It’s best not to discuss or mention the type of person who announced the start of the Indian Product Boycott Movement. However, it was surprising to see some BNP political party leaders and supporters engage in such an unrealistic endeavor. There exists a persistent anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, deeply entrenched and hard to eradicate. This sentiment stems not only from the country’s partition or the Pakistan movement. Despite the division of the Indian subcontinent first into two and then into three parts, the underlying issue has always been religious. The emergence of these three countries was not based on modern principles, and religious influence still pervades among the leftists, rightists, and nationalists alike. Furthermore, these nations have yet to adopt any practical diplomacy and politics that could unite the culturally similar populations of this subcontinent. Politics in these countries are so ingrained in society that they overshadow common cultural heritage. On the surface, the cultured individuals in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh do not harbor hatred or division. However, they are in the minority. For the majority of the populace, the mindset is uniform. From Bangladesh, it may appear that anti-India sentiment is rampant within its borders. This opposition often becomes pronounced during elections or for political maneuvering. Conversely, the common people across India do not generally hold negative views about Bangladesh, which has minimal impact on India’s politics and economy. Thus, there is no significant basis for anti-Bangladesh sentiment in India. However, I have observed some journalists and professors in India expressing frustration, questioning whether India must provide food for Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Currently, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh have gained importance to India for security reasons. Many journalists who were initially annoyed about providing aid have substantially revised their opinions. They now support a friendly government in Bangladesh, understanding that China’s influence is expanding not only through Tista’s Chicken Neck and off the coast of Myanmar in the Bay of Bengal but also in parts of Chittagong. Hence, for their national security interests, Indian concerns extend beyond Bangladesh to West Bengal as well. Future changes in the political landscape or borders of West Bengal, driven by security needs, would not be surprising. All these developments occur as India is poised to become the world’s third-largest economic power, with a GDP currently surpassing that of China. In today’s political landscape, it is unrealistic to expect the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which has not only governed the nation multiple times but also played a pivotal role in SAARC during its 1991 tenure, to start opposing any SAARC country—even if by mistake. The BNP boasts numerous educated leaders and high-caliber professionals within its ranks. They are well aware that product boycotts and non-cooperation movements have historically never succeeded. India’s Sarvodaya leader, Jayaprakash Narayan, acknowledged that the only successful non-cooperation movement occurred in Bangladesh in 1971. Despite his leftist leanings and admiration for Gandhi, Narayan viewed the Bangladeshi non-cooperation movement through Gandhi’s principles. However, this movement, led by Bangabandhu against the West Pakistan government, was not the endeavor of an opposition party. As an elected representative, Bangabandhu and his party were effectively the authority at that time. Although his party secured all its seats in East Pakistan, the West Pakistan-centric military government was reluctant to transfer power. Realizing that negotiations with Pakistan had reached a dead end, Bangabandhu took it upon himself to assert control in East Pakistan—soon to be Bangladesh. His initial step was to administer East Pakistan as per his directives rather than those of West Pakistan’s central government. Given that he was an elected leader, not only the populace but also the administrative machinery supported him. Despite knowing this historical truth, the BNP lost to political strategies on October 28, 2023, they called for a non-cooperation movement. They received no significant response there. Yet, why some leaders and activists of the BNP—a party that has come to power several times—rely on the intellect and opinions of those dependent on Facebook and YouTube to engage in a boycott of Indian products is truly astonishing! Critics of this movement would benefit from understanding Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s late-life reflections on his initiatives. Professor Nirmal Kumar Bose, Gandhi’s one-time private secretary, questioned the effectiveness of the foreign product boycott and the use of the spinning wheel. Gandhi responded that spinning increased concentration, a rationale that frustrated Bose. He found Gandhi’s explanation unsatisfactory and reflective of a ‘schoolmasterly’ demeanor, preferring to impose his views rather than foster understanding. Bose, with his urban sensibilities, choose silence over confrontation with Gandhi’s rural mindset. Thus, if BNP proponents of the boycott claim they are following Gandhi’s path to enhance focus, their rationale cannot be disputed further. However, it must be