Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology, Government of Bangladesh, Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma jointly laid the foundation stone of the Knowledge Park at Chattogram on 27 August 2023.  The IT park at Chattogram is part of project for establishment of IT/Hi-Tech Parks in 12 districts of Bangladesh under Government of India’s concessional Line of Credit worth nearly US$ 250 million.  In his address at the event, High Commissioner Verma highlighted the project’s importance in India-Bangladesh cooperation in ICT sector, and hoped that it will propel economic and technological partnership between the two countries to newer heights. The project will also advance the goal of Digital Bangladesh and the vision to transform from Digital to Smart Bangladesh by 2041. High Commissioner Verma expressed confidence that these IT parks will go a long way in promoting the IT industry and IT-enabled services in Bangladesh by helping in establishing standards, creating hubs and incubation centres, developing entrepreneurship, and building capacity in new and emerging technologies like Internet of Things, machine learning, robotics, artificial intelligence, extended reality and other advanced and cutting-edge subjects.  He added that, the IT Parks will nurture a technologically-skilled workforce that is crucial for rapid growth and development of our economies in the 21st century. ​ Each Park is expected to generate direct employment for 3000 people and train over 1000 people every year. The direct and indirect benefits from the parks will, therefore, be transformative.  It is also notable that this project will involve construction of Green Buildings, which are energy efficient and environmentally friendly.   Going beyond trade and transport connectivity and energy connectivity, digital connectivity is a rapidly emerging dimension of India-Bangladesh partnership. In this context, High Commissioner highlighted new initiatives being taken such as the recently launched India-Bangladesh Startup Bridge to connect the Startup communities of India and Bangladesh, as well as proposals to link digital payment systems of the two countries.  The foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by government officials, local leaders and IT professionals, women entrepreneurs, mediapersons and other stakeholders.

Former attorney general of the country and senior lawyer of the Supreme Court Barrister Rafique-ul Haque was laid to eternal rest at the Banani graveyard in the capital. Earlier his third Namaj-e-Janaja was held at 2 pm at the Supreme Court premises. State Minister for Civil Aviation Mahbub Ali, Justices of the High Court and Supreme Court Appellate Division, Attorney General A M Amin Uddin and a number of lawyers took part in the namaj-e-janaja. The veteran lawyer Barrister Rafique-ul Haque passed away at around 8:30 am on Saturday (24 October) while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of Ad-Deen Hospital at Moghbazar in the capital. His first Namaj-e-Janaja was held at the Ad-Deen Hospital premises. He was the chairman of the hospital. His second Namaj-e-Janaja was held at the Baitul Mokarram National Mosque. AH  

Veteran Awami League leader and former Health Minister Mohammad Nasim was laid to rest at the Banani graveyard in the capital on Sunday morning, after being awarded a guard of honour. His first namaz-e-janaza was held at 9:37am at Sobhanbagh Jame Mosque in Dhanmondi. It was attended by over 500 people who came from his constituency in Sirajganj. The veteran AL leader was laid to eternal rest around 10:55am after the second namaz-e-janaza at 10:25am at Banani Jam-e-mosque in the capital.  Hundreds of AL leaders and activists attended the second namaz-e-janaza maintaining physical distance amid coronavirus infection threat. Nasim, son of Shaheed Captain M Mansur Ali, one of the organisers of the Liberation War of Bangladesh and a close associate of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, breathed his last at Bangladesh Specialised Hospital in the capital on Saturday. He was 72. Tributes and condolences poured in after the demise of veteran politician and Awami League presidium member. President Abdul Hamid said Nasim was a fearless fighter in all the democratic movements of the country including struggle for independence and the Liberation War. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has lost a patriot and a leader of mass of people at his death. "I've lost a trustworthy co-fighter," she said. Earlier on June 5, the former minister underwent a successful surgery after his condition deteriorated following a stroke while undergoing treatment at the hospital. A day before that, his health condition had improved and he was scheduled to be shifted to a cabin from ICU. On June 2, Nasim tested positive for coronavirus and later he tested negative for COVID-19. Nasim had been the convenor for the 14-party ruling alliance forged around the heft of Awami League. Nasim was born on April 2, 1948 in a highly respectable family in Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. He was elected as the Member of Parliament in 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2014. Nasim, a graduate in Political Science from Jagannath University, was sworn in as Minister on January 12, 2014. In his long successful political career, he was appointed as the Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Housing & Public Works and also the Minister for Posts and Telecommunications. He also worked as the 'Spokesperson' of the 14-party Grand Alliance. He was an active social worker. He is a great contributor in establishing many educational institutes in Sirajganj. Married to Laila Arjumand, he was blessed with three sons. Source: UNB AH

