Bangladesh’s next general election, which is widely perceived as being important due to the role it is expected to play in determining the country’s political future, is barely six months away. Incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her ruling Awami League (AL) party have battled an aggressive campaign led by the primary opposition party the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as well as economic difficulties that the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brought upon the country. The problems of the AL government were compounded earlier this year when the United States (US) began exerting escalating pressure on it to prove its democratic credentials even after 15 years in power. In this backdrop, the recent findings of the national survey conducted by the International Republican Institute (IRI) that while Bangladesh citizens were pessimistic about the economy and elections, policies on infrastructure and development had buoyed Sheikh Hasina’s public support and added to her popularity would have come as a pre-election shot in the arm for the AL. The IRI is an American nonprofit organization that is funded and supported by the US federal government, and the conclusions of a survey conducted by it would have been taken careful note of by Sheikh Hasina and her team. In an article titled ‘Bangladesh: Survey Reveals Premier Remains Popular Despite Growing Public Discontent’ that was posted on 9 August on the website of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), David Hoogstra, a program manager at the IRI, and Geoffrey Macdonald observed that although political tension was rising in Bangladesh ahead of the country’s next national elections, due by January 2024, with both the ruling AL and opposition BNP holding large rallies across the country to mobilize their supporters, there was little polling data publicly available that could put in focus the state of race. For a country of 170 million people, there was remarkably little credible public opinion data in Bangladesh. Most observers’ assessment of political strength was driven by impressions of grassroots enthusiasm and crowd size at rallies, which are highly unreliable measures. That changed a little when the IRI recently released its national survey and focus group discussion (FGD) study that shed light on Bangladesh’s political, economic, and social dynamics. The authors wrote, “This research shows that though citizens are pessimistic about the state of the economy and elections, the government’s policies on infrastructure and development have buoyed the prime minister’s public support. Furthermore, while the opposition’s popularity is growing and its calls for a caretaker government are breaking through, Bangladeshis appear skeptical of its boycott strategy”. The IRI survey found that economic issues had been driving the pessimism in Bangladesh, and 51 percent of the respondents said that the economy was doing poorly. Bangladeshis are also frustrated with politics, and ordinary citizens believe that political and civic institutions are not protecting their interests. Others cited corruption, a serious issue across all of South Asia, as the single most important problem in the country. Even civil society was viewed negatively, with 62 percent saying civic groups represent the interests of elites. The article pointed out that the most contentious debate in Bangladesh’s politics currently centered on election administration. The BNP is boycotting all elections until the restoration of Bangladesh’s caretaker government (CTG) system, which installs a politically neutral government before election day. The AL — which scrapped the system after Bangladesh’s high court ruled it unconstitutional in 2011 — says the Election Commission can competently oversee fair elections. AL supporters point to the BNP’s massive Dhaka rally in December 2022 and other opposition political events held freely around the country. In 2022, non-AL candidates won in local elections, lending credibility to the process. Recent municipal elections have encountered some problems but have also been lauded for relatively high turnout, reduced violence and open competition in some locations. Furthermore, the government has consistently said it welcomes international election observers in January. In May, the AL also floated the idea of a bipartisan election time government including the BNP, and a senior AL official recently said the party is open to internationally mediated political dialogue. Nevertheless, Bangladeshis are divided on this issue. While 92 percent say they are very or somewhat likely to cast their vote, 56 percent of Bangladeshis say the opposition should compete in the election even if the CTG is not reinstated. In focus groups, many BNP supporters urged their party to run. The article concluded that “The Bangladeshi public’s pervasive pessimism appears to be boosting the opposition’s popularity but has not yet substantially weakened the Sheikh Hasina government. About 70 percent of Bangladeshis say the prime minister is doing a good job, and majorities approve of the government’s performance on various policy issues from access to drinking water to improving education”. International opinion on the issue of democracy and rule of law in Bangladesh has been divided and inconsistent. Over the past year, several senior US government officials — including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Hass and State Department Councilor Derek Chollet — have publicly called for free and fair elections in Bangladesh. Al Jazeera reported in May this year that Antony Blinken had said that the US was adopting a new policy to restrict visas for Bangladeshis who undermined the democratic election process at home. Blinken said the US was supporting “free, fair and peaceful national elections” and would target either pro-government or opposition supporters in the deeply polarised nation. Blinken added that he was “announcing this policy to lend our support to all those seeking to advance democracy in Bangladesh”, and that the move could affect current or former officials and politicians and members of law enforcement, the judiciary and security services “believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh”. He asserted that “The holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone – voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society and the media”. Other western-aligned governments have followed the US’ lead on Bangladesh. The United Kingdom (UK), Japan and others have echoed US calls for free and fair elections, and the European Union (EU) sent a six-member Election Exploratory Mission that visited Bangladesh from July 8 to July 22 and held several dozen meetings with various stakeholders, including political parties, media representatives and civil society members, to assess the political situation in the country and to decide on the possibility of sending EU election observers to monitor the January 2024 polls. A high-level US delegation, including Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya, also visited Bangladesh in July and discussed a range of issues, including “free and fair elections”, labor issues, human rights and combating human trafficking with senior Bangladeshi officials. In its response to Blinken’s comments, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry issued a statement assuring of free and fair elections in January next year. It said, “The government apparatus will take necessary measures to prevent and address any unlawful practices or interference … to compromise the smooth and participatory conduct of the elections. The electoral process will remain under strict vigilance, including by international observers as accredited by the Election Commission”. It stressed that the Election Commission retained the ability to perform its functions in full independence, credibility and efficiency. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reacted angrily to the new visa rule, which was widely perceived as a warning to the ruling administration, and said it amounted to an attempt to topple her government. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha shortly after Blinken’s statement, Sheikh Hasina assured that “I am here to ensure our people’s voting rights because people should decide who will run the country. It is people’s power. I want to ensure people’s power. I am not here to grab power, rather I want to empower our people. They should have that right to choose their government. So under our government, definitely elections will be free and fair”. Taking a dig at the US’ own imperfect experience with democracy, Hasina had added, “As for the US, you can see that Mr Trump didn’t accept the results. What do they have to say now? We have told everybody, if they want to send observers they can do it”. Some analysts believe that the US pressing Bangladesh on democracy has more to do with gaining leverage in business and trade deals and countering rival China’s growing influence in the country. Washington, they say, has done little to push for free elections in Pakistan which is mired in its own deep political crisis. They argue that under proxy military rule, mass arrests, disappearances, murders and torture have become a regular feature in Pakistan. Delwar Hossain, a professor of international relations at the University of Dhaka, was quoted by the Bangladeshi media as saying that “The US approach to Bangladesh needs to be changed. In the case of Pakistan’s political instability, the US is silent while in Bangladesh’s case they are highly active”. Among regional powers, India has consistently extended its unqualified support to the Sheikh Hasina regime. Ali Riaz, non-resident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, noted in his article titled ‘Bangladesh election 2024: What role will India play?’ that “Under the Hasina regime, India has received Bangladesh’s support in rooting out insurgency in India’s Northeastern region, securing transit through Bangladesh, gaining permanent access to two main ports in the Bay of Bengal, signing an energy deal which ensures that Bangladesh buys electricity with the highest cost, inking an agreement which allows India to install a surveillance system in the Bay of Bengal, agreeing to a water-sharing deal which provides India control over the river Kushiyara and engaging in close defense cooperation to name but a few significant bilateral achievements”. Riaz opined that it was, therefore, not surprising that “Despite the intense discussions in the media, there hasn’t been any official word from New Delhi regarding the new United States policy or the growing tension between the United States and Bangladesh. New Delhi has remained studiously silent”. India’s support for Sheikh Hasina is on account of many factors, most significant among which is the terrorism promoted by the BNP during its period in power in Dhaka that Hasina has helped virtually eliminate. Equally weighty is the Indian desire to keep China at bay. For its part, China has sought to foster close economic and defense cooperation with Sheikh Hasina’s government, while remaining politically neutral. The US-led West, which has for several years been sensitive to India’s position on Bangladesh, also recognizes the perils of pushing Sheikh Hasina too far. As Jasmin Lorch, South Asia analyst and guest lecturer at the Humboldt University in Berlin put it while commenting upon the possibility of EU sanctions on Bangladesh, “It is also unclear whether such restrictions would be effective because they might just push Bangladesh closer to China, which is a highly authoritarian patron”. From the US perspective, adopting too tough a stance against Bangladesh at this juncture could actually run counter to its broader geopolitical interests in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. As Geoffrey Macdonald pointed out, “Internationally, the United States, India and China will be watching closely. Bangladesh’s long border with India, strategic location on the Bay of Bengal and economic potential make it an attractive ally for Indo-Pacific competitors”, which includes China. The Awami League, meanwhile, will take solace that the desire of the US to build a close relationship with India will, to a lesser or greater extent, serve to dilute democracy-promoting pressure upon Dhaka from Washington.