acknowledged that the Indian Product Boycott Movement is unlikely to succeed, and it will not lead to anarchy. Essential and affordable products cannot be eradicated from the market. During Gandhi’s time, even the impoverished who supported his movements wore British mill-made clothes. Similarly, the absence of food riots today can be attributed to the availability of products in the market. Such chaos typically arises only when essential goods are inaccessible. Moreover, the gap between the twentieth century, when Gandhi initiated the product boycott, and today’s global commercial landscape is immense, akin to the distance from the Earth to space. In the contemporary world, products from various countries are readily available side by side in markets everywhere. Consumers simply choose what they prefer. Presently, there is more contention between the people of America and China than between those of Bangladesh and India. Yet, despite the tensions, Bangladesh remains one of the top countries whose citizens frequently visit India. Similarly, Chinese tourists are among the highest in the United States. These tourists do not solely sightsee; they also purchase local products. Thus, regardless of calls in Bangladesh to boycott Indian goods, the multitude of tourists traveling daily are not carrying Bangladeshi items. Instead, they return with Indian goods and potentially, products from other countries like China, Vietnam, Britain, and the USA bought in India. Likewise, Chinese visitors to the US do not restrict their purchases to American products; they also buy items from Indonesia and other nations. In an era of global free trade, where the movement of goods is liberalized and consumers universally embrace the principle of sourcing from the most cost-effective markets, no politically savvy party that aims to govern in the modern world would adopt an outdated, impractical strategy like Gandhi’s product boycott. Recent reports from BNP’s initial policy-making meeting confirm this modern approach. According to the newspapers, Iqbal Mahmud Tuku, one of their policymakers, asserted that the statement made by Rizvi was his own opinion and not representative of the party. Meanwhile, another senior policymaker, Amir Khosru Chowdhury, emphasized that Rizvi’s decisions or statements do not reflect the party’s stance. On the other hand, isn’t the BNP’s frustration with the elections solely centered around India a kind of mistake? Didn’t China also want continuity in their investments here? Did the West only want ballots here? How much of democracy worldwide is actually in the hands of the ballot now! Instead, the BNP needs to understand that they were the ones who started corporate-controlled politics in this country, albeit on a small scale. But the Awami League has taken that Hat from them. Therefore, it shouldn’t be hard for the BNP’s senior policy makers to focus on retrieving their own Hat rather than looking towards movements like boycotting Indian products influenced by Facebook and YouTube users.   Swadesh Roy is a highest national award-winning journalist in Bangladesh, Editor and Publisher of Sarakhon & The Present World.   Source: The Present World

The 1952 Language Movement was by any definition a mass movement, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman acted as the torchbearer of the movement. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was among the limited number of student leaders who had a significant impact on transforming the movement into a widespread movement, with the goal of making it inclusive and establishing Bangla as one of the official languages of Pakistan at that time. The language movement is a significant event in the history of the Bengali people. It can be said that the seeds of independence were hidden in the language movement. The Tamuddin Majlis, established on September 1, 1947, played a significant role in the language movement. Student leader Sheikh Mujib participated in the activities of Tamuddin Majlis. When the Rashtrabhasha Sangram Parishad was established in 1947, Bangabandhu undertook several actions to get connected with this council. He gathered signatures to designate Bangla as the official language of the state. The East Pakistan Muslim Student League was founded on January 4, 1948. The primary instigator of this was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The leaders and members of the East Pakistan Muslim Chhatra League, led by Bangabandhu, played a crucial role in the Language Movement. Bangabandhu and some of his fellows were detained during a protest during the strike organized by Sangram Parishad on March 11, 1948, to oppose the plot against Bangla. Amidst a powerful student protest, they were released on March 15. After being released, Sangram Parishad organized a public gathering. Bangabandhu led the rally, which was assaulted by the police. In response to the incident, Bangabandhu promptly declared a nationwide student strike on March 17th. Actually, the movement to make Bangla one of the state languages of Pakistan gained momentum on March 21, 1948. This happened when Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, made a declaration at a public meeting held at the Race Course Maidan, now known as Suhrawardy Uddan. He stated that Urdu and only Urdu would be the state language of Pakistan. This statement by Mr. Jinnah was met with opposition, and a few