PM Modi will sign acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for INS Vikrant and 3 additional Kalveri class submarines to be built at Mumbai's Mazagon Dockyards. The Indian Navy will add more teeth to its already formidable arsenal in the coming years with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to sign a deal for acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and a repeat order for building three more Scorpene (Kalveri) class submarines at Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) through the “Make in India” route during his two-day visit to France this week, people familiar with the matter said. The Indian Navy will add more teeth to its already formidable arsenal in the coming years with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to sign a deal for acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and a repeat order for building three more Scorpene (Kalveri) class submarines at Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) through the “Make in India” route during his two-day visit to France this week, people familiar with the matter said. Source: Hindustan Times

In a bid to bolster its combat capabilities through indigenization, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Sunday said the Indian Air Force is looking to induct Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Light Combat Aircraft MK-1A and MK-2 along with the 114 multirole fighters under 'Make-in-India' in the future. The IAF chief said that the move will not only "strengthen the Air Force" but also bring a "huge boost" to the Indian Aviation industry as part of the Aatmanirbhar initiative of the Narendra Modi government. "On the aircraft front, we are looking ahead for the AMCA and the LCA MK-1A and also the LCA MK-2 a few years from now. The case for 114 MRFA is also progressing well. With this, it will not only strengthen the Air Force but also bring a huge boost to the Indian Aviation industry," the Air Chief Marshal told that. "We have already committed for seven squadrons of AMCA. The numbers for the LCA MK-2, we will take a call as and when the first production model comes out and we start inducting the aircraft into the air force and we can always increase the quantity based on its performance and rate of induction," he added while speaking about the number of units of the aircraft that the Air Force is planning to induct. When asked about the timeline of the induction of the S-400 air defense system from Russia into the forces, he said that it will be done as per the schedule adding that all deliveries should be completed by the end of next year. "The induction program of S-400 is going as per the schedule. The first firing unit has been inducted and deployed. The second unit is also in the process of getting inducted. Delivery schedules are on time, hopeful that by the end of next year all deliveries will be completed," said the Air Chief Marshal. "The threat of multiple fronts always exists. The capabilities of the Air Force in handling two fronts at a time will necessarily have to keep getting bolstered by the induction of various platforms. On the ground, we will need more radars, and additional SAGW systems and all of these are going to come from indigenous sources, for which the action is already at hand," he added while speaking about the IAF preparedness to deal with the threats on the borders. The IAF chief further said that the forces are fully in sync with the Centre's Aatma Nirbhar Bharat push which has resulted in the "quick induction" of platforms such as the light-combat helicopter and aircraft, and radar systems. "We are fully in sync with the government's push for Aatma Nirbharta (self-reliance) and Make in India. In the DPSUs, we have had project management teams, which have been synchronizing our efforts along with those of the industry. The result of this has been the quick induction of platforms such as the light-combat helicopter and aircraft, and radar systems," he said. "These all have been quickly inducted because of our PMTs which are embedded with the DPSUs. Now we are making an all-out effort to reach out to the private industry and also to the MSMEs. We have a lot of plans to involve the MSMEs in our future growth," the IAF chief added. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari also exuded confidence in the Indian industry and said that "it may take a little longer but they will definitely deliver".   Source: ANI

The government has published names of 1 lakh 47 thousand 537 valiant freedom fighters at the first phase. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque published the list at press conference at the secretariat on Thursday on the eve of golden jubilee of independence. The minister said, we are working in the proper process from the grass roots level through investigation. We have published the list containing 1,47,537 names of valiant freedom fighters at the first phase of the final list. According to the list there are 12563 names from Barishal division, 30053 names from Chattogram, 37387 names from Dhaka, 10588 names from Mymensingh, 17630 names from Khulna, 13889 names from Rajshahi, 15158 names from Rangpur and 10264 names from Sylhet division including the names of four national leaders and father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He also said, the names which are in the civilian list will not be published in the mean time. Besides, the names which are under scrutiny without recommendation from JaMuKa are not mentioned in the list. According to the ministry sources, the list of the valiant freedom fighters has been published for the sixth phase in the 50th year’s celebration of independence. Earlier the governments which were in power published the list of freedom fighters according to their way. Though the controversy is not over but again another list is being published. On November 19 last year a scrutiny committee was formed comprising researchers, valiant freedom fighters and officers of liberation war affairs ministry to formulate the list of martyred freedom fighters. Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Secretary of liberation war affairs ministry was made chairman of the committee. AH           

