External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India will emerge as a global power. Addressing the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event held in Indore the foreign minister said: "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas aims to refresh bondings, boost energy and add more phases to it. I believe under PM Modi's leadership India will surely emerge as a leading power. Along with that, the global standing of those with India will also grow." The three-day 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being held under the theme "Diaspora: Reliable partners for India's progress in Amrit Kaal". Jaishankar further added that the event is an important tradition that deepens India's ties with the Indian diaspora. "This convention is an important tradition that deepens our ties with the Indian community. PPD has three objectives first- to refresh our relations, second- to give new energy to it and third- to bring more aspects in them," said Jaishankar. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also addressed the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention. He too lauded PM Modi's leadership skills and said, "A new India is emerging under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi... A prosperous India, a powerful India, a glorious India, a prosperous India is emerging. Madhya Pradesh has tried to make each and every mantra of the Prime Minister come true." Highlighting Indore's number one rank in the cleanliness drive, he said, "Swachh Bharat and entire nation picked up broom. Indore picked it up in a manner that it hit a six in cleanliness." "I feel that 'amrit' is showering on MP during Azadi ka Amrit Kaal. You have arrived in Madhya Pradesh but even Indore and Madhya Pradesh have left no stone unturned, it has opened the door to its heart and home, said Chouhan at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore. PM Narendra Modi also attending the second day of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is the flagship event of the Indian Government, which provides a platform to engage and connect with overseas Indians. It enables the interaction of the diaspora with each other. The 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Convention is being organized in partnership with the Madhya Pradesh Government from January 8 to 10 2023 in Indore. Around 3,500 members from nearly seventy countries have registered for the Convention. Today's event also featured the addresses of the Chief Guest Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and the Special Guest of Honour Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname. A Commemorative Postal Stamp 'Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen' was also released highlighting the significance of safe, legal, orderly, and skilled migration. The convention is significant as it is being organized as a physical event after a gap of four years and first after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. It should be noted that the last PBD Convention (2021) was held virtually.  Source:ANI

Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar is going to become a major centre of hydroelectric power production in North India where work is going on rapidly on hydropower projects generating 6,000 megawatts of electricity. A thousand megawatts Pakal Dul Project, 624 MW Kiru Project, 540 MW Quad Project and 930 MW Kirthai Project are being constructed in the Kishtwar district in Chenab Valley of Jammu province. At the same time, a large retail project of 850MW is also being built in this district in collaboration with the Center and Union Territory. The construction of the Pakal Dul hydropower project is in progress after the diversion of the river. The project will generate 3,230 MW of electricity annually and is expected to be completed by July 2025. Similarly, the completion of the Kiru project is scheduled for July 2025, which will generate 2,272 MW of electricity annually. This district falls under the Kathua Doda Parliamentary Constituency from which Chief Minister Jitender Singh is also a Member of Parliament. Recently, in the meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee, he said that work is going on rapidly on many projects in the Kishtwar district to generate more than 6,000 MW of electricity and recently a large solar power plant is also being set up near Machail Mata. It will be of great benefit to the pilgrims. The Minister, meanwhile, also reiterated that Kishtwar district is a hub for five major upcoming hydroelectric power projects with huge potential to generate electricity which will contribute to the power sector in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. May have a great capacity to meet needs. The use of solar energy will further increase the power requirements in remote areas of the district. It will also create ample employment opportunities at the local level. Local educated youth are expected to be given priority for providing employment in these projects. It should be noted that the three districts of Chenab Valley including Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban included, has the capacity to generate more than 20,000 MW of hydropower. River Chenab passes through here. Baghlihar, the hydropower project, and the Salal project are also built on this river.   Source: ANI

