‘Scout movement to help build prosperous nation’

President Zillur Rahman on Sunday hoped that the scout movement would act as a supplementary force in achieving the present government’s declared
‘Vision-2021’ to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh, reports UNB.
“Today’s youth is the future leaders of the nation. I think youth can play a role in
socioeconomic development of the country in future, if they are groomed with the principle of Scouting,” he said after taking oath as the Chief Scout of Bangladesh at Bangabhaban.
Chief National Commissioner of Scout Abul Kalam Azad administered the oath and adorned the President with a scout scarf at a simple ceremony.
President Zillur Rahman expressed his happiness for becoming Chief Scout of the country and hoped that Bangladesh Scout would play a more responsible role imbued with the spirit of change to build the youth as worthy citizens of the country by increasing its activities.
He was happy to know that Bangladesh Scout has become the fifth largest scout-member country in the world scout organization.
The President also assured his cooperation and principled support to the scout movement in Bangladesh.
Chief National Commissioner of Scout Abul Kalam Azad in his welcome speech congratulated the President for becoming the Chief Scout of Bangladesh.
Earlier, those present at the function observed one minute’s silence as they stood
paying tribute to the memory of the slain army officers and others brutally killed
at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters in Peelkhana here on February 25 and 26.
Acting Secretary General of World Organization of the Scout Movement LUC Panissod, members of the advisory council of Bangladesh Scout and high civil and military officials of Bangabhabn were present on the occasion.
Later, Panissod paid a courtesy call on President Zillur Rahman.
During the meeting, President Zillur Rahman said Bangladesh Scout is frequently taking part in community development and in relief works during the natural calamities.
Panissod highly praised the role of Bangladesh Scout in both the national and international forum and also expressed his satisfaction over the sincerity and the commitment of the Bangladeshi scouts to uphold the motto of scout.

UNFPA for ending violations of human rights

Executive Director of UNFPA Thoraya Ahmed Obaid in a message on the occasion of International Women’s Day urged all to stand in solidarity with women and girls who deserve to live in dignity, free of fear and shame.
He said that it is the time for men and women, and boys and girls to work together to end shameful violations of human rights, reports BSS.
“Whether it is human trafficking, domestic violence, crimes committed in the name of honour or passion, child marriage, female genital mutilation/cutting, or sexual violence, which in many conflict situations has reached alarming proportions, violence against women and girls constitutes a shameful crime that is too often shrouded in silence and too seldom punished,” he added.
The UNFPA Executive Director said we call on all political leaders, community leaders and religious leaders to stand up against the violence to which women and girls are subjected. We urge authorities in all countries to enact and enforce laws to bring justice to offenders, and to provide health services and social support to survivors, he said.
He underscored the need for ensuring right to sexual and reproductive health, and provide information and services for family planning, safe motherhood and HIV prevention. He said violence against women and girls is not a women’s issue-it is an issue that concerns and diminishes us all.
“Today and everyday, UNFPA, as part of the United Nations, will support country efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls, and to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality and reproductive health and rights,” He said.
Another report adds: Executive Director of UNICEF Ann M.Veneman urged all to work together to end violence against women and children, reports BSS.
In a message on the occasion of International Women’s Day, he said, every day around the world, women and girls face domestic violence, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and trafficking, and too often, these crimes go unpunished.
Referring to situation in Democratic Republic of Congo, where five million people have died in the conflict, he said sexual violence leaves many survivors with horrific injuries, emotional wounds, HIV and AIDS and unwanted pregnancies. Rape and sexual violence are increasingly used as a weapon of war in conflict situations.
“Mothers who survive violence are often less able to meet the physical and psychological needs of their children. This, in turn, adversely impacts the development of the children’s social skills and emotional welfare,” he added.
He said men and boys have a significant role to play in ending violence against women and one important way to make this happen is to institute programmes and activities that educate men and boys to take responsibility and to abandon the attitudes and practices that perpetuate violence.

Atish Dipankar Gold Medal 2009 declared

Atish Dipankar Gobeshana Parishad on Sunday declared the award of Atish Dipankar Gold Medal 2009, said a press release.
Parishad has arranged year long programmes to celebrate its 26 years of journey. A total of 18 renowned personalities of the country working in different fields have got ‘Atish Dipankar Gold Medal’ this year.
They are: Abdul Hamid advocate (political personality), Sanghanayaka, S Dharmapaul Mahathero (peace and harmony), Murtaza Bashir (fine arts), Prof. Mazidul Islam (media personality), Syed Hossain Chowdhury (commerce and industry), Nazrul Islam Majumder (industrialisation), Md. Matiur Rahman (banking), Lion Mobarak Hossen and Pramotho Barua (social welfare), Md Abdul Zabbar (education entrepreneur), Shafiqur Rahman (organiser), Hakim Rafiqul Islam (herbal research), Principal Mohammed Fproz Mukul (research in teaching English), Rezaul Karim (agri- journalism), Dr. Omar Faruqe (livestock development), G M Nurul Islam Rony (Inventory), Rakhi Bhoumik (music) and Mahiuddin Ahmed (anti tobacco movement).
Atish Dipankar Gobeshana Parishad has been awarding this prestigious prize for long 26 years. Atish Dipankar Chairman of the Parishad Golam Quader was in the chair while taking the decision of award.