The ministry of liberation war affairs has published the draft list of one lakh 80 thousand freedom fighters. If there is any objection about the draft list then the ministry would publish the final list after scrutiny. According to the concerned ministry source, to avert any kind of mistake the ministry has published the draft list through online for scrutiny. Any name of the great freedom fighter will be out of the coverage of scrutiny if it is recognized in the Indian list or Lal Muktibarta or by the proof of 33 categories by the ministry. The new names included in the list will be under scrutiny. Earlier, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque said, the draft list of the freedom fighters will be published on February 15 and the final list will be published on the Independence Day. The scrutiny process is going on after including one lakh 40 thousand freedom fighters in the list at the upazila level. In this time 15 thousand names could be increased including the martyrs, wounded, title recipients and Birangana freedom fighters. The government has taken initiative to publish a full-fledged list of freedom fighters. Now civilian gazettes have been scrutinized apart from the approval of Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (JaMuKa) as part of publishing the list of freedom fighters. AH         

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday greeted all Freedom Fighters (FFs) of the country on the occasion of the 50th Victory Day. Like previous years, the Prime Minister sent flowers, fruits and sweetmeats to the Freedom Fighters at Martyred and War-wounded Freedom Fighters’ Rehabilitation Centre (Muktijoddha Tower-1) on Gaznavi Road at Mohammadpur in the city as a mark of her good wishes for them. Officials of the Prime Minister’s Office, Assistant Private Secretary (APS) Gazi Hafizur Rahman Liku and Assistant Press Secretary ABM Sarwer-E-Alom Sarker handed over these items to the FFs. The Freedom Fighters thanked and expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for remembering them on every national day and festival like the Independence Day, Victory Day, Eid and Pahela Baishakh. They also wished Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina good health and a long life. The nation is celebrating the Victory Day on Wednesday marking the most precious day when the country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces after a nine-month-long War of Liberation. Freedom Fighters and their family members expressed grave concern for the recent incident of defacing of Bangabandhu's sculpture. They vowed to resist terrorist acts in the name of religion and anti-state activities at any cost on the soil of independent Bangladesh. They urged the successors of Freedom Fighters and future generation to led this movement. Bangladesh achieved its much-coveted independence with the sacrifice of three million lives and honours of hundreds of thousands of women. Millions were displaced and forced to flee to neighbouring India during the war. Marking the Victory Day, the Prime Minister in a message said: "This Bangladesh is the country of Lalon Shah, Rabindranath, Kazi Nazrul, Jibanananda ... this Bangladesh is the Bangladesh of Shahjalal, Shah Poran, Shah Mokdum, Khanjahan Ali, this Bangladesh is the Bangladesh of Sheikh Mujib and 16.5 crores of Bangalees – this country is for all. We won’t allow anyone to create any division and anarchy in the name of religion." She mentioned that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. This country achieved its independence in lieu of the blood of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhas and Christians. "The people of the country will move on towards prosperity, progress and development keeping the religious morale high," she said. Source: UNB AH

