Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Thursday) called upon the government and private sector of Maldives to be partner in Bangladesh’s development journey for mutual benefits, as she addressed the Maldivian national parliament in Male.   “I hope that our warm and friendly relations will further be consolidated. Bangladesh is thriving with possibilities and potentials. I call upon both the government and private sector of the Maldives to be our partner in the development journey in the next fifty years for mutual benefit,” she said.  Mentioning that no country in the world can prosper in isolation, the premier said the Covid-19 pandemic has taught all that they are interdependent and have to share their experiences for the sake of a better, secured, and prosperous world.  “We reiterate our principled position of collaboration with our fraternal neighbors in South Asia, as had been enunciated by our Father of the Nation,” she said.  On the Bangladeshi Prime Minister’s arrival at the People’s Majlis, she was received by Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and the Deputy Speaker.   The Maldivian Parliament Speaker in his speech highly praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her role in leading the developing nations particularly to fight the climate change impact on the global stage.  He referred to a BBC report that described Sheikh Hasina as one of the five deal makers to pursue the climate change issues at the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Speaker presented the Prime Minister a boat painting. The Prime Minister later signed the visitors' book and held a meeting with the Speaker of the Maldives parliament.  Addressing the parliament, Sheikh Hasina said, “We are particularly encouraged to witness your development journey, your successful transition from LDC to a middle-income country, and we hope Bangladesh and Maldives would tap the complementarities.”  “I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to address the distinguished members of the Majlis, at this home of politics and policies, which is the heart of democracy of this beautiful country,” she told the Maldives parliament.  “As a person who has been involved in politics all her life, I am delighted to be here at the Parliament of a fraternal country with whom we share historical linkages, multiple commonalities, similar challenges, and a shared vision of prosperity,” she added.  The Bangladesh premier said that 2021 was a landmark year for Bangladesh-Maldives bilateral relations with the exchange of high-level visits, fruitful bilateral discussions among relevant authorities, and goodwill exchange of collaboration on many areas of bilateral interests. “We firmly believe we would further consolidate our bilateral relations through further expansion of trade, investment, connectivity, tourism, and people-to-people contacts,” she added.   The Prime Minister said she hopes that the next fifty years’ journey of the two countries will be even more fruitful and bring meaningful changes to the lives of the people.  “I wish prosperity and happiness for the people of the Maldives and its pioneering leaders,” she said.  Taking this opportunity, she said, “I want to pay homage to our Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who selflessly devoted his whole life for the cause of democracy and establishing a society free from hunger-poverty, deprivation and injustice.” The Prime Minister thanked President Solih for attending the opening celebrations of the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence in March last.  “Our path to independence and emancipation has not been an easy one. Our Father of the Nation struggled all his life to bring happiness to the people of Bengal. He spent about 13 years out of 24 years from 1947 to 1971 in jail with occasional intervals,” she added.  The Father of the Nation took responsibility for his people after returning home on 10 January 1972 and started reconstructing and rebuilding the war-ravaged country and rolled on the wheels of its economy and transformed a newborn country from rubles into a Least Developed Country (LDC) status within only three and a half years, she said.  Unfortunately, Father of the Nation was brutally assassinated on August 15 in 1975 along with 18 family members, she told the Maldivian parliament.  “My younger sister and I escaped since we were out of the country. I spent six years in exile and, since my return to Bangladesh, suffered imprisonment, multiple assassination attempts, and much hardship,” she said, adding, “However, it is my greatest satisfaction that today Bangladesh has won acclaim for establishing democracy and pluralism.” Following the independence, Bangabandhu laid down the foundation of the path to the socio-economic freedom of the country, she said.  “Following his footsteps and inspired by this economic and political philosophy, I am happy to share that Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in the last decade. The average GDP growth registered in the previous few years has been more than 7 percent while in 2019-20, just before the pandemic, our GDP growth rate was 8.2 percent,” she added.  During the last decade, Bangladesh has also made remarkable progress in socio-economic indicators, including women empowerment, maternal and child health, life expectancy, population growth rate, sanitation, drinking water, primary education, and literacy, she continued.  The Prime Minister said, “In continuation of our development journey, we have to transform Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021, meet all the SDG targets by 2031, turn into a knowledge-based developed country by 2041, and a prosperous and resilient Delta by 2100.”  The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution on graduation of Bangladesh from the LDC category on 24 November 2021, she said, adding that Bangladesh is now a US$ 411 billion economy and is ranked among the 34 largest economies of the world.   Mentioning that, development brings its own challenges, she said, “To cope with the situation that we will face after the withdrawal of the benefits we used to enjoy as an LDC, our focus will be on diversifying the economy and exploring new markets.”  "We are also striving to transform into a technology-driven society and innovation-led growth with a vision of Digital Bangladesh," she added.  Source: BSS AH