A late goal by Anai Mogini helped Bangladesh to win title of SAFF U-19 Women's Championship beating India by a solitary goal in the final held today (Wednesday) at Birshrestha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city's Kamalapur.    It was the Bangladesh-India exciting final match the local crowd enjoyed after a long time. The crowds came to stadium to support the Bangladesh team and the girls also did not disappoint them by retaining the trophy of championship once again.    Bangladesh launched attack in the beginning of the match by creating some scoring chances, but they could not convert any of them.    After the 45 minutes end with the score in read goalless, both the teams tried heart and soul to break the deadlock. At one stage it was seemed the match was heading for extra time, but Bangladesh's best moment came in the 81st minute when Anai Mogini finally broke the deadlock scoring the all-important goal for Bangladesh in the 81st minute with a perfect lofting angular shot from far post.    India however tried their best to stage a fight back in the match but could not convert any in the remaining proceeding.    After the match, Bangladesh team's head coach Golam Robanni Choton in his immediate reaction said he is very happy of the team's result as it was the total hard work of the girls.    He said the girls played good football in the group stage and proved that they are the only contender of the title.    Choton also thanked the Bangladesh Football Federation's (BFF) president Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin, BFF women's wing chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron, BFF technical director and concern officials for his team's victory.    Shaheda Akter Ripa of Bangladesh emerged as the highest scorer (five goals) of the championship. She was also given the most valuable players award.    State Minister for Youth and Sports Mohammad Zahid Ahsan Russel,MP, was the chief guest in the final and distributed the prizes.    BFF and SAFF president Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin and SAFF secretary Anwarul Haque Helal, were among others, present in the prize distribution ceremony.    Bangladesh, earlier in their opening match, shared point with Nepal playing to a goalless draw, thrashed Bhutan by 6-0 goals, managed a solitary goal victory over India and dumped Sri Lanka by 12-0 goals to secure their spot of final.    While Earlier India thrashed Sri Lanka by 5-0 goals in their opening match blanked Bhutan by 3-0 goals but lost to host Bangladesh by a solitary goal while Nepal in their first match, split point with Bangladesh playing out to a goalless draw, thrashed Sri Lanka by 6-0 goals, drubbed Bhutan by 4-0 goals and edged past Nepal by a solitary goal to secure their place of final.  Source: BSS AH

On pretext of the emerging separatist activities again in Chattogram Hill Tracts area the government is going to hold a home secretary level meeting between Bangladesh and India on Saturday (February 27) next. A source in the foreign ministry revealed the information on Wednesday. It is known that so far India used to say separatists are taking position in Bangladesh. Now it is being said on behalf of Bangladesh that separatists are taking position in Indian states. In this connection a virtual home secretary level meeting will be held in February 27 and 28. Md. Shahiduzzaman, Senior Secretary of security services division of the home ministry will lead the Bangladesh side and Ajay Kumar Bhalla will lead the Indian side. AH 

Star-studded Bashundhara Kings emerged as the new champions in the Federation Cup Football Tournament, the season’s curtain raiser soccer meet, beating first-time finalist Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society 2-1 goals in the final of the TVS 31st Federation Cup  2019 in front of a capacity crowd at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital on Sunday. Bashundhara Kings emerged as the first new champions in the Federation Cup Football after Sheikh Russel KC 8 years ago, joining Dhaka Abahani Limited, Dhaka Mohammedan SC, Sheikh Jamal DC Ltd, Sheikh Russel KC, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC and Brothers Union, who exited earlier in this year’s meet. Russia World Cup playing Costa Rica booter cum Kings captain Daniel Colindres Solera scored both the goals for new sensations and big budgeted Bashundhara Kings in only their 2nd appearance in the tournament, after finishing runners up last year in the Federation Cup losing to Dhaka Abahani Limited in the final. Rahmatganj captain cum Gambian forward Momodou Bah scored the lone goal for Rahmatganj MFS in the day’s crucial final. Champions Kings received prize money of Tk 5 lakh while Runners-Up Rahmatganj got Tk 3 lakh. Daniel Colindres was adjudged the best player of the tournament and his teammate defender Bishwanath Ghosh was adjudged man of the final. American forward of Bangladesh Police Football Club Rivera Sidney Adam, who scored 4 goals was named as the top scorer while Dhaka Mohammedan Limited won the fair play award. After the match, Senior Vice-President of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Abdus Salam Murshedy MP distributed the prizes as the chief guest. BFF members, Clubs representatives and players were also present on the occasion. In the last year, the Kings showed their worth in the Walton Independence Cup 2018 claiming their maiden title in the top level football beating Sheikh Russel KC by 2–1 goals in the final and later they emerged new powerhouse of the country’s football clinching their first-ever Bangladesh Premier League title securing 63 points, five points ahead of runners-up Dhaka Abahani. In the day’s final, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Champions put pressure on the Rahmatganj with their aggressive football from the very beginning. In the 2nd minute, Kyrgyz midfielder Baktyir Duishobekov missed a chance to open account, off a corner by captain Colindres. But his header from inside the box missed the target. Just five minutes later, Rahmatganj defender Nahidul Islam Nahid smartly saved a close-range header from Argentine defender Nicolas Delmonte. The giant-killer Rahmatganj, which for the first time appeared in the final of a top-tier competition in their 87-year history, made several eye-catching attempts from counter attacks. But Anisur Rahman Zico, the wall of the Kings, successfully denied all of their efforts. In the 16th minute, Zico denied two consecutive attempts from Rahmatganj forward Shuhel Miah and Uzbek forward Turaev Akobir from inside the box. Forward Shuhel missed two more chances in a span of five minutes (20th to 24th minute). Kings finally broke the deadlock in the 41st minute while Colindres sent the ball home with a glancing header utilizing a cross from defender Bishwanath Ghosh (1-0). After the half-time, Kings continued their attacks and produced some close chances to widen their margin. But Rahmatganj made a surprise comeback in the game while Captain Momodou Bah leveled the margin, off a corner from midfielder Shahedul Alam in the 64th minute (1-1). After conceding goal, Kings came alive, increased their attacks and finally bagged its fruits in the 77th minute. Colindres made no mistake to score the match-winner with a simple tap-in shot while Rahmatgani goalkeeper Rasel Mahmud Liton made a serious blunder inside the box (2-1). Defender Yeasin Khan of Kings and Defender Mahmudul Hasan Kiron of Rahmatganj got yellow cards. The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions Kings started mission in the season’s curtain-raiser soccer meet aiming to bag their maiden Fed Cup title. After beating Brothers Union Limited by 1-0 goal in the first group match, Kings suffered a shocking 0-2 goals defeat against Chittagong Abahani Limited in the 2nd match. But, Kings bounced back in the race eliminating Group D champions Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra by 4-1 goals in a nail-biting tie-breaker as the 4th and last quarterfinal between them was locked in 1-1 goals in stipulated 90-minute time and also in the extra session. On the other hand, giant-killer Rahmatganj MFS maintained their unbeaten run to reach the Fed Cup final for the first time eliminating ten-time Fed Cup Champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC by 1-0 goal in the first semifinal. The old Dhaka outfit booked a seat for the semifinals upsetting eleven-time champions Dhaka Abahani Limited by 4-3 goals in the tie-breaker as their first quarterfinal between them ended in 1-1 draw in the extra-time after goalless in stipulated period last Monday last. With the shocking departure of Dhaka Mohammedan, all the six former champions -- Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Sheikh Jamal DC Ltd, Sheikh Russel KC, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC and Brothers Union – were eliminated from the ongoing meet. Bashundhara Kings: Anisur Rahman Zico, Yeasin Khan, Topu Barman, Motin Mia, Bishwanath Ghosh, Mahbubur Rahman Sufil (Emon Mahmud), Mohammad Ibrahim, Baktyir Duishobekov, Daniel Colindres Solera, Nicolas Delmonte, Akhtam Nazarov. Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society: Rasel Mahmud Liton, Acpopob Asrorov (Md Sarif), Camara Younoussa, Mahmudul Hasan Kiron, Arafat Hossain, Suhel Miah, Momodou Bah, Turaev Akobir, Sanoar Hossain, Shahedul Alam, Nadidul Islam Nahid. Referee: Md Jalal Uddin Source: UNB AH

