Azmeri Haque Badhon, a Popular Bangladeshi actress who received a standing ovation at Cannes last year for her film 'Rehana Marium Noor', says she does not have any plans of getting married in the near future.   Badhon told this to RTV online in a recent conversation. She also shared her latest work and future plans with the RTV online. Here are the highlights of the interview for the readers…..   How is your day going? It's going very well. I learned driving again and got license. Now I can drive directly and learning to swim. I was very busy with these two things. Also gives time to my daughter and family.   Nowadays, you are not visible on screen, why? Yes, I'm not on the screen. Last work was released at the end of January in this year. However, prepare  myself for some specific works. But now I'm busy with OTT platform 'Hoichoi's 'Delta Twenty Fifty One'. some work to do. My daughter is also here. But Badhan won’t go away from acting.   Please say something about your 'Delta Twenty Fifty One' There is nothing to say for now. Same for other works. If any of my work goes anywhere worth talking about—then I'll let you know.   Most of your fans are surprised to see a picture of you on social media. What is the secret of that picture? Badhon (In smiling face): We arrange a family get together. My daughter and her friend's family were also there, to enjoy our daughter's vacation (summer). We went to a wonderful resort named 'Palace' in Habiganj, booked a room before going there, they welcomed me very warmly and saw the bed in my room was decorated with the names of my works, which was a great surprise to me. I am fascinated by such experiences and grateful to them!   Do you have any plans for marriage now? (Chuckling) No plans for marriage now. Because, I am fine as I am. It is Fine to spend time with my child, my life, my own freedom. In that sense, there is no time to think about marriage. If I ever plan I will definitely let you know first.   Any plans to go abroad? No, not yet. We went Netherlands for my father's post-graduation. That time, we traveled so many countries in Europe. Apart from this, I have visited many places in my country. On the other hand, when 'Rehana Mariam Noor' was promoted from Cannes festival, I had to travel many countries. This is something special I like a lot. Traveling abroad has given me a lot of motivation. During Covid, nature was so very beautiful. That trip will be the best memory of my life. That's it for now. Now let's see when, where to go.   Then, we won't see you in TV Drama? I am not saying that I am not interested in Television drama or will be acted as before. But the quality of work is now very important to me. Earning money is also important, in this case promotional work and advertisement are good. However, I am definitely interested in doing web films or short films, web series regularly for OTT. Now I have learned that how important a character is!   You have the experiences to work with the directors of west bengal as well as our directors...Found any Differences? The difference is not much. Everyone tries their best, that's how it seems to work in Bengali. But the experience of working with producer Saad was a little different.   Most of the time you are seen in bold look, many people make bad comments because of this, what do you say about them? Not exactly that, many people fear about my personality. Not only for the look, style of my conversation, walking, thoughts..all are unbearable for them. I see making different comments. Don't want to say anything about them or keep them in my thoughts. I just want to love me, just learned how to love. Try to enjoy my rights, my freedom. If it is not acceptable to anyone, there is nothing in my hand. I want to live in my own way not in anyone's words.  

People come here on the day of Jumma to offer prayers at Aishmuqam, J&K. The shrine of Aish Muqam is located inside a deep cave situated on a hillock in Anantnag, a hundreds metre off the main road of Anantnag-Pahalgam. It is devoted to Sheikh Zian-Ud-Din Wali, a saint believed to have spiritual power. Every wish comes true here. People get what they ask for. People from all corners come here from Delhi, America, Rajasthan, etc. People of all religions come here and pray. Source: kashmirahead.com