At least 7 members in Ashulia sustained burn injuries after a fire broke out in their house following a gas leak explosion.  The incident took place at 8 pm on Saturday at shripur in Ashulia. They were taken to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. The victims are, Md. Sadiqul (28), Md. Hasim Ali (40), deleted. Sabina Begum (40), Md. Nazrul Islam (45), Md. Mohsin (27) and Mocha. Kamala Begum (50). Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery's Resident doctor, Tariqul Islam said that 6 people were admitted to the hospital. Among them, 45 percent of Hashem Ali, 46 percent of Nazrul Islam, 50 percent of Sadiqul Islam, 50 percent of Sabina Begum, 20 percent of Kamla Begum and 10 percent of Mohammad Hossain were burnt.  Five of them are in critical condition and one has been kept under close observation.

A majority of 70 percent respondents think that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is doing “a good job.”  Washington-based International Republican Institute (IRI), conducted the survey. Findings from the national survey of Bangladesh, conducted between March and April 2023, are posted on the IRI website.  IRI is an American nonprofit organization funded and supported by the United States federal government. Most of its board is drawn from the Republican Party. According to a latest survey, 40 percent think that Sheikh Hasina's work is 'Very good'. 30 percent of the participants think that Sheikh Hasina's work is 'somewhat good'. 20 percent of participants rated Sheikh Hasina's performance as 'somewhat bad'. Apart from this, 10 percent of the participants think Sheikh Hasina's work is "Very bAd".  On the other hand, Some 53 per cent of the voters in Bangladesh think the country is headed in the wrong direction and 50 per cent of them believe that the price hike is the main reason behind that. 92 percent of survey respondents said they were likely to vote in the next national election. 57 percent of respondents said they would be "very likely" to vote. Those who do not want to vote cite electoral fraud and voter registration issues as the main barriers to voting.

