The government has fixed the new price of gas and electricity. The Energy and Mineral Resources Division fixed the new price of gas by issuing a notification on Tuesday afternoon (Feb 27). The State Minister of the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid confirmed the matter at the secretariat. Although the new price has been fixed, the price of gas will remain the same at the customer level. It has been increased only for power generation. However, the newly fixed price of electricity is going to be effective to the consumers from March 1.

A resident pushes his wheelchair in the hallway of Taoyuan Veterans Home in Taoyuan, Taiwan October 26, 2023. Taiwan's veterans department does not keep exact numbers on how many soldiers who fought against China are still alive.  As of last year, it lists about 56,000 male veterans aged 85 and above, who would have been old enough to fight in that war. The veteran's home in Taoyuan is surrounded by mementoes of past conflict, including an old fighter plane and a tank flaking its entrance.  A large statue of former president Chiang Kai-shek, reviled by many Taiwanese as a despot but revered by others for fighting Mao's Communists, stands in the courtyard where the veterans exercise or are pushed about in wheelchairs. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said that the country's young generation would be the key-force in building Smart Bangladesh. "Our young generation would be the most skilled manpower in each field in building the Smart Bangladesh," she said while inaugurating the first ever two-day Bangladesh Startup Summit-2023 in city's Hotel InterContinental as the chief guest. (BSS reported) Mentioning that Bangladesh will be a smart country by 2041, the premier said the young generation is meritorious and they have the ability to implement their new innovations. Referring to her government's different initiatives to develop skilled Human Resources to face the challenges of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), she said they are setting up vocational and technical educational institutions in each upazila and arranging training facilities for future. "To meet the challenges of 4IR, skilled human resources have to be created in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, block chain, robotics, big data, medical scribes, cyber security," she noted. Sheikh Hasina said that her government's goal is to help create five unicorns (startup company with at least US$ 1 billion is called unicorn) by 2025 and 50 unicorn startups by 2041 where each unicorn startup will create employment opportunities for millions of people. "I urge domestic and foreign investors to invest more in startups," she said, adding, "We've formulated necessary policies to protect your investment." State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak made a keynote presentation in the event. ICT Division Secretary Shamsul Arefin and Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh Sami Ahmed also spoke. At the function, the Prime Minister also inaugurated "Smart Bangladesh accelerator" alongside "India-Bangladesh Startup Bridge" networking platform and "Smart Bangladesh Startup Fund" at the function. Three audio-visual documentaries on Bangladesh Startup Summit, Bangabandhu Innovation Grant and Smart Bangladesh were screened at the ceremony. Besides, eight startups were given startup award in eight different categories for their outstanding performance and they were Shopup, Pathao, bkash, 10 minute school, UNDP Youthco lab, Nagad, SBK Tech Venture and funded next. Nagad managing director Tanvir A Mishuk and SBK Tech Venture managing director Sonia Bashir Kabir expressed their feelings on behalf of the award recipients. In addition, grant was also given from the Bangabandhu Innovation grant among two entrepreneurs.

The 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP) is nearing completion and power generation will be started by the end of the 2023-’24 financial year, project developer NHPC said in a release. “The construction of the dam’s top level of EL (210 mtrs) has been completed in all the blocks as on 29 June,” it said. Terming it one of the major achievements in the project’s construction, the NHPC informed that more than 90 percent of the total project works have already been completed “and the remaining work for the radial gates will be completed after monsoon.” “Electricity generation will be started by the end of financial year 2023-24,” the release said. SLP Executive Director Vipin Gupta congratulated all the stakeholders, including the entire project team, on achieving the milestone. After getting all statutory clearance, including forest clearance, on 12 October, 2004, the NHPC had started the construction work for the project in January 2005. The work, however, was stalled from December 2011 to October 2019 due to agitations and protests by local stakeholders. After having all the legal issues cleared by the National Green Tribunal, the construction of the project commenced again from 15 October, 2019. The construction of all the major components – dam, power house, hydromechanical works, etc – are progressing fast, the release said, adding that “on completion, the project will generate approximately 7,500 million units of power annually on 90 percent dependable year.” Source: arunachaltimes.in

Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, Dr Raghav Langer on Saturday said the focus should be on border tourism, livelihood generation schemes under Samridh Seema Yojana in Jammu and Kashmir. “While chairing a meeting to review progress on the preparation of the Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2023-24 under the Samridh Seema Yojana (SSY) and said that Secretary held a detailed assessment of physical and financial progress achieved under SSY during 2022-23. He was apprised that against the total release of Rs. 42.44 crores, an expenditure of Rs. 29.10 crores has been incurred, whereas 380 works have been completed against 478 works under SSY during 2022-23,” the press release said. “He asked the officers to focus on the inclusion of works like promoting border tourism, border Homestays, guest houses, tourism-related infrastructure, Skill Development training and capacity building/Livelihood generation programme, Agriculture/Horticulture and allied activities (Farm Mechanization/Farm Machinery Hiring Centers/Common Facilitation Centers/Micro Irrigation/Area expansion under orchard plantation/High Yielding Plantations) for community benefit in consultation with PRIs while formulating AAP 2023-24 under SSY,” it added. On the occasion, Secretary stressed upon the District Development Commissioners and concerned officers of border districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora to implement the scheme for addressing the infrastructure gaps in border habitations through convergence. He asked them to meet the special developmental needs and well-being of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas through a participatory approach. The Director General, BADP and Chief Planning Officers of the concerned districts attended the meeting. Addressing the officers, Secretary emphasized upon them to give priority to all the ongoing works of 2022-23 while formulating the Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2023-24 under the scheme which has been placed under District Capex Budget in the current financial year, an official statement said. It was also agreed upon to include works like provisioning of decentralized renewal energy-related interventions such as solar dryers, solar mills, biomass-powered cold storage, and Solar Pumps among others for community benefit, Smart Classes and Smart Labs besides provision for Monitoring Mechanisms (use of IT tools for outcome monitoring) in the current year, the statement said. “On the occasion, Secretary also directed the officers to avoid duplication of work besides achieving tangible outcomes from the interventions. He also asked for developing a mobile application and dashboard for mapping of the assets created, so far, both under Border Area Development Programme and Samridh Seema Yojana,” it said. SSY scheme was launched in 2022-23 in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as a special initiative under the leadership of the Lieutenant Governor and guidance of the Chief Secretary, with an allocation of Rs 50 crore for inclusive development of border areas, in convergence with other schemes, especially in the seven Thematic Areas including Roads and Buildings, Health, Education, Agriculture, Power, Drinking Water Supply, Social Sector and Sports Infrastructures. The aim is to ensure the provision of essential infrastructure facilities and opportunities for sustainable living which would help integrate these areas with the mainstream by providing basic facilities, the statement mentioned. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Sunday) called upon the new generation to be prepared with the knowledge of science, technology and research to lead the country towards prosperity utilising their hidden talents.   "Our worthy children should be prepared with the knowledge of science, technology and research to lead the country in future. Hope you all will flourish your hidden talents in every sector and forward the country to make sure that Bangladesh doesn't lag behind anymore," she said. The prime minister was addressing the award distribution ceremony among nationwide winners of Bangabandhu Talent Hunt Competition-2022 joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.   Expressing her heartiest greetings to the winners, she said, "Your hidden talents are the future of our country."   The premier asked all concerned to find out hidden talents, saying, "Our children have plenty of intelligence and they are born in the era of technology. So, you should focus on searching hidden talents and utilising those for country's development."   Against the backdrop of global advancement in science and technology, she said Bangladesh has to keep pace with the evolution.   "So, we have to work on education and research of science, health, water resources, agriculture and others. We are giving most importance to the research," she said. She also referred to her government's first separate allocation of Tk 12 crore for research particularly on agriculture to make Bangladesh self-reliant in food production after assuming power in 1996.   The premier mentioned that they allocated Tk 100 crore in the budget the next year (1997) for research, saying, "Research can show us the path (of prosperity and advancement)."   She went on saying that innovative thoughts among children can advance Bangladesh ahead.   "The new generation can march the country ahead through practice of science and technology," she said.   The premier said her government has taken various measures such as establishing science and technology universities, institutes, maritime university and medical university across the country mainly to inspire the students in science education as they found less interest among the children about science after assuming power in 1996. Describing the talent hunt competition as a marvelous system to reach grassroots talents, the prime minister thanked the organisers to include specially able children in the competition as it is one of the steps to bring them in the mainstream of the society.   She stated that the differently able children have huge talents, saying, "We have to find out the talents in them and use their potential in country's development." Sheikh Hasina called upon the new generation to prepare their mindset to work with all, especially the differently able children for the advancement of the country. "I am telling the new generation that we have to mix and work with all of them to ensure our development," she added.   Mentioning that her government has transformed Bangladesh into a developing nation and has been working to make it a developed one by 2041, she said, "You (new generation) are the soldiers of 2041."   She also said her government has been implementing Delta plan-2100 to ensure an improved and secured life for generation after generation.   