At Dhaka University, a rally stage built to mark the 75th anniversary of Bangladesh Chhatra League, broke down this afternoon while Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader was delivering his speech. Obaidul Quader was delivering his speech as the chief guest at the programme.  At one point of his speech, the stage, crowded with Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders and activists, collapsed, confirmed witnesses. Quader, however, stood up and completed his speech, sources said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Wednesday) asked the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men to build themselves as perfect leaders by moving forward with sacrificing mind leaving personal interest and greed.    "If you (Chhatra League leaders and activists) move ahead with sacrificing mind discarding personal interest and lust, you could establish yourselves as perfect leaders," she said at a discussion as the chief guest.    BCL central executive committee organized the discussion in the city's Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), marking the National Mourning Day and 47th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.   Sheikh Hasina, also the ruling Awami League (AL) President, said, "If you want to make money and wealth unnecessarily, then you can't attain leadership quality, can't serve the country and can't give anything to the people".    She said BCL leaders and activists will have to build themselves as true patriots in their future journey being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War and the belief of non-communalism.    "Then, you can go to the right direction," she added.    Mentioning that money and wealth don't do anything in the time of necessity, the premier said Covid-19 pandemic has shown us it as many wealthy people became helpless at that time.    "We have to keep it in mind. It's the reality. It's true," she said.    The AL president asked the BCL leaders and activists to read the Unfinished Memories, Karagarer Rojnamcha (Diary in Jail), Amar Dekha Naya Chin of Bangabandhu and the Secret Documents of Pakistani intelligence to know many things.    "If you read the secret document, you will learn many things and can gain knowledge to do politics," she said.     Sheikh Hasina also asked the BCL leaders and activists to engage them in enhancing food production as the world might face a deeper food crisis.  "If needed, our Chhatra League will have to help plant paddy seedlings as they did in harvesting paddy (during the Covid-19 period)," she said.  She called upon every BCL men to plant trees massively, engage in crop cultivation and thus increase food production in their respective village homes and the place where he or she lives - it may be a hostel or educational institute.  Because, the world might witness direr situation and the foods might not be purchased despite having money, she said, adding, "So, we will have to produce our own foods."  The premier also urged the BCL men to show austerity in the use of electricity, water and fuels amid the world economic crisis.                                                                                                   With BCL President Al Nahiyan Khan Joy in the chair, its General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharya moderated the discussion.   BCL Dhaka University Unit President Sonjit Chandra Das, General Secretary Saddam Hossain, Dhaka North Unit President Ibrahim Hossain, General Secretary Saidur Rahman Hridoy, Dhaka South Unit President Mehedi Hasan and General Secretary Jubayer Ahmed, among others, also spoke.   At the outset of the discussion, one minute of silence was observed to pay tribute to the martyrs of the August 15 carnage.   The premier also unveiled BCL's two publications -"Matribhumi" and "Joy Bangla" at the event. The Prime Minister said the BCL is an organization which Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman himself established and she knew that many things on BCL were published in the media.   "BCL is a big organization and we have been in power for a long time and that is why, many bad people intrude into the party. They cause trouble on their own but responsibility falls on the BCL," she noted.   She directed the BCL leaders not to include bad elements in the party to enlarge their own group. "It harms your reputation, party's reputation, country's reputation as some people are always against us," she added.   Mentioning that Chhatra Dal, student wing of BNP, have done lot of misdeeds but media doesn't see it, she said, "If BCL does tiny mistake, they (media) publish big news. So, you have to stay on the right track."   Laying emphasis on education, Sheikh Hasina said BCL leaders and activists will have to do study to learn as fourth industrial revolution (4IR) nears.   "I want skilled human resources and that is why, I've established lots of universities to meet the demand as it is the time for science and technology and 4IR," she said.   The Prime Minister said every BCL leader and activist has to build them as eligible citizen obtaining proper education.   "Education and knowledge is inevitable to run the country alongside knowing history and developing foresight," she said, adding that without these, country's development will never be materialized and it is the realty.    Sheikh Hasina said after the 1975, the country's educational institution witnessed the jingle of arms and bombs, but Awami league government have ensured congenial atmosphere for education, wiping out those from the campuses.   To ensure education for all, she said that her government is setting up universities in each district and providing stipend to the students to ensure higher education.   Mentioning that Ziaur Rahman handed over arms to the students, the premier said she gave pen, paper and book to the hand of BCL men for study. "Actually, without education, none can serve the nation," she said.   She directed the BCL men to put concentration on study at first as the government has diversified the education. Extending her gratitude to the BCL for standing beside people during the Covid-19 pandemic, Sheikh Hasina said she directed the BCL as a pioneer organization to help people and leaders and activists of BCL have done it.     About the August 15 carnage, she said her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman could never believe that any Bangalee could kill him.  He (Bangabandhu) had brought the independence of the country and led a very simple life always despite being the president and the prime minister of this country, she said.    Recalling the contribution of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa to the struggle for freedom, Sheikh Hasina said her mother had not only taken care of family matters but also looked after the organisation when her father was in jail.    "The dedication of my mother is incomparable. My father was very lucky that my mother had no personal desire or never wanted anything for her personal interest," she said.    Though Bangabandhu often had to go to Karachi to join the National Assembly after becoming its member in 1955, Bangamata had never gone to Pakistan and didn't want to visit there as well, she said.    The prime minister said her mother had never annoyed her father over the familial affairs, rather Bangamata had helped her husband make timely and right decisions regarding national life and the freedom struggle.    "My mother had a firm belief that the country would be liberated . . . My mother never got frustrated. We always found her with firm morale and infinite patience," she added. Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Wednesday) asked Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leaders and activists to prepare themselves as skilled manpower to utilize their innovative power and avail themselves of the advantage of upcoming technology, keeping away from corruption, militancy, terrorism.        “The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) will come and in this technological era, the efficiency of people will also change. So, the BCL leaders and activists will have to be ready from now on in the befitting manner,” she said.        The Premier was addressing the 74th founding anniversary function of BCL at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh Auditorium, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.    Reminding the BCL leaders and activists Bangabandhu’s quote “Great achievement requires great sacrifice”, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of ruling Awami League, urged them not to be misguided.        “You should not be associated with terrorism, militancy and corruption. (You) have to keep (yourself) away from those and have to pay special attention so the country can move forward on the path of peace and development,” she told the BCL leaders and activists.          She said each BCL leader and activist should keep in mind that it is the job of a political leader to work for the people.         Referring to BCL’s main mantra - education, peace and progress, she said, “The world is moving forward and we have to go ahead in line with the latest innovations in science and technology.”           In this connection, the Prime Minister said her government has made computer education, technology education, internet use and mobile phone available to all.         As a result of being in power continuously since 2008, she said, today it has become possible to expand the use of technology to remote areas of Bangladesh. “So, there is no chance to deceive people anymore. People's eyes have opened because the world has come in the palm of their hand.”          Awami League Presidium Member Abdur Rahman also spoke while BCL President Al-Nahian Khan Joy was in the chair. BCL General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharya conducted the function.         At the outset of the event, one-minute silence was observed in respect to all the martyrs.        Besides, a video documentary on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was screened, while theme song of Chhatra League was also sung.          The premier also opened “Matribhumi Corner” at BCL’s headquarters in city’s Bangabandhu Avenue where collection of all books, documentaries and write-ups on Bangabandhu as well as books and write-ups of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina were accumulated.       Former presidents and general secretaries of BCL central executive committee as well as former leaders of other units were also present. Source: BSS AH