BRAC founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, who passed away at a city hospital on Friday night, was laid to eternal rest in the capital on Sunday afternoon. He was buried at Banani Graveyard following a namaz-e-janazar at the Army Stadium around 12:30pm. Earlier, his body was taken to the stadium around 10:30am where people from all strata of life paid their last respects to him. Sir Fazle Hasan Abed breathed his last Apollo Hospitals Dhaka at the age of 83. Sir Abed founded BRAC in 1972 with a small relief and rehabilitation project in northeastern Bangladesh. Over the years, the organization grew to be one of the largest non-government organizations in the world. He retired from his role as the Chairperson of the governing body of BRAC Bangladesh and BRAC International and transitioned to the role of Chair Emeritus. Born on April 27, 1936 in Baniachang of Habiganj, Sir Abed studied accounting in London and was working as a senior corporate executive in Pakistan Shell Oil company in 1970 when a devastating cyclone and the Liberation War changed his life. He went to London during the war and founded two organizations – ‘Action Bangladesh’ and ‘Help Bangladesh’ – in support of the Liberation War. Returning home in 1972, Sir Abed dedicated himself to providing emergency relief to refugees returning from India and their rehabilitation. This led to the founding of BRAC which currently operates in 11 countries and was recognized as the top NGO for four consecutive years from 2016 to 2019. Sir Abed won numerous awards and recognitions for his work. This year, he won the prestigious Yidan Prize, the largest international prize in education, for his groundbreaking work on education development. He was awarded the prestigious LEGO Prize last year for his extraordinary contribution towards improving children's lives and their opportunities to play, learn and develop. Some other awards include Laudato Si award (2017), World Food Prize (2015), Trust Women Hero Award (2014), Spanish Order of Civil Merit (2014), Leo Tolstoy International Gold Medal Award (2014), Wise Prize for Education (2011), David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award (2008), Clinton Global Citizen Award (2007), UNDP Mahbub ul Haq Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Development (2004) , Olof Palme Prize (2001), and Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership (1980). Sir Abed was recognized as one of the global greats by development organization Ashoka. He was a founding member of Ashoka’s Global Academy for Social Entrepreneurship. He served as a member of Commission on Health Research for Development (1987-90), Independent South Asian Commission on Poverty Alleviation (1991-92), and High-level Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor (2005-08). The British Queen bestowed on him Knighthood in 2010 in recognition of his services in reducing poverty in Bangladesh and internationally. In the same year, he was included as a member of an advisory council formed by the UN secretary general. In 2014 and 2017, he was selected as one of the 50 most influential persons by Fortune. This year, Royal Knighthood was bestowed upon him by the Dutch king. Source: UNB AH

Valiant freedom fighter and the last mayor of undivided Dhaka City Corporation Sadeque Hossain Khoka was laid to rest with state honor at his mother’s grave in Jurain graveyard in the city after Maghrib prayers on Thursday.  Relatives and BNP senior leaders, including Mirza Abbas, Abdullah Al Noman and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were, among others, present during the burial. The last namaz-e-janaza of Khoka, also the BNP vice-chairman, was held at Dhupkhola ground in Gendaria after Asr prayers and before that another namaz-e-janaza was held at Brothers’ Club ground in Gopibagh around 3:30 pm. After the namaz-e-janaza at Brothers’ Club ground, his body was kept at his house in Gopibagh area for some time where his relatives, well-wishers and loved ones paid last tribute to him. In the morning, people from all walks of life thronged the Central Shaheed Minar to pay tribute to Khoka. The mortal remains of the BNP vice-chairman was taken to the Shaheed Minar at 12:10 pm after a namaz-e-janaza at the south plaza of Parliament. It was kept there until 12:50 pm before being taken to the BNP’s Nayapaltan headquarters where another namaz-e-janaza was held around 2pm. Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi and chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Zonayed Saki also paid tribute to the freedom fighter.  Current and former MPs, leaders of different political parties and people from all walks of life took part in Khoka’snamaz-e-Janaza at the South Plaza of National Parliament held around 11:15am. Later, body of the former mayor was taken to the Nagar Bhaban at 3 pm where DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon, all the former and current councilors and officials of the city corporations (DNCC, DSCC) paid rich tribute to Khoka. Another namaz-e-janaza was held there where Khoka’s two sons- Ishraque Hossain and Isfaque Hossain, DSCC councilors, employees and staff were present. Paying tributes to Khoka, DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon said people will remember his contributions in the development of the city. The valiant freedom fighter, who had long been suffering from cancer, died at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York on Monday. His first Namaz-e-Janaza was held at Jamaica Muslim Center, New York on Monday night. Khoka’s body was brought back home in the morning. BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku received the body at the airport on behalf of the party. Khoka, also a former minister and MP, is survived by his wife Ismat Ara, daughter Sarika Sadeque, sons Ishraque and Isfaque Hossain. He went to the USA in 2014 for treatment. Source: UNB AH