The breached Kakhovka dam is still pumping water to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the IAEA said.  Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy has hailed the "results" of fighting in eastern Ukraine. The breached Kakhovka dam is still supplying Europe's largest nuclear power plant with cooling water, the UN nuclear agency said on Thursday. "Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is continuing to pump cooling water from the Kakhovka reservoir," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement. It followed claims by the dam's operator to Ukrainian TV, saying the reservoir had gone "below the critical point of 12.7 meters (42 feet)." If the claims were true, the reservoir would not have been able to supply Zaporizhzhia's ponds, which are needed to cool the plant. The Nova Kakhovka dam was breached on Tuesday, with both Moscow and Kyiv trading accusations of responsibility for its destruction. Some experts said it might have been due to wartime damage and neglect. Flooding from the breach extends over 600 square kilometers on the Ukrainian-held right bank of the Dnieper River and the Russian-held left bank, the governor of the Kherson region earlier said. Deaths have been reported on both sides due to the flooding, with thousands forced to evacuate. The IAEA said an assessment by its experts indicated that the plant's pumps could likely continue to be operated even at the level of 11 meters or lower. "In these difficult and challenging circumstances, this is providing some more time before possibly switching to alternative water supplies," IAEA head Rafael Grossi said. However, Grossi, who is due to visit the plant next week on a third visit since the war started, warned of the "very precarious and potentially dangerous" safety and security situation around the plant, amid the continuing fighting.  Here are some of the other developments concerning Russia's war in Ukraine on Friday, June 9: Zelenskyy hails Donetsk fighting 'results' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has applauded the "results" of heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region. Zelenskyy spoke during his daily video message, which he delivered late on Thursday aboard a train after visiting areas affected by the Kakhovka dam breach. The president acknowledged the heavy fighting in the Donetsk region. "But there are results, and I am grateful to those who achieved these results. Well done in Bakhmut. Step by step," he said. US to announce fresh $2 billion arms package — reports The United States is preparing to announce a fresh package of arms support to Kyiv worth $2 billion (approximately €1.86 billion), Bloomberg News reported late on Thursday, citing administrative officials. The funds will be presented under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, Bloomberg said. The package will include a generous amount of air defense munitions. It's also meant to help Ukraine purchase Hawk missile launchers, alongside two types of advanced Patriot air defense missiles. Biden, Sunak stress 'unwavering support' for Ukraine US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have stressed their "unwavering support" for the people of Ukraine in their fight against the Russian invasion. The two leaders spoke at the White House on Thursday, during Sunak's visit to Biden. "The UK and the US together with more than 50 partners have committed historic levels of security assistance to Ukraine," Biden said after the talks. London and Washington are two of the biggest donors to Ukraine, and they play a central role in a long-term, recently announced effort to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.

In its ongoing G20 meetings in various sectors, India will soon host a tourism working group meeting in Srinagar - the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir -- in May. For the first time after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A, Jammu and Kashmir will be hosting an international event in which delegates from G20 member states, guest countries and several international organizations will participate. Kashmir is known for its breathtaking beauty. Naturally what could have been better to hold a tourism working group meeting other than Srinagar? By holding the meeting in Srinagar, India also wants to convey a strong message to the global community about the stability of the place. It wants to portray the peaceful ambience of the place. India took over the presidency of the G20 in December 2022. It is expected to host a total of 215 meetings across 55 locations this year. Some components of the ongoing smart city project in Srinagar have been tweaked, with contracts being reworked and deadlines advanced by a month or two, to have them completed ahead of a G20 tourism working group meeting to be held between May 22 and 24, reported The Economic Times. Around 50 delegates are expected to participate in the G-20 meeting in Srinagar, which will allow India to refute Pakistan's claims of human rights violations in the Kashmir Valley. Indian officials and former diplomats said the G-20 presidency offers an opportunity to showcase New Delhi's leading role in global affairs, particularly when the world is confronting multiple geopolitical and economic crises, reported DW.com. "This is proforma outrage by Pakistan. The reaction is unsurprising, given that the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement does not want to give reason to Imran Khan to question their Kashmir posture," Ajay Bisaria, a former high commissioner to Pakistan told DW. "Pakistan would be well advised not to overhype the issue since that would only reduce its own diplomatic space. Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India," former diplomat Meera Shankar told DW. "Its economy is tourism focused and the climate there is very pleasant in May when temperatures in the rest of India are very high. It is an appropriate venue to hold a tourism-related meeting." Preparations for meetings are underway in Srinagar and adjoining areas. Foreign delegates will also be taken on a sightseeing tour to Baramulla, Dachigam National Park, and to the ski resort of Gulmarg. Jammu and Kashmir is also expecting an investment of Rs 75,000 crore in 2023. Pharmaceuticals, cold storage, food processing, packaging, logistics, medi-cities, educational institutions etc have shown a keen interest in setting up n units in J-K.  Also, there are foreign investment proposals worth almost Rs 3,000 crore, including from the Lulu group, Times of India had reported earlier. In March, an Emirati property company announced a USD 60 million project to build a shopping mall and offices in Srinagar, reported ForeignPolicy.com. India has already held G-20 tourism meetings in the states of Gujarat and West Bengal earlier this year and has scheduled another in the state of Goa in June. 

