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NDI report on national polls irrelative: Foreign Minister
Rtv news
17 Mar 2024, 21:27
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has reacted to the reports released by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) on the 12th parliamentary election.
"It doesn't matter what NDI-IRI says regarding Bangladesh’s election as the national polls were free, fair and impartial," he told reporters after a programme at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Sunday (March 17).
Hasan said NDI and IRI have admitted that there was less violence in the 12th parliamentary election compared to the previous elections.
However, IRI and NDI are non-partisan non-governmental organizations that support and strengthen democratic institutions and practices worldwide. These institutes have collectively monitored more than 200 elections in more than 50 countries over the past 30 years.
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Hindu Candidates Not Barred from Govt Jobs: Press Wing
Recently, a claim was made by a social media account named "Times Algebra" on X (formerly Twitter) that the Government of Bangladesh has barred Hindu candidates from government jobs. However, the Chief Advisor's (CA) Press Wing Facts has stated that this claim is completely false and fabricated.
On Thursday (January 2), this clarification was made through a post on the verified Facebook page of the Press Wing Facts.
The statement emphasized that the Government of Bangladesh does not discriminate against any citizen based on religion. It also noted that the quoted statement attributed to the Home Affairs Advisor in the post is baseless.
The post by "Times Algebra" alleged that the Government of Bangladesh has issued a new order prohibiting Hindus from joining government jobs. It further claimed that more than 1,500 applications from Hindu candidates were rejected for positions ranging from constables to high-ranking police officers.
Plan to Integrate Metro Rail Payments with 'Alap Pay'
The state-owned Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) is planning to integrate metro rail and other utility payments into its digital wallet, "Alap Pay." The initiative aims to offer customers a seamless, single-window platform for various utility payment services, according to a report by BSS.
BTCL’s Managing Director, Md. Anwar Hossain, stated that the company envisions a future where payments for services like metro rail, flyovers, and bridges can be made through the Alap wallet.
Additionally, BTCL plans to expand Alap Pay’s capabilities to include the payment of electricity and water bills.
Officials involved in the initiative mentioned that BTCL is in discussions with Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) to determine how these services can be integrated.
Alap Pay was initially developed to allow customers to pay their landline bills more conveniently. In March 2021, BTCL launched "Alap," an over-the-top (OTT) calling application, which offers unique customer numbers to make calls to any mobile or landline number.
How to Download Online Versions of Textbooks from NCTB
The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has made textbooks for the 2025 academic year available online, enabling students to access them easily.
Follow these five simple steps to download your textbooks:
Visit the NCTB Website
Open a web browser and go to nctb.gov.bd (Click here to download- nctb.gov.bd).
Access the Textbook List
Check the notice board for a detailed link to the 2025 textbook list, or navigate to the "Textbooks" menu to find the list.
Select Your Education Level
Choose your section:
Pre-primary and Primary Level
Secondary and Higher Secondary Level
Pick Your Grade
Select your specific grade level from the available options.
Download Your Textbook
Find the textbook you need and click the "Download" link beside its name.
This simple process ensures students and educators can conveniently access the required resources for the new academic year.
CA Witnesses Bangladesh Army Winter Manoeuvre Exercise in Rajbari
Dr Muhammad Yunus, the interim government's chief adviser, visited Rajbari on Sunday (January 5) to observe the winter exercise of the Bangladesh Army's Infantry Brigade Group. The exercise is organized by the 55th Infantry Division and conducted in the Char Khapura and Char Ramnagar areas of the Rajbari Military Training Area (RMTA) in Kalukhali Upazila.
Dr Yunus departed Dhaka by helicopter at 11:54 am, arriving at Char Khapura's helipad at 12:36 pm. Upon arrival at the exercise site, he was greeted by Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hasan, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, and Major General J M Imdadul Islam, GOC of the 55th Infantry Division and Area Commander of Jessore.
The exercise showcases the capabilities of the Bangladesh Army, featuring advanced tanks, APCs, artillery, infantry, engineers, commandos, and other arms and services. The Bangladesh Air Force is also participating with fighter jets, helicopters, Army Aviation aircraft, and paratroopers.
Dr Yunus is scheduled to observe the manoeuvres for about an hour, followed by a closing speech. The event is attended by other advisers, senior armed forces officials, and media representatives.
This visit was originally planned for January 2 but was rescheduled due to heavy fog and adverse weather conditions that prevented the helicopter from taking off.
Govt's New Plan for Saint Martin Island
The interim government has initiated efforts to ensure an alternative source of drinking water on Saint Martin Island instead of plastic bottled water.
Additionally, the island is set to enter the era of integrated waste management (Plasma Reactor) with electricity generation from waste.
According to a report published by Bangladesh News Agency (BSS) on Sunday, January 5, this initiative includes the use of environmentally friendly transport (Becoteg) to collect all waste on the island. Special cards, similar to ATM cards, will be used for residents to collect drinking water as per their needs.
This project, aimed at protecting the island's environment, ecosystem, and biodiversity, is being implemented with funding from the World Bank in cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh.
Environmentalists believe that once the project is implemented, the island will see reduced pollution, and the environment and marine biodiversity, including coral reefs, will be preserved.
According to the Cox's Bazar Public Health Engineering Department, approximately 8,000 people from 1,700 families on Saint Martin Island generate about two tons of human waste and two tons of solid waste daily.
During the tourist season, which lasts three months, 2,000 tourists generate waste in the form of 4,000 plastic bottles, chips, and other plastic-wrapped daily necessities. This waste has been posing a threat to the island's environment, ecosystem, and marine biodiversity.
