Renowned media personality and popular host Syed Ashik Rahman’s novel Prem Puran’ (love myth in English) has been published at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2024. The inauguration and novel’s cover unveiling ceremony was held on Monday, 12 February, 2024 at the premises of Bangla Academy. Honourable deputy speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Shamsul Haque Tuku was present in the occasion as a chief guest. The novel `Prem Puran’, ahead of Valentine’s Day when lovers are going to express their affection with greetings and gifts, has been published by the Bengal Multimedia Ltd. The novel is now available from its opening day at Behula Bangla-stall, stall number 224-225 at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair. It is worth mentionable that the novel “Prem Puran ”provides an exceptional love-story and the novelist Syed Ashik Rahman has sketched an implausible pen-picture about a melancholy love-story of a girl whose marriage broke-up when future bridegroom’s family learnt she came of a Vede Sampraday (community).  In our modern age, love-story in the novel is reflected in the middle or upper class family or in the elite class community. Generally most of the cases, the readers have no alternative but read out the love-story of those classes. But many don’t know that the lower-class family or fallen community like Vede Sampraday has also love-story. That’s the reason, the writer has picked up that love-story in his first novel so that the modern generation can make out that reality. Among the other guests, the Chief Executive Officer of Bangabandhu Satellite Dr. Shahjahan Mahmud, Iyub Muhammad Khan, officer of Research Sub-division, Bangla Academy, renowned lyricist and journalist Kabir Bakul, Sudev Chandra Ghosh,  head of sales and arketing (GM) of Bengal Media Corporation Limited, Dewan Shamsur Rakib, head of program at Rtv were present on the cover unveiling ceremony. It is mentionable that Syed Ashik Rahman is also the host and moderator of satellite TV channel RTV's popular talk show Unnayane Bangladesh (Bangladesh in development), Star of Politics, Diplomatic Zone, Business Talk and Kemon Chai Bangladesh (What type of Bangladesh do we want?) and so on. He also has made significant contributions to film production since 2018. In 2023, he produced Leader: Amie Bangladesh under the banner of Bengal Multimedia. It was directed by Tapu Khan. The film starred by Shakib Khan- Bubley was super duper hit commercially.  

The admission test results for the academic year 2023-24 of the government and private medical colleges of the country have been published. Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Professor Dr Samanta Lal Sen, officially announced the result. This time, 1,04,374 candidates participated in the examination. 49 thousand 923 students have qualified this year. The passing rate is 47.83 percent. The minimum marks (pass mark) in the MBBS and BDS admission test has been kept at 40. Students scoring less than 40 marks in written examination are considered as failure. The district quota has been canceled in the admission test. Among the candidates,Tanjim Muntaka Sarba, former student of Holy Cross College, has secured the top spot among medical admission seekers for the 2023-24 session.

