Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said the elections of Mymensingh and Cumilla city corporations were held peacefully. The CEC has made the remarks in an immediate reaction after voting at election commission in the capital on Saturday afternoon (March 9). He said, “The elections were free, fair and peaceful. Though a shooting incident occured outside a centre in cummila city corporation but voting was not affected." Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said that some insignificant incidents took palce outside the polling stations but those was insignificant considering the situation of Bangladesh’s local government polls context.

A promising sign for peace and stability, Wheat harvesting has begun along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir's Gajnisu sector, as the year-long India-Pakistan border ceasefire has created a peaceful atmosphere. The Agriculture Department's seed multiplication farm, located on the zero line in the Golpatan Chinor area, about 55 km from Jammu, is spread over 2,300 acres of land on both sides of the border fence, where men and machines are working diligently. "We have started harvesting the wheat crop in this field. Our harvest is ready, and it will take us a few days to complete the harvest in this field," said Kuldeep Raj, the manager of Seed Multiplication Farm in Channoor. Raj further added that a total of 2,290 acres of land spread on both sides of the border fence is being harvested. Once the harvesting on this side is completed, they will move on to harvest across the fence in 280 acres with the assistance of the Border Security Force (BSF). He emphasized the importance of cultivating and harvesting land beyond the fence. The ceasefire, announced by both armies in a joint statement on February 25, has rekindled hopes for a peaceful future among border residents who have been living in constant fear of cross-border shelling in Jammu and Kashmir. The Seed Multiplication Farm, operated by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, is one of the largest farms in the Jammu region, producing high yielding seeds for distribution to farmers under the Samagra Krishi Vikas Yojana. The farm also grows oats, potatoes, mustard, and other crops on 200 acres of land. This peaceful harvesting along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu is not only a positive development for the farmers but also a promising sign for fostering peace and stability in the region.  Source: ANI

India and the United States are building the foundations for a strong, peaceful, and harmonious global community, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said as she also wished that the relationship between the two countries grows from "strength to strength". Speaking at a reception at India House, which was hosted by Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Ms Sitharaman said, "We are together and building strong foundations for a strong, peaceful, and harmonious global community." "I wish this relationship between the United States of America and India grows from strength to strength, and all of us will surely contribute towards it," she added. At the reception, United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Mr Sandhu, and coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs in the National Security Council, Kurt Campbell, were also present. In the reception, Union Finance Minister also spoke about the diversity and the celebration of various festivals to mark the new day of the year. She said, "It's very inspiring to see energetic people before me, each coming to celebrate their own Vishu, Ugadi, Navroz. But all in India House. India houses all of these people. And we've always had this diversity. It's a country which loves celebrations, celebrating and recognising its diversity even as we are doing all this per the auspicious calendar, each one of us follows either based on the sun, moon, or horoscope. So they are all around the same time." She also talked about Bhimrao Ambedkar, saying that he stood for and worked for India. He came from the oppressed Dalit community but still became part of the new India in the making and wrote the constitution along with experts, she noted. At the reception, Ms Sitharaman said the contribution of the Indian diaspora is very important. "You've integrated yourself, although you do recall with fondness the place of your origin. But you're part of the US today and building a very dynamic and robust economy. So that is exactly what we do. Even in India, differences are there between different regions, different people, and different languages, when we talk about digital achievements of India, the achievements are pure because the platforms have languages which are at least 15 as recognised by the constitution of India. There are dialects, of course, in which people just talk, they can't write because they don't have a script. But the Indian constitution recognises 15 of them. And most of our platforms are available now in regional languages," she added. Earlier, on Saturday, Ms Sitharaman participated in 'India's Digital Public Infrastructure - Stacking Up the Benefits', which is organised by IMF on how public and private sectors can work together on DPI in Washington. At the event, she said that climate change is now "hitting us in everyday life" from different angles. "Climate is now hitting us from various different angles, hitting us in everyday life," Ms Sitharaman said during a panel discussion at a World Bank-organised event on 'Making it Personal: How Behavioral Change Can Tackle Climate Change'. The Finance minister, who arrived in the US on April 9, participated in the Development Committee Meeting during the World Bank-IMF's Spring Meeting, a panel discussion on 'Empowering Women as Entrepreneurs and Leaders' and hosted the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG).

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."

India on Wednesday at the UN Security Council open debate on the Middle East, reiterated its firm and unwavering commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Palestine issue and supported a negotiated two-state solution. Ambassador TS Tirumurti, Permanent Representative of India at UN supported a negotiated two-state solution leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel. "Resolution 2334 was adopted by this Council to reaffirm the international community's firm commitment to preventing the erosion of the two-state solution," said Tirumurti. Deeply concerned by recent developments in the West Bank and Gaza, the Indian ambassador said, "Unilateral measures unduly alter the status-quo on the ground, undercut the viability of the two-state solution and pose serious challenges to the resumption of peace talks." He urged the international community to send a strong signal against any step that would prevent the possibility of durable peace between Israel and Palestine.   "Encouraged by direct contacts between Israel and Palestine leadership, initiatives which are in the interest of both parties, help maintain stability and discourage possible recurrence of terror and violence," said Tirumurti. He also stressed on the need for a clear roadmap for early resumption of direct negotiations on all final status issues. "Absence of these direct talks on key political issues has asymmetrical costs for both Israelis and Palestinians and does not augur well for long-term peace in the region," said Tirumurti. The Indian ambassador also expressed strong condemnation of the recent terror attack in Abu Dhabi, in which two Indians tragically lost their lives. "Such an attack on innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable. It is a blatant violation of international law and against all civilized norms," said Tirumurti. The two Indians and one Pakistani national were killed and at least six persons were injured on Monday as three petroleum tanker trucks blew up after catching fire near a major oil storage facility in the Mussafah area of the capital of UAE. Tirumurti further said that India stands in solidarity with UAE and extends its full support for an unequivocal condemnation of this terror attack by the Council. Source :ANI