The prime minister said the Father of the Nation had given the most importance on education particularly on science, technology and vocational education in building the nation immediately after announcing education as the weapon of reducing poverty.   As part of his (Bangabandhu's) move, she said Bangabandhu incorporated education as the basic rights in the country's constitution that was prepared by only nine months after independence.   Bangabandhu nationalised 36,165 educational institutions and built and repaired the already ravaged educational institutes during the War of Liberation, she said. She also said the Father of the Nation made free primary education for all and up to secondary education for female and distributed books free of cost to spread the light of education everywhere.   The premier said that Bangabandhu had also prepared an education policy which he could not implement as he along with most of his family members had been assassinated on August 15, 1975.   Following the footsteps of Bangabandhu, she said her government had nationalised 26,993 primary schools across the country and is distributing books free of cost and giving money to 1.40 crore students directly through their mother's cell phone alongside providing stipends and scholarship to two crore more students.   Sheikh Hasina said her government has given the topmost priority on the education sector as they consider education as the most effective weapon to wipe out poverty from the country.   Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Deputy Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury and Technical and Madrasah Education Board Secretary Md Kamal Hossain spoke at the function while Secondary and Higher Secondary Division Secretary Md Abu Bakr Siddique gave the address of welcome.   Fifteen students out of 7680 participants have been awarded in 2022 with a cheque of Tk 2 lakh each, certificates, crest and medal while 117 others who took part in the competition also got Tk 30,000 each along with other benefits.   On behalf of the prime minister, the education minister handed over the awards among 15 winners in five categories.   Two students on behalf of 15 awardees also expressed their feelings to win the competition.   A video documentary on the Bangabandhu Talent Hunt was screened on the occasion.   At the directive of the prime minister, the nationwide talent hunt competition started in 2013 aimed at finding out grassroots level talents among the secondary and higher secondary students and inspire them to use their intelligence in nation building activities.   The competition was renamed as Bangabandhu Talent Hunt Competition marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and golden jubilee of the country's independence in 2020. The competition was not held for two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021 due to the outbreak of the global Coronavirus pandemic. Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Thursday) hoped that the new generation will forward the country cherishing the ideology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as she unveiled the cover of 11 books on life and works of the Father of the Nation.   "I believe the new generation will take the country forward being imbued with the ideology of Bangabandhu," she said.    The prime minister virtually joined the cover unveiling ceremony of the books from her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka.    The National Implementation Committee for the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary Celebration organized the function at the International Mother Language Institute in the city.   The new generation could know the real history of Bangabandhu, the struggle for independence and the Liberation War through the 11 books published on Mujib Borsho, she added.   "If the publications continue, the people, particularly the new generation, will know many things about the Liberation War to be patriots and take the country forward being inspired with Bangabandhu's life and works," she added.   The premier also handed "Bangabandhu Scholars" scholarship over to 13 students and "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Quiz" competition award to 100 winners, which were organised marking the Mujib Borsho.   Sheikh Hasina said attempts were made time and again to erase the name of the Father of the Nation from the history of the Liberation War and Language Movement after Bangabandhu's assassination in 1975.    Even, the history of the Liberation War's victory and Language Movement had been changed and it continued for 21 years, she said, adding that for this reason, several generations are deprived of knowing the real history of the Liberation War.    "It is the biggest thing that the new generation will know many things (about the real history of Bangabandhu, the Liberation War and the Language Movement) through the publications," she continued.      The prime minister said the new generation could know Bangabandhu's life-long dedication to change the fate of the distressed people facing inhuman torture for 24 years through reading these books.   Of the 11 books, Sheikh Hasina herself edited the book written on Bangabandhu titled "Voice of Millions" (Koti Manusher Kanthosar).   On behalf of the prime minister, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury handed over the "Bangabandhu Scholars" scholarship to 13 students and "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Quiz" competition award to 10 out of 100 winners.   The scholarship awardees received a cheque of Tk 3 lakh, crest and a certificate while the quiz winners got a laptop each.   Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni and Convener of the International Publication and Translation Sub Committee, Prof Dr Fakhrul Alam, spoke at the function.   Recorded speech of former Finance Minister Dr Abul Maal Abdul Muhith was broadcast at the function.    