August 04,2010

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that her government has taken initiatives for women empowerment. She also said that during her previous tenure her government had taken steps to induct women in local government bodies for flourishing women empowerment. The Prime Minister made the remarks when visiting Panchayet and Rural Development Minister of West Bengal of India Anisur Rahman paid a courtesy call on her at the PM’s office. During the meeting, Prime Minister Hasina and the West Bengal Minister Anisur Rahman discussed different issues, including local government and empowerment of women, as well as areas of cooperation between Bangladesh and West Bengal. Anisur Rahman handed over some gift items to the Prime Minister on behalf of the West Bengal Chief Minister and the Speaker. He expressed happiness about his fist visit to Bangladesh and said he is delighted to witness the development of the country’s local government system and women empowerment. The West Bengal Minister was accompanied by Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Rajeet Mitter. 

August 03,2010

The government is actively considering setting up two separate ministries on railway and information and communication technology (ICT) to reinvigorate the railway sector and expansion of the ICT across the country. This was disclosed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while presiding over the maiden meeting of "Digital Bangladesh Taskforce" at Prime Minister's Office here this morning. Explaining the necessity of setting up the two separate ministries, Sheikh Hasina said the government is taking the decision considering the importance of railway communications and expansion of the ICT across the country in the age of information technology. In this context, she mentioned her government's decision to launch Sangsad Bangladesh TV with terrestrial facility and said the TV will air parliament proceedings during the session. Apart from this, she said it (Sangsad Bangladesh TV) will also telecast different educational and other programmes on ICT when the Jatiya Sangsad will not be in session. A resolution was unanimously adopted in the Jatiya Sangsad recently to set up the television channel to highlight, among others, the activities of the parliament before the nation. The Prime Minister said her government has a plan to involve meritorious and talented professionals in nation building activities. Referring to possible attempts of price hiking ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, Sheikh Hasina called upon all concerned including Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) to remain alert so that none can increase price of essential taking the advantage of the Ramadan. In these connections, she said there is enough stock of essentials in the country right now, so there is no reason for increasing prices of consumer goods. "You have to remain alert to prevent any move to increase prices of essentials as some unscrupulous businessmen manipulate markets for profit mongering," she added. 

August 01,2010

Today is the first day of the fateful August, the month of grief and mourning for the Bangalees. In this month in 1975, the nation lost its greatest son of thousand years and crownless monarch Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Again, in this August in 2004 there was an attempt to kill Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League president and the present prime minister, by launching a grenade attack. Though Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader, narrowly escaped the attack, 26 people, including Ivy Rahman, the Awami League women affairs secretary and wife of incumbent President Zillur Rahman, were killed in the August 21, 2004 grenade attack. About 500 AL leaders and activists were injured. On the fateful night of August 15 in 1975, the killers brutally murdered not only Bangabandhu, but also his wife Fazilatunnessa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell and daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal. Sixteen more dear and near ones of Bangabandhu, including his brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, nephew Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni and security officer Colonel Jamil were also not spared during the world's most heinous brutality. Bangabandhu's daughters, incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, survived the carnage as they were in Germany at that time. Therefore, the month of August means pain and sorrow and also the weapon of resistance to the nation.

Awami League chalked out month long programs on Mourning Month –August

August 01,2010

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia to shun 'ill attempts' to topple the government and launch programmes that serves public interest. Referring to BNP chairperson's remark that the ground for greater unity of people and stronger movement has been created, she said, "Stop killing the innocent people in the name of creating ground." "How, being a Muslim, Khaleda Zia gives direction for burning another Muslim to death?" she questioned, referring to the death of Faruk Hossain in a pre-hartal arson attack. Faruk was allegedly killed by hartal supporters who set fire to his taxicab near Maghbazar rail crossing on June 26 night. "Try to gain peoples' confidence and give programmes for them," the PM said, inaugurating a voluntary blood donation programme, organised by Bangladesh Krishak League on the premises of house No 32 at Dhanmondi. The blood donation marks the beginning of the month-long programme in observance of the National Mourning Day on August 15, the 35th death anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “You (Khaleda) are creating ground for movement by burning down innocent people. Stop creating anarchy and violence in the country. Tell people what you can do for their development,” the Prime Minister said. On the opposition’s threat to unseat the government, the Prime Minister posed a counter-question whether the opposition leader and her party has such confidence that people will bring them to power if the present government is unseated? Sheikh Hasina urged the opposition leader to make promise that they would not kill innocent people, do not commit corruption and patronize militancy in the future. “You (Khaleda) should not forget that people cast their votes against the four-party alliance for their limitless corruption and patronization of militancy,” she said. The Prime Minister said BNP has formed alliance with Jamaat, the party which rapped hundreds of women and killed thousands of people during the 1971 liberation war. She said the opposition party is out to create instability in the country as they do not want welfare of the mass people.