Noting that no nation can move forward without education, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Monday) asked the leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) to get involved in nation building preparing themselves with the organisation’s main principles. “BCL’s main principles are education, peace and progressiveness. Each BCL leader and activist has to move ahead bearing the ideology . . . We will move towards progressiveness following the path of peace and pull the country ahead and it should be our goal,” she said. The premier was addressing a discussion at Krishibid Institution auditorium marking the 73rd founding anniversary of BCL as the chief guest virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital. Mentioning that she has taught her children that education and knowledge are such a wealth which always helps everyone move ahead smoothly, Sheikh Hasina urged BCL leaders and activists to prepare themselves with this lesson. “…..You (BCL leaders and activists) can attain huge wealth but never contribute to people and the nation if you prepare yourself without ideology. Nobody can be a high-up without containing the ideology,” she noted. The premier went on saying the Covid-19 has shown the reality that wealth and properties have become failed when it was most required. “So, you (BCL) should put concentration on education.” On the occasion of the BCL’s founding anniversary, the Prime Minister cut a cake at Ganabhaban while present and former leaders of BCL also cut cake at Krishibid Institution auditorium. A short video on the evolution, journey and activities of BCL was screened at the discussion meeting. Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Jahangir Kabir Nanak and AL Central Working Committee Member Dr Mostofa Jalal Mohiuddin also spoke on the occasion. BCL President Al-Nahian Khan Joy chaired the discussion while General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharya conducted it. Source: BSS AH

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) is set to celebrate its 73rd founding anniversary through different programmes tomorrow (Monday). The largest student organization having glorious heritage of struggle and success, the BCL came into being on January 4 in 1948 at the instruction of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with a view to attaining the country’s independence. BCL central leaders greeted all on the occasion of the organization’s 73rd founding anniversary. Marking the anniversary, the student wing of the ruling Awami League has taken elaborate programmes on Monday (January 4). The day’s programmes will include hoisting national and party flags at party offices at 6.30 am, placing of wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi road-32 at 8 am maintaining the health guidelines, cutting of cake at 9.30 am at Dhaka University Curzon Hall. Later, a discussion will be held at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium at 3.30 pm while Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina is expected to address the discussion as the chief guest through a videoconferencing. The BCL has been leading all democratic and progressive movements in the country since it established in 1948. This organization attained victory in all struggles in exchange of great sacrifices. The BCL played pioneering roles in the language movement in 1952, in the victory of Jukta Front in 1954 polls, anti-Aiyub movement in 1958, education movement in 1962, six-point movement in 1966, mass upsurge in 1969, elections in 1970, the great Liberation War in 1971, rehabilitation activities in post-war Bangladesh, movement for restoration of democracy after 1975 carnage, student movement in 1983 and anti-autocratic movement in 1990. The BCL was also engaged in the movement launched by Sheikh Hasina against the ‘state terrorism’ unleashed by the then BNP-Jamaat alliance government after the 2001 polls. The BCL also waged a strong movement after the one-eleven changeover when the army-backed government arrested Sheikh Hasina on July 16 in 2007 without any reason. Source: BSS AH