students from Dhaka University immediately responded with a firm "NO". Protesting the government's backward action regarding this reasonable and fair request of the people of East Pakistan, a walkout took place on February 26, 1948, and the students of Dhaka University and other educational institutions marched through the main streets of Dhaka city. Following the successful strike, an afternoon gathering took place, which was then followed by a large march. Prof. Abul Kashem chaired the gathering, while Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the large rally. Student representatives and certain educators from Dhaka University spoke at the gathering, emphasizing their strong commitment to persist in their comprehensive endeavors to ensure the success of the campaign. The members of several socio-cultural-political groups who later participated in the Language Movement attended a conference in Fazlul Hauq Hall. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Shamsul Huq, Oli Ahad, Mohammad Toha, Abul Kashem, Ranesh Das Gupta, and Ajit Guha were notable student leaders who participated in the gathering. The gathering resolved to intensify efforts against the government's activities that undermine language, leading to the formation of an All-Party Action Committee to bolster the cause. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman played a major role in expanding the movement into a popular movement to enhance its effectiveness, inclusiveness, and success. Later, student leaders were arrested. The apprehensions of the student leaders further escalated the uprising. Several protest gatherings took place at Dhaka University and various educational institutes. All the speakers at these protest meetings expressed their strong commitment to continuing the movement, even if the student leaders who were detained were not there. This sends a clear message to the government that the detention of the student leaders will not weaken the movement in any way. Consequently, the government had to set free all the student leaders. A large gathering of the student organization took place on March 16, 1948, with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the chair. The meeting made several decisive choices to compel the administration to embrace their demand promptly. The meeting took a number of bold decisions to force the government to accept their demand without further delay. According to the diary of Tajuddin Ahmed, one of the active participants of the Language Movement who later became Prime Minister of the Mujibnagar government, “After the meeting, a student procession went to Khawaja Nazimuddin with a representation containing their demands, and the procession was led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman." According to some sources, the student leaders were able to convince Khawaja Nazimuddin to accept their demand, and he agreed to send a recommendation to the central government in favor of the demand of the students. But the central government instantly turned down the recommendation of Khawaja Nazimuddin. On January 26, 1952, Khawaja Nazimuddin once again announced that Urdu would be the official language of Pakistan. While in jail, Bangabandhu requested Sangram Parishad designate February 21st as a day to demand the release of political prisoners and recognize Bangla as the official language. He initiated a period of fasting on February 14, 1952. Mujib tirelessly fought from the beginning to mobilize the young people, creating the Language Movement as a widespread uprising.   Article credit:  Md. Jony Miah Lecturer Department of English Noakhali Science & Technology University

Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina today denounced the BNP's call for movement in the month of Ramadan disregarding its sanctity and peace in public life, urging the countrymen to remain alert about any move against the country's development. "They (BNP) have announced movement even in the month of Ramadan. Give the people a sigh of relief from the movement during the month of Ramadan," she said while presiding over a discussion organised by the AL marking the 53rd Independence and National Day at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital city. The Prime Minister reminded the countrymen that Khaleda Zia had killed 17 labourers with bullets in the month of Ramadan as they waged a movement for raising their salaries.   "Those who shot dead people in the month of Ramadan, how will they show respect to the month of Ramadan? So, they have called for a movement. They have no feeling for Ramadan and over the sufferings of the people," she said.   The AL President said, they (AL) have decided not to hold any Iftar party but to distribute the money and food among the mass people in the month of Ramadan aimed at easing their sufferings. The Prime Minister came down heavily on the BNP leaders and some so-called intellectuals for not seeing democracy and development in Bangladesh despite the fact the world community has been bound to show respect to Bangladesh after seeing its massive development. "The World Community has been compelled to describe Bangladesh as a role model for development," she said. The Premier said Bangladesh has secured huge development in the last 14 years since AL government assumed power in 2009 due to her government's tireless efforts and continued democratic process.

