Silver Jubilee celebration of the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act (TWMZA), 1974 by the Bangladesh Navy with  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the Chief Guest was historically significant as the said Act, under the provisions of Article 143 of the Bangladesh Construction, authorized a rather sea blind newborn State to claim Territorial Sea and other maritime zones ( including Economic Zone which had no precedence in the 1958 UNCLOS-1 & 1960 UNCLOS- 11) while discussion on the UNCLOS-111 had just started (April,1973). The Act was strategic for a country ( being landlocked on the 3 sides) in accessing into the Bay of Bengal, the 3rd neighbour and also challenging in the context of the strong protests lodged by both the friendly neighbours.  The Keynote Speech by the Secretary, Maritime Affairs Unit of MOFA highlighted that Bangladesh finally gained a vast sea area of 118,813 sq km (72% of country's landmass) through international arbitration proceedings (ITLOS and PCA) after navigating a long and arduous passage through decades. In her speech, PM stressed upon the importance of harnessing maritime resources for development of the country's economy. She also emphasized on maintaining peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region in general along with the Bay of Bengal area in particular for security as well as the wellbeing of the littoral and hinterland countries.  

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has urged citizens not to hold any programs in open spaces during the 31st night to celebrate the English New Year. The DMP also asked Dhaka metro residents not to explode firecrackers or fireworks in open spaces and not to fly sky lanterns in the capital to celebrate the English New Year.    A restriction has been given on all kinds of gatherings and festivals on roads, intersections, flyovers, and public places in the capital to celebrate the New Year, considering the possible hazards associated with this celebration and the overall security and law and order situation.  Moreover, the buying and selling of fireworks, crackers, and sky lanterns are strictly prohibited throughout the city, according to DMP.    DMP said that on the occasion of the New Year celebrations, any type of event, gathering, dance, song, or cultural program will be restricted in open spaces. To maintain security, a press release signed by DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman has requested all concerned to cooperate in maintaining law and order by following the instructions.   According to the DMP's instructions, no outside person or vehicle will be allowed to enter the Dhaka University area after the evening of December 31.Only vehicles with stickers of Dhaka University will be allowed to enter subject to identification.  On this day, the teachers, students, officials and employees living in the Dhaka University area will return to their respective areas by 8pm and in case of entry after 8pm they will have to show the identity cards of the policemen on duty, said the release.    Outsiders are restricted from entering Gulshan, Banani, and Baridhara areas after 8pm. However, citizens residing in these areas can enter through designated routes, subject to identification, after the specified time. Non-residents are discouraged from visiting Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Dhaka University residential areas during the designated period, contributing to the overall security of these zones. No gathering or function will be permitted in the Hatirjheel area after 6pm, and strict regulations against stopping or parking vehicles are in place to maintain order. All bars in Dhaka city are mandated to close by 6pm on December 31, aligning with the DMP's commitment to a controlled and safe celebration environment. However, residential hotels can hold events under their own management on a limited basis. To maintain a safe environment in various public spaces, licensed firearms are prohibited in residential hotels, restaurants, public gatherings, and festivals from 6pm on December 31 to 5am on January 1.

The year-long centenary celebration of the Unitarian Church Nongthymmai, Shillong concluded on Saturday.  The local MDC Latiplang Kharkongor released a commemorative souvenir on the occasion. The function was attended by headmen of Nongthymmai, church leaders, leaders of the Unitarian Union of North East India and hundreds of Unitarian faithful and well wishers.  Those who addressed the gathering included M. Passah, president of the UUNEI Rev. Derrick P Pariat, the Parish Minister of Unitarian Church Nongthymmai and  KL  Nongbri, Secretary of the congregation, among others.  Rev. Pariat urged the audience to continue serving the weaker section in the society and try to spread the good news of the Unitarian Church.  The theme of the  celebration was “Shaphrang ngin nang jam: jingshai ban Sam. "We continue moving forward to share our light." Source: meghalayamonitor.com

