The construction work of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Rail Bridge, one of the mega projects of the country, on the Jamuna river has been completed 80 percent. 3.7 kilometers of the 4.8 kilometers long Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Rail Bridge is now visible. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the mega project once it is completed by December this year. There will be a revolutionary change in the communication and transport system of the country with North Bengal. In addition to increasing internal rail connectivity, Bangladesh will be able to connect with the Trans-Asian Railway. Tanvirul Islam, chief engineer of Chief Engineer, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge Construction Project (BSMRBCP), said It will be possible to install the entire span by next May.   At present, 38 trains can run through the Bangabandhu Bridge, 68 trains will be able to run daily after the opening of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge. At the same time, a broad gauge railway project is being constructed between Chilahati in Nilphamari and Chilahati border to establish rail connectivity with India as an international route. At the same time, the economy of the northern part of the country will be accelerated. The construction work of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Rail Bridge is progressing rapidly over the Jamuna. Trains can run at a maximum speed of 250 kilometers per hour on this dual gauge bridge.  Total 49 pillars out of 50 pillars of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Rail Bridge has been completed and only one pillar is yet to be installed.   

Panchagarh Express derails in Tangail. As a result, the rail communication between Dhaka and North Bengal has been disrupted. The accident took place in the Bangabandhu Bridge in Tangail around 9pm on Monday (March 18). Rezaul Karim, a station master of the railway station confirmed the matter to the reporters. He said four wheels of a carriage derailed while the Panchagarh Express was going to Dhaka. The accident occurred due to a fault in the wheel of the train. However, the railway authorities started work to salvage the carriage as soon as possible. Earlier on Sunday (March 17), the Bijoy Express train with it's nine carriage fell on the railway track at Nangalkot in Comilla. At least 15 people were injured in the incident.

The 1952 Language Movement was by any definition a mass movement, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman acted as the torchbearer of the movement. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was among the limited number of student leaders who had a significant impact on transforming the movement into a widespread movement, with the goal of making it inclusive and establishing Bangla as one of the official languages of Pakistan at that time. The language movement is a significant event in the history of the Bengali people. It can be said that the seeds of independence were hidden in the language movement. The Tamuddin Majlis, established on September 1, 1947, played a significant role in the language movement. Student leader Sheikh Mujib participated in the activities of Tamuddin Majlis. When the Rashtrabhasha Sangram Parishad was established in 1947, Bangabandhu undertook several actions to get connected with this council. He gathered signatures to designate Bangla as the official language of the state. The East Pakistan Muslim Student League was founded on January 4, 1948. The primary instigator of this was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The leaders and members of the East Pakistan Muslim Chhatra League, led by Bangabandhu, played a crucial role in the Language Movement. Bangabandhu and some of his fellows were detained during a protest during the strike organized by Sangram Parishad on March 11, 1948, to oppose the plot against Bangla. Amidst a powerful student protest, they were released on March 15. After being released, Sangram Parishad organized a public gathering. Bangabandhu led the rally, which was assaulted by the police. In response to the incident, Bangabandhu promptly declared a nationwide student strike on March 17th. Actually, the movement to make Bangla one of the state languages of Pakistan gained momentum on March 21, 1948. This happened when Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, made a declaration at a public meeting held at the Race Course Maidan, now known as Suhrawardy Uddan. He stated that Urdu and only Urdu would be the state language of Pakistan. This statement by Mr. Jinnah was met with opposition, and a few students from Dhaka University immediately responded with a firm "NO". Protesting the government's backward action regarding this reasonable and fair request of the people of East Pakistan, a walkout took place on February 26, 1948, and the students of Dhaka University and other educational institutions marched through the main streets of Dhaka city. Following the successful strike, an afternoon gathering took place, which was then followed by a large march. Prof. Abul Kashem chaired the gathering, while Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the large rally. Student representatives and certain educators from Dhaka University spoke at the gathering, emphasizing their strong commitment to persist in their comprehensive endeavors to ensure the success of the campaign. The members of several socio-cultural-political groups who later participated in the Language Movement attended a conference in Fazlul Hauq Hall. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Shamsul Huq, Oli Ahad, Mohammad Toha, Abul Kashem, Ranesh Das Gupta, and Ajit Guha were notable student leaders who participated in the gathering. The gathering resolved to intensify efforts against the government's activities that undermine language, leading to the formation of an All-Party Action Committee to bolster the cause. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman played a major role in expanding the movement into a popular movement to enhance its effectiveness, inclusiveness, and success. Later, student leaders were arrested. The apprehensions of the student leaders further escalated the uprising. Several protest gatherings took place at Dhaka University and various educational institutes. All the speakers at these protest meetings expressed their strong commitment to continuing the movement, even if the student leaders who were detained were not there. This sends a clear message to the government that the detention of the student leaders will not weaken the movement in any way. Consequently, the government had to set free all the student leaders. A large gathering of the student organization took place on March 16, 1948, with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the chair. The meeting made several decisive choices to compel the administration to embrace their demand promptly. The meeting took a number of bold decisions to force the government to accept their demand without further delay. According to the diary of Tajuddin Ahmed, one of the active participants of the Language Movement who later became Prime Minister of the Mujibnagar government, “After the meeting, a student procession went to Khawaja Nazimuddin with a representation containing their demands, and the procession was led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman." According to some sources, the student leaders were able to convince Khawaja Nazimuddin to accept their demand, and he agreed to send a recommendation to the central government in favor of the demand of the students. But the central government instantly turned down the recommendation of Khawaja Nazimuddin. On January 26, 1952, Khawaja Nazimuddin once again announced that Urdu would be the official language of Pakistan. While in jail, Bangabandhu requested Sangram Parishad designate February 21st as a day to demand the release of political prisoners and recognize Bangla as the official language. He initiated a period of fasting on February 14, 1952. Mujib tirelessly fought from the beginning to mobilize the young people, creating the Language Movement as a widespread uprising.   Article credit:  Md. Jony Miah Lecturer Department of English Noakhali Science & Technology University