Obaidul Quader, Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said that BNP's roar is like a horse's ovum. The government welcomed the peaceful movement of BNP held on January 11.  However, if violence is committed in the name of agitation, a befitting reply will be given to protect the lives and property of the people. On Thursday, January 5, at the 30th meeting of the Road and transport Engineers Association at Tejgaon in the capital this was said by the bridge minister. In the speech of the chief guest, Obaidul Quader said, 'Bangladesh has changed in development and achievement in last 14 years. To build a smart Bangladesh, a smart road communication network should be developed. The rules and regulations of the Road Transport Act have been gazetted and the process of implementation has started. The Road Transport and Bridges minister said, "Unnecessary foreign trips of government officials are worrying for the state."

The Baloch National Movement (BNM) has condemned the crackdown on people protesting in the Pakistani port city of Gwadar that led to the arrest of nearly 100 people. "BNM strongly condemns the police violence against the peaceful protesters in Gwadar, but simultaneously believes that we must direct our struggle and national strength on the right path instead of wasting it in oblivion," the BNM spokesperson said in a statement. The BNM spokesperson said that Gwadar had been declared the hub of the China-Pakistan Corridor (CPEC) by Islamabad but the people of Balochistan are not only unhappy with these projects and are expressing their displeasure through continuous protests. The BNM spokesperson said that attempts are being made to silence the Baloch through forced disappearances and extra-judicial killings in Gwadar and Balochistan. This rebuke comes as more than 100 people have been arrested in Gwadar as the provincial government struck with an iron fist at protesters and imposed an emergency law that prohibits gathering five or more people, the Dawn newspaper reported. "Continuing the same strategy, Gwadar had been under siege for the last six days, and a crackdown had been going on against the political workers. More than 100 political workers had been arrested from Gwadar and Kech districts and the majority had been either transferred to other cities or forcibly disappeared," the BNM statement added. The Dawn report added that the arrests come a day after the provincial government imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Gwadar. "There will be a ban on all kinds of rallies, protests, sit-ins and gatherings of five or more people in the port city of Gwadar," the Balochistan home department said in a statement. Despite the imposition of Section 144, workers and supporters of the Maulana Rehman-led Haq Do Tehreek (HDT) continued their protest, demanding the release of all people and activists of the movement. Tensions continued to simmer in Pakistan's port city of Gwadar with protests continuing after clashes with supporters of the HDT. The clashes occurred this month between locals and security forces in Gwadar as protests against illegal fishing turned violent after some people were arrested in the port city. The provincial government had contacted Jamaat-i-Islami leader Liaquat Baloch to help restore normalcy and resolve the issues that have become a bone of contention between the government and the HDT, the Dawn newspaper reported citing sources. Source: ANI

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Sunday) said the opposition parties could stage movements in the democratic process, but they should also understand that excessive movement will cause loss of the country and increase sufferings of the people.    "We realise people's sufferings (for price hike of fuels and electricity rationing). . Many people including the opposition, will try to take its advantage, but if they do excess in the name of movement, then people's sufferings will increase," she said.    The premier made this remark while speaking at the meeting with the organising secretaries of Awami League (AL) from eight divisions at her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital.    She said the opposition party was being given scope to raise movement against the government. "Our opposition is getting a scope to raise movement. Let them do that. I also want it," she said.    In this connection, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the ruling AL, said she has directed concerned authorities to allow the opposition to stage their movement and not to arrest and disturb anyone for this. "If they want to besiege the Prime Minister's office, let them do that," she said.    She continued that people of the country know very well that the government has tried with utmost sincerity to tackle the situation regarding the fuel prices and electricity production.    The Prime Minister added: "The opposition will try to utilise the scopes, but if they do anything excessive, people will ultimately suffer more for that. They have to realise that."    She also expressed her apprehension that she doesn't know how much they will be successful in raising the movement, but surely it will bring loss for the country.    Sheikh Hasina said, "But, we will be able to handle that, I have that belief." The Prime Minister said that they could understand the sufferings of the people due to the recent price hike of fuel oil and electricity rationing. "We can realise the sufferings of the people," she said.    She assured the countrymen that the government will surely lower the price of fuel oil when it comes down in the international market.    "We will adjust the price of fuel oil whenever it comes down in the world market. I have given that directive too," she added.    Regarding the power crisis and the countrywide load-shedding, she urged the people to tolerate this pain for some more days.    