Women Empowering Women (WEW) and Bangladesh Organization for Learning & Development (BOLD) will be jointly organizing a webinar titled “Front Line Fighters during COVID Pandemic” which will take place on 10 August, 2020 from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. This initiative is meant to generate dialogue among a selected number of front line fighters, experts, analyst and policy makers. Introduction: The term “frontline workers” often conjures images of doctors and soldiers in uniform. But during the coronavirus outbreak, workers across a vast array of industries have found themselves essential parts of the machine that keeps the world in motion, required to do their jobs despite great risk—whether sales person in department stores or pharmacies, food delivery men, domestic care-givers or journalists and reporters, mental health counselors, doctors, nurses, police officers, community health worker, NGO workers, bankers or lawyers. Frontline fighters are facing serious situation as the number of infected people among these professions is somewhat increasing. During these uncharted and uncertain times, their hard work shines as a beacon of hope. Background: Frontline health workers such as doctors, nurses, community health worker, care givers, are integral to the global and national response to COVID-19. In hospitals, clinics and homes, health workers are taking on significant personal risk and too often working without adequate equipment to ensure all of us can receive the care we need. The current crisis is demonstrating the essential, tireless, innovative and too-often undervalued role of health workers in ensuring strong, resilient health systems for everyone, everywhere. Doctors and Nurses manning the frontline in the war against corona virus are giving their all to take care of COVID-19 patients, despite the physical, mental, and emotional toll. Meanwhile, infection among the front line health workers in the war against the disease has topped the 5,000 mark in Bangladesh, according to the apex body of the country's physicians. According to WHO, Women are 70% of the health workforce and are leading on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Law enforcement officers are on the field 24/7 to ensure the government directives like wearing masks, social distancing, monitoring lockdown affected areas as well as to help distribute the basic necessary items to the people in need besides their regular work. Many of them have also tested positive for coronavirus. Many of law enforcement workers expressed their feelings of working unconditionally in this pandemic. According to the Bangladesh Police Headquarters, nearly 1000 members of the police were infected with the coronavirus till May while five infected police members have died so far. Bankers are serving general people at their best in this COVID-19 pandemic. In banks, people gather in large number in the first week of the month for collecting salaries and different type of allowances. Also for applying for loans, paying credit cards bills and utility bills, emergency money transfer etc. people are going to bank. Bankers are serving relentlessly and becoming more vulnerable as the coronavirus infected cases are increasing every day. There is significant number of women workforce who are in banking job and handling a large amount of mass people every day. The social service workers/ volunteers are working persistently for serving people in need. From medical aid, food and goods assistance and psychological support to transport and community services, thousands of volunteers are responding quickly. The volunteers are becoming more vulnerable as the coronavirus infected cases are increasing every day. Journalists, reporters and cameramen of news channels are also working day and night to cover the news even in this pandemic taking risk of their lives. According to media houses and journalists organizations, many journalists and media workers were tested positive for COVID-19. The infected journalists are from media outlets, including newspapers, television channels, radio stations and internet news portals. Sales people of department stores, pharmacies and lawyers are also playing vital role and helping people in terms of providing their emergency services. Although, Government has already declared various stimulus packages for front line fighters of Bangladesh, what more can be done to ensure enough safety for those working for emergency services in the prevailing COVID-19 situation. How to best support, manage, and protect these individuals remains an open question. People of these emergency professions are also in vulnerable situation dealing with mass population while providing their services. Mentionable that, a significant percentage of front line responders are women who are also engaged in giving care at home and involve in household chores at the end of their everyday which even make the family members vulnerable and the risk of the COVID-19 infection increases. Dialogue Objective: The discussion will be inviting the front line women responders from different profession in COVID days, experts, civil society representatives, analyst, policy makers where audience will get to know about the stories of the front line fighters in COVID days, how they are dealing with different challenges, to what extent, they are being protected mentally and in terms of their physical health. What best can be done by the policy makers, Government, leaders to protect the vulnerable front line responders, especially women as a front line responders-as far as their health, safety, security and other assistance is concerned. Panelists Doctor of Metropolitan City dedicated for COVID-19 patients, ICU Consultant, Lab consultants, Doctor in Upazilla Health Complex, Community Health Worker/ Nurse, Banker, Social Service Provider, Law Enforcement Officers, Journalist/ Reporters, Lawyer, Retail Sales Person, representative Of Doctors’ Forum Association will be participating in the event. Participants are expected to attend the entire meeting via online platform zoom. Time 10 August 2020, Monday from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Key Discussion Points  What are the experience of the front line responders of Bangladesh during their duties in their respective fields in COVID-days?  What are the challenges they face, when they are at their work in this crisis time?  What more needs to be done by Govt., the policy makers and by the community leaders for the protection of front line fighters- in terms of ensuring safe working conditions, appropriate equipment, equal and emergency/hazard pay, safe housing and access to services that reflect their needs as individuals, such as mental health services and childcare.  What especially for women front line fighters can be arranged?  What are the roles and responsibilities of leaders, policy makers, civil society representatives, young people, responsible citizens, political parties to support the front line responders during COVID-19 pandemic? Source: Press release AH

