As the Centre and BJP workers celebrated 100 episodes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's programme, "Mann Ki Baat" on Sunday, a study has said that the PM constantly used the radio platform to project the country's Northeast, its people, rich and diverse culture and its contribution to nation building by making references to the region at least 56 times.  "Notwithstanding the celebration of cultural diversity as well contextual peculiarities of the region, 'Mann Ki Baat' (MKB) have tried to frame a civilisational continuity that runs from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Amreli to Arunachal Pradesh. It is rather also an attempt to renew the terms of engagement with the region and an endeavour to mainstream this representation of the region in the public imagination of India. Culture emerges as the source of unification and acts as the buckle that joins North East India with the rest of India," said the study, "Framing Civilisational Continuity: Modi’s 'Mann Ki Baat' and North East India." This was part of a study supported by the Indian Council for Social Science Research, New Delhi.  The paper on MKB's representation of the Northeast was headed by Vikash Tripathi, who teaches political science at Gauhati University. Poonam Kakoti Borah, an assistant professor of the women’s studies department at Gauhati University and Bagmita Borthakur, a guest faculty of political science at Dispur College are the two other authors of the paper. "Civilisation is presented as a natural and historic bond that binds Northeast India with the rest of India, it said. The study said that respondents in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura and Manipur believed that it helped the Northeast as mainstreaming the region became a challenge due to its long problem of insurgency and communication bottlenecks.   The PM also used MKB to project the Northeast as a safe tourist destination due to a significant reduction in insurgency-related incidents, the organically grown local food products and the laurels the region's sportspersons brought for the nation, in the Olympics or other global sports events.   MKB also referred to the variations of rituals, festivals and languages that exist but a social pattern which unifies the territories across India, said the paper. The contribution of the Northeast to the country's freedom movement and celebration of such heroes was another highlight of 'Mann Ki Baat' so far, said the paper. It referred to the Indian National Army bases in  Manipur (a reference to Col. Shaukat Malik of INA in a village of Manipur who unfurled the National Flag before independence in Episode 79), young children aspiring to witness 100 years of India’s independence (a reference to the letter from Riddhima Swargiary in Episode 85), U.Triot Singh and his resistance to the Britishers who wanted to take control of the Khasi hills and destroy the culture of the region (with reference to his death Anniversary in Episode 91), besides others. Source: Deccan Herald