Chief Coordinator of the National Implementation Committee for Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 100th Birth Anniversary Celebration gave a welcome address.   At the outset of the programme, the theme song of the Mujib Borsho was played. Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Wednesday) stressed the need for preparing the young generation with the spirit of the Liberation War and ideal of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman aimed at building a non-communal, knowledge-and science-based progressive society to lead the country towards development and prosperity, urging the Jubo League to take the leading role in this regard.    “We want to prepare the young generation to take Bangladesh ahead in future,” she said while addressing a discussion marking the 49th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital through a video conference.   Against the backdrop of the demand of the BNP leaders to send  Khaleda Zia abroad for treatment, the Prime Minister said they have shown the highest sympathy to the  BNP chairperson by allowing her to stay home and take the country’s best treatment despite the fact that she was convicted for embezzling orphan’s money and giving patronage to the killers of Bangabandu, deliberately celebrating her fake birthday on August 15, giving no scope for treatment of ailing political leaders and making several attempts on her life.     She asked the BNP leaders: “What are they expecting from us?  We have allowed her to stay home and take treatment freely in the country’s best hospital. Isn’t it enough? Isn’t it a great generosity?  We’ve shown it (generosity). How more (I would do)?”   Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, asked the Jubo League leaders and workers to devote themselves in serving the people and create an atmosphere so that the future generation could get a beautiful life in the future.   Mentioning that the youths took the leading role in each of the democratic movements, the Prime Minister said that they had dedicated the 2018 election manifesto of the Awami League by selecting the slogan “Development of youths lead to prosperous Bangladesh.”  Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken multifaceted programmes, including generating employment and giving training in various fields and creating scope of taking loans without collateral so that they could stand on their own feet and create jobs for others shunning the chase after jobs.   “Our target is that the young generation would work to take Bangladesh ahead,” she continued.   Former chairman of Jubo League and incumbent Presidium Members of the Awami League, Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak and former general secretary of the Jubo League and now Organizing Secretary of the AL, Mirza Azam, MP, and immediate past Jubo League General Secretary Harunur Rashid spoke at the discussion, presided over by Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash.  Jubo League General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil conducted the discussion.   Video messages of greetings from former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of board of directors of the BSS, Professor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, former State Minister for Information and renowned cultural activist Tarana Halim, former Vice-Chancellor of the Jagannath University Professor Dr Mijanur Rahman, Editor In Chief and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of the DBC News Mohammed Manzurul Islam, senior journalist Mustafiz Shafi and noted folk singer Shafi Mandal, were aired in the function.      Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni (father of Parash) founded the Jubo League following the directive of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on November 11, 1972.  The Prime Minister highly appreciated the speech of the Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash saying that if the leaders and activists of the organization can realize the speech of their chief and work accordingly, the future of Bangladesh will be very bright.  “If it is possible to build Bangladesh with the ideology of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the spirit of the Liberation War, the country will march towards a developed and prosperity maintaining the current socio-economic advancement of Bangladesh,” she said.   The Prime Minister also inaugurated distribution of 61 houses, built by the Jubo League, among the homeless people as part of the government’s move to bring all the homeless and landless people under the housing scheme. Referring to birthday celebration by Khaleda Zia on August 15, Sheikh Hasina said, “What is the meaning of celebrating birthday by cutting cake on August 15? It is to hurt us who lost parents, brothers and children. Isn’t it? Khaleda Zia celebrates August 15 as her birthday. If so, how can they expect more from me?” The Prime Minister said that Khleda Zia mentioned several dates as her birthday in different documents.   She said Khaleda Zia rewarded and patronized the killers of the Father of the Nation. Khaleda Zia had brought a killer of Bangabandhu to parliament as the opposition leader after 1996 farcical election, she said. BNP leaders are now talking about Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad though she was a convict in graft case, she said, adding that they must remember that Khaleda Zia did not allow former army chief general Mustafizur Rahman to receive treatment in the CMH, and denied treatment facilities to HM Ershad in jail, his wife Raushon Ershad and Matia Chowdhury, and unleashed tortures on AL leaders, including Bahauddin Nasim. “The BNP leaders now want sympathy and cooperation (from us). But I would like to ask them how Khaleda Zia behaved (with us). What were the remarks of Khaleda Zia before the August-21 grenade attack?” she said. Referring to Khaleda Zia’s remark that Sheikh Hasina would never be even the opposition leader let alone the Prime Minister and Awami League would not go to power even in 100 years, the premier said the destiny is that Khaleda Zia has now failed to become an opposition leader. Source: BSS AH

