk 1750 per bhori
Bangladesh Jewellers' Association (Bajus) has fixed the new price of gold in the country's market.
Bajus said in a press release on Tuesday (March 19) that gold prices cut by 1.5 percent to Tk 111,158 a bhori (11.664 grammes) from the existing Tk 112,907 a bhori which is the highest in the history of Bangladesh.
The Bajus said in a statement that the new prices will be effective from Wednesday (March 20).
However, the annual demand for gold stands in between 20 tonnes and 40 tonnes.
Efforts underway to rescue hostage sailors: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has said that maximum efforts are being made to free the sailors from the hands of Somali pirates.
He said this after paying a courtesy call on the UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh at his ministry on Tuesday.
Hasan Mahmud said all efforts are underway to bring back the seafarers safely from the hands of Somali pirates. However, it is not possible to say everything at the moment.
He also urged the media to be careful in this regard.
The foreign minister aslo said that around 200 Myanmar BGP members are staying in Bangladesh. Talks are underway with the Myanmar government to bring them back.
Police firmly committed to ensure smooth Eid journey: IGP
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun said that police force are trying to ensure smooth and secured journey during Eid-ul-Fitr.
He said this during a courtesy call on the leaders of Crime Reporters Association Of Bangladesh (CRAB) at the Police Headquarters on Tuesday (March 19).
The IGP said all measures have been taken so that common people can reach their destinations during Eid. Besides, we have arranged security measures during Iftar, taraweeh and Sehri in such a way that the security of the common people is not hampered.
Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun said police officers across the country have been instructed to ensure the safety and services of the common people. Besides, zero tolerance policy against militancy, terrorism, extortion and drugs will continue.
CCECC Showcases Dredging Technology at Mongla Port Open Day
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation recently hosted an open day event at Mongla Port in Bangladesh, showcasing their advanced trailing suction hopper dredger "Xin Zi Lang 5".
The event, started on Tuesday aimed to raise awareness about marine engineering and share technology with the local community.
Over 400 people participated, including Mongla Port Authority officials, students, and teachers from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), and local primary and secondary schools.
Attendees were given tours of the dredger, learning about its operation and the importance of dredging projects in maintaining smooth waterway access for commercial vessels.
The "Xin Zi Lang 5," one of the most advanced dredgers in Bangladesh, arrived in 2021 and has already removed over 2.4 million cubic meters of dredged sand, ensuring the navigability of the Pussur Channel for commercial vessels of the Mongla Port, Dr AKM Anisur Rahman, member (Engineering) chief guest of the programme said.
Since 2018, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), has played a significant role in maintaining Mongla Port. They've completed multiple dredging projects, ensuring smooth passage for commercial vessels, Sheikh Sowkat Ali, project director of the “Inner Bar Dredging of Mongla Port Channel’ said.
Students from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) were particularly excited about the event.
Asked about their impressions, students of KUET said they are excited to visit the largest and most advanced dredger working in the country.
Professor Shahjahan from KUET also acknowledged CCECC for its commitment to knowledge sharing. He highlighted the company's ongoing support for academic forums and research collaborations at the university.
“The event focused on CCECC's dedication to social responsibility in Bangladesh. They actively create job opportunities for local communities, participate in educational charity initiatives, and collaborate with universities on technological exchange programs” Steven Guo, project manager of CCECC said.
Through proper business practices and social contributions, CCECC has earned a strong reputation in the Bangladesh market, Steven Guo, manager of the project said.
These efforts have made CCECC a responsible and valuable partner in Bangladesh's economic and social progress, he added.