Black, Asian and Muslim people in Germany report they have regularly been discriminated against because of skin color, origin or religion. For white people, sexism and ageism are the big problems. Disparaging looks or insults are daily occurrences in Germany for people with dark skin, Muslim women who wear a headscarf and people who speak German badly or not at all. Discrimination in Germany has many ugly faces and is widespread throughout society. These findings are neither entirely new nor completely surprising but have rarely been determined as precisely as in the report of the National Discrimination and Racism Monitor (NaRiDa) by the German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM), which was presented in Berlin on November 7. Around 21,000 people were surveyed from June to November 2022. According to the findings, more than half of Black people in Germany (54%) have experienced racism at least once. Almost one in five women from this population group said they were threatened or harassed several times a year. Among the respondents, 14% of Muslim women and 13% of Asian women reported such problems. "Repeated experiences of discrimination and racism have consequences for health and are demonstrably linked to a loss of trust in state institutions — this can weaken and threaten democracy," said DeZIM Director Naika Foroutan, who wants to establish a permanent monitoring system in Germany. Forty-one percent of Black men and 39% of Muslim men reported having encountered racist discrimination when dealing with the police. These groups also experienced racism and discrimination in public offices. They also experience racism when it comes to healthcare. People of color have more difficulty getting a doctor's appointment and are less likely to feel their problems are taken seriously. Black, Muslim and Asian respondents stated that they had delayed or avoided medical treatment for fear of being treated badly or changed doctors frequently. "Our data shows that experiences of discrimination and racism are also very clearly linked to anxiety disorders or depressive symptoms," said DeZIM co-director Frank Kalter. His recommendation to politicians and society: Develop preventative measures to better support those affected and civil society organizations "that work daily for a democratic, free and peaceful society." Skin color or surname should never be the deciding factor in the quality of medical care, who gets a doctor's appointment or can start therapy, warned Reem Alabali-Radovan, the Federal Government Commissioner for Integration. Doctors, nursing staff and hospitals need "tailor-made anti-racism training and concepts," she said. Similar demands have long been made with regard to staff working in public offices. Sexism and age discrimination White people also reported having experienced discrimination. According to the study, women complained about sexist attitudes, and men because of age discrimination. This study is to be followed by others. DW has learned that, in light of the Israel-Hamas war, the next report will focus more on antisemitism. The German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM), which is financially supported by the Ministry of Family Affairs, has expressly been asked to do so. "In order to be able to take even more targeted and effective measures against discrimination and racism, we need more scientific findings and regular data," wrote Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) in response to a DW inquiry.

The results of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations-2023 will be published on Friday, July 28. At first, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will announce the results formally through online after Education Minister Dipu Moni handing over it to the PM.  Later, the Education Minister will announce the results officially at a press conference at the International Mother Language Institute (IMLI) in the capital.  Dhaka Education Board Chairman Professor Tapan Kumar Sarker confirmed the matter. (BSS reported) The results will be published at the respective educational institutions and online simultaneously around 10 am, said in a notification of Dhaka Education Board.  According to the notification, students can get their results by visiting the website www.educationboardresults.gov.bd and entering their roll and registration number.  Apart from this, they can also get the results by sending an SMS to 16222.  Around 20,72,153 students under the 11 education boards-- nine general, one madrasa and one technical-- appeared at the SSC and equivalent examinations. The exams were held in all subjects with full 100 marks but on curtailed syllabuses. The decision to shorten the syllabuses was made considering the fact that the candidates of these public exams attended fewer in-person classes compared to the pre-Covid period.  

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations results will be published on February 8.  Convener of Inter Education Board Coordinating Committee and Chairman of Dhaka Education Board Tapan Kumar Sarkar confirmed this matter on Sunday morning. Earlier, the education boards had sent a proposal to the government to publish the results on February 7, 8 or 9 — any day. Then Dhaka Education Board Chairman Tapan Kumar Sarkar said that there is a rules to publish the results within 60 days of end of the examination. As such, there is time till February 11. Considering the time, proposals have been sent to publish the results on February 7, 8 or 9 — any day. The result will be published on the day Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gives her consent. Noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurates the programme of SSC and HSC exam results.

Agamee Prakashani has recently published a novel 'Hey Sontopto Somoy' by renowned novelist Anwara Syed Haq on the occasion of the 41st homecoming day of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The novel is based on the struggling lives of the two daughters--Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana-- of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in different countries of Europe and India during the hostile period of 1975-81, a press release said today. On May 17 in 1981, AL President Sheikh Hasina returned home after six years of exile defying different obstacles of the then government. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally killed along with most of his family members on August 15 in 1975 and his two daughters- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana -- luckily escaped the brutal assassination as they stayed abroad. After the assassination of Bangabandhu and his family members, Sheikh Hasina devoted herself to the struggle for restoration of democracy and rule of law in the country. Sheikh Rehana, the youngest daughter of Bangabandhu, was also closely associated with her in this struggle. Osman Gani, owner of the Agamee Prakashani, said that the novel is dedicated to the memories of the late Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, who provided compassionate shelter and security to Bangabandhu's two daughters during the most difficult times. Source: BSS AH

