National
Environment Minister Praises Bangabandhu’s Environmental Vision
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury highlighted Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s visionary approach to environment-friendly development in Bangladesh.
“Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman laid the groundwork for environmental protection in Bangladesh long before the first Earth Summit in Rio,” Chowdhury remarked. “He enacted ordinances to combat water pollution and passed laws to safeguard wildlife and biodiversity, even amid the challenges of post-war Bangladesh. It’s our duty to honor Bangabandhu’s vision by realizing his dream of ‘Sonar Bangla’, a nation thriving in happiness, prosperity, and environmental serenity.”
Chowdhury made these remarks at a discussion organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, titled “The historical leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the development of the country,” held at the Department of Environment to commemorate Independence and National Day 2024.
The Minister emphasized Bangabandhu’s unifying leadership, transcending religious and cultural divides, and his pursuit of a democratic system to replace Pakistan’s regime. Chowdhury stressed the ongoing struggle for economic, social, and cultural liberation in Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of unity for national development, irrespective of political affiliations.
The discussion, chaired by Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, saw the participation of officials including Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (Environment) Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Md. Nasir Uddin, Chairman of Bangladesh Forest Industry Development Corporation, Md. Zainal Abedin, Managing Director of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust, Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director General of the Department of Environment, and Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forest.
The event also featured a screening of a documentary highlighting the remarkable life and contributions of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the 2024 Hajj program (1445 hijri) in Ashkona, the capital, today, May 8th.
Subsequently, she exchanged pleasantries with the Hajj pilgrims at the Ashkona Hajj camp.
The maiden Hajj flight is set to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Saudi Arabia on Thursday (May 9).
Dedicated Hajj flights will also operate from Chattogram and Sylhet airports, landing at Jeddah and Medina airports.
This year, 85,257 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to undertake the holy journey. Among them, 4,562 will be under government management, while 80,695 will be managed privately.
The Hajj is tentatively scheduled for June 15th, contingent upon the moon sighting.
In attendance were Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqur Rahman, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Ministry Mohammad Huchamuddin Chowdhury, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan, and president of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) Shahadat Hossain Taslim.
Religious Affairs Minister Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the inaugural function, while Religious Affairs Secretary Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the welcome address.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted rain or thundershowers across all eight divisions in the next 24 hours starting from 9 am today.
According to the BMD, “Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barisal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, and at a few places over Rangpur division with hails at isolated places in the next 24 hours as of 9 am tomorrow.”
A mild heat wave is currently sweeping over the districts of Gopalganj, Jashore, and Chuadanga, but it may abate soon.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The maximum temperature recorded on Monday was 37.6 degrees Celsius in Jashore, while the minimum temperature today was 18.8 degrees Celsius in Bandarban.
Rainfall over the last 24 hours until 6 am today was measured at 130mm in Feni.
Today, the sun is set to set at 6:20 PM and rise at 5:19 AM tomorrow in the capital.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the newly constructed Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) Bhaban and Senaprangan (Army Central Auditorium) Bhaban in Dhaka Cantonment today, unveiling their name plaques and cutting ribbons to enter AFIP Bhaban. During her visit, she toured different facilities within AFIP Bhaban, where AFIP Commandant Major General Dr Nishat Jubaida briefed her on its main features and facilities.
The project, “Extension and Modernization of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP),” approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in 2019, aimed to meet the increasing demand for pathology services. Remarkably, the project was completed ahead of schedule, by December 2024.
The 14-storey AFIP Bhaban boasts a modern laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including next-generation sequencing, automated microbial identification systems, transmission electron microscopes, and multi-headed microscopes, ensuring international standard services.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Prof Dr Samanta Lal Sen, Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and other dignitaries graced the occasion.
Following the inauguration of Senaprangan Bhaban, the prime minister also cut a ribbon to enter the new facility. Senaprangan serves as the army’s central auditorium for hosting various national and international-level events such as meetings, seminars, and social gatherings, with Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed and high-level army officers in attendance.
