Student politics turns a lucrative profession: Dr Ainun Nishat

Dr. Ainun Nishat, President of BUET Alumni Association, has said, “It is not acceptable that the students will do politics based on fringes. Now student politics has become a lucrative profession.” “It is not acceptable for students to engage in dirty politics. Ragging, extortion, abuse of power are not desirable in student politics here,” he said at a shadow parliament debate competition, held at the Bangladesh Film and Development Corporation (BFDC) auditorium on Saturday (April 20). Dr. Ainun Nishat attended the debate competition as chief guest. The theme of the shadow parliament debate competition was “Student Politics and Friendly Environment of Education in BUET (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology)”. The “Debate for Democracy” is a non-profit, non-government, debate organization that seeks to develop the quality of life of current and future generations through debate, has organized the debate competition. Chairman of the Debate for Democracy Hassan Ahamed Chowdhury Kiron presided over the event. The editor and publisher of The South Asian Times Deepak Kumar Acharjee, retired Professor Abu Muhammad Rais, Consultant of International Organization for Migration (IOM) Dr. SM Morshed, Special Correspondent of Channel I Mustafa Kamal Mallick, senior reporter of Channel 71 Sharmin Neera attended as judges in the debate competition. Dr. Ainun Nishat said that BUET students have to study extensively for good results. Therefore, the non-politicization based on laziness disrupts the supportive learning environment of BUET students. “There may be student parliament in BUET but not party-based politics. If the court gives guidelines defining the scope of student politics, the university can formulate a code of conduct on the matter,” he opined. He said that many public universities and private universities of the country including BUP, MIST and Khulna University do not have student politics. However, these universities have a system to listen to students` opinions and demands. Hassan Ahamed Chowdhury Kiron said, "The ongoing situation regarding the student politics of BUET should be resolved by the BUET authority through discussions with all parties including students, teachers, parents, and alumni. “There is a slight difference between the student council of BUET and the student council of Dhaka University. Since BUET is a specialised higher education institution,” he said. He also said, `We have to understand what they want after seeing the solidarity of BUET students in skipping the exam after the Eid holiday. After taking all the preparations for the exam, the teachers waited but no students appeared in the exam hall. Students should take this silent protest into account. The debaters of Bangladesh University won by defeating the debaters of World University of Bangladesh. Trophies, crests and certificates were awarded to the winning teams at the end of the competition.

Heatwave: Schools, colleges to remain shut for seven days

Staff Correspondent The government has decided to keep all primary, secondary schools, colleges and madrassas closed from April 21 to April 27 due to the heatwave sweeping over the country. The decision was taken considering the health safety of the students going to the schools. Mahbubur Rahman, public relation officer of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and a top official of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, provided the information on Saturday. All the government schools were supposed to reopen on Sunday after Eid and Pohela Boishakh holidays. Earlier, the government directed to suspend daily assemblies at all its primary schools across the country until further notice due to the ongoing heatwave. The Directorate of Primary and Mass Education issued a notification in this regard signed by Md Touhidul Islam, assistant director (Policy and Operations, Integrated Education), on Saturday. Besides, the highest temperature of the country this year was recorded in Chuadanga at 41.3°C on Friday. The district had also recorded the highest temperature across the country for the fourth straight day, according to Chuadanga Weather Observatory. Adding to the woes of the people, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Friday said the ongoing heatwave is expected to continue for the next 72 hours. It also issued a 72-hour heat alert nationwide as a heatwave is sweeping most parts of the country with intermittent rains and thundershowers in some places. Similarly in June 2023, schools, colleges and madrassas were closed due to heatwave.