When Karnataka’s minister for large and medium industries Murugesh Nirani became the only BJP-ruled state minister to invite Tesla to set up shop in Bengaluru earlier this month, after Elon Musk spoke of “challenges with the Indian government”, he had a good reason. The tweet came at a time Karnataka is leading the charts of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow in the country. For two successive quarters of the fiscal year 2021-2022, Karnataka has attracted the highest FDI in the country. During the first two quarters of 2021-2022, Karnataka accounted for 48 per cent and 41 per cent of total FDI in India, respectively. By the end of September 2021, Karnataka had received over Rs 1.02 lakh crore in FDI. This is close to 45 per cent of the total FDI inflow to India, Rs 2.29 lakh crore. If the trend continues, Karnataka could be creating history this fiscal year by trumping Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi as the number one investment destination in India — and all this amid a pandemic. The last time a state accounted for more than 45 per cent of total FDI in India was Maharashtra in 2008-2009.  Karnataka’s success in attracting investment is being credited by both experts and industry insiders to the government’s foresight and investor-friendly policies, excellence of local firms, as well as a pro-development bureaucracy and polity. “The largest inflow of FDI to Karnataka has been towards aerospace and defence manufacturing, agrotech, fintech, biotech, nanotechnology, electronics, drone technology, hospitality, food processing, hardware, and electronic system design and manufacturing (ESDM),” said Nirani.  Confident of remaining India’s top investment destination this fiscal year, Nirani credits the FDI inflow to the state’s industrial policy and clearance committees. Former Karnataka chief secretary K. Ratna Prabha agreed. “One of the first big investors for Karnataka were Toyota and Boeing for automobiles and aerospace,” Prabha said. “We moved towards setting up country-specific industrial park like Japan industrial township in Tumakuru, Taiwan industrial park in Devanahalli. We offered more incentives in Tier II cities to take industries out of Bengaluru. Hosting multiple delegations, visiting many countries to invite them to invest is all yielding results. In 2020-2021, Gujarat topped the list of states for FDI inflow, accounting for 37 per cent of India’s total FDI, followed by Maharashtra (27 per cent) and Karnataka (13 per cent). ‘Local firms showcasing success abroad’ While it is common knowledge that Karnataka is the largest software exporter in India, Nirani believes the largest investment opportunities are in the aerospace, defence manufacturing, electric vehicles, semiconductor manufacturing and the ESDM sector. Currently, Karnataka accounts for an estimated 65 per cent of India’s total aerospace exports. “We set up the aerospace and defence parks more than a decade ago. Streamlining clearance committees, creating a land bank to avoid delays and engaging our industrialists, like the founders of Infosys and Wipro as brand ambassadors of Karnataka, is helping us reach out to more investors. Our homegrown companies are advertising for Karnataka abroad,” Nirani added. R.S. Deshpande, former director, Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) and policy consultant with the governments of Karnataka and India, told ThePrint that “we could explain this as link theory in capital investment, borrowing from link migration theory in population studies”. “Our companies in various sectors here are showcasing their success to investors abroad and attracting more investment,” he said, adding that political stability is a clear determinant of FDI attraction, apart from ease of doing business. “There is a spread effect in Karnataka, which allows investments not just in Bengaluru but also in tier II and tier III cities. It is true for Maharashtra, too, but no other states. Most importantly, pro-development and people-oriented bureaucracy and polity are Karnataka’s biggest advantages. There is no other state in India where bureaucrats are as unassuming and cooperative,” Deshpande added. Special incentive packages for sectors Industry insiders agree. “Land, labour and power are key to any industry. We have plenty of labour, but land is expensive in Karnataka. Recent reforms, like slashing of commercial taxes, electricity subsidies, land sale initiatives have helped bring in more investments. The state’s policy of promoting cluster manufacturing specific to each district is expanding scope of investment,” I.S. Prasad, president, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, told ThePrint.  Karnataka’s push for alternative energy, Prasad added, has enhanced investment in EV (electric vehicles) and green energy sectors. Karnataka also set up a 2,000 MW solar park at Pavagada, the largest in the country, of which 1,400 MW is operational. Special incentive packages are also being introduced sector-wise in the state. For example, 100 per cent subsidised land, power subsidy for 10 years and 100 per cent subsidised fresh water for 10 years has been announced for semiconductor manufacturing companies. “IT and IT-enabled services are working now on auto-pilot mode and are registering growth with or without additional incentives. Other sectors now need focus,” Prasad added. At the global investors meeting scheduled for November 2022, Karnataka hopes to create fresh milestones on investments. A host of policy tweaks over the years has also helped Karnataka achieve milestones in FDI, like the Karnataka Udyog Mitra — the one-stop-shop nodal agency for all investors from proposal to project implementation.  “Under the new Industries Facilitation Act (passed in June 2020) our State High-Level Clearance Committee (SHLCC) and State-Level Single Window Clearance Committee (SLSWCC) are taking up project proposals on priority,” Nirani told ThePrint. Between October 2021 and January 2022, the two committees had, between them, cleared 345 projects worth Rs 21,998.43 crore, according to data from the commerce and industries department. Source: THE PRINT