Rony obtains talentpool scholarship

News Report

Md. Rabbi Islam Rony obtained talentpool scholarship in the examination of class VII this year.
He obtained the scholarship from Palordi Model High School at Gournadi in Barisal district, said a press release.
His father Nurul Islam is a businessman and mother Shilpy Islam a housewife.
Earlier, he got scholarship in class V in the general category. Dhaka Samity awarded him talentpool scholarship from Gournadi Kindergarten.
He desires to become a marine engineer in the future.

Women’s safety in family demanded

A Women’s Day rally in the city Sunday urged the society to ensure women’s safety in the family to help continue the march of development in the country, reports UNB.
The nation cannot achieve development by ignoring women, who constitute half of the population of the country, said Ayesha Khanam, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, while addressing the rally on the Central Shaheed Minar premises in the afternoon.
Social Action Committee, a platform of 52 women rights organizations, organized the rally marking the International Women’s Day.
Ayesha Khanam, who chaired the rally, said the integration of women into the mainstream and their participation in the decision-making process is essential to eliminate violence against them in the family or outside of the family.
She urged all political parties to incorporate the issue of women’s empowerment
providing 33% representation. “Induct women representatives into all your
policy-making committees in order to ensure gender equality in all fields,” said the women rights campaigner.
The rally, conducted by Nargis Jahan Banu, also demanded establishment of victim support centre at the district level and also full implementation of the National Women Development Policy declared in 1997.
Shirin Banu Mithil read out the declaration of the rally, while Bhaswar Bandopadhaya recited a poem.
At the beginning of the programme, the rally observed one minute’s silence paying homage to those killed in the recent mutiny in BDR headquarters and demanded immediate trail of the killing.
Later, a procession was brought out from the central Shaheed Minar that marched through city streets before terminating at Muktangan in the city.

Australia helps acid survivors

Australian High Commissioner Dr Justin Lee and his spouse Jeane Lona Sunday visited the Acid Survivors’ Foundation (ASF) Hospital and handed over a cheque for Tk 3.2 million to help acid survivors reintegrate into society and achieve economic independence, reports UNB.
The visit coincided with International Women’s Day 2009.
A release of the Australian HC said there are currently around 3,000 recorded acid attack survivors in Bangladesh, with women making up more than two-thirds.
While efforts to reduce attacks have had some success, there are still estimated to be around 150 attacks each year which can cause serious disability.
During his visit, Dr Lee said, the promotion and protection of human rights and gender rights are important principles underlying Australia’s cooperation with Bangladesh.
He said the work of the Acid Survivors’ Foundation is consistent with these goals, and he is very pleased Australia can assist ASF and the people it helps.
The High Commissioner and his spouse spoke with acid survivors at the ASF Hospital and Training Centre, and received a briefing from Munira Rahman, the Executive Director of ASF.
The Acid Survivors Foundation was formed in May 1999 with an aim to help acid survivors rebuild their lives and to stop acid violence by 2015.
ASF provides a comprehensive service to help meet the medical, legal, social and economic needs of survivors, and assist their rehabilitation. A number of international donors have assisted ASF since its inception.
Funding for the ASF was provided under the Australian Government’s Human Rights Small Grants Scheme (HRSGS) 2008-09.

New law for recast of non-govt edn institutions

The government has decided to enact new law redefining function of the governing body of non-government educational institutions, as complaints are rife about misgoverning schools, colleges and the like, reports UNB.
In a meeting Sunday at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the parliamentary standing committee on education affairs discussed in detail the legal measures for streamlining the education management in the light of democratic norms and practices as well as government’s election manifesto.
Presided over by Chairman of the committee Rashed Khan Menon MP, a noted student leader of the 60s, the meeting discussed the make of different committees based on different circulars issued earlier for schools, colleges and madrasas.
The lawmakers also elaborately discussed Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, Bill 2009 and Bangladesh University of Professionals Bill 2009.
Members of the committee and Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, whip Mirza Azam, Biren Shikdar, Sheikh Abdul Wahab, Mohammad Shah Alam, M Ziaur Rahman and Kazi Farooq Quader attended the meeting.
Education Secretary Syed Ataur Rahman, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Nazrul Islam and VC of Bangladesh University of Professionals Major General Shafiq, among others, were present.

US mission to remain closed tomorrow

The American Embassy, including the Consular Section and the Public Affairs Section with the Archer K. Blood American Center Library and the Student Advising Center will remain closed on Tuesday on the occasion Eid-e-Miladunnabi, said a US Embassy press release.

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