60% voter turnout in Phase 1 of India’s Lok Sabha elections

International Desk A voter turnout of over 60% was recorded in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections covering 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories amid sporadic incidents of violence at some places and an accidental explosion of a grenade launcher shell in Chhattisgarh that left a CRPF jawan dead. The Election Commission said on Friday polling for the first and biggest phase of the seven-phase elections remained largely peaceful. Voters braved the heat in most parts while at some places, they waited patiently in pouring rain as the world`s largest poll exercise got underway at 7am. The National Democratic alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Modi is seeking a stronger majority for a third consecutive term, while the constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc are hoping for a rebound after facing reverses in the 2014 and 2019 elections. Tripura recorded the highest turnout of 79.90%, followed by West Bengal at 77.57%, Puducherry 73.25%, Assam 71.38% and Meghalaya 70.26%. Voters in six districts of eastern Nagaland stayed indoors following an indefinite shutdown call by an apex body of tribal organizations to press for its demand for a separate state. Tamil Nadu, where the BJP is trying to make inroads, was among the seven states and three Union territories where polling was held for all the seats. Assembly elections were also held simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. The tentative figure of voter turnout till 7pm is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained, the EC said, adding voters reaching polling stations till the end of polling hour are allowed to cast their vote. Among the voters were first-timers, many newly-wed couples who came in their traditional attires, physically-challenged people and some elderly persons carried on stretchers and wheelchairs. Minor EVM glitches were reported at some booths in Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Assam. In West Bengal, polling was marred by violence in the Cooch Behar seat. TMC and BJP workers clashed with each other and lodged 80 and 39 complaints respectively related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assault on poll agents, sources from both parties said. In strife-torn Manipur, around an impressive turnout of 68.62 per cent till 5 pm was recorded. An altercation broke out between locals and unidentified persons in Thongju assembly constituency under the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat. In Chhattisgarh, 63.41% voters cast their votes in the Naxal-hit Bastar Lok Sabha constituency where the CRPF jawan after the grenade accidentally went off while an officer was injured in an IED blast in another incident. For the first time in a Lok Sabha election, voters in 56 villages in Bastar cast their vote in a polling booth set up in their own village. In Tamil Nadu, where polling is spread over 39 constituencies, a voting percentage of over 62.19 was recorded. Voting was delayed by an hour in some polling booths in the state such as the one near Tambaram due to technical glitches in the electronic voting machines. Arunachal Pradesh saw 65.46 per cent of the total 8,92,694 voters exercising their franchise. Though the turnout was moderate in the morning hours due to inclement weather, it gathered momentum with weather conditions improving. In a few polling stations in the state, polling was delayed as the electronic voting machines (EVMs) developed technical snags which were later replaced, Chief Electoral Officer Pawan Kumar Sain said. Supporters of two candidates clashed near a polling station in the Bameng constituency in East Kameng district, Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Chukhu Apa said, adding the situation was brought under control and polling is continuing. Incidents of EVM damage were also reported from three polling stations in East Kameng, Kurung Kumey and Upper Subansiri districts, the police officer said. Andaman and Nicobar Islands saw a voting percentage of 56.87%. There were some minor EVM glitches but it was addressed immediately, officials said. For the first time in the Union territory, seven members of the Shompen tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group of Great Nicobar Islands voted for the lone Lok Sabha seat. Assam also reported EVM malfunctioning at three polling booths of Bihpuria in Lakhimpur, one each in Hojai, Kaliabor and Bokakhat, and one in Naharkatia of Dibrugarh, an official said. "Most of the glitches were noticed during the mock poll, which started 90 minutes before the commencement of actual voting. Those glitches were rectified immediately. Voting started sometime late in those booths and now it is going smoothly," an official said. A vehicle carrying an EVM partially sank into a river after water level rose suddenly, washing away a mechanised boat that was ferrying the SUV in Lakhimpur constituency. The driver and the polling officer of the vehicle managed to get out before water gushed into the vehicle. Around 47.49% of the 7.5 million voters in four Lok Sabha constituencies of Bihar exercised their franchise. Braving incessant rains, 65.08% of voters exercised their choice in the first six hours of polling in Jammu and Kashmir`s Udhampur parliamentary constituency. In Rajasthan, 50.95% voting took place while Uttarakhand saw 53.64% polling. In Maharashtra, a voter turnout of 55.29% was recorded while the six Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 63.33%. Uttar Pradesh witnessed 57.61% voting, Mizoram 54.18%, Nagaland 56.77% and Sikkim 68.08%. Over 166.3 million people are eligible to vote in this phase. In the first phase, there are 3.567 million first time voters, besides 35.1 million young voters in the age group of 20-29 years. Counting of votes in the elections that will conclude on June one will be taken up on June 4. Among the prominent candidates in the fray in the first phase are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Sarbananda Sonowal, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress and DMK`s Kanimozhi. Besides Tamil Nadu, polling is being held for all seats of Uttarakhand, 5, Arunachal Pradesh, 2, Meghalaya, 2, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 1, Mizoram, 1, Nagaland, 1, Puducherry, 1, Sikkim, 1, and Lakshadweep, 1. Voting was also held in 12 seats of Rajasthan, eight in Uttar Pradesh, six in Madhya Pradesh, five seats each in Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Manipur, and one seat each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh. Simultaneously, assembly elections were held in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats). The Election Commission has deployed over 1.8 million polling personnel across 187,000 polling stations.