The election to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) will be held on March 11. As a president of DUCSU, Vice Chancellor Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman made the polls announcement on Wednesday. The Hall Sangsad elections will also be held the same day from 8am to 2pm, he said. According to article 8(E) of DUCSU constitution, the vice-chancellor announced the polls schedule. Earlier in the day, DU VC held separate meetings on DUCSU and Hall Sangsad elections with hall provosts and members of DUCSU election conducting advisory council. MHK

Bangladesh’s cutter master Mustafizur Rahman has been named in ICC’s ODI team of the year 2018. India captain Virat Kohli has been named to lead ICC's ODI Team of the Year, which features four players each from India and England. Kohli was named captain as he led India to nine wins from the 14 games he played. Overall, India won 14 games and lost just four, while being involved in a couple of tied matches. England too enjoyed a similarly stellar record in 2018, winning 17 times out of 24 matches, winning every series barring a one-off ODI against Scotland. The Bangladesh fast bowler enjoyed good form in 2018, picking up 29 wickets at an average of 21.72. In the Asia Cup 2018, he picked up 10 wickets at 18.50 to finish as the joint highest wicket-taker with Rashid Khan and Kuldeep Yadav, who also feature in this team. His ability to swing the ball coupled with his bag of wily slower ones makes him a fine ODI bowler. Test Team of the Year (in batting order): Tom Latham (New Zealand), Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka), Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Virat Kohli (India) (capt), Henry Nicholls (New Zealand), Rishabh Pant (India) (wk), Jason Holder (Windies), Kagiso Rabada (South Africa), Nathan Lyon (Australia), Jasprit Bumrah (India), Mohammad Abbas (Pakistan) ODI team of the year (in batting order): Rohit Sharma (India), Jonny Bairstow (England), Virat Kohli (India) (capt), Joe Root (England), Ross Taylor (New Zealand), Jos Buttler (England) (wk), Ben Stokes (England), Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Kuldeep Yadav (India), Jasprit Bumrah (India) MHK

Water of different rivers is remaining above the danger mark in 10 points in the country. It was above danger mark in 8 points on Thursday. But on Friday the flow of water increased in two points and at present it is remaining above the danger mark in 10 points. Executive Engineer of Flood Forecasting and Warning Center Md. Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan told Rtv online, river water of the Jamuna is going to create flood in the mid region. Flood water will enter in the adjacent areas in the next 24 to 48 hours. But the flood situation improved in Sylhet. The flood water will decrease in the next couple of days if rain does not occur. In the report of raining and river situation by the Water Development Board till 9 am on Friday it was seen that of 94 stations water level increased in 54, decreased in 39 and unchanged in 1 station. River water which is flowing above the danger mark in 10 points are- The Surma river at Kanaighat section 78 centimeters, at Sylhet section 35 centimeters, at Sunamganj 66 centimeters, the Kushiara river at Sunamganj 1 centimeter, at Amalshid 14 centimeters, at Shewla 14 centimeters, at Sherpur-Sylhet 14 centimeters. Besides the old Surma at Dirai section 63 centimeters, the Someshwari at Kalmakanda section 22 centimeters and the Dharala at Kurigram section 31 centimeters. Meanwhile, Flood Information Center of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry said, river water of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges-Padma is increasing. On the other hand, river water of Southern and Eastern catchment areas is decreasing. Besides water of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna may increase in the next 72 hours, and the Ganges-Padma may increase in the next 48 hours. AH     

Around 5 hundred people have fallen sick after taking biriyani served at a rally of an MP aspirant from Kotchandpur-Maheshpur constituency Parvin Talukder Maya in Kotchandpur upazila. Some 248 of them were admitted to Kotchandpur Upazila Health Complex as of 2pm on Thursday, Upazila Health Officer Dr Shahb Uddin said. Reports UNB. Locals said the rally was organized at the main bus stand of the upazila headquarters on Wednesday following a showdown from the Maheshpur. At the end of the program, around 5 thousand packets of biriyani were distributed among the participants. Many collected 2-3 packets, took those to their houses and ate along with their family members. After taking the biriyani, many started vomiting and having pain in the abdomen from 8pm. Dr Shahab Uddin said they were suffering from food poisoning. Meanwhile, a five-member committee, led by additional police superintendent (Sadar Circle) Kanak Kumar Das, has been formed to investigate the incident. Earlier, on Tuesday, around 100 people fell sick after taking meal at another program of Maya in Maheshpur. AH