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her new cabinet colleagues today paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a day after taking oath to form the government for a record fifth term and fourth in a row. Sheikh Hasina first paid tributes to Bangabandhu as the Prime Minister by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi. Along with her new cabinet colleagues, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also placed another wreath at Bangabandhu's portrait. After placing the wreath, they stood there in solemn silence a while to show due respect to the Architect of independent Bangladesh. Later, the prime minister and her new cabinet colleagues started their journey for National Memorial at Savar to pay tributes to the Liberation War martyrs. Sheikh Hasina took oath as the prime minister for the fifth time, four days after the Awami League secured a landslide victory in the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7, 2024, bagging 222 parliamentary seats out of 298.  

On the occasion of the 53rd Victory Day (21 December 2023), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh successfully concluded the “2nd Bangabandhu Diplomatic Cup” Tennis Tournament-2023 with the final match between Team Pakistan (High Commission of Pakistan) and Team Denmark (Embassy of Denmark) followed by a prize giving ceremony. The highly competitive match ended with the winning of the Team Denmark and the Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Møller won the best player medal in the tournament. Ashrafuzzaman Khan (Puton), President of the Dhaka Club was the Chief Guest of the prize giving ceremony and Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) was present as the Special Guest.  The High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Ahmed Maroof, and Chief of Protocol Nayem Uddin Ahmed were present during the prize giving ceremony. Diplomats from eight different countries: Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Pakistan, Russia, Sweden, UK and the Officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in the tournament symbolizing goodwill and unity. Participation of the diplomats from several countries made the event a successful one, who aptly demonstrated athletic abilities, sportsmanship, and great acumen throughout the tournament.

Dhaka University has conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as a token of respect, in a special convocation today.  Prime minister Sheikh Hasina joined the convocation as the convocation speaker and Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni joined as the special guest. DU VC Prof Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman presided over the special convocation program. Reports UNB The DU VC started the program at 11 am. The chancellor of the university, President Mohammed Shahabuddin, could not attend the program due to health issues. The convocation started with the national anthem; recitation from the holy religious scriptures followed. A cultural programme and a documentary reflected Bangabandhu’s contributions in leading the nation to freedom and rebuilding a war-torn country. At 11:57 am, DU Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman adorned Bangabandhu with the Doctor of Laws degree. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the degree and memorandum, and signed the acknowledgement paper on behalf of Bangabandhu.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been inaugurated the much-anticipated Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel constructed beneath the Karnaphuli River.  She unveiled a plaque on the west bank of river Karnaphuli at Patenga and after crossing the tunnel, she will unwrap another plaque at the south bank of the river at Anwara at 11am on Saturday, October 28. More to Follow...