President Abdul Hamid urged the Muslims to spread the noble and ideals of Islam amongst all people terming it (Islam) a religion of peace and welfare. “There is no room for jealousies, antipathy and violence in Islam,” he said while addressing a reception program on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the largest religious festivals of the Muslims, at Bangabhaban in the capital on Wednesday morning. Reports BSS. The head of the state said Islam is the religion that upholds human values, coexistence, absolute tolerance and equity, friendship and universal welfare. President Hamid said the appeal of the Eid-ul-Fitr is unique to build a peaceful and friendly society as it brings all people including rich-poor, elite and disadvantaged under the same umbrella. “After the month-long fasting, the holy Eid builds the tie of affection, harmony and unity among the people of all classes irrespective of rich, poor, elite and disadvantaged ones,” he said. President Hamid and his spouse Rashida Khanam hosted the reception that continued till noon from 10.30 am. The President hoped that the lessons of Eid-ul-Fitr would be disseminated to all and would help build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh. Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, State Minister for Religious Affairs Sheikh Md Abdullah, chiefs of three services, members of parliament, Inspector General of Police (IGP), judges, leaders of different political parties, representatives of the business community, religious personalities, senior journalists, artistes, high civil and military officials attended the reception. The dean of the diplomatic corps, ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries in Bangladesh and the head of international agencies also took part in the programme. AH

United States Ambassador appointed in Bangladesh Robert Miller said, USA wants to see the election of December 30 as violence free and peaceful. He said this to the newsman after holding meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital on Thursday. Robert Miller said, we have told the CEC that we are concerned over the election violence for the last two weeks. Many prominent leaders and even the minorities are being attacked in the violent activities. Most of the prominent leaders are from the opposition parties. We came here to know what is the plan of Election Commission to prevent violence and to make way for the voters to vote for their chosen candidates. USA wants from people of Bangladesh to see a free, fair and participatory election on December 30. He said, UN Secretary General has delivered a message and our demand is the same. There he said for ensuring violence free, peaceful, free and participatory environment from all stakeholders before and after the election. So that all Bangladeshis including the minorities can exercise their voting rights and civil society and monitors can cooperate the election process.   Miller said, the UN Secretary General fully supports free, participatory and peaceful election. AH    

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, Election Commission (EC) will play role to hold the Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) election in a free, fair and peaceful manner-it is the expectation of the government. The voters will vote for the candidates whom they like and the persons who will be able to maintain the trend of development. He said these at the closing parade program organized at the Ansar and VDP Academy at Shafipur in Gazipur on Sunday. The minister said, our message is for holding a peaceful, free and fair election. We expect same from the EC. He also said, you have observed, there is no one except the Ansar members in the remote areas during national election. So they have to perform a very responsible duty. They always perform their duties with accountability and will perform it in the next general election. The closing parade of six month long fundamental training was held for newly appointed 191 officials of Ansar and VDP. In the program the force Director General Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin, Additional Director General Brigadier General Nurul Alam, Acting Commandant of the Academy Saifuddin Mohammad Khaled and other high officials of the force were present. In the program three all round skilled trainers were awarded for their promising results in the training. AH       

President Mohammad Abdul Hamid sought the OIC's support to ensure a just and peaceful life of Rohingya Muslim who are discriminated, oppressed and victims of systematic persecution in their Rakhine state homeland in Myanmar. ‘In Bangladesh, we are now faced with a formidable challenge of the influx of more than 1.1 million Rohingyas . . . What has been happening in neighboring Myanmar not only represents a clear violation of core International Human Rights treaties but also shows a burning example of ethnic cleansing,’ President Abdul Hamid said in a banquet speech at Bangabhaban Saturday evening given in honor of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM). Reports BSS. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chief Justice Syed Muhammad Hossain, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, cabinet members, foreign ministers of the Organization Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, secretary general of OIC Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen and OIC assistant secretary general, among others, attended the banquet. ‘Our world is challenged by conflict and Islamophobia. The OIC needs to articulate a vision for a just global order, where Muslims do not suffer from Islamophobia or ethnic cleansing,’ the President said, stressing a vigorous role of OIC members on the basis of solidarity in this regard.  Giving a salient features of ethnic cleansing in Myanmar for decades, Abdul Hamid said having been deprived of citizenship under the 1982 citizenship law, they (Rohingyas) are denied access to health and education, prohibited from taking part in civil and political life, and deprived of their social, economic and cultural rights in their Rakhine state homeland.  ‘The latest episode of violence starting from August 2017, is a sharp escalation of long-running, state-led persecution and attacks on the Rohingya population,’ the President mentioned.  Appreciating OIC's efforts in promoting the just cause for Rohingyas, in the same vein, he commended OIC's continued role in remaining engaged for justice for Palestinians.  Bangladesh President stressed the need for urgently building solid economic structures for a more concrete solidarity in development sector - aiming at the realization of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.  He said in a world of rapid changes and desperate situations, as it is now, the organization has to look forward and enhance its effectiveness to cater to the aspirations of about 1.8 billion Muslims around the world.  "The motto of 'Solidarity in Action' as adopted in 2005 needs to be re-invigorated to bring peace and development in the Muslim world," he added.  Over 600 representatives of 52 out of 56 member states of OIC and other five countries, including around 40 ministers and state ministers, are in Bangladesh now to join the two-day conference with the theme of 'Islamic Values for Sustainable Peace, Solidarity and Development'.  The banquet was followed by a cultural function. AH