The dead body of great freedom fighter Nazim Uddin was laid to eternal rest without guard of honor. Nazim Uddin was a resident of Mohammadpur village under Motmura union of Gangni upazila in Meherpur district. The associate fighters and family member of Nazim Uddin claimed that the news of his death was informed to the police but they did not come. On the other hand police said that they were not informed. The brave soldier of seventy one died at Kushtia medical college hospital on Saturday early morning due to old age complexities. The associate freedom fighters and people from different class and professions rushed to his house to pay their last respect at around 11 am at his house. But offering guard of honor to him was not possible as police members did not reach there timely. It was known, the namaj e janaza of Nazim Uddin was held at 11 am on Saturday at his own village. Although there was rules to offer guard of honor and paying respect on behalf of the state with national flag to the body before laying a freedom fighter to eternal rest but it was not followed. In this regard former commander of freedom fighters in Gangni upazila Muntaz Ali said to Rtv online, we have informed the matter to Upazila Nirbahi Officer and in the local police station. But the members of police did not present in due time. Due to severe hot we decided to bury the dead body by not waiting for the police force. Officer in Charge (Investigation) of Gangni police station Sajedul Islam said, the matter of death was not informed by the family members or freedom fighters. Gangni Upazila Nirbahi Officer made a phone call to me after watching no police member on the janaza spot. Then I have sent police force after informing the matter of not aware. But before arrival of police the family members of the freedom fighter buried the dead body. When Gangni Upazila Nirbahi Officer Bishnupada Paul was contacted he said, all the processes excluding guard of honor by police were completed. In this regard Meherpur Deputy Commissioner Md. Ataul Gani said, the district administration was not informed about the death of the freedom fighter. As the matter is sensitive so action will be taken after investigation. AH          

Nusrat Jahan Rafi who was killed by the miscreants by setting ablaze has been laid to eternal rest. She was buried beside her grandmother's grave at the family graveyard of Choto Moulavir Bari at Char Pandia village under Sonagazi municipality in Feni district at around 6 pm on Thursday. Earlier at around 5 pm Nusrat's dead body arrived at Sonagazi Saber Ali Pilot High School ground from Dhaka. Thousands of people joined the Namaz-e-Janaja there. Nusrat succumbed to her injuries at around 9:30 pm on Wednesday at the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Nusrat was under life support. The physicians said that 75 per cent of her body was burnt. She was undergone a surgery on Tuesday following suggestion of physicians from Singapore to make her lungs functional. National Coordinator of Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute Dr. Samanta Lal Sen said that the cause of death is cardio-respiratory failure due to infection in blood and lungs. Nusrat's mother filed a case with Sonagazi police station on March 27 alleging that the principal of her daughter's madrasa sexually assaulted Nusrat. Relatives of the student alleged, people loyal to the principal set Nusrat ablaze as she denied to withdraw the case. On Saturday (April 6) Nusrat was admitted in the Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute of Dhaka medical College Hospital under critical condition. On Sunday before taking under life support she gave statement to the physicians. She said that four people wearing nekab, borka and hand gloves ser her ablaze. Of them one was named Shampa. Chattogram range police DIG Khondoker Golam Faruk on Tuesday told newsmen at Sonagazi that Shampa was arrested from Laksmipur on Monday. But the Sonagazi police said that the name of arrested girl was Umme Sultana alias Popy. On Wednesday the family members of Nusrat said that they cannot keep confidence on local police. Police are trying to take the incident into different direction. Following the allegation Officer in Charge of Sonagazi police station Moazzem Hossain was withdrawn. Besides, the murder case was handed over to Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI). Meanwhile, Senior Judicial Magistrate of Feni Saraf Uddin on Thursday granted seven days remand for the accused principal Siraj Ud Doula. The court also granted five days remand order for madrasa lecturer Afsar Uddin and student Arif. AH       

