The 127th birth anniversary of noted educationalist Dr Muhammad Shahidullah birth anniversary Tuesday,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: The 127th birth anniversary of noted educationalist Dr Muhammad Shahidullah is being marked on Tuesday.

He was an internationally renowned educationist, writer and philologist.

He played an important role during the language movement.

 He was born in the village Peyara, Chobbish Pargana, West Bengal (now in India).

Shaidullah passed his school finals (known as Entrance examination at that time) in 1904 from Howrah Zila School. In 1906 he passed the FA examination (equivalent to HSC) from Presidency College, Calcutta (now Kolkata). He received the Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Sanskrit in 1910 from City College, Calcutta, and Master of Arts in 1912 in Comparative Philology from the same institution.

Shahidullah`s teaching career started in Jessore District School where he taught between 1908 and 1909. He also worked as the headmaster of Sitakunda High School, Chittagong between 1914 and 1915. He practised law for some time and was elected vice-chairman of the Bashirhat municipality.

He joined the University of Dhaka as a lecturer of Sanskrit and Bangla in 1921. His years at the university constituted the most important period of his life. During his teaching and research career there, he explored the origins of the Bangla language. In 1925, he was able to show that Bangla originated from Gaudi or Magadhi Prakrit.

To pursue his doctoral studies, Shahidullah went to France and Germany in 1926. He studied Vedic Sanskrit, Buddhist Sanskrit, Comparative Philology, Tibetan and ancient Persian at University of Paris, and Khotni, ancient Vedic Sanskrit and Prakrit at Freiburg University in Germany. He received his doctorate from the Sorbonne in Paris in 1928 for his research on the distiches of the “Charyapada”, the earliest extant specimens of Bangla language.

Dr. Shahidullah became principal of Bogra Azizul Huq College after retirement. He then rejoined the Bangla Department of the University of Dhaka as a supernumerary teacher and taught there for six years as departmental head and dean of the Faculty of Arts. Also, he taught part-time at the Law Department (1922-25) and the International Relations Department, as a teacher of French (1953-55). He also worked as head of the Bangla and Sanskrit Department of the University of Rajshahi (1955-58).

Dr. Shahidullah passed away in Dhaka on July 3, 1969.

Book on Bangabandhu Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana become emotional,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana became emotional while talking at the book launching programme on their father Bangabandhu’s incomplete biography.

Meanwhile, the two sisters also mentioned their life as incomplete.

The ‘Incomplete Biography-Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’ launching programme was held in city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Center organized by Awami League on Monday afternoon.

“We could not get the opportunity to see the face of our family members before their burial. So our life will remain incomplete,” said Rehana.

In the meantime, AL president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left her seat and embraced her sister Rehana that created an emotional scene at the programme.

Publisher of the book Mohiuddin handed over several copies of the book translated in different languages to the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina thanked all involved with publishing the book on the great hero of Bangladesh.

World Bank Fund cancellation disappoints US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena Tuesday expressed his disappointment over the incident of World Bank (WB) fund cancellation concerning the much-talked-about Padma Bridge Project.

The US envoy came up with the dissatisfaction while talking to journalists in a ‘Meet the Press’ programme held at the national Press Club.

He underscored that the Padma Bridge is vital for Bangladesh as the country is situated in a very important geographical location.

The region could be the communication hub for Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and Afghanistan as the Padma Bridge could play vital role to it, he added.

The diplomat said the problem has to be found out through discussion Bangladesh and the World Bank.

The US ambassador said unstable political situation of Bangladesh is the main obstacle for the US investment to the country.

Bangladesh would hold a free, fair and neutral election as the political leaders along with Civil Society want this, he hoped.

He also expressed deep concern over the unrest in Readymade Garments sector.

No more appeal for Padma fund: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said Bangladesh will make no more request to any donor agencies for financing the Padma bridge project.

“We will not pursue anyone anymore for constructing the Padma bridge,” she said after inaugurating a three-day conference of the deputy commissioners at the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday.

Hasina said she had received numerous phone calls in support of her decision to construct the much-talked about bridge with own fund.

“Teachers, school-going students, youths, upazila chairmen, and lot more people have promised me to help by providing financial aid according to their ability,” the PM said.

She also said her government will not tolerate corruption and extravagant spending under any circumstances.

The premier also called upon the deputy commissioners (DC) to serve the people sincerely.

"Remember, your educational expenses were met up by the income of the rural people. Your salary and other benefits are also coming from the income of rural people. So, it is your moral duty to contribute to the development of these people," said the PM.

There is no scope to adapt policy of stepping aside or going slow to the development activities, the PM said.

She also stressed the need to start the development work from the very beginning of the year.

The premier also urged them to enforce the Vested Property Return (amendment) Act 2011 properly in their respective areas.

She urged them to contribute to the augmentation of agricultural land and to take steps to convert barren land into arable one.

"It is rainy season now. Please, stand by the people during flood and river erosion whenever it occurs. People want to get you beside them at the time of such disaster. If you stand by them people feel confident to face any adverse situation," the PM told the DCs.