Internet service face disruption across country

The supply of the country`s second submarine cable (SMW-5) has been disrupted, causing interruptions in internet services across the nation. The authorities said the disruption was caused by the damaged submarine cable in Singapore. The outage began early Saturday. Internet service providers said their customers are complaining about experiencing sluggish internet speed. The managing director of the state-owned bandwidth provider ’Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCPLC), Mirza Kamal Ahmed said: "Through SMW-5, we were providing 1,600gb per second of bandwidth to the country, which is now entirely down. We are trying to arrange alternatives using SMW-4 (the first submarine cable). Due to a fibre cable issue in Singapore, similar situations have arisen in several other countries alongside Bangladesh." It will take at least 2 to 3 days to resume the connection, he added. Currently, there is a demand for around 5,000 units of bandwidth in the country. Government agencies are supplying more than 6,000 units of bandwidth through submarine cables. Private companies meet the remaining demand using international terrestrial cables (ITCs).

3-day heat alert issued as mercury hits 41.3°C

Staff Correspondent Adding to the woes of the people, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Friday said the ongoing heatwave is expected to continue for the next 72 hours. It also issued a 72-hour heat alert nationwide as a heatwave is sweeping most parts of the country with intermittent rains and thundershowers in some places. Discomfort might increase due to high humidity, said a warning from the Meteorological Department, signed by Meteorologist Dr Mohammad Abul Kalam Mallik, on Friday. Meteorologist Tarikul Newaz Kabir said: “A temperature of 41.3° was recorded in Chuadanga, the highest in the country.” The Chuadanga Meteorological Office reported that the temperature was recorded at 3pm on Friday, registering the unwanted feat for the fourth straight day. The temperature in the Chuadanga and Meherpur regions has fluctuated between 40° and 41°. The negligible difference between day and night temperatures has made life unbearable in these areas. Due to the intense heatwave, the number of heat-related illnesses in hospitals in these areas is increasing. Low-income workers, who earn their livelihood through physical labour, are in trouble as they can not work even if they leave their homes when necessary. To raise public awareness during this severe heatwave, the Chuadanga District Administration is using loudspeakers in key areas of the city to warn pedestrians and residents. They are advised not to go outside unless absolutely necessary, and extra precautions are being requested for children and the elderly. Chuadanga Weather Observatory Centre in-Charge Jaminur Rahman said: “The heat feels more intense due to increased humidity in the air. Last Tuesday and Wednesday, the district recorded maximum temperatures of 40.6° and 40.8°, respectively.” On April 19 and 20, 2023, the highest seasonal temperature was 42.8°, an extremely severe heatwave. If there is no rain soon, this record could be broken this year. An all-time high temperature in the country was recorded at 45.1°C in Rajshahi on May 30, 1972. Khulna is the most affected division that has seen the record highest temperature in the country for decades, with Jessore at 42.4°C and Chuadanga at 42°C on April 24, 2014. Dhaka`s highest temperature was 40.7°C, or the maximum in 54 years (42.3°C on April 30, 1960). Chuadanga also recorded the highest temperature of 39.1°C alongside Ishwardy in 1995. It remained the hottest day among all districts until 2012, according to the Met Office. Meanwhile, parents have demanded that educational institutions remain closed until the heatwave subsides. Some have called for holidays in educational institutions due to the heat before the summer vacation starts. Chuadanga Education Officer Ataur Rahman has already informed the directorate about the heatwave and said: “The ongoing heatwave in Chuadanga has been reported to the directorate, but no instructions have been received yet. Measures will be taken once instructions are received.” The Chuadanga Meteorological Office said there is currently no chance of rain. Consequently, this temperature will continue to rise. Meanwhile, the BMD on Friday evening forecast that rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind are likely to occur at one or two places over Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and the regions of Comilla and Kishoregonj with hail storms at isolated places. The weather may remain mainly dry with a temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, it added.