To preserve the island's environment, the Public Health Engineering Department has undertaken a project to build a sewage sludge and solid waste management system. This project has been divided into two parts, and three contractor companies—Turn Builders, Green Dot Limited, and Water Birds Limited—have already been awarded the contract.
Assistant Engineer of the Cox's Bazar Public Health Engineering Department, Abul Manjur, stated that the project includes purifying rainwater, groundwater, and surface water to supply drinking water to the residents of Saint Martin Island. This will eliminate the need for plastic bottled water. However, the cost of providing this water will be collected from the consumers, who will be able to use a special card to take the water at a minimal charge.
The water quality will be tested in a special laboratory. Environmentally friendly operational buildings will be constructed without using bricks, cement, or iron rods, along with two international standard public toilets. Furthermore, an integrated waste management system (Plasma Reactor) will handle human waste, medical waste, solid waste, and plastic waste. This will be the second such waste-to-energy project in Bangladesh, with the country now ranked third in generating electricity from waste.
The pilot of this project was successfully launched in the Rohingya refugee camp in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar. The project is expected to be completed by June.
Abul Manjur emphasized that this project will play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of Saint Martin Island.
Nahid Al Hasan, Managing Director of Turn Builders, the contractor company, stated that they have received the work order and will resolve any transportation issues to start the work promptly.
H M Nazrul Islam, the organizational secretary of Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA) in Cox's Bazar, praised the government's initiative, stating that such a project is timely given the ongoing environmental destruction. He expressed hope that this eco-friendly project will be implemented quickly.
According to the Department of Environment and various environmental organizations, Saint Martin Island was declared an ecologically critical area in 1999. On January 4, 2023, the Ministry of Environment declared an area of 1,743 square kilometres in the Bay of Bengal surrounding Saint Martin as a protected area under the Wildlife Protection Act.
In August 2020, the government first took steps to regulate tourists on Saint Martin Island. The research agency, Center for Geographical Information Services (CEGIS), was tasked with conducting a survey, which concluded that allowing tourists to stay overnight on the island was inappropriate. During the winter tourist season, it was recommended that no more than 1,250 tourists be allowed to visit the island per day.
The current interim government has made various decisions to protect Saint Martin Island. According to these decisions, tourists can visit the island from November onwards, but they must return on the same day without staying overnight. In December and January, tourists are allowed to stay overnight, but the number is limited to 2,000 per day. From February, tourist travel to Saint Martin Island will be suspended. The tourist ferry service from Cox’s Bazar to Saint Martin Island began on November 1.
Strong Earthquake Felt Capital and Other Parts of the Country
An earthquake was felt in various parts of the country, including the capital, in the morning. The magnitude on the Richter scale was 7.1.
The earthquake occurred at 7:05 AM on Tuesday (January 7). Its epicenter was in China.
Farzana Sultana, an official from the Meteorological Department's Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, told the media that the earthquake was felt at 7:05 AM in various parts of the country, including the capital. The epicenter of the earthquake was 618 kilometers away from Dhaka, in a region of China. The tremor was felt in different areas of the country, including Dhaka.
In addition to Bangladesh, the earthquake was felt in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and China. According to Volcano Discovery, the epicenter was in Tibet.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China's Xizang. The depth of the earthquake's epicenter was 10 kilometers.
Previously, on January 3, an earthquake was felt in various parts of the country, including Dhaka and Sylhet.
Bangladesh on Edge: Experts Warn of Looming Earthquake Disaster
The country has experienced two earthquakes within seven days, with over 50 mild to strong tremors recorded around Bangladesh in the last 90 days. Over the past 15 years, more than 150 earthquakes of varying magnitudes have occurred. Experts warn that these tremors could be precursors to a major earthquake.
Dhaka ranks among the world's 20 most earthquake-prone cities. A significant earthquake in Bangladesh could result in substantial damage, yet no government has taken measures to mitigate such risks.
Experts highlight that these minor tremors indicate the potential for a larger earthquake, with Bangladesh's geographical position adding to its vulnerability. Regions like Sylhet, Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Chattogram are at higher risk of severe damage than Dhaka.
Recently, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Tibet claimed over a hundred lives, with tremors felt in Bangladesh, Nepal, and India. The region's location on major tectonic fault lines causes frequent seismic activity.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) notes that Bangladesh lies in an active seismic zone, with recent tremors signaling the possibility of a stronger earthquake. Dhaka is one of the most vulnerable cities globally to earthquakes. The last major earthquake in Bangladesh was in 1918, with its epicenter within the country. A 6.7 magnitude quake in 2016 caused panic-related fatalities. With no major earthquakes in the past 75 years, experts fear a significant one is imminent.
Bangladesh's tectonic positioning, with the Indian and Myanmar plates running through it, has accumulated energy over centuries. A sudden release could result in an earthquake of 8 to 9 magnitudes, potentially devastating Dhaka with significant casualties and destruction. A joint survey by BUET and the government estimates that a 7.5 magnitude earthquake could collapse 72,000 buildings in Dhaka, creating 70 million tons of concrete debris.
Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Dhaka University, stresses the risk to areas like Mymensingh, Rangpur, Sylhet, Chattogram, and Dhaka, particularly due to the vulnerability of Dhaka's buildings.
Prof. Mehedi Ahmed Ansari from BUET's Civil Engineering Department explains that Bangladesh is situated at the confluence of three tectonic plates, all active with an annual movement of 5 centimeters. This movement increases the risk of seismic activity.
He also highlights the inadequacy of merely having equipment for fire service and civil defense without addressing structural vulnerabilities in buildings. The unplanned gas and electricity lines in Dhaka further escalate the potential for earthquake damage.