Bangladesh stalwart Tamim Iqbal struck a record-breaking 300 in the ongoing Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Along the process, Tamim joined Raqibul Hasan in the list of hitting 300 in the first-class cricket as Bangladeshi batsman. Tamim is now the fastest batsman to reach a first-class 300 for Bangladesh. Raqibul struck the score as a Bangladeshi batsman back in 2006-2007 season in the National Cricket League for Barishal Division against Sylhet Division. He was not-out for 313 runs at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah. Tamim completed his first triple ton off 407 balls with 40 fours. The southpaw remained not-out for 334 off 426 balls with 42 fours and three sixes when his team Islami Bank East Zone declared for 555 for two in 139.5 overs. Yasir Ali also remained unbeaten for 62 off 172 deliveries. Earlier, Walton Central Zone lost the toss and batted first and posted 213 runs for all in 75.1 overs, featuring a fifty of the opener Saif Hassan. Left-arm national spinner Taijul Islam bagged five wickets for 58 runs for Islami Bank East Zone. Source: UNB AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) to live up to its political ideals and have good manners to make it a dignified organization alongside earning confidence and trust of the countrymen. “All the Chhatra League leaders should bear in mind its contribution in all the democratic movements including the language movement, six-point demand and Liberation War,” she said. The premier simultaneously asked the BCL leaders and activists to behave, talk and do politics in a way that would make the organization a dignified one. She was addressing as the chief guest a grand reunion of incumbent and former leaders of the BCL marking its 72nd founding anniversary at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Saturday afternoon. Noting that Chhatra League had always played a significant role in any critical juncture of the nation, she said the BCL should work to win confidence and trust of the nation. The premier declared Al Nahiyan Khan Joy and Lekhak Bhattacharya as president and general secretary of BCL. Earlier, they were made acting president and general secretary of the organization. Sheikh Hasina earlier witnessed a colorful cultural function organized by the BCL. AL Advisory Council Member Tofail Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister and AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader spoke as former presidents and Khaled Mohammad Ali as an ex-general secretary of the BCL. AL Presidium Member Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanok introduced former BCL presidents and general secretaries to the gathering. A documentary on the role BCL in all the democratic and progressive movements including the Liberation War of 1971 was screened on the occasion. At the outset of the function, a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and late BCL leaders. Source: BSS AH

Bangladesh Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced removing of ‘acting’ tag from the posts of president and general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). The acting president Al Nahian Khan Joy and acting general secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee have been made full president and general secretary respectively. The announcement of Sheikh Hasina came at the discussion of 72nd founding anniversary of BCL at historical Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Saturday. Mentionable, on September 14 last year the then BCL president Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury and general secretary Golam Rabbani were removed from their posts over allegation of corruption. From that period Al Nahian Khan and Lekhak Bhattacharjee were performing their responsibilities as the acting president and general secretary respectively. AH   

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) authority has sealed off three rooms of the students including the rooms of BUET unit Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) president and general secretary. The steps have been taken after issuing order to seal off the students’ organizational political offices and to evict the illegal students from halls by the administrative authority. Three rooms of two residential halls were sealed off on Saturday afternoon under supervision of BUET students’ welfare Director Professor Mizanur Rahman. In this regard BUET unit BCL president Khondoker Jamius Sunny said, after completing studentship he was living illegally in room number 321 of Ahsan Ullah Hall and BCL general secretary Mehedi Hasan Rasel was residing in room number 3012 of Sher-e-Bangla hall. For this reason the university authority sealed off their two rooms. He also said that room number 121 of Ahsan Ullah hall was also sealed off which was being used as office room of BCL university unit. AH  

Six people were detained in connection with BUET student Abrar Fahad murder incident. Joint Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) Police Abdul Baten confirmed the information. He said this to the newsmen while visiting Sher-e-Bangla Hall of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) at around 3:30 pm on Monday. But he did not mention the six names specifically. Abdul Baten said, the six people were detained based on specific information in connection with the incident. Formal statement will be delivered later. But following conversation with police officials four people were identified. They are- Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) university unit information and research secretary and fourth year student of mechanical engineering department Anik Sarkar, sports secretary and fourth year student of naval architecture and marine engineering department Meftahul Islam Jion, BUET unit BCL general secretary Mehedi Hasan and vice president Fuad Hossain. AH