Rohingya Repatriation: G7 countries call for creating conditions

Staff Correspondent Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries have stressed the need to create conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of all Rohingya refugees and displaced persons and for justice and accountability for atrocities committed against Rohingya and other ethnic communities. They, in a joint statement, also reiterated their call on all States to prevent or to cease the flow of arms and other dual-use materiel, including jet fuel, into Myanmar. They urged the Myanmar military to immediately cease any violence, release all prisoners arbitrarily detained – starting from the democratically elected leaders- and establish an inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders, in view of restoring the path towards a meaningful and durable democratic process. "We also reiterate our call on the Myanmar military to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, to desist from any form of forced labour and to allow prompt, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all displaced persons and people in need," said the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union in their statement issued by the US Department of State on Friday. They will continue to support Asean’s efforts to promote a credible and inclusive process to achieve the swift implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. "We highlight the importance of a comprehensive implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 2669 (2022) and support the UN’s further engagement in the crisis, including through the leadership of the newly appointed UN Special Envoy on Myanmar and through the designation of a Resident Coordinator in country," said the G7 countries, noting that accountability for serious crimes committed in Myanmar remains essential. The G7 countries reiterated their strong condemnation of the military coup in Myanmar and reaffirm our support and solidarity with the people of Myanmar in their quest for peace, freedom, and democracy. The continuing attacks by the military destroying civilian infrastructure (including homes, schools, places of worship and hospitals), the repeated and serious violations of human rights and the alarming humanitarian situation – which particularly affect those in most vulnerable situations, including children, women and members of minority religious and ethnic groups – are unacceptable. "We also condemn the recent implementation of the 2010 conscription law by the military regime," they said. The forced recruitment of young people can only lead to further violence and trigger a massive exodus to neighboring countries, according to the joint statement.

Israel launches strike against Iran: US media

Israel has launched a strike against Iran in retaliation for its weekend attack, US media reported Thursday night. ABC and CBS News reported the strikes early Friday Mideast time, quoting US officials. There was no immediate comment from the White House or Pentagon, reports AFP. Iran activated its air defense system over several cities, state media reported, after the country`s official broadcaster said explosions were heard near the central city of Isfahan. Israel had warned it would hit back after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel over the weekend. Most of them were intercepted. That strike came in the wake of an attack on Iran`s consulate in Damascus widely blamed on Israel. Meanwhile, US and UK impose new sanctions against Iran The US and UK have imposed a new wave of sanctions against Iran, following its drone attack on Israel. Washington targeted 16 people and two entities that produce engines for the drones. The UK Foreign Office imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on seven individuals and six entities, including those involved in drone and missile programmes. Both countries already have hundreds of sanctions in place against Iran. The latest move follows Israel`s call for support from the international community after Iran`s direct assault on Saturday, involving more than 300 missiles and drones fired from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Almost all were downed by Israel and its allies. Tehran has maintained the attack was in retaliation for a presumed Israeli air strike on its consulate in Syria on 1 April, in which 13 people were killed. The US sanctions target Iran`s drone programme, its steel producers and vehicle companies connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Defence. US President Joe Biden said leaders of the G7 group of leading world economies were committed to collectively increasing economic pressure on Iran. "Our allies and partners have or will issue additional sanctions and measures to restrict Iran`s destabilising military programmes," he said.