Health experts today laid emphasis on immediate hospitalization as the dengue situation in Bangladesh is getting worse this year as the country witnessed a record number of dengue positive cases and deaths.   "All types of dengue positive cases need immediate hospitalization to reduce dengue-related deaths," Dr M Mushtaq Hussain, adviser of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR)." BSS Reports. Dengue positive patients have been divided into three categories -- A, B, C -- on the basis of severity of the disease, he said, adding dengue positive patients with stable condition are under A category while moderate severe and critical patients are under category B and C.   The health expert said all dengue patients should ensure admission to hospitals for getting remedy from the mosquito-borne disease. "In order to ensure hospitalization of all infected people, the authorities should take immediate steps to set up primary and secondary hospitals in Dhaka city," Mushtaq added.  Primary and secondary hospitals at district and upazila levels must be improved with adequate medical facilities for dengue patients, he said, adding "We need more dengue dedicated hospitals both inside and outside Dhaka city to handle the epidemic in the country."  The health experts attributed the highest dengue-related deaths to lack of awareness and late hospitalization as the country already has reported a record number of dengue-related deaths.  "Dengue fatality rate is very high this year as people are not aware enough about the disease . . . late hospitalization is another reason for death caused by dengue," IEDCR Director Prof Dr Tahmina Shirin said.  "We are observing that people are not immediately going to doctors after being affected by dengue fever, which is eventually worsening conditions of patients," she added.  Among the four serotypes of dengue viruses: Den-1, Den-2, Den-3, and Den-4, Tahmina said, Den-2 and Den-3 are more active this year. "In most cases, dengue symptoms are not seen. So, we are suggesting people visit doctors immediately after being affected by fever," she added.  Bangladesh has been grappling to stem dengue outbreak as July was the deadliest month since detection of the mosquito-borne disease in 2000 while experts predicted the dengue situation may deteriorate further in the coming August and September.  According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), July alone recorded 43,854 dengue positive cases with 204 deaths while 20,393 dengue positive cases were recorded and 89 people died from the disease in the past eight days of August.  Talking to BSS, several entomologists said that dengue by now emerged as an epidemic as it spread all over the country but observed that the concerned agencies, particularly city corporations could not take required steps to annihilate mosquitoes. Dr Ayesha Akhtar, assistant director of Shyamoli TB Hospital, said, "Dengue was detected in Bangladesh for the first time in 2000 and it has turned into epidemic at the beginning of rainy season this year and the dengue situation will be more severe, if the rising trend continue."  "We have to take preventive steps particularly destroying breeding sources of Aedes mosquito to stop outbreak of dengue disease," she added.   City dwellers must be cautious about stagnant water which is the main source of breeding of Aedes mosquito, Ayesha said, adding that even a small quantity of water can grow Aedes mosquitoes leading to the spread of such deadly disease.   As many as 13 dengue patients died and 2,742 were admitted to different hospitals in the country during the last 24 hours till 8 am today (August 8).  "During the period, 1,002 dengue patients were hospitalised in Dhaka city while 1,740 were admitted to different hospitals outside Dhaka," a press release of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said. "This year, 340 deaths, the highest in a year since dengue was detected in 2000, were reported from dengue disease while 281 died last year," the daily statement of the DGHS said. As of August 8, the total number of patients stood at 72,225, the statement read.  Health experts warned the dengue situation may deteriorate this month and in the next month, asking authorities concerned to launch a massive campaign against all types of mosquitoes. Analysing the amount of rainfall, temperature and humidity in Bangladesh, they described August and September months as the most suitable period for breeding of Aedes mosquitoes.

World Resources Institute (WRI), on Friday, launched its flagship geospatial platform-Energy Access Explorer (EAE) for the state of Nagaland in Kohima. This makes Nagaland the third state in India to have access to the platform. EAE is a geo-spatial platform that provides data on electricity, health, education and livelihood indicators in the regions. It aims to assist policymakers, entrepreneurs and governments to decide the least cost and most sustainable energy access solutions for unserved and underserved communities to accelerate development. Chairman of Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and Advisor to Chief Minister, Abu Metha who graced the occasion observed that data collection in a state like Nagaland can be challenging due to connectivity and accessibility issues. He appreciated the WRI for taking the initiative to cover Nagaland, as the Northeast region is often a forgotten part of India. Metha also informed that an expert committee has been set up under IDAN to work on a roadmap for economic progress for the state. The committee, which consists of experts and policymakers, will present its findings to the Chief Minister, who will then notify the Prime Minister. In this regard, Metha emphasized the need for energy roadmaps in Nagaland. He said that the state is pressing for the need to have sustainable energy, and that energy roadmaps would help to guide the state towards this goal. “EAE is going to play a vital role in the development of the state and will bring a new narrative for the state of Nagaland. When we talk about progress and development, one of the backbones is energy. Without energy, no progress is possible. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with WRI India so that we can collectively share knowledge and move towards our collective aspirations,” he added. The WRI India submitted a Letter of Intent for future collaborations to the IDAN chairman. According to WRI India, about a third of Nagaland’s 434 sub-health centers and 12% of 2074 public schools do not have access to electricity. As several of them are in remote regions, WRI suggested that deploying innovative solutions to meet such demands of social infrastructure is key for the state’s equitable development. Director of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Chekroshüyi Tetseo, the state have 12 district hospitals, 33 Community Health Centres (CHCs), 144 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and 538 Sub centres (SC) out of which 301 have been upgraded as Health and wellness centres (HWC). He informed that the state government is making efforts to upgrade all sub centres to HWCs. All of these health care facilities, he said, is equipped with refrigerators for storing essential medicines and vaccines and require 24X7 power supply. The district hospitals, he added, have sophisticated equipment like ventilators, cardiac monitor, oxygen plant and so on which require adequate and regular power supply. “Most of these equipment are sensitive and  prone to damages if  the quality of power supply is not good. So mapping of energy requirement for our hospitals health centers going to be vital to run our equipment smoothly and I am glad to know that the EAE the tool to do that,” he said. As the healthcare facilities cannot solely rely on electricity, Dr Tetseo observed that there is need to explore the potential of generating renewable source of energy like solar and wind. He informed that solar panels has been put at district hospitals, including some CHC’s through the NHP(World bank), however, as the state mulls to cover PHCs, HWCs, and sub centres, he requested IDAN to intervene and see the possibilities of identifying potential investors  for renewable source of energy for health sectors. Manager, Energy Program, WRI India, Akansha Saklani told the gathering that EAE platform can be layered with different data sets to visualize the state of play of each sector. “For instance, if we overlay the Global Horizontal Irradiation data onto the existing demand information, we could potentially estimate how best to solarize these underserved communities,” she added. Beyond providing energy access related solutions, she shared that EAE could aid in decarbonizing the health and education sectors by deploying Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) systems, thus supporting India in its efforts to meet half its energy needs from renewable by 2030 and attain Net Zero emissions by 2070. Aside from Jharkhand, Assam and Nagaland in India, EAE has been implemented in six sub-Saharan countries in Africa. They are Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Nigeria. Source: www.eastmojo.com

The field station of the CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, located in Bonera, is playing a crucial role in promoting and expanding lavender cultivation in the picturesque southern district of Pulwama.  Through their dedicated efforts, they are empowering local labourers and revolutionising agricultural practices in the region. Lavender, known for its captivating fragrance and versatile uses, has gained popularity as a crop worldwide. Recognising its potential in Jammu and Kashmir, the CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine has actively engaged in research and development to harness the benefits of lavender farming. By collaborating with local farmers and providing them with technical expertise, the institute has successfully brought lavender cultivation to the forefront of the agricultural industry in Pulwama.  This initiative has not only created new opportunities for the region but also contributed to the overall socio-economic development of the local community. The labourers working on the lavender farm are experiencing a significant improvement in their livelihoods. Many of them previously relied on traditional farming practices that yielded limited returns. With the introduction of lavender cultivation, they now have access to a high-value crop that fetches better market prices. The CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine has conducted extensive research on lavender varieties suitable for the climatic conditions of Jammu and Kashmir. Through careful selection and breeding, they have developed robust and disease-resistant lavender plants, ensuring successful harvests for the farmers. Further, the institute has imparted advanced agricultural techniques and best practices to the labourers, enabling them to maximise their yield and optimise the quality of lavender oil and other lavender-based products.  This knowledge transfer has not only enhanced productivity but has also empowered the farmers with valuable skills for sustainable agriculture. The director of the CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine said, "Our aim is to create a lavender revolution in Jammu and Kashmir, transforming the lives of farmers and boosting the economy. Lavender farming has tremendous potential, and we are committed to supporting the local community in capitalizing on this opportunity." The success of lavender cultivation in the southern Pulwama district has garnered attention from other regions in Jammu and Kashmir. Farmers and agricultural enthusiasts are now eager to adopt lavender farming, recognising its profitability and ecological benefits. With the continued efforts of the CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine and the dedication of local farmers and labourers, the lavender industry in Jammu and Kashmir is poised for remarkable growth. This collaborative endeavor is not only diversifying the agricultural landscape but also positioning the region as a key player in the lavender market.

