National
Nation Celebrates Buddha Purnima, President, PM Extend Greetings to Buddhist Community
Buddha Purnima, the most significant religious festival for the Buddhist community, is being observed today across the country with great enthusiasm.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended their greetings to the Buddhist community and all citizens in separate messages on this auspicious occasion.
President Shahabuddin highlighted that Buddha Purnima commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and great passing away (Mahaparinirvana) of Gautama Buddha. He emphasized that Buddha dedicated his life to the welfare of humanity, advocating for a peaceful and prosperous world. The President noted that Buddha’s teachings of equity and friendship are crucial for establishing global peace and harmony.
He remarked that the ideals and philosophy of Buddha are vital for fostering peace in society, eliminating unrest and intolerance, and preventing moral degradation. He praised Bangladesh as a country of communal harmony where people of all religions celebrate their festivals with grandeur, reflecting a longstanding tradition of mutual respect and unity.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, stated that Gautama Buddha preached non-violence, friendship, and compassion, overcoming greed, hatred, and lust for the welfare of mankind. She stressed the importance of adhering to Buddha’s teachings in today’s world to curb violence, uphold values, and build a peaceful society.
The Prime Minister noted that people of all religions in Bangladesh have practiced their faiths in a festive, free, and undisturbed environment for ages. She affirmed that the constitution guarantees equal rights for all religions and castes, underscoring the belief that “Religion is for individuals while festivals are for all.”
She reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the dignity and secure lives of all communities, highlighting the Buddhist community’s active participation in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. The Prime Minister expressed hope that everyone would contribute to making Bangladesh a peaceful country by embracing Buddha’s ideals.
The day is observed as a public holiday. On this occasion, newspapers will publish articles, while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television (BTV), and private TV channels will broadcast special programs highlighting the significance of the day.
Celebrations include the lighting of lamps, hoisting of national and religious flags atop monasteries, and chanting sacred verses from the Tripitaka. Buddhist devotees are expected to offer various gifts, including fruits, flowers, and candles, to statues of Lord Buddha throughout the day.
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.