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said, "By 2041, the goal of Awami League government is to build a smart Bangladesh." She made statement this at the 50th anniversary celebration between Bangladesh and Asian Development Bank (ADB) partnership at the ballroom hall of InterContinental Hotel, Dhaka on Tuesday, March 14 in the morning. The Prime Minister said, "ADB is our development partner. ADB has been working with us for 50 years. In 1973, our association with ADB was established under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.  In the last 50 years, ADB has special support to our socio-economic development, structural development." Sheikh Hasina said, "The most serious concern is that at this critical juncture, we are disappointed to note that many of our development partners are increasing interest rates.  This makes our development financing unviable for most projects economically. That is, it is very important to build coordination among us to deal with the effects of multiple immoral attacks." The Prime Minister added, "Until the global economic situation returns to normal, financing on easy terms and conditions should be continued. In addition to financial institutions, developed countries should pay special attention to this issue. We don't ask for mercy, we don't beg for mercy, we want our actual rights."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Wednesday) asked the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) personnel to be aware of hard work, discipline and patriotism to attain any goal. "Achieving goals is impossible without hard work, discipline and patriotism. I hope you will be conscious of this," she said.  The premier made this remark while addressing the induction ceremony of GROB-120 TP aircraft to BAF at the Air Force Base Bir Shreshtho Flt Lt Matiur Rahman, Jashore, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital. She said, "The main identity of the professionals is their professional skills . . . there is no substitute for professionalism and honesty." The head of the government said they have already inducted state-of-the-art Fly-by-wire, YAK-130 Combat trainer with digital cockpit feature, K-8W Jet Trainer, L-410 Transport Trainer, AW-119KX Helicopter Trainer and different types of simulators to ensure better and up-to-date aviation training for future generations of BAF.  In continuation of this, she said today, 12 GROB-120 training aircraft are going to be included in the BAF.  In the second phase within this year, she said 14 more GROB-120 training aircraft will be added to the fleet of the force. The premier said that through all these inclusions, the capability of BAF was further enhanced, adding, "I firmly believe that the state-of-the-art GROB- 120 training aircraft will play an effective role in the timely training of the young pilots."  Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System, Air Defense System Integration, Mobile Gap Filler Radar, K-8W Aircraft Simulator, Attack Helicopters and various military equipment would be incorporated to the air force as soon as possible, she continued.  Sheikh Hasina urged the BAF members to be very diligent in flying and maintenance of this valuable GROB-120 training aircraft collected with the hard earned money of the people. On behalf of the prime minister, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan handed over the induction order of the GROB-120 aircrafts to parade commander Group Captain Mamunur Rashid at the BAF base in Jashore.   In the function, a smartly-turned out BAF contingent staged a special drill while a fly-past of GROB-120 aircrafts was displayed by BAF aviators. Earlier, the prime minister witnessed the eye-catching fly past of the Grob G-120 TP training aircrafts.  Referring to foreign policy of the country, the prime minister said Bangladesh is a peace-loving nation and it never wants war with any country.  But if attacked by any external enemy, the air force of the country must have the capability to safeguard and protect Bangladesh, she added.  In this regard, Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for time befitting and modern training of the air force personnel to further enhance their capacity as they will have to work with foreign forces in the international arena.  She mentioned the Bangabandhu’s "Defense Policy" in 1974, saying the modern and strong air force's journey began through the incorporation of state-of- the-art supersonic MiG-21, AN-24 transport aircraft, Mi-8 helicopters and air defense radars in the light of that policy as well as Bangabandhu's far- sighted and strong decision.  Following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation, the premier said the Awami League government is putting relentless efforts to make BAF stronger and more up-to-date.  She said BAF has already been equipped with state-of-the-art aircraft, helicopters, various types of radars, missiles and necessary military equipment along with new bases, units and training institutes.  Infrastructural development of the air force is also continuing, she said, adding Bangabandhu Aeronautical Center has been set up for proper, safe and cost-effective maintenance and overhauling of various types of aircraft, radars and other equipment.  She continued the BAF is currently upgrading various types of aircraft and helicopters with its own technology and manpower under the supervision of this center.  She went on saying that the recent research conducted by BAF to manufacture prototype aircraft in the country has made us optimistic.  The prime minister said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University has been established aimed at modernizing the aerospace research, development of the air force and the civil aviation sector.  She said the dream of the Father of the Nation was to have a modern and international standard training academy for the country's military and people from all over the world would come to see it. She said today's newly built military academy, naval academy and air force academy are the parts of materialisation of his dream.  She said the members of BAF representing Bangladesh in various UN missions have brought huge pride and admiration for the country and the nation.  The premier also praised the BAF as they have set a precedent through their innovative ability and systematic approach to deal with the Corona pandemic.  Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan was present at the function. Source: BSS AH

The Director Agriculture Kashmir Chowdhary Muhammad Iqbal Thursday visited Seed Multiplication Farm (SMF) Allowpora Shopian to take stock of the progress on the implementation of different programs on the farm. During the visit, Chowdhary inspected various sections of the farm spread over an area of almost 1,100 Kanals and reviewed the various interventions adopted there. Speaking on the occasion, the Director said that the departmental farms are the assets of the department and have an inevitable role to play amid the changing  global agriculture scenario. “Our immediate goal is to achieve the self-reliance in seed requirement of different Agricultural crops in the region and the departmental Seed Multiplication Farms are the main resources to reach this ambitious goal,” he said. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Seeds Corporation is likely to be executed so that all the potential and scope of these departmental farms and other related infrastructure could be channelized in a proper manner. The concerned officers/ technical experts work on a mission mode so that all the set targets for the current year could be reached successfully. Earlier, the Director of Agriculture visited Hi-tech Poly houses at Hall Nikas Shopian and took stock of preparation for the distribution of seedlings of different vegetable crops among the farmers of concerned areas. The Director (Controller Insecticides) also inspected various Insecticide/ Pesticide  dealers of district Shopian. Source: India Blooms