BGB deployed after mob attack kills 2 in Faridpur

Border guards were deployed on Friday after an angry mob beat two construction workers to death following a fire in a temple in Dumain union under Madhukhali upazila of the district, authorities said. Five more workers who sustained severe injuries in the mob attack, have been undergoing treatment in a local hospital. A tense situation has been prevailing in the area since last night`s incident with all male members belonging to the Hindu community fled their homes, local administration said. The deceased were identified as Ashraful, 21, and his younger brother Ashadul, 15, sons of Shahjahan Khan of Ghoperghat village under Naowarpara union of the upazila. Faridpur

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60% voter turnout in Phase 1 of India’s Lok Sabha elections

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Celebration of 104t Birth Anniversary of Bangabandhu and National Children’s Day celebrated in Kathm

The 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children`s Day was celebrated today at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu with due solemnity and festivity. In the morning, the national flag was hoisted in the Embassy premises; wreaths were placed at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and messages given by the dignitaries were read out.

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South Asia

India Hosts 6th Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly in New Delhi

The Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) convened in New Delhi today, presided over by Raj Kumar Singh, Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, who serves as the President of the ISA Assembly. Ministers from 20 countries and delegates representing 116 Member and Signatory countries gathered for this important event, according to a press release. In his opening remarks, Raj Kumar Singh emphasized the crucial role of renewable energy sources in addressing global energy challenges. He stated that renewable energy has the potential to supply 65 percent of the world`s total electricity by 2030 and decarbonize 90 percent of the power sector by 2050. The International Solar Alliance is committed to making solar energy the preferred energy source, attracting investments, and ensuring ample energy availability to meet growing global demands. To support this, ISA has expanded its Viability Gap Funding (VGF) mechanism, increasing the grant to 35% of the project cost based on the capacity and needs of member countries. Co-President of the Assembly, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, France`s Minister of State for Development, Francophonie, and International Partnerships, emphasized France`s commitment to the ISA. France has provided significant financial support for solar projects, including the construction of the Onigbolo solar power plant in Benin, bringing 25 megawatts of clean energy to the people of Benin. She emphasized the importance of supporting partner countries in their energy transition plans, said the release. Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, stressed the need to accelerate the deployment of solar energy, particularly in developing countries and for applications that enhance the daily lives of those without reliable energy access. ISA is facilitating over 9.5 GW of solar applications in 55 developing countries and providing training to thousands of people in supporting solar energy. The organization is working on establishing STAR Centers as hubs of technology, knowledge, and expertise in solar energy, it said. The Assembly also discussed the ISA`s initiatives, including the development of solar mini-grids to provide universal energy access and mechanisms to attract private sector investment through guarantees provided by the Global Solar Facility. In May 2020, ISA initiated Demonstration Projects in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to showcase scalable solar technology applications and build the capacity of beneficiary member countries. Four projects, including solarization of the parliament building of the Republic of Malawi, solarization of health care centers in Fiji, installation of solar-powered cold storage in Seychelles, and solarization of a school in Kiribati, were inaugurated, it added. Singh dedicated these projects to the respective countries, highlighting ISA`s commitment to advancing the cause of energy transition through solar energy. The Assembly serves as the apex decision-making body of ISA and meets annually to assess the progress of solar energy deployment and discuss key initiatives related to energy access, energy security, and energy transition. The Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance demonstrated the commitment of member countries to harnessing solar energy to address global energy and environmental challenges, the release also said.