President M Abdul Hamid said the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman would help new generation contribute to nation-building tasks. “Bangabandhu is not amidst us . . . but his ideals are our eternal source of inspiration,” said Hamid in his televised address on Tuesday on the ‘Mujib Year’, the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Noting that Bangabandhu was the symbol of the principle and ideology, Abdul Hamid said his books, including ‘Unfinished Memoirs’ and ‘Prison Life’ would help new generation know about the life and works of Bangabandhu. Being imbued with the ideal of the Father of the Nation, he categorically said the young generation would contribute to nation-building in days to come. The principles and ideals of Bangabandhu should be spread from generation to generation and the young generation would be courageous and dedicated, the President hoped. He said the ‘Mujib Barsha’s pledge should be to continue united efforts, being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War, to complete the unfinished tasks of the Father of the Nation and turn the country into a “Sonar Bangla”. At the very outset of his speech, the President paid a glowing tribute to Bangabandhu, the greatest Bangali of the thousand years, and simultaneously thanked countrymen and expatriate Bangladeshis to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu amid festivity and joyous manner in Bangladesh and all Bangladesh missions abroad. Born on March 17 in 1920 at Tungipara of Goplagang, the President said, country’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was an ephemeral great man and from his childhood he was extremely humane but uncompromising on attaining the rights. In the early forties of the last century, as a young student leader, having come into contact with Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Haque and Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, Bangabandhu got involved in active politics, he mentioned. Recalling his long successful political career, President Hamid, a very close aide of the Father of the Nation, said Bangabandhu led all democratic and freedom movements, including Sarbodolio Rashtrobhasa Sangram Parishad (All Party State Language Action Committee) in 1948, Language Movement in 1952, Jukta-Front Election in 1954, movement against Martial Law in 1958, Six-Point Movement in 1966, Mass Upsurge in 1969 and General Elections in 1970. He continued the great leader was sent to jail several times and had to bear inhuman sufferings for his active participation in those movements. Despite manifold challenges, he did never compromise with the Pakistani rulers on the question of establishing the rights of Bengalis, Hamid added. Referring to the 7th March Speech at the then Race Course Maidan, he said how an address can arouse the whole nation and inspire the people to leap into the War of Liberation for independence, the historic March 7 speech by Bangabandhu is a unique example. The President said UNESCO has recognized the 7th March Speech of Bangabandhu as part of the “World’s Documentary Heritage” and included it in the “Memory of the World International Register” on October 30, 2017 while the Newsweek Magazine in its April 5, 1971 issue termed Bangabandhu as the “Poet of Politics” for this historic address. On the black night of March 25, he said, when Pakistani invaders swooped on the innocent and unarmed Bengalis, the Father of the Nation proclaimed the long-cherished Independence on 26th March in 1971. “We achieved ultimate victory on December 16, 1971 through a nine-month armed struggle under the leadership of Bangabandhu,” the President said. Bangla, Bangladesh and Bangabandhu have become a common entity for his outstanding contribution to the country and its people, President Hamid observed. Source: BSS AH

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, do not be frustrated. Be firm on your target, there will be victory for democracy a must. Khaleda Zia is our inspiration to move further. The matter of her sacrifice should be spread to the young generation. We have to move forward after taking decision on the real perspective. The world has changed and keeping that reality in mind we have to move after identifying the problems. He said these while delivering speech as the chief guest in a discussion after inaugurating a photographic exhibition organized at national press club on Friday. National Research Center organized the program. Mirza Fakhrul said, we have grown older, we are going towards death in every moment, so to protect the country the young generation has to come forward. Election system of the country has been damaged. Judiciary system is the same- nobody is getting justice. Law enforcement agency is working according to the direction of certain party. So to recover the country from this situation the young generation has to come forward. He said, there is an effort to create division among the people and party leaders and activists through media campaign and other systems. An effort also has begun to create confusion in our party. Don’t be confused. Keep in mind- our leader is Begum Khaleda Zia. Her direction is order for us. Our acting party chairman Tarique Rahman is directing us from abroad. We all following his direction, being united we will march towards the right politics and it is our lone aim. Mirza Fakhrul also said, Begum Khaleda Zia is imprisoned after being victim of deep conspiracy. Why she is being imprisoned? Because, Begum Khaleda Zia is the symbol of democracy. If she comes out of jail then there will be no existence of this government. They will be washed away with the current and wave created at that time. For this reason she is being imprisoned. But people will make her free. He also said, there is an effort to turn the country into an inactive state in a planned way. The judicial system and election system were destroyed. Law enforcement agency members has fallen hostage to a certain party of the country. AH