Noted singer Shahnaz Rahmatullah was laid to eternal rest at Banani Military Graveyard in the capital on Sunday. Before the burial, her namaz-e-janaza was held at the ‘Park Mosque’ at Baridhara road No. 9 after Zohr prayers. Shahnaz Rahmatullah, known as the queen of modern Bangla music having an illustrious career spanning over decades, passed away at her Baridhara residence early Sunday at the age of 67. “She suffered a major cardiac arrest,” said lyricist Shafiq Tuhin. The singer left behind husband, one son and one daughter and a host of relatives, well-wishers and thousands of spectators to mourn her death. The singer’s notable songs include ‘Ekbar Jete De Na Amar Chotto Sonar Gaye’, ‘Je Chilo Drishtir Shimanay’ and ‘Ek Tara Tui Desher Kotha’. Her main areas of singing entailed modern (Adhunik) and patriotic songs. She emerged as a singer in Dhaka in the mid-1960s. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, she sang many patriotic songs, including ‘Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhe’ and ‘Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan’ to inspire the freedom fighters as well as freedom-seeking people of the country. In her career, she also had playback voice in many songs for Urdu films as well as gazals in the Pakistan era. In recognition of her timeless songs, she was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1992, National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the film ‘Chhutir Phande’ in 1990, Bangladesh Shilpakala Award and many more. Shahnaz was born on January 2, 1952 in Dhaka. Actor Zafar Iqbal and music director Anwar Parvez were Shahnaz Rahmatullah's brothers. Source: UNB AH

Prominent poet Al Mahmud will be buried at his hometown in Brahmanbaria on Sunday, said family sources. Earlier, people from all walks of life thronged the Bangla Academy premises Saturday noon to pay their last tributes to prominent poet Al Mahmud.  His first Namaj-e-janaza  was held at Jatiya Press Club premises and then the  body was kept at Nazrul Mancha  of the Bangla Academy for sometime from 11:45 am so that people can pay their last tributes. Later, the second namaj-e-janaza of the poet was held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital after Zohr prayers. After the second namaj-e-janaza, his body will be taken to his residence at Moghbazar in the city and then it will be taken to Brahmanbaria where he will be laid to eternal rest. Poet Al Mahmud passed away at a city hospital on Friday night. He was 82. The poet breathed his last at 11:05 pm on Friday at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of IbnSina Hospital in the city’s Dhanmondi area. He was hospitalized under the supervision of Dr Abdul Hye due to illness on February 9. He had been suffering from multiple old-age complications since long.  Mir Abdus Shukur Al Mahmud, best known as Al Mahmud, is a Bangladeshi poet, novelist, and short-story writer. He is considered one of the greatest Bengali poets to have emerged in the 20th century. His work in Bengali poetry is dominated by his frequent use of regional dialects. In the 1950s he was among those Bengali poets who were outspoken in their writing on such subjects as the events of the Bengali Language Movement, nationalism, political and economic repression, and the struggle against the West Pakistani government. He was born in Morail Village of Brahmanbaria District in Bangladesh in 1936. His childhood and secondary education days were spent in this village which is located adjacent to Brahmanbaria town. Mahmud started his career as a journalist and obtained widespread recognition after Lok Lokantor was published in 1963. Al Mahmud was honored with Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award, and Kabi Jasim Uddin Award in recognition of his contribution to bengali literature. Source: UNB AH

Veteran Awami League (AL) leader also Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam was laid to eternal rest in the capital’s Banani graveyard after Asr prayers today, three days after he breathed his last at the age of 68 on Thursday. Body of Syed Ashraf, also AL Presidium member and former general secretary, arrived on the graveyard premises at 4:35 pm from Mymensingh where his third namaz-e-janaza was held at Anjuman Eidgah ground after Johr prayers. People of all walks of life, including political leaders and activists, gathered on the graveyard premises to have last glimpse of their beloved leader. Earlier, his first namaz-e-janaza was held on the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban’s south plaza at 10:30 am today. A guard of honor was given to him there. President M Abdul Hamid, deputy speaker, ministers, lawmakers, senior leaders of Awami League and other political parties joined the namaz-e-janaza. President M Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Deputy Speaker Md Fazle Rabbi Miah, 14-party alliance spokesperson Mohammed Nasim, lawmakers and leaders of other political parties including Jatiya Party and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD), paid rich tribute to Syed Ashraf, an eminent politician and son of national leader Syed Nazrul Islam, by placing wreath on his coffin. Later, Syed Ashraf’s body was taken by a helicopter to Kishoreganj, from where he was elected member of parliament (MP) for five times. His second namaj-e-janaza was held at the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in the district town at 12 noon. The body of the legendary politician arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:55 pm by a Biman flight on Saturday, two days after he breathed his last at a Bangkok hospital. He had been suffering from lung cancer for long. The body of the veteran AL leader was then taken to his official residence in Bailey road area where senior political leaders gathered to have last glimpse at him. From his residence, the body was taken to the mortuary of Combined Military Hospital (CMH). Syed Ashraf was born in Mymensingh in 1952. His father Syed Nazrul Islam was acting President of Mujibnagar Government in 1971 and one of the key figures of Bangladesh independence struggle. He also served as the assistant publicity secretary of central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League. Source: BSS. AH