She added, "When the coal-fired power plants will be in production our problems of electricity will be gone."    Sheikh Hasina blamed the Ukraine-Russia war, sanction and counter-sanction which caused heavy damage to the economy of the country when it was turning around from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.    She further said: "The USA and Russia are the most gainer from this sanction and counter-sanction as the prices of US and Russian currencies have increased."    She mentioned that mid and lower middle class people around the world are the worst sufferers of this war, sanction and counter-sanction.    The Prime Minister came down heavily on a section of people who increased the prices of everything taking the advantage of war and fuel oil price hike.    She said, "There is a section of unscrupulous businessmen who hike the prices unnecessarily. There is no reason to hike the prices of everything. But they are increasing the prices."    Sheikh Hasina urged the people to increase production and produce whatever they can. "We are facing problems in those items dependent on imports."    Talking about the August 15 killing, she said, "One question rises in my mind: why did they kill my father, mother and brothers. What was their fault?"    She said Bangabandhu tried to establish pro-people administration and decentralised it to handover the power to the grassroots level people.    "It seems that whoever wants to play a role in improving people's fate must have to face disaster. This is the reality."    Sheikh Hasina noted that this is very much unfortunate that whenever people of the country started to live a better life at that time the vested quarter started to hatch conspiracy.    She added: "There is a section of people who never want the welfare of the people. That means when the independence becomes meaningful, good results of the independence reach the people, we always see there is an effort to put hurdles in that."    She laid emphasis on strengthening the party and its activities to remain beside the people as it always did in the past.    The Awami League chief said that her party always believes in democracy, principles and in the power of the people.    She said that Ziaur Rahman, HM Ershad and Khaleda Zia patronised and awarded the killers of Bangabandhu and established the era of impunity.  Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Monday) criticised BNP leaders for hurricane lamp movement against the government's initiative to save power and energy to protect Bangladesh from any future danger due to skyrocketing prices of energy globally for Russia-Ukraine war.    "BNP leaders are carrying out a movement with hurricane (lamp). They will have to be given hurricane to be carried in their hands --- give hurricane in their hands," she said in a slanted expression in Bangla to ridicule someone involving a traditional kerosene-lit lamp widely used until the last century.     The Prime Minister was addressing a blood donation programme as the chief guest marking the first day of the month of mourning, joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.   Bangladesh Krishak League organised the function on the premises of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in the capital.    The Prime Minister said her government has reached power to every house across the country and is now taking precautionary measures to save power and energy.    "We're taking measures for saving power and energy to protect Bangladesh from any danger in future as even the developed countries like USA and UK and neighbouring India are facing difficulties and focus on saving energy due to the global situation for Russia-Ukraine war," she added.    Referring to BNP governments' wholesale looting from the power sector, she said her government is taking measures to save energy for the future not for launching looting like the BNP government.    The premier said the power generation would have been reduced if her government was involved in looting and it is usual, adding, "But the Awami League has maximised the power generation capacity to 24,000MW.    The power generation reduced to 3000MW from 43000MW during the tenure of the BNP government as they were engaged in massive corruption, she said.  Her government would work to ensure safety and wellbeing of the countrymen, she added.  Awami League Presidium Members, Begum Matia Chowdhury and Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Agriculture and Cooperatives Affairs Secretary Faridunnahar Laily, Organising Secretary Advocate Afzal Hossain, and Office Secretary Biplab Barua, spoke on the occasion.   BKL President Samir Chanda presided over the function while its General Secretary Umme Kulsum Smriti moderated it.    At the outset of the programme, a one-minute silence was observed to show due respects to the martyrs of the August 15, 1975 carnage including Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his wife, three sons and two daughters-in-law. The Prime Minister said the entire world has been rattled by the economic debacle due to the Russia-Ukraine war and the Coronavirus and many developed countries have been facing crisis for the reason.    The USA's inflation rate has increased to 9.1 percent due to the war which was only one percent while the inflation rate in the UK and Netherlands is 9.4 percent and many countries of the Europe have 8.9 percent inflation rates, she said.    "We have been able to keep the inflation rate at 7.5 percent," she added.    Taking the reality into consideration, the premier reiterated her call to all people to bring every inch of land and every water body under cultivation, saying, "We have to grow our food."     She asked her party men to pursue the order and inspire people to grow their food using every inch of their land.    