United Nations children affairs organization UNICEF has said that 13 percent children and teen agers of the country are being victimized of harassment in the social media. Even 3.3 percent children have closed their social media account due to harassment. This survey was published at the inaugural session of yearlong mass awareness program organized to make internet safe for children. UNICEF Bangladesh Communication Manager AM Shakil Fayezullah upheld the survey report. UNICEF and Facebook jointly organized the program held at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theater in the capital on Friday. The survey report said, a major portion of internet users are under 18 years old. UNICEF conducted a survey three weeks earlier to know about their security while using internet and about their condition. This online based survey reached at more than nine lakh children and teen agers and 11 thousand 821 children took part in the survey aged between 13 years to 18. The UNICEF survey said, 81.2 percent children and teen agers spend times in social media every day. 90 percent of them use internet on mobile phones. 80.1 percent children and teen agers were not victims in any kind of harassment. 52.3 percent children have said that they want to be friends with unknown people and 33.9 percent children have said that they will not be. 67.4 percent children have said they use internet to learn. 21.4 percent children have said they use it to make friends. In the program as the chief guest State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said, we want that children will use tab, use internet. But they would use it in a safe way. Internet should be used as knowledge house. Guardians should be alert so that the children may not fall in any kind of risk. In the program Facebook India and South Asia policy program manager Shruti Moggi, UNICEF Bangladesh representative Adward Begbether and others were also present. AH           

Motivated Bangladesh take on Indian in the final of Nidahas Trophy T20I tri-nation series scheduled to be held today (Sunday) at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, reports BSS. The match will kick off at 7.30 pm (BST). The Tigers reached the final clash with couple of dramatic incidents winning by two-wickets over the hosts on Friday night that took Bangladesh to final while the second-string Indian team recorded a hat-trick of comfortable wins after their opening loss to the islanders.  In a tense encounter, in which they beat Sri Lanka last league match of the series on Friday night, with Mahmudullah Riyadh rising to the occasion hitting with a six in the last over that will give the 'Tigers' a immense confidence before the final. Opener Tamim Iqbal got back his form before the final as he played a polish 50-run knocks in Bangladesh's last match against Sri Lanka while Mahmudullah (43 not out) struck a stunning six in the penultimate delivery to reach to the target of 160 to the wild celebration of the Bangladesh camp.  Mushfiqur Rahim also in a good form in the series as he already hit two consecutive half centuries including a match-winning unbeaten knock that helped Bangladesh to earn a record chase victory against Sri Lanka. Bowling sensation Mustafizur Rahman also got back his form taking two wickets of Bangladesh's remarkable victory on Friday night and Shakib Al Hasan's presence in the team must boost up his boys before the crucial final against India.  On the other hand, tournament favorite India led by Rohit Sharma, maintained their winning streak in the series after an upsetting First match victory over Sri Lanka. The side has some match-winners like Rohit Sharma, Shikar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, who have the ability to turn the fate of match in any time. Manish Pandey may not be as experienced as Mahmudullah in international cricket but Pandey's 10 years of IPL cricket holds him in good stead.  In the bowling department, Shardul Thakur has been steady and Washington Sundar's Powerplay bowling has been India's biggest gain from this tour.  Vijay Shankar has also been impressive but unlucky at times because of the number of catches dropped off his bowling.  However the only worry for India will be second specialist seamer. Both Jaydev Unadkat and Mohammed Siraj have proved to be expensive.  It will be interesting to see who among the two plays. It can also be that Axar Patel or Deepak Hooda used as additional spin bowling all rounder on a slowish track. Now crore of Tigers' fans are eagerly waiting to see their heroes historic win Sunday in Nidahas trophy's final.  Squads: Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Nazmul Islam, Liton Das, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Imrul Kayes, Ariful Haque, Nurul Hasan, Abu Hider Rony and Abu Jayed.  India: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan,, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey, Jaydev Unadkat, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Lokesh Rahul, Axar Patel, Deepak Hooda and Mohammed Siraj.   FU