National
Awami League Unveils ‘Smart Bangladesh’ Vision in Election Manifesto
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League (AL), presented the party’s election manifesto, focusing on the vision of “Smart Bangladesh.”
The announcement took place at the AL manifesto program held on December 27, 2023, at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital. Sheikh Hasina emphasized the party’s commitment to building a modern, technology-oriented nation, outlining key priorities, including a Universal Health System and a balanced approach to import and export trade.
Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Hasina reflected on AL’s past achievements, mentioning the successful implementation of Vision 2021 outlined in the 2008 election manifesto. She underscored the importance of balanced import and export trade to ensure stability in foreign exchange supply, advocating for stringent measures to recover defaulted loans.
The Prime Minister highlighted the significance of policy interest rates in controlling money supply and inflation, expressing the party’s commitment to extending credit for self-employment opportunities for trained youth. Sheikh Hasina unveiled the pillars of “Smart Bangladesh” – Smart Citizens, Smart Government, Smart Economy, and Smart Society – essential for global competition in the fourth industrial revolution era.
In a bid to eradicate hunger and poverty, Sheikh Hasina pledged to transform Bangladesh into a smart, developed country by 2041. The healthcare sector’s modernization featured prominently in the manifesto, with plans for a Universal Health System, digital healthcare initiatives, and the establishment of international-standard specialized hospitals.
The manifesto emphasized advancements in basic health and family welfare services, continuation of free primary healthcare and medicine distribution through community clinics, and the introduction of health IDs for every citizen. Sheikh Hasina also announced support for the country’s Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) industry, controlled antibiotic use, and improved mental health and autism healthcare facilities.
AL’s manifesto aligns with Sheikh Hasina’s goals of achieving a developed nation status by 2041, building on the long-term action plans outlined in previous election manifestos. AL’s commitment to perfecting democracy and overcoming challenges was echoed by General Secretary Obaidul Quader, who highlighted Sheikh Hasina’s inspirational leadership and the party’s resilience in the face of conspiracies and terrorism.
In the upcoming election, AL’s manifesto will prioritize 11 key issues, including commodity price stability, youth education and employment, Smart Bangladesh initiatives, integrated agriculture systems, affordable healthcare, financial sector efficiency, universal pension, law enforcement accountability, and combating communalism, terrorism, and militancy.
National
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman Appointed Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, a distinguished academic from the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka, has been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh (NUB). The Ministry of Education confirmed the appointment through an official notification issued on Sunday (23 November), signed by Sultan Ahmed, Assistant Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, on behalf of the President.
The notice states that, with the approval of the Honorable President and Chancellor, Professor Rahman will serve a four-year term as Vice-Chancellor under Section 31(1) of the Private University Act, 2010. He will receive all salary, allowances, and benefits as determined by the university, and his duties will commence immediately in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Professor Rahman has an outstanding academic background. He secured First Class First in his Honors degree from the University of Dhaka’s Marketing Department, achieving record-breaking marks. He completed his MBA with dual majors in Finance and Marketing at Dalhousie University in Canada, graduating in the top 1% of his class. He later earned his Master’s degree (First Class Second) and PhD from the same department at the University of Dhaka.
During his illustrious 35-year career, he has served as Chairman of the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka for three years and was elected to both the Syndicate and Senate of the university. He also served as Dean at Daffodil International University and has taught as an adjunct professor at North South University, BRAC University, and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
Professor Rahman has an extensive body of research, with over 35 publications, including four international papers and three research monographs. Several MPhil and PhD scholars have completed their degrees under his supervision. He also served for many years as Vice President of the Dhaka University Marketing Alumni Association.
Outside academia, he has contributed significantly to the corporate sector and educational governance. He has worked as an independent director and strategic adviser to various reputed organizations and has served on the governing bodies of several well-known colleges in Dhaka. He currently holds the position of Chairman of the North South Society.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