At the inaugural session, the premier also directed the deputy commissioners to create land management policy showing plans to build housing, educational institutions, industries and others so that the government can ensure electricity and other modern facilities there.

She said seven industrial zones will be established in seven divisions.

Hasina also asked them to take district wise development activities to discourage people rushing to the capital.

The chiefs of district administrations informed the prime minister about their demands and sought her directions to solve the crises.

Razakars led by Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah kill 5 in Mirpur in '71: PW,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

A prosecution witness on Tuesday narrated before the ICT -2 how a Razakar team led by Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah killed five people in the capital’s Mirpur area during the country's Liberation War in 1971.

Syed Shahidul Haque, a freedom fighter and the second witness in the war-crimes case against Mollah, gave his statement before the International Crimes Tribunal led by Chairman ATM Fazle Kabir.

He gave two statements against the Jamaat leader, who is indicted with six charges for involvement in murders and mass killings during the Liberation War.

Quoting witnesses Shahidul said on March 27 in 1971, Mollah and his aides including Hasib Hashmi, Akhter and some other people killed pro-liberation poet Meherun Nesa, her mother and two brothers at Mirpur.

He also gave statement over killing of Pallab, whose pet name was Tuntuni, on April 5 at Mirpur.

Akhter and his cohorts forcibly brought Pallab to Mollah at Mirpur from Thataribazar area.

The anti-liberation people cut Pallab's fingers off and tortured him and later killed him mercilessly.

During the deposition, accused Mollah was not present before the tribunal as he was exempted on Monday from personal appearance for today.

Earlier, on July 3, Mozaffar Ahmed Khan, a freedom fighter and the first prosecution witness in the war-crimes case against Mollah, gave his statement before the tribunal and appealed for exemplary punishment of the "war criminal".

On May 28, Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Abdul Quader Mollah was indicted for crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War.

The Jamaat leader was arrested in a criminal case on July 13, 2010, and later shown arrested in the case.

Archeologists to examine Patuakhali Kuakata 'antique' boat,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

A three-member team from Department of Archaeology of Khulna Division set off Tuesday morning for Kuakata where an ancient wooden boat recently surfaced from beneath the sandy beach.

The ancient boat which is believed to be belonging to the first Rakhine settlers from Arakan province in Myanmar over 200 years ago was found on June 29 during the low tide.

As soon as the ancient boat surfaced, a group of local people started looting precious brass sheets from the boat joints,  report said on July 4.

Abdul Baten, regional director (acting) of Department of Archaeology, Khulna Division, told on Tuesday that on seeing the report and informed by the locals from Kuakata, the Khulna division office sent three experts to assess the importance of the wooden boat.

Research Assistant Md Golam Ferdous is leading the team with draftman Md Jahandar Ali and photographer Md Abdus Sama along.

The team was assigned to send a thorough report detailing their findings to the Khulna division office, the regional director informed.

“We responded quickly as soon as we got the information about surfacing of an ancient boat. We corresponded with the Thana Nirbahi Officer (TNO) in Kolapara to get updates on the situation. But first, our team needs to assess and submit a report on the boat,” he said.

“We will forward the report to our headquarters in Dhaka for further direction,” he added.

The director, however, did not comment on the antiquity of the boat saying “We are yet to see the report from our team.”

“You know the boat is quite large and it is partially buried under the sandy beach. It is technically difficult to heave up the boat. We may have to wait till winter for the water to recede,” he said.

“Then it comes to budget. A venture like this needs a budget and planning,” the director said adding that all these await the report and direction from the head office in Dhaka.

Yves Marre, the initiator of a traditional boat museum under the banner “Protection and Preservation of National Naval Heritage of Bangladesh told  that if the boat is 200 years old, it is a national treasure.

“Reports suggest that it is a boat used by the first Rakhaine settlers who escaped from war-torn Myanmar 200 years ago. It is a treasure that must immediately be protected and preserved,” Marre said.

French born Bangladeshi, Marre with his project has so far replicated 65 types of traditional wooden boats of Bangladesh and exhibited those boats in France and other European countries.

Talks are underway to open an exhibition of those boats in the naval museum of Greenwich in London soon, he said.

Consisting of a timber made of Gorjon tree, the boat is 72 feet long and 22.5 feet wide and only two feet of its upper portion has emerged from the sandy beach near the tamarisk garden in Kuakata.

900 sued over Barapukuria violence,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

Around 900 unidentified people were sued in two separate cases filed in connection with Monday’s clash between cops and land subsidence victims of Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Ltd (BCMCL).

Shambhu Dasgupta, officer-in-charge of Parbatipur Police Station, filed the first case Monday night accusing 400 unnamed people on charges of attacking police and impeding them from performing duties and damaging public properties.

Md Masudur Rahman Howladar, deputy manager (Security) of BCMCL, filed the second case with the same police station against 500 people on charges of damaging properties of the mine and obstructing miners to enter their office.