On November 26th, 2022, H.E. Li Jiming, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh, attended the Celebration of Civil Works Completion of the South Tube of “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel” held both near the Tunnel in Chattogram and virtually，and delivered a speech. Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the celebration virtually form Gano Bhaban. Mr. Obaidul Quader, MP, Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Mr. Khandker Anwarul Islam, Cabinet Secreaty, Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus, PM’s Principal Secretary and other officials also attended the celebration. In her speech, Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she attached great importance on this project. She recalled that during her visit to China in June 2014, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Chinese government for the construction of the tunnel, and later, the project was approved as a G-to-G project in the ECNEC meeting held on November 24, 2015. HPM Sheikh Hasina also mentioned that Chinese President Xi Jinping and she laid the foundation stone of the project on October 14, 2016. And she was very happy that the tunnel is almost completed now and she thanked all those who gave their effort and dedication to make the project successful from the bottom of her heart.  HPM also said that “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel” will play a significant role in bringing Bangladesh to the ranks of developed countries through modernization, simplification of communication system, development of industries and development of tourism industry. Ambassador Li pointed out in his speech that the tunnel has long been the dream of Bangladesh people and the center of attention for many. In Chinese President Xi Jinping’s video speech sent to Bangladesh last year on the occasion of the centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangladesh’s golden Jubilee, this tunnel was specially mentioned as a symbol of joint efforts and mutual benefit with groundbreaking progress. Ambassador Li congratulated the successful completion of the civil works of the south tube of this tunnel. He pointed out that as the first underwater tunnel in both Bangladesh and South Asia, this tunnel will not only significantly optimize local transportation network, but also facilitate connectivity between Bangladesh and neighbor countries, demonstrating Bangladesh’s pivotal role in regional connectivity, as well as a hub in BRI countries.  Ambassador Li also said that China, as a faithful friend and reliable strategic partner, has made due contributions to Bangladesh’s record-setting achievements. Just as Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out in his video message that China and Bangladesh have been friendly neighboring countries since ancient times, and the friendship spanning over a thousand years was witnessed by the Silk Road. China is ready to work with Bangladesh to better align the two countries’ development strategies and jointly promote the construction of the Belt and Road, so as to take the China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation to new heights. Mr. Obaidul Quader, MP, Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, also pointed out the importance of this tunnel on the development of the city of Chattogram, especially its “one city two town” plan.

Setting an example of real ‘Kashmiriyat’, the Kashmiri Pandits celebrated the annual Kheer Bhawani festival in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and prayed for peace in the Valley as people from the Muslim community accompanied them in their celebration.   On this occasion, the Pandits offered prayers at the annual Kheer Bhawani mela on the occasion of Zyeshta Ashtami. However, the number of devotees was less due to the recent targeted killings in the Valley which have cast a shadow on the festivities. The festival is celebrated to spread the message about the brotherhood between the pandit community and Muslims of the Valley. That’s why Muslims come forward to extend help and stand with the families of Pandits during the festival and provide them moral support. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Dr Sandeep, a Kashmiri Pandit said, “We have come here to keep the tradition of our ancestors alive. It’s a moment of pride to come back to our own Valley and meet our Muslim and Sikh brothers. We seek blessings from the Lord. This time the number of devotees this year was far less than in the past due to the prevailing atmosphere of fear. Pakistan does not want that the Hindus and Muslims and all regions live in peace in India.” “Kheer Bhawani’s Mandir is one of the revered places for the Kashmiri Pandits. Even the Muslims came along with me here,” he added. Dr Rizwan, a Muslim man who had come along with his Pandit friend said that the “actual Kashmiriyat” is being visible here. “It is a unique festival. The actual Kashmiriyat is visible here. We have seen terrorism for long. But the Kashmiriyat that the Kashmiri people were known for all across the world. It is unfortunate that there are not many people around because of the recent killings. I just appeal to my Hindu brothers not to make their nefarious designs successful by being afraid,” he said. A devotee Daisy Bhatt who had come to offer prayers at the temple said that they have only prayed for peace to prevail in the Valley. “We are feeling very good after offering prayers here. We just pray for peace here so that all of us can live here happily,” she said. Another Muslim man who had set up a water stall at the venue, said, “it is our tradition, it is our brotherhood. Muslims and Pandits live together, we have grown up together.” “The Kashmiri pandits are incomplete without us. We are always there with them. We are brothers. Kashmir is incomplete without them. We will continue to live like the way we lived earlier,” he said. Source: ANI