The government has published names of 1 lakh 47 thousand 537 valiant freedom fighters at the first phase. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque published the list at press conference at the secretariat on Thursday on the eve of golden jubilee of independence. The minister said, we are working in the proper process from the grass roots level through investigation. We have published the list containing 1,47,537 names of valiant freedom fighters at the first phase of the final list. According to the list there are 12563 names from Barishal division, 30053 names from Chattogram, 37387 names from Dhaka, 10588 names from Mymensingh, 17630 names from Khulna, 13889 names from Rajshahi, 15158 names from Rangpur and 10264 names from Sylhet division including the names of four national leaders and father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He also said, the names which are in the civilian list will not be published in the mean time. Besides, the names which are under scrutiny without recommendation from JaMuKa are not mentioned in the list. According to the ministry sources, the list of the valiant freedom fighters has been published for the sixth phase in the 50th year’s celebration of independence. Earlier the governments which were in power published the list of freedom fighters according to their way. Though the controversy is not over but again another list is being published. On November 19 last year a scrutiny committee was formed comprising researchers, valiant freedom fighters and officers of liberation war affairs ministry to formulate the list of martyred freedom fighters. Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Secretary of liberation war affairs ministry was made chairman of the committee. AH           

The ministry of liberation war affairs has published the draft list of one lakh 80 thousand freedom fighters. If there is any objection about the draft list then the ministry would publish the final list after scrutiny. According to the concerned ministry source, to avert any kind of mistake the ministry has published the draft list through online for scrutiny. Any name of the great freedom fighter will be out of the coverage of scrutiny if it is recognized in the Indian list or Lal Muktibarta or by the proof of 33 categories by the ministry. The new names included in the list will be under scrutiny. Earlier, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque said, the draft list of the freedom fighters will be published on February 15 and the final list will be published on the Independence Day. The scrutiny process is going on after including one lakh 40 thousand freedom fighters in the list at the upazila level. In this time 15 thousand names could be increased including the martyrs, wounded, title recipients and Birangana freedom fighters. The government has taken initiative to publish a full-fledged list of freedom fighters. Now civilian gazettes have been scrutinized apart from the approval of Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (JaMuKa) as part of publishing the list of freedom fighters. AH         

The short syllabuses for SSC and HSC examinations of the year 2021 were prepared due to coronavirus pandemic situation. The revised short syllabuses were published on the website on Friday. It is known that the syllabuses, prepared by National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), were sent to the heads of educational institutions under Dhaka board. The syllabuses were finally approved by Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni on Thursday. In this regard NCTB Chairman Professor Narayan Chandra Saha said, the syllabuses prepared afresh for the SSC and HSC examinees had been approved finally. We have sent those to Dhaka education board. Earlier on January 25 Dhaka education board published syllabus for SSC examination. But many students expressed objection over that. Then decision was taken to shorten the syllabus more. On January 27 NCTB was given responsibility to make the syllabus shorter. AH  

The results of HSC and equivalent tests were published on Saturday without taking examination. The results were published formally at 10:30 am at International Mother Language Institute in the capital. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina virtually inaugurated the result publishing event from her Ganabhaban residence which was presided over by Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni. At the event the education minister urged the students not to gather in the educational institutions for getting results. Chairmen of 11 educational boards including Deputy Minister for Education Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury and education secretary were present in the program. The HSC and equivalent examinations were scheduled to hold from April 1 last year. Total 13 lakh 65 thousand 789 students were scheduled to take part in the examination. But due to coronavirus pandemic situation the government declared the educational institutions of the country closed from March 17 last year. So the HSC and equivalent tests were not held. Later the education ministry decided to publish the results through evaluation based on the results of JSC and SSC examinations. AH