National
PM to Declare 12 More Districts Landless, Homeless-Free This Wednesday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to deliver 22,101 homes to landless and homeless families as part of the Ashrayan-2 project on Wednesday (August 8). This move comes alongside the announcement of 12 more districts being declared free from homelessness and landlessness. With the addition of these districts and their upazilas, the total count of such districts across the country will reach 21, encompassing 334 upazilas. The declaration was communicated by Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah, the Principal Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, during a press conference at Karabi Hall. The event was attended by officials including PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin and Ashrayan-2 Project Director Abu Saleh Mohammad Ferdous Khan.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to inaugurate the distribution of semi-pucca houses through a video conference from her official residence, Ganabhaban. The homes will be furnished with keys and ownership documents for a two-decimal land plot. Approximately 115,000 individuals will be beneficiaries of this initiative on the given day.
The Principal Secretary highlighted that under the Ashrayan project and various related programs, over 820,607 families have been rehabilitated since 1997. This effort has benefited around 4,148,035 individuals, assuming an average of five persons per family. Of these, 555,617 families (equivalent to 2,778,085 individuals) have been directly aided by the Ashrayan Project.
Tofazzel Hossain Miah emphasized that this initiative stands out globally, as it provides not only houses and lands, but also essential utilities like electricity and water supply. He noted that due to this comprehensive approach, Bangladesh’s rehabilitation program has significantly reduced the numbers of extreme poverty and floating populations.
The Prime Minister will preside over the distribution of houses at three locations: Barasat Sonar Bangla Palli Ashrayan project in Terokhada upazila (Khulna district), Chakla Ashrayan-2 project in Bera upazila (Pabna), and Amanullahpur Ashrayan project in Begumganj (Noakhali).
Moreover, during this event, the districts of Manikganj, Rajbari, Mymensingh, Sherpur, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Naogaon, Natore, Pabna, Kushtia, Pirojpur, and Jhalakathi will be designated as landless and homeless-free areas.
This marks the second phase of the fourth stage of the Ashrayan-2 project. In the first stage of this phase, 39,365 houses were distributed on March 22, 2023. The prior stages of the project distributed 63,999 houses under the first phase, 53,330 under the second phase, and 59,133 in two stages during the Mujib-Barshao celebration.
After the distribution of 22,101 homes in this phase, the overall count under the Ashrayan-2 Project will reach 238,851. Additionally, the Principal Secretary noted that the government plans to offer houses and lands to those who might become homeless due to reasons like river erosion, natural disasters, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Through this endeavor, the government aims to provide land ownership to both spouses, ensuring equal rights and registration. Furthermore, Tofazzel Hossain Miah highlighted that the houses are not solely built on government-owned land; they also purchase land from the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust and receive donations from individuals.
He addressed queries regarding future plans, stating that the government will extend assistance to those who are in need of better housing or whose homes are dilapidated after the current landless and homeless rehabilitation process concludes.
The upcoming declaration of 123 upazilas as landless and homeless-free areas encompasses various regions, spanning from Shariatpur to Sunamganj. This initiative is aligned with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s commitment to following her father’s legacy, initiated by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972, to provide housing and land to those without homes.
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.