Bangladesh Women’s Cricket team were crowned champions with an all-win record beating Thailand by 70 runs in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers at the Forthill in Dundee, Scotland on Saturday. Both finalists of the eight-team tournament, Bangladesh and Thailand, had earlier earned the right to play in the final round of the upcoming ten-team ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 scheduled February-March in Australia. Asian Champions Bangladesh played the ICC Women's T20 World Cup final thrice -- in 2014 in Bangladesh, 2016 in India and in 2018 in the West Indies while Thailand Women’s made their first ever final round berth as the runners-up of qualifying round.   Tigresses clinched their first ICC Women's World T20 Qualifier title beating Ireland by 25 runs in Netherlands on July 14 in 2018 while Bangladesh booked a seat for the World Cup final round as runners up after conceding a 2-wicket defeat against the Ireland in Thailand on December 5 in 2015.   Chasing a target of 131 runs, Thailand restricted at 60 runs for 7 in stipulated 20 overs to concede their first defeat in the qualifying meet.   Tail-ender Ratanaporn Padunglerd scored the team highest 15 runs while number five batsman Wongpaka Liengprasert added 11 runs, were the notable scorer for Thailand reaching the doubles figures.    Spinners Nahida Akter and Shaila Sharmin bagged two wickets each conceding 17 and 9 runs respectively for Bangladesh while captain Salma Khatun and Khadija Tul Kubra picked up one wicket each.  Earlier, a brilliant half century by Sanjida Islam enabled Bangladesh Women’s Cricket team to score 130 for 5 in stipulated 20 overs against Thailand Women’s Cricket team in the final.  Bangladesh opened the innings first after winning the toss and two openers Sanjida Islam and Murshida Khatun made a solid foundation for the Tigresses contributing 68 runs in 10.1 overs in the opening stand  Murshida Khatun furnished her 33-run-innings hitting 4 fours before dismissed by Thai leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi.   Another opener Sanjida Islam pairing with Nigar Sultana scored 26 runs in the 2nd wicket stand to carry the team total to 94 in 14.3 overs. Nigar Sultana added 8 runs featuring one four before removed by veteran Thai off-spinner Sornnarin Tippoch.  But Sanjida stayed till the end of the innings knocking a polished 71 runs off 60 balls smashing 6 fours and 3 sixes.   Bangladesh lost three more wickets -- Shaila Sharmin (3), Jahanara Alam (3) and Fahima Khatun (0) -- for 18 runs while number seven batsman Fargana Hoque remained on unbeaten on 2 runs off one ball.  Thai off-spinner Nattaya Boochatham picked up 2 for 31 while Sornnarin Tippoch and Suleeporn Laomi bagged one wicket each conceding 18 and 13 runs respectively. Bangladesh secured final beating Ireland by 4 wickets with 9 balls remaining in the first semis on Thursday while Thailand confirmed the final spot outplaying Papua New Guinea by 8 wickets with 15 balls remaining in the second semis, both at the Forthill in Dundee. Bangladesh Women’s team emerged Group A champions to reach the semifinals in the eight-team fray with all-win record securing full six points from straight three matches. On the other hand, Thailand women emerged Group B champions to reach the semifinals in the eight-team match with all-win record securing full six points from straight three matches. Source: UNB AH

