Popular writer Humayun Ahmed has been appointed special adviser to the Bangladesh Mission in the United Nations, reports a private television channel. “I am surprised but happy,” said the author, who is now staying in the USA for treatment of cancer, in his reaction. Talking to Channel i yesterday, he said, “The government knows very
Metropolitan
Fifth International Children’s Film Festival on the cards
In association with UNICEF, Children’s Film Society Bangladesh will organise the Fifth International Children’s Film Festival, titled “Future in Frames”, starting from January 21. The weeklong festival will begin at Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium of Central Public Library, Shahbagh in Dhaka. Planning Minister Air Vice Marshal (retd.) AK Khandaker will inaugurate the festival. Veteran artist
Actress Doel dies of cancer
Film actress Doel died of cancer at a city hospital on December 29. She was 45. The once popular actress breathed her last at Dipham Hospital, finally giving in to a two-and-a-half-year struggle with cancer. After Doel, whose real name is Ifte Ara Dalia, suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2009, she was
Suranjit for jt survey before Tipai dam construction
The railway minister, Suranjit Sengupta, has called for an immediate joint survey by India and Bangladesh before constructing the Tipaimukh dam in Indian territory. ‘Bangladesh and India must conduct a joint survey to resolve controversy over construction of the Tipaimukh dam, the minister said, adding, ‘We should not make any delay to resolve the issue ... Read more
Tipai dam a ‘death trap’ for Bangladesh: left parties
Left political leaders on Monday described India’s under construction Tipaimukh Dam as the ‘death trap’ for Bangladesh. They said that India was unilaterally building the dam violating agreements with lower riparian Bangladesh as well as international conventions. India is building the dam on the international river Barak before it splits and enters into
DMCH radiology dept in disarray
Patients are deprived of proper services due to disarrayed system and lack of basic infrastructures at the Radiology and Imaging Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Three x-ray machines worth Tk 3 crore have been lying damaged at the department for the last one year causing immense suffering to the
Recovery of Barisal waterbodies demanded
Recovery, re-excavating and preservation of rapidly disappearing major waterbodies in the city and its outskirts were demanded by local elites in Barisal on Thursday. The demands were placed in a meet the press progamme, jointly organised by non-government organisations Parjatan Trust, Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL) and Uttarayan, at Barisal Reporters Unity on Thursday. ... Read more
No fire stations in 17 UZs
A total of 17 upazilas in Barisal division have no fire service station, while 610 fire incidents caused damage worth more than Tk 14 crore in the division this year. A total of 103 fire incidents also occurred last year. Sources of Barisal divisional fire service and civil defense station (FSCD) claimed that they had ... Read more
Cost of living in Ctg goes beyond most
Arun Bikash Dey, Chittagong Schoolteacher Sourav Guha has become depressed about life as it has become very difficult to meet his family expenditures with his limited income. Last week he had a shouting match with a staff of an emergency power supply company when the staff asked him to pay an extra Tk30 for supplying ... Read more
Lucid presentation of healthy living habits
A book cluing on healthy living habits and explaining healthcare in easy-to-understand language was launched in the city yesterday. The book titled “Have a Nice Day” is a compilation of The Daily Star’s popular weekly health tips column written by Dr Rubaiul Murshed under the same
New waterbuses in the pipeline for capital: BIWTC chairman
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) is about to start a new waterbus service on the water routes around the city. BIWTC chairman Gulam Mostafa Kamal told The Independent that an order has already been given to Dhaka Dockyard for building four new waterbuses at a cost of Tk 50 lakh each. The new buses ... Read more
Now comes more quotas for schools
FFs’ grandchildren too to get preference The government has decided to introduce a quota system for children of Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) employees, as well as grandchildren of freedom fighters, for admission to all public secondary schools in the capital. This will come into effect from the 2012 academic session. In the ... Read more
Begum Rokeya Day today
Begum Rokeya Day will be observed in the country today to pay glowing tributes to the memory of the pioneer of women renaissance of this subcontinent. The nation will recall with deep respect the contribution of Begum Rokeya, who had played a pioneering role in establishing the rights of women and promoting education among the
NSU to host int’l debate championship
The North South University authorities on Monday announced the opening of ‘NSU Asian British Parliamentary Debate Championship 2011’ at a press conference on their Bashundhara campus in the capital. After organising the 15th All Asian Debate Championship in 2008, the NSU Debate Club is continuing its legacy in hosting international tournaments and helping debaters from ... Read more
Brac launches e-education
A new website containing interactive and easy-to-understand lessons on mathematics, general science and English at secondary level was launched by Brac Education Programme yesterday. The e-education.brac.net, launched by Brac Founder and Chairperson Sir Fazle Hasan Abed at the city’s Brac Centre Inn. Prof Dr Mohammad Kaykobad of Buet, Nazrul Islam Khan, national project director of
‘7th Citycell-Channel i Music Awards’ to be given beside Jamuna River
Private mobile operator company Citycell in association with private satellite channel, Channel i is going to organise the ‘7th Citycell-Channel i Music Awards’ beside Jamuna River on Friday afternoon to honour the music artistes and talents of the country. This year’s award giving ceremony in entering into international platform and it will focus on
‘Nescafe Get set Rock’ campaign begins
Global coffee brand Nescafe is set to arrange a musical competition under the title of “Nescafe Get set Rock” soon. Through this competition the organisers hope to single out the best instrumentalists and the best vocalist in forming the best band of the forthcoming generation. This was disclosed at a press conference held at a ... Read more
Use English as 2nd language officially
Suggest speakers at Hay Festival Dhaka Bangladeshi writing in English has mostly remained a step below the international standard, preventing the country’s rich culture and literature from reaching out to an international audience. The reason, litterateurs told an enthusiastic audience at the Hay Festival Dhaka, is that English has remained an alien language in the ... Read more
Journalists, not industrialists, should run broadcast journalism
Participants of a roundtable on Tuesday said that broadcast journalism should be run by journalists and not by industrialists. Speaking at the discussion on ‘what we have achieved in the era of broadcast journalism’ organised to mark World Television Day officials, industrialists and working journalists said that
Rabies claims 2000 lives a yr
Over 2000 people die from rabies every year in the country, a very dangerous disease transmitted to humans by rabid animal bites, mostly dogs. Children are more susceptible to the disease than the adults, say experts. According to World Health Organisation, Rabies claims approximately 55,000 lives a year. The