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the much-anticipated Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel constructed beneath the Karnaphuli River today.  She will unveil a plaque on the west bank of river Karnaphuli at Patenga and after crossing the tunnel, she will unwrap another plaque at the south bank of the river at Anwara at 11am. Reports BSS The nearly 10km-long tunnel, including approach road, constructed beneath river Karnaphuli between Patenga and Anwara upazila which was built at a cost of Taka 10,374 crore will be opened to vehicles from 6am on Monday. It would connect the proposed Asian Highway with Dhaka-Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway by reducing distance by 40km.   She will also open and lay foundation stones of some projects in Chattogram on the occasion. The premier will also release a special commemorative postage stamp, opening day envelope and a special seal marking the inauguration of the first ever underwater road tunnel.   Sheikh Hasina, also Awami League president, will address a public rally on Korean EPZ (KEPZ) ground at Anwara today as a huge number of people including leaders and workers of the ruling Awami League and associate bodies are expected to attend it. AL's Chattogram south district unit is organizing the rally as a festive atmosphere is prevailing all over the district for the gala occasion. "All preparations are at the final stage as Chattogram as well as the entire country is eagerly waiting for the grand inauguration of the much-awaited Bangabandhu tunnel," Chattogram South District AL president Motaherul Islam Chowdhury told BSS. He said a large boat shaped stage are being erected in the venue as Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader will also be on the dais with Mothaherul Islam Chowdhury in the chair. Chowdhury said all-out preparations have been taken to facilitate participants of the rally as sanitations and sufficient water supply will be ensured at the venue and separate arrangements for smooth participation of the females as well. "Our public rally will be turned into a vast human sea with the participation of nearly a million of people," he expected. He said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel is a matter of pride not only for Chattogram but for the entire nation.   Its 'dream comes true' for millions especially for the residents of commercial capital and port city as the much-anticipated multilane underwater expressway tunnel, first of its kind in South Asia, constructed beneath the river Karnaphuli, a major watercourse of this region, will be inaugurated today.   In a press briefing on Thursday in Dhaka, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said 17,260 vehicles would be able to use the tunnel on a daily basis equating to some 7.6 million vehicles a year. The tunnel would help increase the country's annual GDP growth by 0.166pc, he added. "The tunnel will also cut the distance among Chattogram city, the seaport and the airport as it will play a crucial role in making the economy more vibrant," Quader said.   Talking to BSS, Md. Harunur Rashid Chowdhury, director of the mega project, said the tunnel is expected to elevate Bangladesh into a new level of prominence in the world, as it is also the region's first ever under river road tunnel. It will turn Chattogram into "one city with two towns" like Chinese city of Shanghai as it will expand the periphery of the city with boosting economy and opening new doors of immense potentials for industrialization, tourism and expansion of trade and commerce and developing road connectivity in the entire region.    Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Mahbubul Alam said Bangladesh is going to enter the era of underwater road tunnel which is of course a pride for the entire nation as well it will facilitate the business community hugely. The tunnel would boost industrialization in the region as two export processing zones in Chattogram-KEPZ in Anwara and Chattogram EPZ in Halishahar- and Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Anwara will be highly facilitated by the tunnel, he said. Alam said it would connect the proposed Asian Highway with Dhaka-Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway by reducing distance by 40km and it will also facilitate the ongoing and planned power and energy hub in Cox's Bazar, which is already a tourist hub of the country. Thus it will have significant contributions to the country's GDP like Padma Bridge, the FBCCI president said. Apart from the tunnel, he said, if a Dhaka-Chattogram expressway can be built and a master plan is taken to boost a planned industrialization on the bank of river Karnaphuli to turn it as a Smart city, it will be highly beneficial for country's economy as well as it can boost Bangladesh's connectivity with 'seven sisters' of India including Mizoram and Manipur expanding trade and business as well as tourism in the region. As per the project details, the length of the entire route is 9.39 kilometers (5.83 mi), with the tunnel making up 3.32 kilometers (2.06 mi) of the length while it's diameter is 10.80 meters (35.4 ft). It has been built at a cost of Taka 10,374 crore and of which around half is financed by the Exim Bank of China. It will improve the Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox's Bazar highway network. A Chinese company, China Communications Construction Company, constructed it. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated the construction site of the Karnaphuli Tunnel on October 14, 2017. On 24 February 2019, Sheikh Hasina also inaugurated the tunnel boring phase. The multilane tunnel route passes through the river close to Navy College on one side and Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) and Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company (KAFCO) on the other. It will also ease traffic congestion on two bridges over the Karnaphuli River.   Chattogram deputy commissioner Abul Bashar Mohammad Fakruzzaman said the tunnel will expedite the county's economy and regional trade and commerce by turning Chattogram into one city with two towns.   A three-layer security measures will be ensured at the venue for the inauguration of the tunnel, he said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina denounced the attack on a hospital in Gaza that killed innocent people including children, reiterating her call to global leaders to stop the war and arms race for the wellbeing of mankind. "We saw killing of people and children by bombing on a hospital in Gaza and blood stained faces of the children yesterday. I am urging the world leaders to stop the war and arms race," she said. The prime minister was addressing a programme marking the Sheikh Russel Day-2023 and distribution of Sheikh Russel Padak-2023 and Smart Bangladesh Padak-2023 coinciding with 60th birthday of Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Sheikh Russel Jatiyo Shishu Kishore Parishad and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division jointly organized the programme at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC). The prime minister said the war and arms race never brought welfare for the mankind except destruction and the women and children are the worst sufferers of the conflicts. She urged the world leaders to spend the money, used in producing arms, for food, health and development of the children. "We want peace as it gives prosperity while the war brings destruction. So, we don't want war rather peace. We always work for establishing the peace," she said. She also said the world witnessed beginning of Russia-Ukraine war last year and now sees the Israeli attack on Palestine. People and children are being killed both in the Palestine and Israel, the premier said. In such way, she said the children are becoming orphans losing their parents and the parents are losing their children in the war.   "We know their pain as we two sisters had become orphans in 1975," she said. The prime minister said they had seen the dreadfulness of the war for themselves during the War of Liberation in 1971. "I had seen by my own eyes the bodies lying down at different parts of Dhaka city," she said. She said she and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana were in forced exile abroad six years. "Spending time as refugee, without knowing when we could return to our country, was the most painful. So, we don't want war rather peace" she said. At the function, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun and five Deputy Commissioners (DCs) from Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Dhaka, Panchagar and Thakurgaon districts received the Smart Bangladesh Padak-2023 from the premier. Sheikh Hasina also distributed Sheikh Russel awards among the winners of the competitions in different categories including education, painting, sports and cultural. At the same programme, the prime minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stone of some development schemes including Sheikh Russel Animation Lab and Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centers under the ICT Division by swiping a smart card. She, as well, unveiled the cover of a book titled "Swaroner Aborone Sheikh Russel" edited by ICT Division State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak. A video message regarding Sheikh Russel's memory of Indian Army's Col (rtd) Ashok Kuma Tara was broadcast at the programme. Tara rescued the family members of Bangladesh's Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the captivity of the Pakistani occupation forces. Presided over by ICT Division's State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the programme was also addressed, among others, by ICT Division Secretary Md. Shamsul Arefin, Sheikh Russel Jatiyo Shishu Kishore Parishad Acting Chairman Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat, Secretary General KM Shahidullah, Organising Secretary Fariduddin Ahmed Raton and child speaker Amira Nayer Chowdhury.

The 69th birthday of Sheikh Rehana, younger daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, is being celebrated on Tuesday. She was born on September 13 in 1955, at Mitford Hospital in Dhaka.  In 1975, August 15, Bangabandhu's entire family except his two daughters was brutally assassinated in that time Sheikh Rehana was in West Germany with her elder sister Sheikh Hasina. She was placed under house arrest in Dhanmondi along with her family by the Pakistan Army during Bangladesh Liberation War.  She married Professor. Dr. Shafiq Ahmed Siddique and they have three children - a son and two daughters. Their son Radwan Mujib Siddiq is working in an international organization and a trustee of Awami League's research wing Centre for Research and Information (CRI), daughter Tulip Siddiq is a Labour Party MP of British Parliament and youngest daughter Azmina Siddiq Ruponti is working as Global Risks Analysis Editor of London-based the Control Risks.