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, people are dying unfortunately by not getting corona vaccine and treatment. The secretary general said this in a press release sent to the media on behalf of the party on Sunday. He said, the corona situation is turning into a devastating look in the country due to apathy, failure and wrong policy of the government. Mirza Fakhrul said, life of low income people is getting extremely hard at the moment. Due to scarcity of food items and money people are passing their days without taking food properly. Sometimes they are committing suicide after being shocked by the effects of the pandemic. He alleged that the unethical government is filing false cases based on imagination against the workers of BNP and also arresting them to put them into the jail. The BNP leader said, snatching the voting rights of people, the Awami League government is getting more ferocious after filing cases and putting the BNP men in the jail. AH   

Bandipora district in North Kashmir, India, is enriched with natural heritage. Bandipora offers various destinations for the trekkers in the mountains surrounding the district by three sides with Wular Lake covering its vast expanses too. A one-day trek to Datewas village in Mansa district, is lately gaining popularity among the amateur and occasional trekkers, who battered by back-to-back lockdowns are up to catch some fresh air apart. Datewas which falls in this north Kashmir range is a very small but lush green valley located in the foothills of Harmukh mountain range of the Himalayas. It is a source of various glacial freshwater streams cutting across Bandipora and Ganderbal districts, among them is river Arin. The place is accessible via the upper reaches of Serender as well as Chittay Banday. “We haven’t seen this much rush of locals trekking to the place before. Lockdowns in the plains is forcing people up for fresh air,” Yaqoob Bani, a middle-aged tribal at Detewas said. “Many people are coming here mostly for the day.” Yaqoob is moving up to the wider pastures with his cattle and so are another handful of tribals living in the valley in log houses. The tribals carry a special pass from the Army for hassle-free pasturing across the mountains. “In my 10 years of trekking, it’s a rare sight witnessing amateur trekkers or just anyone without proper knowledge scaling these mountains to reach here,” said Amir who leads a group of regular trekkers from nearby Argaam village. With ease in the restrictions and no mandatory permission for the short treks in less volatile areas and quite a distance from LoC, the exploration is gaining popularity. Datewaas has remained hidden for quite long but, as per the locals, the place has its history and until the early 2000s, much of the wood contracted by the government would be transported from here and even has a road for off-road expeditions now left unused. However, the frontier Gurez valley, which shares the Line of Control with Pakistan administered Kashmir and further connects with Kargil or Drass region of Ladakh has mostly remained out of bounds for the trekkers. However, lately the place has been witnessing an influx of tourists as the government officials began campaigning for attracting more people to the destination. The visits by actors like Akshay Kumar and other officials in the administration have brought it under the spotlight. Source: India Blooms B.M./Rtv

