National
PM Sheikh Hasina Launches Digital Stipend Distribution for Students
Today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the stipend and tuition fee distribution for insolvent and meritorious students ranging from secondary to graduate levels, under the Prime Minister’s Education Assistance Trust (PMEAT). The ceremony was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
The prime minister announced that the funds would be directly transferred to the beneficiaries through a digital system. “I am very happy to disburse the money of stipends and tuition fees among the meritorious students through a digital platform,” she said.
Over Tk 2,208 crore will be distributed to more than 6.47 million students at the secondary, higher secondary, graduate, and equivalent levels.
In addition to the stipends, the prime minister awarded the Bangabandhu Creative Talent Search Award-2024 to 15 students and the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Scholar Award-2023 to 21 students. Each recipient of the Bangabandhu Creative Talent Search Award received a certificate and Tk 2 lakh, while each Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Scholar Award recipient received a certificate and Tk 3 lakh.
Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury, PM’s Education and Cultural Affairs Adviser Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, State Minister for Education Begum Shamsun Naher, and Education Secretary Suleman Khan also spoke at the event.
Three students, Nusrat Jahan Maliha from Hazaribagh Girls’ School and College, Atifa Rahman from Amena-Baki Residential Model School and College in Dinajpur, and Pinak Mugdha Das from Government Majid Memorial City College in Khulna, shared their experiences on behalf of the Bangabandhu Creative Talent Search Award-2024 recipients. Additionally, Dhaka University students Zarin Tasneem Raisa and Al Foysal Bin Kashem Kanon spoke on behalf of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Scholar Award-2023 recipients.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to supporting the education of underprivileged and high-achieving students across the country.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecasted light to heavy rainfall accompanied by temporary gusty winds across all eight divisions of the country for the next 24 hours starting from 9 am today.
“Light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty winds are likely to occur in most areas of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barisal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall,” stated the weather bulletin issued this morning.
The bulletin noted that the monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over the North Bay.
Daytime temperatures may slightly decrease, while nighttime temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
Looking ahead to the next 72 hours, the rainfall activity is likely to continue, according to the extended outlook.
On Saturday, the highest temperature was recorded at 35.0 degrees Celsius in Ishurdi, while today’s lowest temperature of 23.8 degrees Celsius was recorded in Bandarban.
Panchagarh received the highest rainfall of 182 mm in the last 24 hours starting from 6 am today.
In the capital, the sun is set to set at 6:50 pm today and rise at 5:15 am tomorrow.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has issued a stern warning to its approved travel agents, emphasizing that strict measures will be taken against those who violate the national carrier’s regulations.
In a letter addressed to all Passenger Service Agents (PSAs), Biman expressed concerns about agents undercutting or overpricing tickets on their web portals. “It has been observed by Biman Bangladesh Airlines that some reputed Biman-approved travel agents are selling and promoting Biman tickets at prices either lower or higher than the approved fares on different routes,” the letter stated.
The state-owned airline urged all PSAs to adhere to Biman’s rules and policies, warning that failure to comply could result in the termination of business relationships. Biman emphasized that agents manipulating the airline’s image and goodwill will face severe consequences. The letter highlighted that all approved PSAs in Bangladesh are entitled to a 7 percent commission on the base fare.
However, Biman noted that some agents are offering 15-20 percent discounts on tickets through their web portals and social media, creating unhealthy competition and damaging Biman’s reputation. Additionally, the letter mentioned that some online travel agents (OTAs) are failing to provide services to customers after ticket issuance, including assistance with travel plan changes or ticket refunds.
“We have been receiving numerous complaints on this issue, which directly affects our goodwill and image,” the letter from Biman’s Sales Promotion Section stated.
This move follows alerts from the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) regarding irregularities by certain agencies. “In this era of information technology, we support tech-based business but must ensure ticket buyers are not defrauded. We seek a proper and timely policy for OTAs,” ATAB President Abdus Salam Aref told BSS.
ATAB Secretary General Afshia Jannat Saleh also stressed the need for immediate action to restore fair competition in the travel and ticketing industry. “Biman offers agents a 7 percent commission per ticket, but some are selling at a 15-20 percent discount. Such practices clearly indicate dishonest intentions,” she said.
Stakeholders in the air ticketing sector have long advocated for policies regulating OTAs in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the National Primary Education Week-2024 today, emphasizing a renewed commitment to ensuring quality education for children. The event took place at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium, where the prime minister served as the chief guest.
During the ceremony, Sheikh Hasina distributed the Primary Education Medal-2023 to 126 stakeholders in recognition of their contributions to primary education. The awards were presented in 18 categories, with 36 students, 15 individuals, and three organizations receiving medals directly from the prime minister.
The theme for this year’s Primary Education Week is “Shishu Bandhov Prathomik Shikkha, Smart Bangladesher Deekkha,” underscoring the importance of child-friendly primary education as a foundation for a smart Bangladesh.
State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Rumana Ali and Secretary Farid Ahmed also addressed the audience at the event. Additionally, a video documentary showcasing the development of primary and mass education across the country was screened.