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Dhaka this morning on a two-day state visit to join mainly celebrations of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A special aircraft of the Air India carrying the Indian premier along with his entourage members landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka at 10.30 in the morning. On his arrival at the airport, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received her Indian counterpart at the airport. To welcome Narendra Modi, a red carpet was rolled out at the airport. The Indian Premier became the fifth among the world leaders to attend the 10-day celebration. This is the first foreign visit of Narendra Modi since the Covid-19 onset. A smartly-turned out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force gave a guard of honour to the Indian premier. Both the Prime Ministers enjoyed the state honour, standing on the makeshift saluting dais while the national anthems of the respective countries were played. The state guest also inspected the parade and subsequently both the premiers introduced the delegations of the respective countries to each other. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Agriculture Minister Dr. Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Foreign Minister Dr A.K. Abdul Momen, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam were present, among others. Cabinet secretary, principal secretary to the Prime Minister and chiefs of the three armed services were also present at the airport. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami was also present. After the formalities at the airport, Modi is scheduled to go straight to the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar to pay rich tributes to the heroic martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh by placing a wreath. Shortly afterwards, he will visit the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 to pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In the afternoon, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will call on the Indian premier at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon. Later, the Indian Prime Minister will join the grand celebration program marking birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence Day as the guest of honor at the National Parade Square. President Md. Abdul Hamid will be present at the celebration as the chief guest while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over. In the evening, Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the ‘Bangabandhu-Bapu Museum’ jointly with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center. He will attend a state banquet to be hosted in his honor by his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina. In the morning of the second day of his visit on Saturday, the Indian premier will visit the Mausoleum of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj to pay homage to Bangabandhu. He is scheduled to visit the Orakandi temple in Kashiani upazila of Gopalganj and the Jessoreswari Devi Temple at Ishwaripur under Shyamnagar in Satkhira district. In the afternoon, he will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister’s Office. At the same time, in the presence of the prime ministers of the two countries, various MoUs will be inked and a number of projects inaugurated virtually. Later, the Indian premier will meet President Md. Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban. Narendra Modi will leave Dhaka for New Delhi in the evening on March 27. Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered to stop Bangla Nababarsho celebration program of the upcoming year to prevent coronavirus infection. She said this while directing 64 Deputy Commissioners of the country through video conference from Ganobhaban on Tuesday. The Prime Minister also said, we always celebrate Bangla new year with huge festivity. In this year we have excluded the programs, specially the programs where people gather. I think we should stop the nababarsho programs with huge gathering throughout the country. Now it is a digital era, those who want to celebrate the program should enjoy through digital media. Mentionable, the first coronavirus infected patient was detected in the country on March 8. By this time five people died from the disease, the government said. According to the latest information, 49 patients have been detected in the country and of them 19 have recovered. AH   

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to come in Dhaka in the Mujib year celebration program. Indian Foreign Secretary will arrive in the capital on Monday to discuss detail in this regard. We will offer our highest honor to the Indian Prime Minister as our guest. We also hope that the guests will reflect desire of the people of Bangladesh. He said these at the website inauguration program of ‘Dhaka OIC Youth Capital-2020’ at the state guest house Padma on Sunday. The Foreign Minister said, along with Indian premier Narendra Modi, the recent outgoing prime minister of Malaysia Mahathir Bin Mohamad may come in Bangladesh. He said, Mahathir Mohamad is not performing his duty as the prime minister at the moment. But he may come here as our guest. As a person he is an institution.   When asked about Bangladesh’s stance over the recent violence in India centering the citizenship amendment act the Foreign Minister said, we are observing the situation deeply. AH  