Transboundary pollution points those contaminations that originate in one territory but the effects can harm the environment, the society beyond that territory. Geographically, Bangladesh is sharing almost fifty-four transboundary rivers, also few canals with India and highly dependent on India for its water accessibility. So, India and Bangladesh are connected largely through trans-border water sources. Although, transboundary water bodies are a major source of water for our people, how often we get fresh and usable water is a serious concern. Akhaura municipality area and 15 villages under Brahmanbaria district are suffering immensely because of contaminated water coming from Agartala (Tripura, India) through the Akhaura canal. Akhaura canal was constructed in Agartala and it is situated in border of Akhaura, Bangladesh-Agartala, India. In Brahmanbaria, the canal is known as “Senarbadi” and according to the DoE authorities, it flows throughout large agricultural areas of Akhaura upazila, 15 villages before entering into the river Titas. The villagers were mainly dependent on the canal for their basic water needs. The canal used to be an origin of sweet water, moreover fisheries, agricultures, domestic activities were enormously dependent on it. Unfortunately, numerous categories of industrial, medical, agricultural, household, solid-sewage wastes of Agartala flowed with the water and enter in Akhaura through the canal. Thus, Senarbadi began to contaminate by transboundary pollution coming from India, and day by day the level of contamination has risen so high that people cannot breathe the toxic smell of water, let alone using it for their livelihoods. The situation has been highlighted many times in previous years, but there was no ray of resolution. Bangladesh then humbly requested India to take necessary actions to reduce our transboundary harm. It was a positive response from them and they assured us to construct a treatment plant to treat the polluted water. Despite it, no progress has seen. According to the No Harm Principle (principle 21, The Stockholm Conference, 1972), no country will cause any harm beyond its territory (other nation/persons/environment) through its activities. Similarly, 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development also highlighted No Harm Principle as a significant principle to control the human behaviors of one state, so that they cannot pollute or damage other states even the least. Both Bangladesh and India are signatory members of these conferences, but proper implementations cannot be observed. And maybe in this sector our authority could not develop plenteously, that is why people of Brahmanbaria are suffering from such a curse. No Harm Principle is a very effective principle that can put bindings in our activities and reduce pollutions. If our country implemented the principle properly, they could stop pollution in Akhaura very early. Yet, we can still hope and we actually do hope. Our nation, being quite responsible, has resolved many issues by proper implementation and management of rules and regulations. So, if our Government set an efficient and effective norm of No Harm Principle for our transboundary water issues, plus manage it entirely, then we will be able to solve any problems related to our trans-border. Besides, cooperation of India is also expected. If India cooperates us in any transboundary issue, where because of their activities we are suffering, and take sufficient steps to reduce the pollution, then easily and very swiftly any problems will be solved marvelously. The toxic polluted water has been affecting the villagers extremely. Their life, livelihoods, health all have become vulnerable. Moreover, the environment, non-human entities, the biodiversity of that area are also badly damaged due to the contact with the noxious water. The transboundary water pollution has made the people of that region really helpless. The situation is really frustrating and immediate actions are needed to give the villagers a livable life. If the situation continues and authorities do not take proper actions, the locals will maybe have to shift their residences and have to lose their livelihoods, their origin and self-dignity. (Ibtesum Alam Preeti is a Student of North South University, Bangladesh under Department of Environmental Science and Management.)

Railway ministry has taken master plan to give Bangladesh Railway a new shape. It has taken measures for feasibility to keep reserved seats in the trains. In this connection new buggies and locomotive engines were imported. On Thursday at the launching program of the journey of Inter-city Brahmaputra Express train at Dewanganj in Jamalpur Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said, the passenger service in railway has been developed and modernized than the previous period. The minister said, the construction work of upgrading Jamalpur-Mymensingh-Dhaka rail track into double line will begin soon. Then the journey from Jamalpur to Dhaka will take less time. On pretext of the direction of the High Court he said, feasibility process is going on to keep reserved seats for women, children, senior citizens and physically challenged people in all the inter-city trains. Necessary steps will be taken in this regard according to the railway laws. Nurul Islam Sujan said, railway was a neglected sector. But after assuming power the Awami League government has given a new life to this sector. The program presided over by Bangladesh Railway east zone General Manager Jahangir Hossain where State Minister for Information Dr. Murad Hasan, State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan and Bangladesh Awami League Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam, MP were present as the special guests. AH  

While delivering speech over the matter of extending the tenure of release of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, Khaleda Zia’s brother Shamim Eskander handed over the letter of appeal to me on Tuesday. In the letter appeal was made to relax the conditions. We will inform about our decision after examining it. In this regard the government will inform about the decision after consulting the matter with law ministry. He said this while discussing the matter with the newsmen at his office at the secretariat on Wednesday. The Home Minister said, in the appeal it was said to take necessary initiatives for better treatment for her after cancelling the punishment. Responding to a question of newsmen Asaduzzaman also said, I received the letter just yesterday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the mother of humanity. We hope that she would consider the matter positively. AH