News Brief

          The historic Mujibnagar Day was observed yesterday on a limited scale by maintaining health guidelines in the wake of the second wave of coronavirus pandemic. The ruling Awami League, its associate bodies, political and social organizations paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on this occasion. Tributes were paid to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait on Bangabandhu Bhaban premises at Dhanmondi road number 32 here this morning. On behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, AL senior leaders paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait.

          Liberation War Affairs Minister A K M Mozammel Haque said, Hefazat-e-Islam will not be spared in any way for carrying out violence on March 26-27. They have hurt the spirit of the Liberation War by taking stand against the state, therefore, fair trials would be ensured, he said. The Minister made the remarks after paying homage to the portrait of the Father of the Nation on the occasion of historic Mujibnagar Day at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka yesterday.

          Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said, facing the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and resisting communal evil forces are now two major challenges before the government. The Minister said this while talking to reporters after paying tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka. He said the government has no lack of sincerity in facing the coronavirus pandemic as the government is making all-out strides to contain the spread of the virus. The entire world is in trouble to face the pandemic and it is not new in Bangladesh, he said, adding that Bangladesh stays comparatively better than many countries. So, containing the spread of the coronavirus is very tough and a matter of major challenge, he said.

          Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud after placing wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation said, BNP does not observe the historic Mujibnagar Day though its founder Ziaur Rahman did a job of Taka 400 monthly under the Mujibnagar government.  Expressing firm determination to take the country ahead with a non-communal spirit, Dr. Hasan Mahmud said, on the day of golden jubilee of the formation of the first government of Bangladesh, this is our pledge that we will take the country forward as a non-communal state by defeating all evil forces.

          Local Government Minister Md. Tazul Islam said, until the election of the postponed Union Parishad constituency is held, the current chairman-members will conduct other activities including distribution of government relief activities. In addition, the Minister directed all concerned to monitor the ongoing development activities of the Ministry and the progress of the project using digital device. The Minister made the call while exchanging views with all the Directors and Deputy Directors and Local governments virtually from his residence in Dhaka yesterday.

          Despite its high demand in India, Dhaka hopes that New Delhi will supply the rest of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses produced by Serum Institute of India to Bangladesh as agreed between the two countries with other options open.  Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen told UNB in an interview. He said that Bangladesh received 3.2 million doses of vaccine as a gift from India but the consignment of 5 million doses that was scheduled to arrive in March from India is yet to come.

          The government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is implementing the goals of the Mujibnagar government. Fisheries and Livestock Minister S M Rezaul Karim while virtually addressing a discussion organized by the Pirojpur district administration on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day from his residence in the capital yesterday also said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working tirelessly to establish the basic human rights of all the people of Bangladesh irrespective of religion, caste and creed by freeing them from exploitation and deprivation.

          Government will monitor the implementation of new price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas fixed by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission. Energy and Mineral Resources Senior Secretary made the remarks while addressing a webinar on “BERC’s LPG Pricing and its sustainability” organized by Energy and Power Magazine yesterday.

          President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in separate condolence messages expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of eminent Bangla film actress, director and former Member of Parliament Sarah Begum Kabori. The two-time National Film Award-winning personality breathed her last of losing battle against the COVID-19 outbreak at the age of 70 at a city hospital in the early hours of Friday. Sarah Begum Kabori was laid to her eternal rest at the Banani graveyard in the city following her namaz-e-janaza there after Zohr prayers.

          Tributes and condolences continue to pour in for Sarah Begum Kabori. Immediately after her demise, people from all walks of life as well as different political parties and leaders expressed their shock and sent condolences. Besides, in separate condolence messages, Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Deputy Speaker Advocate Md. Fazle Rabbi Miah condoled the death of the veteran actress. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud also expressed deep shock at the death of the two-time National Film Award-winning personality. A number of cabinet members expressed deep shock at her death.

          The country yesterday recorded 101 COVID-19 deaths, taking the death toll to 10,283. With 3,473 fresh cases, the tally of infections surged to 7,15, 252. At the same time recovery count rose to 60,88,15, DGHS disclosed this information in a press release yesterday. The number of vaccine receivers given the first dose of vaccine rose to 56,99,042, while a total of 11,51,767 people received the second dose of the vaccine.  As many as 71,04,563 people got registered until yesterday to take COVID-19 vaccines, DGHS sources said.

          Professor Dr. Tareque Shamsur Rehman, a renowned political analyst and retired professor of International Relations Department of Jahangirnagar University, passed away at his residence at Uttara  in Dhaka yesterday.

Surath Kumar Sarker

Principal Information Officer

Phone- 9546091