Sheikh Hasina, also Awami League President, said BNP leaders are now talking about the electoral process as the people had no voting power during the tenure of the BNP-Jamaat alliance government referring to the elections to Magura, Mirpur and Dhaka-10 constituency.     "People witnessed the elections (to Magura, Mirpur and Dhaka-10). No person could cast their votes and people had no right to give vote during the BNP regime. This is very unfortunate that BNP leaders are now talking about electoral process," she said posing a question: "With which mouth can they say it?"     The BNP never came to power through election, she said, adding that they came to power through rigging or giving bond of selling the country.    The Prime Minister said the BNP terrorists during their tenure casted votes of the commoners in favour of its election symbol on broad-day-light after occupying the voting centres and in some cases of failing to do so, they announced their candidates' victory.     The BNP which was formed at the hand of military dictator Ziaur Rahman, who grabbed state power violating the country's constitution, had transformed Bangladesh into a country of terrorism, militancy, corruption and arms trading, she said.     She stated that the BNP leaders did business cashing in on the food scarcity and identified the nation as beggar before the world and said, "This (showing food insufficiency) was a business as they took commission in the name of procuring food."     Pointing at fugitive BNP leader Tarique Rahman, she said BNP leaders were also involved in arms trading which was exposed in a remark of a BNP leader.   "Such types of works have been carried out by the intelligence agencies. One cache of arms (10-truck arms haul) had been caught. Many cache of arms had been smuggled in and out of the country during the BNP regime," she added.    The BNP had entirely destroyed the country by making it depended on others, creating militancy and terrorism, turning it into champion of corruption for five times, she said.    Besides, the BNP had also destroyed the environment of education by giving firearms to the hands of intelligent students in the educational institutes and used them as their gangs, the premier said.    BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her family members were involved in money laundering which was unearthed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), she stated.    Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had dedicated his entire life to change the fate of the people by giving them an improved and better life for which he had to endure inhuman torture in Pakistani jail.    The Father of the Nation along with most of his family members had been assassinated on August 15 in 1975 when he transformed Bangladesh into a least developed country within only three and a half years tenure of his government upon rebuilding a war ravaged country.    "We will not allow the people who killed the Father of the Nation and established the reign of killers and war criminals to play ducks and drakes with the fate of the countrymen," she said.     The premier said with emotion charged voice that her father, mother and brothers were killed by the Bangalees for whom her father sacrificed his entire life. "I never find answer of the question, how the Bangalees could do such hypocrisy and dishonesty?" she said. She also said false propaganda was carried out in a planned way after the 1975's August 15 carnage against Bangabandhu, his family members, and the Awami League leaders. Sheikh Hasina said they restored the democracy in the country through the path of long movement and struggle. She added: "If the real democracy prevails in a country, then the fate of the masses will change completely. Today's Bangladesh is the example of that."   Source: BSS AH

Chinese nationals in the capital have been asked to inform police prior to their movement, sources told Dawn on Wednesday.   This decision was taken in a meeting held to review the performance of the recently-established District Foreign Security Cell in the capital police for the security of foreigners, especially Chinese nationals.   Officials of the capital police told Dawn that during the meeting a survey report having details about the Chinese nationals living in Islamabad was shared.   Over 1,000 Chinese nationals in the federal capital are attached with over three dozen projects, companies and businesses, the officials said, adding that the Chinese attached with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project were provided security cover by security forces and paramilitary troops.   It was decided in the meeting that either SHOs of police stations, security division or patrolling unit would provide security cover to over 1,000 Chinese nationals during their movement, the officials said, adding that the SHOs were also tasked with collecting their details.   The SHOs will ensure deployment of patrolling staff around the residences of Chinese nationals and would check and verify details of the security guards. CCTV cameras would be installed around the residences of the Chinese nationals as well as on the roads leading to their houses, the officials said, adding that DIG Operations was asked to visit the residential areas where the Chinese were living and prepare a security audit report to plug loophole in the security.   A desk is also being established at Safe City and Police Facilitation, they added.   Source: DAWN