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Sunday) said her government's main focus is on building a modern and technology-knowledge based nation.   "Our aim is to turn Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country through building a modern and technology-knowledge based nation," she said.   The premier said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the newly constructed Rangpur Divisional Headquarter Complex Building as the chief guest, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital.   The function was held at the Multipurpose Hall of Divisional Headquarters Complex in Rangpur.   Referring to the electoral manifesto of Awami League in 2008, Sheikh Hasina said they have implemented all the development agendas as per the election pledges.   "Today's Bangladesh is a developing country and we've to move ahead further, while I've taken plans for this," she said.   She added her government has started implementing the 8th Five Year Plan after its formulation while the Perspective Plan (2010-2020) that was framed in 2009 has been implemented successfully.   She continued, "As the outcome of it (implementation of the plans), in 2021, Bangladesh became a developing nation when the country was celebrating birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence."    She went on saying that her government's goal is to turn Bangladesh into a developed country by 2041.   "To this end we've formulated Perspective Plan (2021-2041) and it will be implemented InshaAllah," she said.   The Prime Minister expressed her firm conviction that none can push the country's advancement back.    She told the people of Rangpur that they have got the touch of development facilities as they voted for Nouka (Boat) and it should not be forgotten. Senior Secretary of Public Administration Ministry KM Ali Azam and Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md. Abdul Wahhab Bhuiyan also spoke.   At the outset of the function, an audio-visual documentary on the newly constructed office complex was screened. Source: BSS AH

And it's all over for the Moroccans. The African side dominated the match but lost the plot in the dying minutes with Iran emerging as winners through an own goal from Bouhaddouz. It is Iran's first World Cup match win since 1998. Iran scored in the dying minutes. And it's an own goal from Morocco's Aziz Bouhaddouz, in the injury time who headed in while defending an Iran free-kick. On the second day of the Russia world cup the two nations- two times African Nationas champion Morocco and three times Asian champion Iran faced each other in Saint Pittsburg. With attack and counter attack the match was full of thrilling moments. Though Morocco dominated the match with ball possession of 68 percent but they could not score. The referee gave 6 minutes extra time after completion of 90 minutes of the match. On the 5th minutes of the extra time Morocco have to accept the own goal. Starting XIs Morocco XI: Munir Mohamedi, Achraf Hakimi, Mehdi Benatia, Romain Saiss, Hakim Ziyech, Karim El Ahmadi, Ayoub El Kaabi, Younes Belhanda, Moubarak Boussoufa, Nordin Amrabat, Amine Harit. Iran XI: Alireza Beiranvand, Ehsan Haji Safi, Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Masoud Shojaei, Morteza Pouraliganji, Omid Ebrahimi, Karim Ansarifard, Vahid Amiri, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Sardar Azmoun, Ramin Rezaeian. AH

Lionel Messi has scored his 600th career goal, netting against Atletico Madrid in Barcelona's vital La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid. With 26 minutes on the clock, Barca were awarded a free kick outside their visitors' box, and Messi executed a shot that had too much pace on it for Jan Oblak to keep out. The shot-stopper got a touch to the effort but could not claw it away. It was Messi's third goal from a direct free kick in as many matches and brought up fresh milestone for the Argentine attacker. In his 747th appearance for Barcelona, he has now netted 539 times, while for Argentina he has found the target on a more modest 61 occasions in 123 outings. The 30-year-old debuted for Barca in the 2004-05 season and has since amassed incredible figure, having scored at least 40 goals in all competitions for his club side in each season since 2009-10.  Although he has not reached that tally yet, his strike against Atleti was his 32nd of the season, attained in 41 appearances. It was also his 24th of the season in La Liga, thereby carrying himself further clear of the chasing pack in the race to finish as the division's top marksman. Team-mate Luis Suarez is second with 20 goals, while great rival Cristiano Ronaldo is joint third, on 16 for the season, level with Celta attacker Iago Aspas. Messi's strike was also Barcelona's 100th of the campaign in all competitions. Source: Goal.com AH