At least 15 people were killed as an avalanche of mud and rocks has crashed into a hotel during a wedding celebration in southeastern Peru. Civil defence chief Jorge Chavez said that dozens of people who had been dancing were caught under the collapsing wall and a roof early on Sunday at the Alhambra hotel in the Andean city of Abancay. Chavez told RPP radio that at least 30 people had been pulled from the debris with injuries and were being treated at a nearby hospital. About 100 guests had been invited to the wedding party on Saturday and "there are 15 dead and 34 injured", said Evaristo Ramos, the mayor of Abancay. Thirteen people died immediately after the wall collapsed under heavy rains. Firefighters, police and residents worked through the night to rescue people still trapped under rubble. Authorities said the Alhambra hotel was built very close to a hillside. A retaining wall collapsed, and the mudslide brought the hotel roof down on the party-goers below, they said. People searching for missing relatives were urged to visit surrounding health centers to find and identify their loved ones. MHK

Today is 14th Ramadan. Eid ul Fitr, the biggest festival of Muslims will be celebrated in the country after 16 days. Keeping it ahead clothes of different colors and designs are displayed in the showrooms of markets throughout the country including Dhaka. The sellers are busy with breath taking moments in the city’s reputed markets. But most of the items they are selling are Indian goods. Showrooms are full with Indian commodities. The demand of Indian goods is greater than the local products at the moment. So the shop owners decorated their showrooms with huge collection of Indian sharees, three pieces, lehengas and gowns for the women. Sellers are saying, people celebrate Eid in Bangladesh but they make their shopping in India. They are passing their idle time like the previous year. Gathering of shoppers has decreased in the local shopping centers as India provides free visas during Eid. But they are hoping for more buyers gathering in the next few days. While visiting different shops in capital’s Basundhara City shopping mall on Thursday it was seen lesser buyers presence. There were two or three customers in some shops and some were without buyers. Anisul Haque, a seller of Better Choice showroom of Basundhara mall told Rtv online that this year the presence of customers is lesser than the other years during Eid shopping period. Indian business firms are taking away customers through different offers. People are getting India dependent for their shopping day by day. About one lakh people are now in India centering the Eid. About two lakh people will make their shopping in the Eid season. If a person makes shopping worth 10 to 20 thousand taka each than about 200 hundred crore taka will go India from the country. Sulaiman Hossain, proprietor of Arshi Collection from Basundhara city also mentioned the reason of lesser sale for providing easy visa to India for Eid shopping. He told Rtv online, Eid shopping usually begins after Shab e Barat but nothing was sold in this year. We are not charging higher rate and making a minimum profit. As getting the Indian visa is easier at the moment so people are India bound at the moment. Buyers’ presence began to decrease from the last couple of years and this year the situation is the worst. Proprietor of Style Girls of Basundhara city, Khorshed Alam said, people are Kolkata oriented for their Eid shopping as the Indian visa is within reach. Selling in the showroom has decreased by 30 percent. For easy journey and eye catching designs people are going to Kolkata. This has influenced our selling. He said, though the prices of clothes are less in Kolkata but if we make the calculation of expenditure including staying cost, travel cost and others than it certainly stays above than Bangladesh. Besides there is no scope for changing the items instantly. Another salesman of Darul Jannat told Rtv online, we sale our products by paying tax to the government. But at the moment the buyers can get their items without paying tax while coming from India. Some sellers are mentioning different fairs as a reason for sales falling. They expressed anger saying that some people are arranging fair of Indian clothes or selling through online. They do not have licenses or paying any money to the government. People are getting their goods sitting at homes by avoiding hardship of going shopping centers. AH