Awami League presidium member and Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim said, all quotas except quota for freedom fighters are going to be abolished for appointment in the government service. He said this at a discussion organized on the occasion of national mourning day by Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) at BMA auditorium at Topkhana Road in the capital on Saturday. Mohammad Nasim said, the Prime Minister was aware of the demands of quota reformists. At one stage she told about quota abolition. As it is a matter related to the constitution so it should be solved through a system. He said, the Prime Minister formed a committee. The committee already submitted report to the Prime Minister. It is said in the report that they have no objection to abolish the quota system except the matter of freedom fighters. And that is going to be done. The Health Minister said, the next election will be held under Awami League government and people of the country will make Awmi League winner by giving their votes. Sheikh Hasina will be the third consecutive prime minister in parliamentary democracy after Jawaharlal Nehru in this subcontinent. BMA Secretary General Ehteshamul Haque Chowdhury, BSMMU Vice-chancellor Kanak Kanti Barua among others were present on the occasion. AH 

Liberation War Affairs Minister A K M Mozammel Haque has said, at present freedom fighters are getting two festival bonuses-one in Eid ul Fitr and another in Eid ul Azha. Government has plan to provide three more festival bonuses after the next budget from July. Those will be given on the occasion of Victory day, Independence day and Bangla new year. He said these while delivering speech at a gathering after inaugurating the Sujanagar Muktijoddha Complex in Pabna district on Thursday. Mozammel Haque said, free medical service will be inaugurated for the freedom fighters within one month. Liberation War Affairs Ministry will allocate money to the upazila health complexes, district sadar hospitals and specialized hospitals in Dhaka. The hospital authorities will meet the expenses for freedom fighters from the fund. A committee in each hospital will monitor the activities. The minister said, wage for the freedom fighters will be raised in the next budget as well as 8 thousand flats will be made. Those will be provided among the freedom fighters who have no home to live. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will decide about 30 percent quota for the freedom fighters’ offspring, he added. Local Awami League leaders, freedom fighters and government officials also spoke on the occasion. AH  

Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad has submitted memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka to continue the existing quota system for the offspring of freedom fighters. Amir Hossain Mollah, Dhaka metropolitan unit commander of Muktijoddha Sangsad handed over the memorandum to the DC at 1 pm on Thursday. Earlier, the freedom fighters and their children formed a human chain on the road outside the DC office. They termed the quota reform movement as unlawful and act of conspiracy. The strongly condemned and protested the activities. It was mentioned in the memorandum that the quota for the children of the freedom fighters declared by the Prime Minister should continue. The children of anti liberation people should be refrained from the violent anti quota movement. The image of freedom fighters should be brought back by restoring the decision of quota reservation. It was also mentioned, we the freedom fighters are frustrated. For the last several months the children of Rajakars, Al Badr, Al Shams, Jamaat, Shibir and BNP are holding illogic meetings and gatherings in different parts of the country against the quota system. Even they took legal initiative in the High Court to cancel quota. We urge to take action so that ghost children of the anti liberation force cannot hold any meeting or gathering.   AH