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (Sunday) said the Padma Bridge would be opened for vehicular movement by June 2022. He made the announcement while speaking at a review meeting on the progress of the Padma Multiple Bridge Project at the Bridge Division conference room in the capital. Quader, also the Awami League General Secretary, said about 97 percent work of the main bridge has already been completed, while 90.5 percent of the river engineering work of the bridge project has been completed and 65.68 percent of carpeting work of main bridge done. He said the overall progress of the project is around 92 percent. Besides, the road transport and bridges minister said, the gas line installation work has been completed by 99 percent, while 400 KVA power line installation work by 79 percent.  Chaired by Bridge Division Secretary Md Monjur Hossain, the meeting was attended, among others, by Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam and project director Md Shafiqul Islam. Source: BSS AH

The supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day, 70 years back, is being remembered as people are paying glowing tributes to 1952 language martyrs by placing wreaths at the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar at midnight tonight maintaining health guidelines.   On behalf of the President and the Prime Minister, President's Military Secretary Major General SM Salahuddin Islam and Prime Minister's Military Secretary Major General Naquib Ahmed Chowdhury placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar at one minute past zero hours.   The immortal song on Amar Ekushey--"Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February"- was playing on the loudspeaker on the occasion.   Later, sergeant-at-arms on behalf of Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Awami League Presidium Member Matia Chowdhury, Nurul Islam Nahid, Shajahan Khan and Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram on behalf of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu on behalf of Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begun Rowshan Ershad placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar.   Among others, AL Joint-General Secretary Dr. Dipu Moni and Dr. Hassan Mahmud, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Secretary of Forestry and Environmental Affairs Delwar Hossain and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan also paid homage to the language movement martyrs.   Chiefs of three services, ambassadors, high Commissioners, chief of deferent international organizations, attorney general, diplomats, freedom fighters and high civil and military officials also placed wreathes on the occasion.   People representing different political and other organisations then thronged the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar to offer their floral tributes maintaining health guidelines.   Later, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman, Dhaka University Teachers' Association, war-wounded freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War, different political parties and socio-cultural organisations paid their homage.   Later on, the Shaheed Minar was opened to the public when hundreds of people from all walks of life walked barefoot to it with flowers in hands and humming "Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February" to recall the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes on this day in 1952.  The day is also being observed around the world as the UNESCO recognised the February 21 as the International Mother Language Day on November 17, 1999.   The government took extensive programmes to observe the 'Shaheed Dibash' and the International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner.   President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages paying rice tributes to those who embraced martyrdom on the day.   Tight security was enforced around the main altar of the Shaheed Minar, its adjoining areas and Azimpur graveyard of the language martyrs.   Different political-social-cultural-professional organisations, including the ruling Awami League, also have taken various programmes such as seminars and cultural functions, to observe the Amar (immortal) Ekushey and International Mother Language Day in a befitting manner.   The Cultural Affairs Ministry has drawn up an elaborate programme to observe the 'Shaheed Dibash' (Language Martyrs Day) and the International Mother Language Day-2021 with solemn dignity.   Bangabandhu's special contribution to the language movement will be presented in various programmes on Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day in line with the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.   National flags will be kept half-mast in a proper manner having accurate size at all the government, semi-government, autonomous and private organisations and educational institutions.   In line with the national programmes, all educational institutions, local government bodies, district and upazila administration, Bangladeshi missions abroad will take proper measures considering the COVID-19 situation to observe the day.   To mark the day, national and party flags will be kept half-mast and black flags will be hoisted atop at the AL's Bangabandhu Avenue central office and Bangabandhu Bhaban and other offices of the AL across the country at 6:30 am on Sunday.   Other programmes include wearing of black badges at 7am and later bringing out Provat Feri from south gate of New Market as a mark of respect to the Language Movement martyrs.    Considering the prevailing COVID-19 situation and following the proper hygiene rules, a maximum of 5 delegates from each organization and a maximum of 2 persons at the individual level are laying wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.   Basin and liquid soaps will be provided for hand washing purpose at all entrances of Shaheed Minar.   No one will be allowed to enter the Shaheed Minar premises without wearing a mask.   Key city points and crossings and intersections were decorated with festoons with inscription of Bangla letters. Source: BSS AH