National
DMP Bolster Road Safety Efforts thru Speed Risk Training Workshop
The Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) organized a comprehensive two-day training workshop for Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) with the theme “Speed as a Risk Factor.” Held at the InterContinental Dhaka, the workshop aimed to strengthen traffic law enforcement and promote road safety. A total of 60 police officers from the DMP, including the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Traffic Inspectors, and Sergeants, participated in two batches. The workshop was part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, a global network dedicated to reducing road traffic crashes, deaths, and injuries.
The workshop commenced with an inaugural session on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. The event was inaugurated by Khandker Golam Faruq BPM (Bar), PPM, the Honorable Police Commissioner of the DMP, who served as the Chief Guest. Md Munibur Rahman, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic), and SM Mehedi Hasan, Joint Police Commissioner (Traffic South), attended the workshop as special guests. Distinguished attendees included Russell Nyman, Senior Road Policing Advisor of the Global Road Safety Partnership, Suganthi Saravanan of Vital Strategies, and Md Abdul Wadud, Initiative Coordinator, along with other key personnel involved in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety.
Addressing the participants, Chief Guest Khandker Golam Faruq BPM (Bar), PPM, emphasized the paramount importance of road safety in society. He acknowledged the devastating consequences of traffic accidents and expressed the commitment of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens. The Chief Guest emphasized the crucial role of effective traffic law enforcement in creating a secure and livable city. He highlighted the shared vision of safer roads, reduced fatalities, and minimized injuries, stating that the training workshop provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and learn from successful international and national road policing strategies. Furthermore, he recognized the expertise and global contributions of GRSP and BIGRS in enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement officials.
Russell Nyman, Senior Road Policing Advisor of the Global Road Safety Partnership, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, explained that the primary objective of the workshop was to facilitate the exchange of existing enforcement practices within a ‘Safe System’ model. The workshop aimed to stimulate discussions on the challenges and opportunities of enforcing traffic laws more effectively, drawing on international and national road policing strategies that have led to significant reductions in road deaths and associated trauma. Key topics covered during the workshop included current road safety trends, the role of enforcement in a ‘Safe System,’ the importance of speed reduction, speed enforcement technology, and tactics. By equipping police officials with these insights, the training aimed to contribute to the reduction of road traffic deaths and injuries.
This training workshop marked a significant step in strengthening traffic law enforcement and improving road safety in Dhaka. Through knowledge sharing and collaboration among police officials, the workshop aimed to create a safer road environment for all residents. The GRSP expressed gratitude to all participants, guests, and speakers for their unwavering commitment to this crucial cause.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has underscored her firm stance against any recurrence of the 2013-14 incidents of arson terrorism and inhuman atrocities in the run-up to the next national election. During a community reception held in her honor at the Methodist Central Hall Westminster, she emphasized that there would be no tolerance for such actions conducted in the name of a movement.
Recalling the events of 2013-14, Prime Minister Hasina pointed out that the BNP-Jamaat alliance had wreaked havoc across the country by setting people on fire, destroying public and private properties with petrol bombs hurled at various modes of transportation, including buses, trains, and launches. These actions led to severe burn injuries for many, including women, who continue to suffer from the consequences.
She clarified that her government had no objection to peaceful movements but highlighted the stark difference between peaceful protests and movements that involve killing people through arson terrorism and damaging the nation’s assets. She also referenced a past incident where 29 police personnel were killed, emphasizing that any attempt to harm innocent citizens would not be tolerated.
Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen and AL Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap were in attendance during the event, presided over by UK AL President Sultan Sharif and moderated by General Secretary Syed Sajedur Rahman Faruk.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who also serves as the President of the ruling Awami League, criticized the BNP’s claims about democracy, citing their dubious election practices. She noted that the people of Bangladesh had swiftly removed the BNP from power within a short period after they conducted a controversial election on February 15, 1996.
Regarding voter lists, she pointed out that the BNP-Jamaat alliance had attempted to manipulate elections by creating a voter list with 1.23 crore fake voters. In contrast, Awami League leaders and activists had worked tirelessly to establish and protect the voting rights of the people, with some even sacrificing their lives in the process.
Prime Minister Hasina reiterated her commitment to holding free and fair elections, highlighting the reforms implemented by her government, including the establishment of an independent election commission and the introduction of transparent ballot boxes and voter lists with photographs.
She also mentioned that the BNP’s focus had shifted from political movements to seeking treatment abroad for Khaleda Zia. She clarified that she had acted within the confines of the law when allowing Khaleda Zia to stay at home after suspending her jail term in a corruption case.
Prime Minister Hasina called upon Bangladeshi expatriates to send remittances through official banking channels, acknowledging their contributions to the country’s progressive and democratic movements, including the War of Liberation in 1971.
In light of rising inflation due to global factors, she encouraged citizens to utilize every inch of land for agriculture to reduce dependency on food imports. She briefly outlined her government’s efforts to advance Bangladesh economically and digitally, with the goal of transforming it into a developed and prosperous nation by 2041.
In September of this year, the country’s export earnings from goods demonstrated robust growth, surging by 10.37 percent and reaching a total of $4,310.33 million. However, these single-month export figures fell short by 7.05 percent of the strategic export target set at $4,637 million, as reported by the latest statistics from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
Comparatively, the export earnings for September in the previous year amounted to $3,905.07 million, indicating a noteworthy increase in the current year.
Taking a broader view, the data from EPB revealed that the overall export earnings during the first quarter of the current fiscal year (July-September) saw a significant growth of 9.51 percent, totaling $13,685.44 million. This exceeded the strategic target of $13,988 million set for the same period.
In contrast, during the same July-September period in the last fiscal year (FY23), the export earnings were recorded at $12,496.89 million, illustrating a noticeable upswing in the current fiscal year.
Among the various exportable items, the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector continued to dominate the overseas market during this three-month period, amassing an impressive $11,617.5 million with a growth rate of 13.07 percent.
Breaking down the RMG category, knitwear stood out as the frontrunner, securing the highest export amount of $6,762.59 million, followed closely by woven garments with earnings of $4,854.91 million.
For the current fiscal year, the government has set an ambitious target to export goods worth $62 billion, aiming for an 11.59 percent year-on-year growth. This follows a remarkable achievement in the previous fiscal year (FY23), where exports reached a record-breaking $55.56 billion despite challenging global conditions and uncertainties.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued a stark warning, suggesting that unless the ruling Awami League retains power, the country could regress into a state of darkness. She conveyed this message during a reception hosted by the US chapter of the Awami League at the Holiday Express Inn Hotel.
However, the Prime Minister expressed her confidence in the people of Bangladesh, stating that they would not want to return to such a bleak period. She referred to the 29 years under the BNP-Jamaat governments as an era of darkness during which little was done for the citizens except for the self-enrichment of the ruling clique.
She emphasized that the Awami League, since coming into power in 2009, has made significant strides in bridging the developmental gap created during those years of darkness. Bangladesh has achieved recognition as a developing country during this period, thanks to specific plans and a continued democratic process.
Prime Minister Hasina mentioned that her government is preparing for Bangladesh’s journey as a developing nation, starting in 2026. To facilitate this journey, a committee has been formed, led by her principal secretary, to find ways to ensure development and prosperity. She reiterated her belief that if the Awami League remains in power, Bangladesh’s path to becoming a developed nation will face no hindrances.