None was arrested in connection with the case at 1:00pm when the report was filed.

Md Ibrahim Khalil, convener of Jibon O Sampad Rakkha Committee, a platform for the affected people, said he knew nothing about filing of the cases.

At least 20 land subsidence victims of BCMCL and four law enforcers were injured in a clash between land subsidence victims and police at the mine site on Monday.

Land subsidence victims of 10 villages around BCMCL had staged an indefinite sit-in in front of the mine for 21 days from June 18 demanding complete disbursement of promised compensation.

The affected people have been agitating since 2009 after at least 627 acres of land subsided at 10 villages.

Later, the Executive Committee for National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved Tk 190 crore in 2010 as compensation and rehabilitation package for the victims.

However, Tk 120 crore has been distributed among the victims since September 22 last year.

3 Bangladeshis die in US New York road crash

USA-BANGLADESH NEWS

Three Bangladeshi youths were killed in a road accident in New York early Monday, Niagara-based newspaper The Niagara Gazette reports.

Two people including another Bangladeshi Burhanur B Rahman, sustained critical injuries during the accident.

The deceased were identified as Shofiul Alom, 20, Nazim Khan, 21, and Rezwan Chowdhury, 21.

Initial reports suggest that the victims hailed from Sylhet's Golapganj and Balaganj, and they came to New York from Hamstring city of Michigan to see Niagara Falls.

The accident occurred between the Whitehaven and Beaver Park exits around 11:00am (BST), the newspaper reports.

Officials report that 87-year-old Richard Hildebrand of Kenmore had been travelling the wrong way on the thruway for about eight miles when he crashed into another vehicle head-on, killing three on the spot.

According to State Trooper Leonard Genovese, Hildebrand was first seen near where the I-190 and Scajaquada Expressway. I-190 video cameras, as well as eyewitness accounts, place him there about 12:40am.

State Police were trying to determine Monday why an 87-year-old man was driving the wrong way down the Grand Island section of the I-190 prior to the early morning fatal crash.

Hildebrand and the other driver, Burhanur B Rahman, were transported to Erie County Medical Centre and are in critical condition.

State Police Sgt Brian Guise told Channel 4 News, "It looked like at the last second, one of the vehicles, if not both, swerved. The major impact was on the passenger side of each vehicle."

Several questions remain, including what the elderly man was doing on the road that late at night and why several other cars before the crash didn't tell him he was going the wrong way. Troopers received multiple calls, but were just too far away.

"We are still working on why Hildebrand was going the wrong way," Genovese said. "The assumption is that he was elderly and confused, and that's what caused him to go the wrong way — he was not arrested for DWI."

Genovese also said that State Police do not know where Hildebrand was coming from or headed to, as they were not able to interview him.

Hildebrand was travelling alone Sunday morning and has lived on West Hazeltine for years, according to neighbours—who describe him as a friendly individual.

"He is such a nice gentleman," Janet Dalimonte, Hildebrand's next-door neighbour, said. "It's a terrible thing, and we really hope he is going to be okay."

The three deceased passengers and Rahman are from Hamtramck, Michigan—which is in the Detriot metropolitan area, and were travelling in a Toyota Camry Hildebrand was driving a Kia Sorento.

Opposition BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for democratic govt under Tarique’s leadership,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Opposition BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Monday expressed desire for establishing democratic government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.

The senior BNP leader came up with the hope at a discussion titled ‘Present political reality of Bangladesh, tomorrow’s leadership and Tarique Rahman’ organized by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Engineers Institution auditorium.

Fakhrul called upon Chharta Dal for projecting country’s overall situation through organizing discussion meetings in different unions, upazilas and districts.

Mentioning Tarique Rahman as perfect inheritor of Ziaur Rahman, he said, “Tarique Rahman is the symbol of protecting the country, independence and sovereignty.”

He said there is no alternative of Tarique Rahman to protect the existence of the country in the age of global competition.

With Chhatra Dal president Sultan Salauddin Tuku in the chair, the discussion was also attended, among others, by SCBA president Advocate Jainal Abedin, journalist Amanullah Kabir, former president of BMA Dr, MA Majed and former VC of Dhaka University Professor Emajuddin Ahmed.

AL men kill Bangabandhu: Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque,Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

DHAKA: Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque claimed that the people of Awami League killed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Criticizing Sajeda Chowdhury for her irrelevant comment on late president Ziaur Rahman, he said, “Ziaur Rahman was also a freedom fighter and he did not kill Bangabandhu. BNP does not kill people. But, Awami people know how to abduct people and kill them.”

He came up with the remarks while addressing a discussion meeting at National press Club on Monday noon.

The leader said, “The present government is fully involved with corruption. It is possible to build Padma Bridge with the money that the ruling party men misappropriated by committing corruption.”

Regarding the funding of Padma Bridge, he said, “We will help the government in constructing the Padma Bridge if necessary. We are ready to donate any amount in this regard. But, the government has to beg pardon for their corruption. They have to expose the letter of World Bank to people.”