The Assam Rice Research Institute (ARRI), formerly Regional Agriculture Research Station at Titabar under Assam Agricultural University has bagged the Best Centre – All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Rice (2022-23), in the country. An AAU official informed that the award was presented to the chief scientist of ARRI Dr Sanjay Kumar Chetia by the director of ICAR -Indian Institute of Rice Research  Dr RM Sundaram at the concluding ceremony of the two day 58th Annual Rice Group Meeting held at the Dr MC Das Memorial Auditorium at AAU Jorhat campus on Friday. ADG (FFC) ICAR, New Delhi Dr S K Pradhan, director of ICAR – National Rice Research Institute AK Nayak were present on the occasion. Over 300 agri scientists and researchers involved in rice research across the country and agripreneurs attended the meeting. Source: The Hills Times

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has completed the transfer of technology (ToT) of a novel free-space optical communication system to the telecom industry. The advanced communication system uses wavefront modulated light beams for wireless error-free data transmission through free space rather than through optical fibre. Prof Bosanta Ranjan Boruah has developed the technology Department of Physics, IIT Guwahati, and Dr Santanu Konwar, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Abhayapuri College, Assam. The technology has been granted with US patent 10,673,525 dated June 2, 2020, Japanese patent JP, 6998868 dated Dec 23, 2021, and Korean patent 10-2483858 dated Dec 28, 2022.   Regarding the technology transfer, Prof. Bosanta Ranjan Boruah said, "Free space optical communication is likely to play a crucial role in the coming days both in the case of indoor applications and outdoor especially in the defence sector.We will look forward to meeting the challenges as our technology is adapted to serve society." The research team has experimentally demonstrated the distortion-free transmission of text messages and images in a laboratory environment, even in turbulence and outside the laboratory. The communication system can thus be used for high-speed and secured communication between two remote sites in the line of sight with virtually no possibility of any unauthorised interception. Speaking on occasion, Hardik Soni, CTO and Co-Founder of Nav wireless Technologies Pvt. Ltd., said, "NavTech is the pioneer and leading technology company in India researching Optical Wireless technologies – LiFi | FSO, developing applications, and manufacturing LiFi & FSO products and solutions. We are glad to join hands with one of India's premier technology institutions to develop Optical Wireless technology further." Source:Gplus

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati (AIIMS) at Changsari, North Guwahati will start functioning in April, this year. This was announced by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today, Thursday, January 13, 2023, along the side-lines of the inauguration programme of Jorpukhuri in Uzan Bazar. CM Sarma further added that the construction of the bridge connecting Guwahati – North Guwahati, will be completed by the end of 2023, and the bridge will be the shortest means for Guwahatians to reach AIIMS. It will take 10 minutes to reach AIIMS from Uzan bazar, he added. In the programme, Sarma also said that the construction of the second Medical College in Guwahati has been initiated and will be completed latest by next year. Source: Gplus (guwahatiplus.com)

US-based organizations 'Genocide Watch' and 'Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention' have recognized the mass killing committed by the Pakistani occupation force during Bangladesh’s Liberation War as genocide.  Genocide Watch said the crimes committed by the Pakistani military junta against the Bengali people during Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971 is a genocide, a foreign ministry press release said today.  Genocide Watch is a Washington DC-based NGO working to predict, prevent, stop, and punish genocide and other forms of mass murder.  Besides, on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh, the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, another US-based organization, has also recognized the mass killing committed against the Bengali nation during the War of Liberation as genocide.  The organizations also urged the United Nations and international community to declare the mass killing that was committed in Bangladesh as genocide.  These recognitions will further accelerate the international support for the resolution which unanimously adopted by the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) on March 11, 2017, to recognize March 25 as Genocide Day, the release added.  On March 11, 2017, the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) unanimously adopted a resolution to observe March 25 as the "Gonohotya Dibos" (Day of Genocide) marking the brutality carried out by the Pakistani Army on the unarmed Bengalis on the black night of March 25, 1971.  Source: BSS AH