Bangladesh clinched the six-nation SAFF U-15 Championship title with an all-win record beating Pakistan by 3-2 goals in penalty shootout as the final match between two teams was locked in 1-1 goals in the stipulated period at ANFA Complex in Lalitpur, Nepal on Saturday. Reports UNB. With this victory, Bangladesh not only clinched the maiden title of the SAFF U-15 Championship, but also took revenge of their 0-2 goals defeat against Pakistan in the SAFF-16 Championship in 2011. In 2015, Bangladesh boys also clinched the SAFF U-16 Championship title at their home ground in Sylhet beating India in the final, also in tiebreaker.   The day’s final match was locked in 1-1 goals during the stipulated period with Hasib Ahmed scoring for Bangladesh in the 25th minute (1-0) while Mohobullah leveled the margin for Pakistan in the 54th minute from a penalty (1-1), forcing the match towards the tiebreaker. Like the semifinal against India, Bangladesh custodian also saved two Pakistan spot kicks of Adnan Justin and Mudassar Nazar in the tiebreaker guided Bangladesh to their long-cherished title.   Earlier, India finished 3rd beating hosts Nepal by 1-0 goal in the 3rd place deciding match at the same venue Saturday morning with Thalacheu Vanlalruatfela scoring match-winner in the 18th minute. Bangladesh smartly reached the final of the six-nation South Asian U-15 soccer meet with an all-win record eliminating their neighbor India by 4-2 goals in tiebreaker as the first semifinal between them was locked 1-1 goals at ANFA Complex in Lalitpur on Thursday last. In the day’s 2nd semifinal, Pakistan made an easy passage to the final eliminating hosts Nepal by 4-0 goals at the same venue on Thursday afternoon. AH

Bangladesh U-18 Women’s team emerged Group B champion to reach the semifinals of the maiden SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship beating Nepal by 2-1 goals in their last group match at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan on Tuesday. Touring Bangladesh will play Group A runners-up hosts Bhutan in the 2nd semifinal on Friday while Group A champion India will play the first semifinal against Group B runners-up Nepal on the same day and same venue. In the day’s match, Bangladesh led the first half by 2-0 goals against the Himalayan nation.  Sirat Jahan Shopna, who made a double hat-trick scoring seven goals in their 17-0 goals victory over Pakistan on Sunday, opened the Bangladesh account first in the 16th minute by a placing shot after beating opponent custodian from the right wing (1-0) and dominated the scorer list making eight goals in two matches. Krishna Rani Sarkar doubled the Bangladesh margin in the 32nd minute by placing the ball over advancing opponent custodian, utilizing a long pass of her fellow custodian (2-0).  Reashi Kumari reduced the Nepalese margin scoring a goal in the 2nd minute of the stoppage time (92nd minute) (2-1).   Earlier in the different age group matches, Bangladesh Women’s team beat Nepal on regular occasions.  Bangladesh beat Nepal by 6-0 goals in the SAFF U-15 Championship in Dhaka in 2017, beat them again by 3-0 goals in the same tournament in Bhutan in  August last and outplayed Nepal by 14-0 goals in the AFC U-14 zonal meet in Kazakhstan in 2016. Earlier, Bangladesh U-18 Women’s team, riding on a double hat-trick by Sirat Jahan Shopna, reached the semifinal of the maiden SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship from Group B crushing Pakistan by 17-0 goals in their first appearance at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu. Earlier in the group matches, Nepal made a flying start crushing Pakistan by massive 12-0 goals while India also made a good start beating hosts Bhutan 4-0 and Bhutan outplayed the Maldives 13-0 and India beat Maldives 8-0 goals. Source: UNB AH